colbyjack

Best wishes Geno. I hope you come back stronger than ever very soon.

Thanks for the tip Blazer. The defending CWS champion Oregon State Beavers opened their season last night in dramatic fashion, as four pitchers combined on a no-hitter over Hawaii-Hilo. Here's the story/box score: www.osubeavers.com/ViewAr...LID=753425

My Crack of the Bat column this week focues on 12 potential sleepers from the college ranks that may be looked at much differently come June: www.perfectgame.org/crack...Fsleepers/ There are quite a few players mentioned that have ties to the Brewers.

A nice picture of former Brewers draft pick Sean Morgan is up on BA's homepage today: http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/smorgan07428309aw.jpg

The Brewers only asked Tulo is he would move to 3B given the Brewers organizational need there. That news further supported that it seemed clear the Brewers were trying to fill an organizational need in the 2005 draft. I've never heard anyone suggest that he will have to move away from SS. Quite the opposite actually, as despite his big body he moves pretty well from side to side and has a very strong arm. I have also heard Crosby as a comparison for Tulo, but that is only in offensive and defensive potential (and the fact that they both went to Long Beach State), not based on Crosby "flaking" one season. When comparisons are used player to player is has to do with ability, not their individual career paths, such as injuries, personal issues, etc.

not exactly true, if I remember correctly. Regardless of when the ban started, the discussion of these topics has been banned for quite some time now. As homer already mentioned, new users are required to read the FAQ, as this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Discussion concerning religion and politics have always been banned, just because you are bound to offend someone and the talk rarely remains civil. Toby started a separate forum during last year's election (or the year before, whenever the last Presidential elections were held), which basically served as a free-for-all for that kind of discussion. Please refer to the FAQ: p092.ezboard.com/fbrewers...=576.topic What kind of discussion is not allowed? Please try to keep politics, religion, and sex off the forum.

There is no greater season for a prospect evaluator than the winter. This seems to be a pretty bold statement after reviewing Bryan's list http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif . I have casual email contact with Bryan, so I'm not going to get too down on the guy, and I always recognize that it takes a lot to put these lists together, especially when we don't have our own out there at Sports Illustrated for others to tear apart (meaning he must be doing something right). Philip Hughes, Homer Bailey, Yovanni Gallardo and Scott Elbert all had very similar seasons. Neither has a huge edge in stuff, meaning none of them should be ranked that far apart. I'm not sure how Yo can be ranked so much further down from Hughes & Bailey, other than what seems to be the lack of perceived national hype. Especially, when Jim noted, that Bryan Smith recognized that Yo could be "starring" at the big-league level by the end of the year. And as Ryan noted, Elbert's walks are way too high for him to be anything but the fourth best prospect of these four. There just seems to be a fair amount of personal favoritism going on with their individual placements. Braun is simply too low for his combination of statistical success and his potential as a prospect.

Just so you know brewers1234, Katuluu was being sarcastic (and then some) with his "Mark was being difficult" comment. If anything he was offering his support while taking a shot at some of the ridiculous things that others have been said about Rogers over the past year or two. I know Kat can stick up for himself, but I'm not sure how often he drops in this forum during the offseason.

When Alvarez took over as AD, I remember reading some interviews with him, I think over at Badgermaniac.com, in which a few people did ask him if there was any chance that the baseball program would return. Alvarez admitted that he found the lack of a baseball program at the school was one of the biggest things that troubled him, although the return of the program would be very unlikely since it would be very difficult to accomplish given the chain reaction it would set off due to Title IX. I don't remember the specifics, and I apoligize for my spotty memory, but it sounded as though the Badgers would need a fairly big support network (and contributor/donations) for them to ever be able to revitalize the baseball program. I also seem to remember some comment about baseball coming back could hurt what they have going with football, basketball and hockey, which is obviously something they wouldn't (and shouldn't, as much as I would love to see Wisconsin field a baseball team) do. Baseball in Madison for whatever reason has had a tough time sticking, although the Madison Mallards are doing everything right, and may be doing enough to re-spark the interest in baseball in the area to help such a cause. So, are there any Badgers alums out there with nothing better to do than drop a pile of cash for the program? On a sidenote, UW-Milwaukee needs to step up. They field the only D1 program in the state, yet have the worst field in all of D1. They get some solid players, and have been told by several players and family members of players that they would consider going to UWM if the facilities were better (I have had two people tell me that their kids would have gone to UWM if the Panthers would have recruited them -- it seems UWM doesn't even try to get the better kids in the area assuming those players will end up going to more notable programs). At least Wisconsin is well represented at the DIII level, although not many people seem to notice.

Verbatim, this could be my review of Wedding Crashers. Thank you valpo. Although I think I seem to be one of the few that doesn't find Vince Vaughn funny or charming. My wife and I don't rent movies anymore, relying on HBO for our TV/movie entertainment, but we recently watched Munich which was entertaining (yet a little confusing). I think I need to see it again to soak it all in, but finding three hours to do so isn't easy. I'll give some love for Rome, again, not a rental, but another solid HBO program. Not on the level of The Wire, Six Feet Under or even The Sopranos (which I think is overrated), but it is an entertaining and imaginative interpretation of the time, and has piqued my interest enough to go back and brush up on my Roman history.

Ohio State and Michigan always field competitive teams, although neither will probably find themselves ranked in anyone's top 25 polls. Ohio State LHP Cory Luebke is probably the best '07 eligible prospect of the two teams: Brewerfan.net player profile: Cory Luebke Michigan's Zach Putnam, a former Aflac All-American, stars both on the mound and at the plate, and is probably the best pro prospect of both teams, but he's a sophomore and isn't eligible for the draft until 2008. Minnesota also fields a good club each and every year, although they aren't expected to be as good this season. Their best prospect is RHP Gary Perinar. Purdue and Penn State also have good clubs, although not good enough to receive much national recognition. The Big Ten overall just doesn't stack up very well against teams from the Sun Belt, with the weather being their biggest foe, in both playing on the field and when it comes to recruiting. Minnesota has a natural advantage playing their early games in the Metrodome, and have some pretty good non-conference opponents coming into town in early March (Mississippi and Arkansas will take part of the DQ Classic March 2-4, and Missouri State will be in town the following weekend). Not in the Big Ten, but UW Stevens Point RHP Jordan Zimmerman is the best draft-eligible prospect in the upper Midwest, and could be selected in the top 2-3 rounds come June. Brewerfan.net player profile: Jordan Zimmerman

I want to point out that I edited the DFE list from the first post in this thread, removing both Marc Lewis, a LHP from Creighton, and David Newmann, a LHP from Texas A&M, as neither is eligible for the DFE process. Both have had Tommy John surgery during their college careers, yet neither is a fifth-year senior. Newmann is a redshirt junior that is expected to have a big year for the Aggies, should he remain healthy, and Lewis is a true senior.

Courtesy of Jim Callis from AskBA, here is the updated draft order with all of the free agent signings. At this point in time, the Brewers second overall pick, the seventh pick in the third round, will be the 95th overall pick. Wow. MLB messed up on this one changing the free agent classifications the way they did. It should be back on track next year, hopefully. Type A FA David Weathers (who was expected to sign with the Reds back in December), and Type B FAs Ron Villone and Chan Ho Park are the only players that can further effect the draft order, so the Brewers 3rd round pick could be the 99th overall selection when the dust settles. EDIT: After looking at last year's picks, Cole Gillespie was the 92nd overall pick, so the added comp picks seems to have added approximately a half of a round to the draft. The Brewers scouting department did an excellent job without a 2nd rounder in 2005, one of the Brewers better overall drafts (and just think how much better that year would look had they signed Jemile Weeks, or even Jake Arrieta). EDIT: Jim Callis has noted in his AskBA column dated 2/9/07 that sandwich pick compensation will be awarded to teams that lost Type A free agents first, then to those that lost Type B FAs. The updated changes to the draft order are below. First-Round Picks 1. Devil Rays 2. Royals 3. Cubs 4. Pirates 5. Orioles 6. Nationals 7. Brewers 8. Rockies 9. Diamondbacks 10. Giants 11. Mariners 12. Marlins 13. Indians 14. Braves 15. Reds 16. Blue Jays (Frank Catalanotto, A, to Tex) 17. Rangers (Carlos Lee, A, to Hou) 18. Cardinals 19. Phillies 20. Dodgers (Julio Lugo, A, to Bos) 21. Blue Jays 22. Giants (Jason Schmidt, A, to LAD) 23. Padres 24. Rangers (Gary Matthews Jr., A, to LAA) 25. White Sox 26. Athletics 27. Tigers 28. Twins 29. Giants (Moises Alou, A, to NYM) 30. Yankees Supplemental First-Round Picks 31. Nationals (Alfonso Soriano, A, to ChC) 32. Giants (Alou) 33. Braves (Danys Baez, A, to Bal) 34. Reds (Rich Aurilia, A, to SF) 35. Rangers (Lee) 36. Cardinals (Jeff Suppan, A, to Mil) 37. Phillies (David Dellucci, A, to Cle) 38. Blue Jays (Justin Speier, A, to LAA) 39. Dodgers (Lugo) 40. Padres (Woody Williams, A, to Hou) 41. Athletics (Barry Zito, A, to SF) 42. Mets (Roberto Hernandez, A, to Cle) 43. Giants (Schmidt) 44. Rangers (Matthews) 45. Blue Jays (Catalanotto) 46. Padres (Dave Roberts, A, to SF) 47. Mets (Chad Bradford, A, to Bal) 48. Cubs (Juan Pierre, B, to LAD) 49. Nationals (Jose Guillen, B, to Sea) 50. Diamondbacks (Craig Counsell, B, to Mil) 51. Giants (Mike Stanton, B, to Cin) 52. Mariners (Gil Meche, B, to KC) 53. Reds (Scott Schoeneweis, B, to NYM) 54. Rangers (Mark DeRosa, B, to ChC) 55. Red Sox (Alex Gonzalez, B, to Cin) 56. Blue Jays (Ted Lilly, B, to ChC) 57. Padres (Alan Embree, B, to Oak) 58. Angels (Adam Kennedy, B, to StL) 59. Athletics (Frank Thomas, B, to Tor) 60. Tigers (Jamie Walker, B, to Bal) 61. Diamondbacks (Miguel Batista, B, to Sea) 62. Red Sox (Keith Foulke, B, to Cle) 63. Padres (Ryan Klesko, B, to SF) 64. Diamondbacks (have yet to sign 2006 first-rounder Max Scherzer) Second-Round Changes 67. Nationals (Soriano to ChC) 69. Braves (Baez to Bal) 71. Cardinals (Suppan to Mil) 74. Athletics (Zito to SF) 77. Mets (Hernandez to Cle) 81. Padres (Williams to Hou) 88. Blue Jays (Speier to LAA) Third-Round Changes 99. Mets (Bradford to Bal) 104. Reds (Aurilia to SF) 107. Phillies (Dellucci to Cle) Fourth-Round Changes 134. Padres (Roberts to SF) Remaining Compensation Free Agents NYY: Ron Villone (B). SD: Chan Ho Park (B). Despite signing their usual collection of AARP members and losing their 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks in the process, the Giants have picked up two additional first round picks and two sandwich picks. The Padres have four sandwich picks, an additional 2nd rounder and an additional 4th rounder. Their draft could very well mimic the A's 2002 "Moneyball" draft. Same goes for the Blue Jays, with an extra 1st and 2nd rounder and three sandwich picks. The Rangers also have quite a few extra picks, with two additional 1st rounders and three sandwich picks. The usual suspects in recent years receiving extra picks are the Braves, A's and Red Sox. The Braves have an extra sandwich pick and a 2nd rounder, the A's have two sandwich picks and an extra 2nd rounder, while the Red Sox have two sandwich picks. That seems relatively mild for all three teams.

Sorry I missed this before, but we had this conversation before about Wieters' size in comparison to Mauer (I don't remember where). Katuluu mentioned that Mauer has grown to 6'5" these days, and of course is considered the best young catcher in all of baseball (along with Brian McCann). Certainly there aren't too many catchers that big in baseball. Sandy Alomar is another one I can think of, and he has enjoyed a long career despite his large stature. Wieters, like Mauer, is an extremely athletic player (he also doubles as GT's closer), and if anyone can pull it off over the long haul, it's him.

BA is reporting some pretty notable injuries to college prospects. Tennessee CF Julio Borbon fractured his ankle, but is expected to make a full recovery in 8-10 weeks (that's hard to believe, particularly for a player that relies on speed). Cal State Fullerton RHP Wes Roemer broke the pinky on his pitching hand, but is expected to work through it somehow. A few more notable players with injury and other concerns: www.baseballamerica.com/t...63164.html

Perry is absolutely right on this one. Samardzija has incredible upside as a pitcher, but he's about as raw as they come. Great stuff, minus the results, because he's a thrower at this point in time, not a pitcher. That's an incredible financial risk the Cubs have taken, although they seem enamored with risky Notre Dame arms (they took Grant Johnson the year before and gave him big money as a 3rd rounder or so as he was recovering from TJ surgery IIRC). It's definitely a smart move for Samardzija, financially. He will be lucky to be pitching in the big leagues with effectiveness before that contract runs out.

In my PG column this week I name a preseason college All-American team made up of former PG showcase participants: www.perfectgame.org/crack...an%5Fteam/ PG Crosschecker's college coverage includes a ranking (with capsules) of their top 100 teams in the nation, as well as conference breakdowns: PG Crosschecker top 100 teams Baseball America today released their top 25 teams along with their respective team capsules. That info is for subscribers only. They do have a couple of nice pictures available, one of Joe Savery pitching (he's shown hitting just above in this thread), and one of David Price pitching. http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/jsavery07428309aw.jpg http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/dprice07428309.jpg

Nope, sorry, I'm unfamiliar with Bryant.

Baseball America's official college preseason coverage has started, today looking at what teams have been the most successful over the past 10 years and which programs are on the rise. Since so many of their stories are for subscribers only, I am going to provide a link to their college baseball page instead of the individual stories. BA notes that their coverage will be lasting two weeks, which is sure to include their preaseason top 25 teams, all-american teams, top 50 prospects by class, etc. www.baseballamerica.com/today/college/

Sorry, I missed your post from before DHonks. No, I don't think there is much hope for Santa Clara this year. PG Crosschecker has started their college preseason coverage, as they are running down the top 100 teams 25 teams per day. 26-50 should be released later today: www.pgcrosschecker.com/co...teams.aspx

Announcing is so much different than it was 10 years ago. And it's not just baseball, it's all sports. You can't watch a football game without having some guy telling you how much sweat is rolling some guys thighs when there is nothing else to talk about. It's ok to be silent in between plays. You don't have to fill an entire broadcaster with chatter. I agree, I appreciated the way the no-hitter was called. It was called as if nothing special were happening. No hints, no cute innuendos. I'm not big into superstitions, but messing with a no hitter is one that I have always taken more seriously. I didn't even want to talk about it during the re-broadcast http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

That was a lot of fun to watch. I didn't get to see the whole thing, but it was just nice to see some baseball while re-living a memory. And that Orioles lineup was loaded, so it wasn't a cheapie. One other thing I've noticed. Schroeder's mitt appears to have orange spray paint on it to highlight it. I remember seeing this back in the day but have not for a long, long time. What's up with that? Has lighting just gotten better for night games or what? Those gloves were actually made that way, and were popular in the 80s and early 90s. I believe Lance Parrish was one of the first, regular and bigger named catchers that wore one of these gloves to help popularize them. I remember a few catchers in little league and high school wearing these as well. Catchers always try to do different things. Remember when Charlie O'Brien would have the tools of ignorance in the team's secondary color as opposed to the primary color (for the Brewers it was grey instead of blue, and when he went to the Mets he wore an orange chest pad instead of blue). And now of course there are those hockey style helmets.

While Brewerfan.net's 2007 draft coverage has been available since last October with an early look at the top 30 prospects available for next June's draft, that coverage has now been expanded to the top 100 prospects. I've profiled 100 prospects + in the past, but never this early, and the detailed scouting reports are full with pictures (the ones I could find) and links to newspaper and online features. To access Brewerfan.net's default 2007 draft page, simply click on the word "Draft" located within the maroon sub-navigation bar towards the top of each page, the "Draft Coverage" button located on the left-hand side of all non-fan forum pages, or just click the below link: Brewerfan.net 2007 Draft Coverage To view the top 100 draft prospects, select "All" from the drop-down menu entitled "Player profiles." More players will be added to the database as the spring progresses. You can also view players by position. On this page you will also find a link for the raw draft order, pertinent draft-related links, and links to past year's coverage here at Brewerfan.net. And I am currently working on the DFE story, covering the players still under the Milwaukee Brewers control in the final year of the process. I hope to have that story on the homepage, as well as the DFE resource thread pinned at the top of this forum, in a couple of weeks.

Moskos gets it for being a lefty and having a much better, well-rounded repertoire that could allow him to start. His velocity is so much better in relief (94-96 vs. 89-92) that most think it would be crazy to use him as a starter. Weathers has only been pitching for a few years now, and his slider isn't that consistent. He has an electric arm though, and he's a senior.