colbyjack

X, the teams I have heard that may be in on Moustakas are the O's and the Nationals. The O's won't completely avoid Boras as BA has led onto, and the Nats aren't completely focused on a pitcher like everyone thinks they are. And I think the Pirates should be on Moustakas if the Cubs go Vitters. Moustakas at #4 would still get a mighty hunk of change at slot value. If Scherzer re-enters the draft, that will help Moustakas get to the Brewers pick, as Scherzer won't re-enter the draft unless he's taken among the top 5-6 teams since he reportedly has a $3 million offer on the table from the D-Backs. I think most people are really starting to hope that happens. And I don't think Moustakas will be a tremendously difficult sign. Maybe like Cameron Maybin or Homer Bailey, in that he may command an extra $500K or so (which is still a lot of money), but it's not like we're talking a big-league deal with a signing bonus in the $3.5-$4M range (at least not as far as I can tell).

Just a note, the Brewers made a pretty strong run to sign Truinfel last fall. Truinfel was represented by Boras, which probably meant they were asking for more than what the Brewers were willing to spend (that's not a knock on the Crew, just an educated guess). Yohannis Perez at $500K was a better fit. Thanks for the head's up though Blazer.

I agree Trowekamp, you have to hit on your first round picks. While I don't like the term "crap-shoot" in relationship to the draft, teams that make good selections, no matter where they pick, are a lot more successful than teams that just have had a lot of early picks. However, I disagree with your assessment that Mike Jones was never dominant. He was plenty dominant in the Pioneer League, was solid as a rock in Beloit, and even had a lot of success in Huntsville before the bad rash of injuries hit. You just don't see too many pitchers that young dominate games with their fastballs as Jones did. I would argue that Rogers hasn't shown what he is capable of when healthy. He had a string of three starts last year in West Virginia that at this point in time seems like more of a tease of his potential than anything else. We all know he has the talent, now it's a matter of him putting it together, hoping and praying that he returns fully healthy with no further setbacks.

Just for the record, Jack Z. isn't Canadian. And to what do you refer to when you say there has been a lot of talk that the team should draft a reliever? We talked about whether or not the team should consider it on the draft forum a few months ago, but that topic was started just for the sake of conversation. Is there a strong push from others for the team to draft a reliever? I'm not sure if this is a popular subject or not on the IGT's.

This is an interesting rule change, and I wonder if there could be abuses. Let's pretend, for example, that the 2007 class is considered a weak class but 2008 is supposed to be one of the best in recent memory. What is to stop a team from intentionally not sign their 2007 first round pick (or even second or third) to get extra compensatory picks in a deeper 2008 draft? The Brewers, using this example, might be better off with the 8th pick and a mid-20s pick next year than the 7th this year and a mid-20s next year. While I understand the premise is to better compensate a team that couldn't sign a player (I'm sure losing the number 3 pick and getting a sandwich pick doesn't seem fair), but this seems like a rule that could be abused. That's a good point Chris, and something that has been tossed around a bit. No one is really sure how the new rule changes are going to shake out, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the teams with a lot of early picks (the Giants) possibly take a flyer on a player that is perceived to be a difficult sign (maybe Andrew Brackman or Matt Wieters) hoping they can use their added negotiating power (the comp pick and the August 15th signing deadline) as a way to "lure" that player to sign. I don't think a team would intentionally not sign a player while looking ahead to next year's draft. For one, you never know what is going to happen. This year's draft class looked a lot stronger a year ago than it does now (it is still deep on the prep side, but not so much on the college end). Two, you would have to wait a year to add a potentially special player to your system. For a team like the Brewers in which the development of talent needs to be constant, that extra year could be the difference between having a player such as Ryan Braun available now as opposed to having such a player available June 1, 2008.

Thanks for sharing that Minigoon. The JUCO World Series is taking place this weekend, an event that continues through next Saturday (the championship game will be available to watch on CSTV on tape delay a week from today, June 4th). I'm pretty sure Lee Haydel's season is now over, as Delgado lost their first two games of the tourney, and looking at the bracket, I don't see where they would fit: www.jucogj.org/2007/2007_...ame_7a.pdf Don't be surprised if the Brewers move fairly quickly on this one, as we may have word of Haydel signing by tomorrow. Haydel in the tourney went 2 for 8 with a triple, a run, an RBI, a walk a strikeout and a stolen base (in his only attempt). Three other teams with ties to the Brewers DFE class are in the tournament as well: San Jacinto (Matt Coburn), Shelton State (Clay Jones) and Cowley County (Matt Peck). Jones in particular is having a good tournament, currently with 6 hits in 9 ABs, 1 HR and 6 RBI. He's been playing first base.

John Manuel of BA conducted a draft chat late last week. One note on the Brewers: The Brewers always spend when it comes to the draft, and we've been talking about how pricey a few of their DFEs could be for a couple of weeks now. Keep in mind Manuel isn't saying the Brewers are in the running for Wieters, just that he wouldn't be surprised if he was their pick (I would be surprised, and elated, if he were).

I couldn't turn down this request... http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/amilano-linkreport.jpg

They do play similar competition, as it may be the best high school baseball in the nation (especially this year), but I really hate using high school stats to compare two players, or to even try to evaluate how good one player is. High school stats are fun to look at, but that's about it. I hate making excuses for players, but Vitters did have pneumonia earlier this year. I think the gap between Vitters and Moustakas isn't that great right now. Vitters has done it time and time again against the best pitchers in the country while playing at the PG National, the Aflac game, the East Coast Pro, etc. Moustakas hasn't shown his wears nationally through the showcase and tournament circuit as much. For instance, scouts look at Vitters' hitting tools now and they can remember back to when he hit three doubles against three of the toughest pitches in the country at the Aflac game last August. And because that gap between the two has closed, that along with some inside info, is why I believe Moustakas won't even be available for the Brewers pick. You put me on the spot with the Moore comparison, but Cypress certainly has a knack for developing good infielders. Christian was a good hitter that followed in the footsteps of Moore, but he wasn't that can't miss, impact type of hitter, and everyone knew he was more of a college type, which is of course the avenue he pursued. Everyone knows how fond I was of Moore, although he wasn't that impressive at the Brewers pre-draft in 2002, as he failed to make consistent, hard contact with a wood bat in BP and in the live game situations. Of course, that was just one outing, but the hitting profiles between he and Josh Vitters are similar at the same stage, even if Vitters bats righty vs. Moore's left-handed stroke, in that they are/were extremely polished hitters with good approaches. Moore played SS in HS, and I felt he could have stuck there for a few years even if everyone had him pegged as a 3B. Vitters has played a little SS, and a lot more 3B, and he could end up in a corner OF spot because unlike Moore, he's not that gifted athlete that just makes all of the plays look so easy.

Moustakas is my first choice as well for the players that are mostly to be avaialble at seven along with the players the Brewers are reportedly showing the most interest in. However, there have been some recent rumblings that the guy won't even be available when the Brewers pick, with the three teams ahead of the Brewers (Pirates, Orioles, Nationals) all having some mention of possibly being interested in the guy. I really would be surprised if money were that big of an issue for Moustakas. I could see him signing for a little over slot money, similar to Homer Bailey as the 7th pick in '04, but nothing that would cause a team to break the bank (although even an extra $500k is a lot of cash).

The annual draft preview story is back this year by popular demand (I didn't write one last year, in which several people commented that they missed it). Put on your reading boots, it's a long one: www.brewerfan.net/ViewArt...icleId=264 Thanks for Blazer and Gagne for already commenting on this story in the draft resource thread. I wanted to create a new thread so people were aware of it.

That's hilarious. No song comes to mind, but I would get a good laugh walking up to the plate with By-Tor and the Snow Dog by Rush playing in the background.

It's funny you mentioned The Sporting News JoeHova, because Allan Simpson originally started Baseball America due to the decreased baseball coverage (below the big leagues) in The Sporting News back in the early 80s.

That is very exciting. Robinson would have been a third to fifth round pick in last year's draft if it hadn't been for his injury in high school. The Brewers scouting department deserves a lot of credit for convincing Robinson for taking the JC route to be eligible as a DFE. Cool. - Way cool. Is there anyone other than Haydel that they may interested in signing? I mentioned this in the Chad Robinson thread, but a name I have been talking about quite a bit the past couple of weeks is Rob Bryson. Bryson, Robinson and Haydel were ranked the third to fifth best available DFEs after Jordan Walden and Matt Latos, and hopefully the Brewers can get all three in the fold. These guys are also the reason why we shouldn't expect the team to draft a player that could fall such as Matt Wieters just because they don't have a second round pick due to the signing of Jeff Suppan. That money, and then some, will be necessary to sign all three of these guys, as Haydel may be looking for close to seven figures and Bryson could require another half-million. EDIT: And don't forget about TJ Macy, who also has enjoyed a very fine season and would be another exciting power arm to add to the system. Mehdi Djebbar is another interesting candidate, and while Aaron Tullo walked a ton of batters this season, he too has a power arm that would be a welcomed addition to the farm system.

Is this the case? If so now we just need to get Lee Haydel! Don't forget about Rob Bryson. Also, see the DFE resource thread where X reported this earlier today.

I hate to do this to you guys so late, especially since Jamie just posted the lineup, but my wife just "reminded" me (I don't remember her ever telling me this) that she has to work late tomorrow, and our two usual babysitters are unavailable. She's going to try and be home by 7:45, and fortunately I live two minutes from Sijan, but if you don't see me by 7:50-7:55 feel free to find a replacement for RCF. Again, my apologies, I hope tomorrow that it isn't even an issue.

Mass Haas has it right. Pence never was really a DFE. The Brewers did draft Pence after his freshman year, but he transferred to Texas-Arlington for his sophomore and junior years, as he only spend one year at Texarkana.

Well they caught it now, and made the change. They also changed the title from "Mighty Mite" to "The Skinny on Detwiler." Blazer has special powers http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

I too have noticed more errors at BA, as they do seem to be getting sloppier (I'm not sure who is in charge of their overall editing, if it is someone new or if it is a result of them losing several of their key guys the past couple of years). I can't complain too much about BA. They're very good at what they do, and they're one of the few publications that covers so many different realms of baseball. I am happy to be associated with Perfect Game and PG Crosschecker, because I think the reputation of Allan Simpson and David Rawnsley among others speaks volumes of the information they have been posting, and they are giving fans of Baseball America another option well worth exploring. Being involved with the things that I am now I can cross-check what I know vs. what BA is reporting, and I'm guessing you do the same thing Blazer. I have found that they often just repeat the same thing about players over and over again (read their write-ups on top prospects from one year to the next, they don't change much, and the same quotes or general perceptions of players are often repeated even if those perceptions have been proved untrue). On a sidenote, who cares if Detwiler lacks bulk? When I saw him earlier this year no one in attendance seemed to care that he was built like a twig. They did care that he threw 93 miles per hour. Again, that seems to be another perception that happens to be repeated endlessly as if its holding him back. Another is that Matt Wieters is having a disappointing season. Has anyone looked at his numbers recently? The dude is having a very good season, again, and if the D-Rays don't take Price #1 overall, Wieters could very well be their man, and I don't see how anyone could argue one bit about them taking Wieters over Price.

I'll happily admit I was wromg here, Haydel will cost very good money to sign. BA has him now ranked all the way up to 75. Just curious, because BA has him ranked at 75 has caused you to change your mind? PGCC has had Haydel ranked in the top 100 for a couple of weeks now, with direct quotes that he could be a possible sandwich pick. I know BA has been around for a lot longer doing what they're doing, but it was Allan Simpson that started the publication and made the foundation and reputation for their annual draft coverage.

If Gillespie keeps it up I certainly could see him in AA to end the season. Errecart will need to get hot again to get a call-up. However, just because their numbers are similar/better than Braun's were at BC a year ago doesn't necessarily mean they will follow a similar path. It would be cool to see both Gillespie and Inman follow a similar path as Braun and Gallardo a year ago though.

Frazier was discussed recently in one of the threads. I looked for the conversation, but couldn't find it. fewgoodcards and myself both compared him to Jeff Francoeur, and also pointed out that he is a similar prospect to Ryan Braun. Very athletic with good power. He walks a bunch, but he strikes out a bunch too. Your projected future numbers for him a similar to the ones we talked about. Jordan Zimmerman and UW Stevens Point beat UW Oshkosh today to claim the regional title, and will take part in the D3 World Series that begins this Friday at Fox Cities Stadium in Apple-ton (at 10:00 am if anyone's interest, I may try to make the trip if I can find a way to take a half-day from work). Zimmerman claimed the MVP award for the tournament, starring both at the mound and at the plate. In two games, he went 2-0 with 21 K and 0 BB in 14.1 innings, which marks the second straight year he has earned the tournament's MVP award. Here's UWSP's story on Zimmerman and the Pointers' success: www.uwsp.edu/athletics/ba...hkosh3.htm

David Rawnsley's draft notebook from late last week focuses on some of the performances from last Wednesday's Perfect Game Pre-Draft Showcase in Cedar Rapids, Iowa: www.pgcrosschecker.com/dr...51807.aspx Alabama CF D.J. Jones was one of the players that impressed, running the 60-yard dash in the 6.35 range. I recently spoke with Jones, and that feature is currently up at PG Crosschecker: www.pgcrosschecker.com/20...ight3.aspx My Crack of the Bat column from last week broke down the teams picking among the top 15, and what their recent trends have been in the draft while trying to identify which teams may be more likely to sign a more difficult sign (such as Boras advisees): www.pgcrosschecker.com/cr...st_demand/ Also, I'm going to try and have my lengthy draft preview story posted on Brewerfan.net's homepage by the end of the week.

Another perfect day for the organization. We have seemed to have a lot of those this year. Good call on Gillespie pogo. I was checking his stats earlier today and noticed his OPS for the month of May is over 1.000. Nice to see him heating up, and while his batting average is lower than I would like to see, the OBP and SLG are mighty good, especially in the FSL. Unfortunately he seemed to have traded places with Errecart, who was hot in April and cold this month.

Manny Parra is hitting a consistent 92-94 on the gun today in the early going. Thanks a ton for listening for for posting this Mass. Just a couple of days ago I commented that I would love to hear how hard Parra is throwing these days. While Braddock deserves a big jump in the P50, Parra deserves a modest bump as well given how well he has been pitching this year, particularly since the velocity is still there. Love to see several 'Tees heating up.