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colbyjack

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Everything posted by colbyjack

  1. colbyjack
    That's a solid assessment on Jackson, and I agree that the presence of guys like Hall (even though he's an OF now), Hardy and anyone else should not alter the Brewers decision come draft day. And while you can argue that the Brewers should be willing to pay big bucks for premium talent that falls (even though they won't), I can't see the argument against Prince Fielder. You may prefer Scott Kazmir, but that doesn't make the selection of Fielder a bad pick. Actually, I think most would agree that the selection was quite an astute one, despite many to most of us disagreeing with it at the time. And they didn't take Fielder because of signability. They took him because they felt he was the best all around hitter available, and its hard to argue with that logic. If you would have seen his performance at the pre-draft workout back in '02, you would have taken him too. Plus, he has two tools, hitting for average and power, and despite his size, he actually has pretty good wheels, and his throwing arm isn't bad either. He's really only lacking one tool (defense), and he's has come a long way in that department. I always support drafting that focuses on the bat first, which is why Braun was taken as well. You can't teach the ability to hit and hit for power.
  2. colbyjack
    Nice to see you continue to read PGCrosschecker Gagne. That report surprised me. I knew Morales was good, but that is an awfully high grade. He's a five-tool guy. Great build that has only started to touch his potential. Great speed, very good defense in CF, and a strong arm. There is power in his bat, but more so future power than present day stuff. He makes good contact and he's a real threat on the basepaths. With that kind of grade prepare yourself for some unfair comparisons to Carlos Beltran. He could be the best prospect Puerto Rico has produced in quite some time (possibly since Beltran). If he were a left-handed hitter he would look even better in the eyes of the scouts (his handedness, if that's a word, doesn't effect his scouting bureau grade, but it definitely plays a part in the eyes and minds of the scouts).
  3. colbyjack
    I gave Minnesota a little bit of love just above. They just aren't expected to have as good of a team this year. As for Wisconsin not being able to field a good team due to lackluster in-state talent, its quite possible if they had a team that their starting rotation this year would consist of Jordan Zimmerman (UW-Stevens Point), Ryan Zink (UIC) and Dusty Brabender (Minnesota), with Dan Luzcak (South Carolina) coming out of the bullpen. That alone could make them a favorite in the Big Ten this year. And the starting lineup could boast players like Chad Pierce (Arkansas), Wes Munson (Missouri), Tyler Beranek (South Alabama I think), Ryan Schweikert (UIC) and Chris Roberts (Michigan State). That would actually be one heck of an infield. UWM wouldn't provide much in-state competition. While the warm weather point is a good one, I do know a few of the kids I have listed above have clearly placed a priority on staying somewhat close to home, and a few others may have stayed even closer if Wisconsin had a team. EDIT: Welcome aboard bradyo.
  4. colbyjack
    Baseball America's college baseball's coverage keeps getting better, particularly with their new college blog and their more detailed college weekend preview. This weekend there are some really good matchups out there to follow: www.baseballamerica.com/t...63271.html At the bottom of the link there is a Q&A with Jemile Weeks: Jemile Weeks http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/jweeks06428309lg.jpg
  5. colbyjack
    In fairness to Haudricourt, he did seem to be trying to answer every question seemingly in the order in which he received them, as my questions were answered one by one through the middle of the chat (one of which he came out and said he did not know the answer, if he was being selective, he could have chosen to just not answer a question he didn't know the answer to). And, he did come out and say he wouldn't be taking any more Kevin Roberts questions. As SoCal noted, I don't think we really learned anything in today's chat, but I think we all know that we tend to know more information about the Brewers from top to bottom than almost everyone else combined.
  6. colbyjack
    I just want to emphasize Mass' point about Haudricourt, hoping people don't pile on the guy. I will try to summarize the chat later today, bringing up some of the more interesting points, unless someone beats me to it. EDIT: And while we've seen this picture of Gallardo before, it's always fun seeing the young kids. http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/ygallardo06428309jh.jpg
  7. colbyjack
    Mike Jones should be prepped to be a closer...it is just about the only way he and his arm can make the show To continue to build his arm strength back up, he would be better served remaining in the starting rotation so he can get regular work every five days. Figuring out how he fits in the future is a secondary concern at this point.
  8. colbyjack
    Welcome aboard Kevin. The "where should Bill Hall play" subject is something that has dominated the offseason discussion both on this forum and on the big-league forum. From Hall vs. Hardy at SS to Hall vs. Braun at 3B, from Hall vs. anyone else in CF. Keep in mind, BA had a project lineup a few years ago that had Richie Sexson in LF with Prince Fielder at 1B. While that stirred up some interesting conversations, I felt it was pretty clear that Sexson and Fielder would never come close to playing on the same team. Basically, the projected lineup is just for kicks, but I realize that is how you brought it up as well. I agree that thinking about that lineup is pretty exciting. It is very interesting to see so many names procured completely from within, another huge tribute to the current scouting department. Later this year the team's starting IF (Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, Braun) and possibly the starting OF (Hart, Hall, Jenkins) could be 100% homegrown.
  9. colbyjack
    He's pretty much done... Really? Jones did pretty well a year ago, his first full season back in I can't count how many years. Yes, the odds are working against Jones, but I would find it somewhat disrespectful to say "he's pretty much done." He posted a 2.61 ERA over two levels last year, pitching for the most part at Brevard County before earning a late season callup to Huntsville. While he didn't strike out as many batters as he has in the past, and walked way more than he should, he did a good job inducing groundballs and not allowing hits, while giving up only 1 HR in over 58 innings of work. I'm going to give Jones another chance this year before I come close to writing him off. And if anyone has the determination to overcome the odds presented before him, its Mike Jones.
  10. colbyjack
    The Reds were featured on Monday: www.baseballamerica.com/t...63234.html And the Pirates today: www.baseballamerica.com/t...63244.html I really like McCutchen, but I always have a hard time with organizations whose top prospect is still another year or two away from contributing. The Pirates have been consistently picking towards the top of the draft for years, but they don't seem to have much to show for it. As for the Reds, their system looks as though it is in its best shape for a long, long time. Bailey obviously is one of the top 3-5 prospects in baseball, while Jay Bruce is up there as well. Joey Votto is a solid bat that should be contributing soon, and their entire top 10 list is pretty solid from top to bottom. I don't know much about their depth, but they have certainly hit on some of the recent high draft picks.
  11. colbyjack
    First, did anyone think Andrew Miller would be languishing around our pick last year? The year prior, did anyone see Luke Hochevar or Mike Pelfrey slipping? Prior to that year, what about Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver? Of course anything can and will happen. However, with the exception of Miller, the Brewers had the opportunity to draft each of those other players and didn't. Under Jack Z. the Brewers have pretty much stuck to the slot value of their first-round pick, and prefer to take players that will sign relatively quick. So, even if a Wieters or Brackman falls, for whatever reason, I won't for a second believe that either one of them would be the Brewers pick. If you want to point to the team's lack of a 2nd round pick, they also didn't have a 2nd round pick when they took Krynzel in 2001 (letting Xavier Nady slide on by), and again in 2005 when they took Braun (letting Pelfrey and Hochevar slide on by). So, I'll believe the Brewers will take a player that has fallen dramatically when I see it. Until then, I'm 99.9% certain it won't happen.
  12. colbyjack
    Aumont vs. McGeary are completely opposite pitchers. Aumont is all about size, stuff and potential while McGeary is all about location and polish. And if you read my stuff enough you'll know that I take the polish over the potential any day of the week. McGeary is one of my favorite prospects for his ability to command the strike zone with three very good pitches (88-92 FB, curve, change). He is very athletic, repeats his delivery well, and there is just a lot less potential for flameout with him. Aumont is the opposite. He's 6'7" or so with a FB as you mentioned that has topped out in the 96 range. Inconsistent breaking ball and a lot of body to control. He's a high risk, high reward prospect that Brewers fans are pretty gun shy about these days.
  13. colbyjack
    I wanted to bump this thread up given IheartRYount's comments about the new draft-pick compensation. I actually have included the changes of the draft order in this thread: p092.ezboard.com/fbrewers...mp;stop=60 The Brewers second overall pick (which is actually in the 3rd round since they signed Jeff Suppan, a type A free agent) will be around the 100th overall pick. In that thread I noted that Cole Gillespie, the Brewers 3rd-round pick last year, was the 92nd overall selection, although it should be noted that the Brewers had the 16th overall slot last year as opposed to the 7th overall slot for 2007. That basically means with the added compensation picks an extra half-round has been added to the draft. And that won't continue into next year. The percentage classification of both Type A and Type B free agents is going to decrease, meaning fewer free agents will fall under these classifications. I noted in the above thread that I think MLB made a mistake not corresponding those changes to this year's draft, or they should have just waited to make all of the changes for the 2008 draft. It is what it is, as the 2007 draft will be a one-year anomally so to speak. You can take some comfort in the fact that one of the Brewers stronger drafts under Jack Zduriencik came in 2005, when the team didn't have a 2nd round pick after signing Damian Miller, and landed Will Inman with their 3rd rounder. Meaning, the talent is still there to be had if the scouting department does their due diligence.
  14. colbyjack
    Baseball America has offered what they called their early draft preview projected first round. It is really their top 30 draft-eligible prospects, as they don't associate teams with the individual picks nor do they consider team's draft philosophies or signability issues. Anyway, at #7 is Joe Savery, a LHP/1B from Rice. If Savery is healthy enough he certainly has the talent to justify that high pick, but he only started pitching about a month ago, so he has a lot to prove this spring on the mound. He's a pretty good hitter as well, but probably not good enough to warrant this high of a selection. Michael Burgess, who we have talked about at great length before, checks in at #8. J.P. Arencibia is #16.
  15. colbyjack
    At this point in time I think Arencibia will be there at #7. Keep in mind that he's not that total package as a catcher, as some believe he might have to move to 1B down the road, as he isn't the bets defensive catcher, although he does have a strong throwing arm. And he's not the top catcher available (Wieters is), and even if he were, that doesn't automatically mean he would be taken that high. Keep in mind, its wise not to draft for need, as that's how you end up taking players like Ken Felder, Antone Williamson and Chad Green. Arencibia is similar to Braun though in that he was very well scouted coming out of high school, decided to attend college, has put up big numbers at college and has their fair share of questions about their defensive abilities. If Arencibia's bat is anywhere near Braun's is as far as impact potential is concerned, taking him would be a no-brainer. And if the Brewers take a prep arm this year I will be very, very surprised, and probably a little disappointed, unless they take a more polished product such as Jack McGeary. Since they don't have a 2nd round pick, I don't think they take a risk like that. If I had to guess, I'm thinking they are targeting an impact bat of some sort this spring (Arencibia, Michael Burgess, Jason Heyward, Beau Mills, Josh Vitters).
  16. colbyjack
    This is already being discussed in the "surgery likely for Rogers" thread.
  17. colbyjack
    Sorry, Gagne, I don't have anything to offer on those two DFEs. Baseball America has updated their top 100 college and high school prospects as part of their early draft preview (the print issue should hit the stands at some point this week). www.baseballamerica.com/t...63243.html A nice picture of Michael Burgess wearing a Perfect Game jersey and helmet: http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/mburgess07428309rb.jpg
  18. colbyjack
    Pretty much the same story as before, and by the same writer (Haudricourt), now on Baseball America's homepage: www.baseballamerica.com/t...63243.html Gord Ash is quoted as saying he's hopeful Rogers is ready for the team's instructional camp in the fall.
  19. colbyjack
    No, I didn't contribute on the Juco coverage. That was all Allan Simpson and David Rawnsley. I don't have much to do with the rankings, as I'm more of a feature columnist. Jason Bay is an interesting comparison for Jared Prince. You already noted that it is an extremely premature comparison, so that's good, as comparing amateur prospects to the best players in the game always comes with a disclaimer. If scouts believe Prince can be that kind of slugger than there is no way he'll fall to the Red Sox pick. But then again, no one thought Bay would be the type of hitter he became as somewhat of a late bloomer. They do profile in a similar fashion. Entering last year's draft season, I felt Brandon Belt was a very similar prospect to Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw's stuff took off, and of course he became the 7th overall pick and one of the better LHP prospects in the game. Belt has that kind of potential, but he'll need to improve his fastball velocity and command to make a similar leap. He spurned his commitment to Texas to attend San Jacinto, so it's clear he would prefer to sign and get into professional ball. Here's his Brewerfan.net player profile from a year ago: www.brewerfan.net/ViewAma...;draftId=4
  20. colbyjack
    That's disappointing news, and differs from what we have heard up until this point. This news started as Rogers missing the first part of the season with minor arthoscopic surgery to missing the entire 2007 season after having surgery to repair the SLAP lesion. The news just keeps getting worse. As always, best wishes towards Rogers, as I know he's a good kid and he truly does have a special arm, and hopefully he has it in him to do what it takes to get back on track.
  21. colbyjack
    PG Crosschecker released their Junior College coverage yesterday, check the column on the right-hand side of their homepage: www.pgcrosschecker.com/ Again, the items are subscriber based content, but if you love following prospects, a subscription to PGCC is a no-brainer. I'm very proud to be associated with them given the features they have been presenting, basically taking the amateur and draft coverage to a whole different level since their inception. Anyway, a few Brewers DFEs landed on their top 200 JC prospect list. Chad Robinson and Lee Haydel are back-to-back at 28 and 29, Aaron Tullo checks in at #68 while Mehdi Djebbar squeaked in at #190.
  22. colbyjack
    The Brewers farm system will continue to rank high this offseason for a couple of reasons. One, they have two impact prospects at the very top in Gallardo and Braun. Few organizations have two prospects like that, much less one. Two, the depth from top to bottom is impressive. You can go 20 prospects deep with the Brewers system, as shown in Brewerfan.net's top prospect fan poll, and legitimately find some reason for excitment with each one of those players. Three, the Brewers continue to cultivate this talent after they have already graduated a lot of the talent that garnered high rankings in previous years. Fielder, Weeks, Hall, Hardy and Hart are the most notable of these prospects, as next year six out of the eight everyday players in the starting lineup could be homegrown. On that subject, do you remember just a year or two ago when there was some conversation with concern about the Brewers farm system and how it would look after guys like Fielder, Hart, Weeks, etc. did graduate to the big-league level? We probably will be talking about the same thing next year and the year after that when Braun and Gallardo graduate from the list. By then hopefully guys like Inman, Cain, Salome, etc. continue to progress in the upper levels of the system and be considered in the same light that Braun and Gallardo currently are. They're top 5-7 for sure. And with the continued emphasis in drafting and player development, there is no reason to think that they will slip from the top 10 anytime soon.
  23. colbyjack
    Talking about an early favorite for POY after the first weekend of play seems a little funny to me. Your point is well taken though, Matusz had a fine performance yesterday vs. a solid ballclub (Cal Poly), and was a big part of the Toreros success from a year ago (and will continue to be moving forward). Things got a little scary for USD after he left that game. DRAFT JARED PRINCE I'm guessing you mean for the Red Sox. Prince is an interesting prospect, as I'm sure you know since you're actively rooting for the guy to be selected. Draft-eligible sophomores are always more interesting since they typically are perceived to be tougher signs, and drop further than they should because they make it pretty clear that they do have added negotiating power since they can always return for their junior year of eligibility. This year offers a very solid class of draft-eligible sophomores, including David Duncan of GT and both Brad Suttle and Kyle Russell from Texas. Many draft-eligible sophomores red-shirted along the way, but that isn't the case with any of the players mentioned within this post. And I agree that Prince could be the best of this bunch, as he has an extraordinarily polished approach at the plate and a very good collection of tools. While he also pitches, his future lies as an everyday player.
  24. colbyjack
    I agree, they messed up on Bailey, but when you get someone quality in the 2nd round, it makes it more bearable. Just wish someone in our division didn't take him instead. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the problem isn't that the Brewers didn't take Bailey, the problem is that the Brewers didn't take Bailey OR Jeremy Sowers. I'll take Sowers over Bailey any day of the week. Bailey may look like a future ace, but having Sowers would have already given the Brewers a solid, already proven fourth starter heading into 2007, and would have made Jeff Suppan completely unecessary. So just stop with the "we should have taken Bailey" crap http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .
  25. colbyjack
    UW Stevens Point RHP Jordan Zimmerman is profiled today in BA's continued college preseason coverage. Here's a link to the article, although it is subscriber based. www.baseballamerica.com/o...63186.html
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