colbyjack

Toby makes very good points, and even though I don't agree with his opinion entirely on Braun, I definitely respect where he's coming from. We all have our favorite prospects. I'm still torn on Braun, as I think the scouting department was a little too keyed in on filling the gigantic organizational hole at 3B, and may have made a huge mistake passing on Maybin (although he did slide to the Tigers with the 10th overall pick). Again as Toby points out, while Jack Z. and his staff have done a good job, they certainly have missed on a lot of high picks as well. No scouting dep't. is perfect of course. One thing I don't agree with is the notion that Braun will be considered a failure if he doesn't stay at 3B. If he hits well enough while playing a corner OF spot, or just about anywhere else, it doesn't matter where he ends up. One thing I like about Braun is his athleticism. I have seen a few people suggest that he could make a good catcher, as he has a similar build to Michael Barrett in that he's strong in the hips and throughout his lower half. I'm not suggesting we try to groom him as a catcher, since the team seems to want to fast-track him as much as possible, but that does stand for something. I think it's important to remember that most of his errors at 3B came early in the season, and as he got used to the position the errors tapered off considerably. I see no reason why he couldn't stay at the hot corner, and I agree with X that he could start his young career at SS. I guarantee you if the A's or Blue Jays drafted him they would probably start his pro career at SS. As X points out, raw athleticism and pure bat speed can make up for a lot of other deficiencies. In this sense, Braun is not that different from Rickie Weeks, whom many considered a no-brainer. And I also agree with Michael that the initial placement of Braun doesn't mean much. Toby should take it as a compliment that the Power 50 rankings are taken so seriously, even if people vehemently disagree with some of the rankings.

During today's broadcast, they announced that the Brewers have officially announced the signing of Ryan Braun. If I heard correctly, it was for $2.45 million. Braun is set to work out with the team next Saturday at Miller Park before being assigned to Helena (yes, Helena). I'm guessing Braun will only spend a month tops at Helena. All of the early signings are very encouraging, especially since this team will likely have 20 or so DFEs again this year. Good call on Jemile, I bet both he and Hereaud are in the fold within the next week.

The Brewers are close to signing Braun: www.jsonline.com/sports/b...334040.asp Braun closer to signing Agent says major issues apparently hammered out By TOM HAUDRICOURT thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com Posted: June 15, 2005 St. Petersburg, Fla - St. Petersburg, Fla. - The Milwaukee Brewers were on the verge of finalizing a deal with first-round draft pick Ryan Braun as negotiations continued Wednesday evening between the sides. Braun, a third baseman for the University of Miami, was taken by the Brewers with the fifth overall pick of the 2005 draft. After two days of talks between club scouting director Jack Zduriencik and Braun's agent, Nez Balelo, all of the major issues appeared to be hammered out. "We're just about there," said Balelo. "The negotiations have been very good. Ryan wants to get out and play." Though it appeared the sides had an agreement in principle, the cautious Zduriencik did not say the deal was done. "We've been pretty close," said Zduriencik. "(Balelo) understands where we're at and we understand where he's at. It has been very cordial and professional." Barring a setback, Braun probably will sign with the club before the week is out. The Brewers will bring him to Milwaukee on their home stand next week to work out with the major league club and be formally introduced to the media. The Washington Nationals did the Brewers no favors by signing the fourth overall pick, University of Virginia first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, to a $2.975 million deal - more than was anticipated in that slot. The seventh player selected, Long Beach State shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, signed with Colorado for $2.3 million. Obviously, Braun's deal will fall somewhere between those figures. The Brewers had the fifth pick last year and signed high school right-hander Mark Rogers for $2.2 million. "The positive thing is the kid wants to play right away," said Zduriencik. "Everything has gone very well." ---------------- I brought this up last week, but Zimmerman signing so quickly for nearly $3 million dollars really hurt the Brewers, similar to how Scott Moore hurt the Brewers in 2002 when he signed quickly for over slot value with the Tigers. In both cases, it will end up costing the Brewers several hundreds of thousands of dollars, money that could have been used to sign a later pick. Anyway, we all kind of figured Braun would sign quickly, but it's good to hear nonetheless, no matter what you think about the guy.

You may disagree with Toby on Braun's projected future path, but I don't see why you would make a point to take a shot at his P50 efforts over the years. While everyone hits and misses on players, I always think back to Toby picking Corey Hart as a sleeper way back when everyone called him John http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif . Anyway, if Braun isn't in the top 10, he's either getting screwed or it's a tribute to the strength of the Brewers minor league system. Any high first round pick should find his way into the top 10 upon signing based on potential alone. As for the others, I'm sure we'll see Gamel next, given the early love for him. I would argue that Inman should be ahead of him, given where the Brewers took him and the money they gave him (which obviously tells you how much they think about him). Good stuff. I say put Braun at 9.

He has one of the most odd stretch deliveries, that's for sure. It's like an extreme Mike Mussina. I'm telling you, pro hitters don't hit breaking balls that Kennedy and Buck are throwing tonight with a wood bat. And the radar gun is way off. There's no way Kennedy is throwing 85-89 fastballs. Buck is a stubborn son of a gun. He ran into trouble, and he wouldn't even high-five his own teammates coming back to the dugout that were offering him support after a shaky inning. When the pitching coach came out to talk to him he didn't make much eye contact. Some may chalk this up to questionable character issues, others competitiveness http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

A little late in the game, since it's already in the 5th, but USC's RHP Ian Kennedy is facing Oregon State's RHP Dallas Buck right now. Both pitchers are getting knocked around more than usual, but you can get a taste of what kind of pitchers they are a year early. Plus, you can also watch a couple of first-rounders, including USC's C Jeff Clement & OSU's CF Jacoby Ellsbury.

Colby is this kid gonna be in the draft next year?? I'm glad I taped this one, as I've been hearing a lot about Joba all spring. Yes, Joba Chamberlain is the real deal. I believe he transferred to Nebraska after his freshman year at some JC, where he pitched extremely well. From what I've heard, which is obviously supported here, he has great stuff, three solid pitches that move all around the strike zone. Also from what I've heard, he tops out around 93, but it's his movement that keeps hitters guessing, and with that movement he has very good command of the strike zone. He does have some conditioning issues, which explains the Gilbert Grape comment, but he most certainly is a name to watch for '06.

I full blame Colby for setting me up to have my heart broken. If it weren't for his work, I wouldn't have know Maybin from Mayday. You mean Maday? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Good pic of Braun on BA's homepage: http://www.baseballamerica.com/images2005/rbraun450325bm.jpg

I whore my BrewerFan T-Shirt to the Sunday game against the Astros. Bless you Joe. You are a true fan http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

I was disappointed by how Jack was Eluding most the questions and not coming forward with honest answers. That's his style. You really can't expect too much from any interview or conversation with Jack Z. When BA talks so much about how close he plays it to the vest, they're not kidding. There aren't too many questions you can ask him that you don't already know the answer.

The Brewers should be scouring Canada, they have a pretty healthy list of Canadian scouts employed. Although several of them are natives Canadians playing in the states, so I'm sure several of them are getting referred by guys that had the opportunity to watch them before their college and JC careers.

As DHonks noted, the Brewers stopped drafting after the 42nd round IIRC just a couple of years ago. There seems to be a team or two that stops drafting early each and every year. I'm amazed by the number of college and junior college players. Without a doubt, it's going to be another heavy DFE year. There don't seem to be too many, if any, players that are perceived to be tough signs, especially on day two. The direction the Brewers have taken towards the draft the past two years, especially this year, is definitely interesting. And congrats to the Evelands (and Rizzo's) for having another family member join the Brewers family.

Braun has to finish his college season. And Zimmerman received a pretty handsome bonus for the 4th overall pick. I'm sure the Brewers weren't pleased to see the amount he signed for (I think just below $3 million, Rogers made $2.2 million a year ago as the 5th overall pick).

There are already several pinned threads that discuss the picks.

Anytime a player with as much potential as Bristow falls, you have to believe signability is the biggest factor. He's gotta be Auburn bound.

With Barnes going in between Rogers and Gallardo (who went 4+ innings), I wonder if Rogers was scheduled to pitch a lighter workload this evening. I agree with pogo, it's his first game back from coming off the DL. Patience is needed. On strict pitch counts, both he and Gallardo aren't going to have lengthy outings this season. Festa playing SS this evening with Murray at 3B. With Ryan Braun likely signing at some point in the next month or so, it will be interesting to see how they make him fit. I'm sure neither of those guys are blocking him, but I guess I can't see him going to Helena to begin his pro career.

Yeah, he's a good catch and throw guy with a strong arm. His bat has promise too, with good bat speed and some power potential.

Nope, but I'm in the process of emailing coaches like crazy trying to soak up as much info as possible. I agree, he's one of the more intriguing picks, and at this point in time I would guess he's a DFE candidate.

Onto rounds 10-19... I don't have much to add on most of these players, but I'm excited about the selection of C Ryan Babineau. I have followed him a little more closely than most prospects given the team's need for catchers. As noted by some of the pictures shared, he played for the Brewers Area Code Games team, so you know they know all about him. He probably will take more money than your typical 13th rounder, but I'm confident they can make it happen.

Onto the 5th-9th picks: Kevin Roberts is a good athlete, and just because some people think he's a future reliever doesn't mean the Brewers feel that way. He has three solid pitches in his fastball, curve and changeup, so I'm sure he'll start his career as a starer. Hammond sounds like a left-handed version of Josh Baker. Big frame, polished repertoire and decent stuff. I always dig the lefties, so I'm anxious to learn more about him. Michael Brantley is more like the prototypical Jack Z. pick, with good all around tools. Again, I can't say I know much about him, but I'm anxious to learn more. How can you not like taking Rickie's little brother? He's committed to Miami, but as an 8th rounder I'm sure they will get him signed. I really like the selection of Carlos Hereaud, who I have heard quite a bit about over the past year, particularly with my work with Perfect Game. Strong body, and a good hitter. He played SS in HS, but has been considered a 3B or 2B for the pro level for as long as I've been reading about him. The comparison to Alfonzo physically is a good one.

Time to add my thoughts... As I said leading up to the draft, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed unless the Brewers completely went a different and surprising direction. The players available and rumored to go with our pick were all players I liked, including Braun. The only concern I have about Braun is that the Brewers may have reached for a need after spending years of sticking by their BPA guns. According to BA's draft blog, as noted by someone much earlier today, the Brewers asked Tulowitzki if he was interest in playing 3B, so it seems clear they were hell bent to address their 3B of the future. I can only hope they weren't blinded by that desire. Back to Braun, who is still a solid hitter. He has a very quick bat and strong hands which should allow him to adjust well at the plate. As I have noted in the college player update threads, Braun's error total tapered off significantly as the season wore on. He has the tools to play 3B, that's for sure. Inman was a surprise, and reminded me of the Packers draft. After you spend so much time studying different players, all of the sudden you face a guy and ask "who?" While some are grumpy about the fact that they took a prep pitcher, for his size, stature and stuff he doesn't profile as your prototypical boom or bust, projectable high school arm. I think stat-minded folks will be pleased that he set the all-time K record in Virginia, as much as high school stats don't mean a hill of beans. Matthew Gamel certainly sounds interesting, and seems to be this year's board favorite (past Jemile Weeks) comparable to Salome from a year ago. I enjoyed the comment about him platooning with Braun.

I bet it wasn't cheap. He was a UNC commit, congrats to the Brewers for making that one happen so quickly.

Rogers name as a favorite for the Brewers leaked out well before this point in time last year. And no one expected Sheets to fall to the Brewers lap in '99. They were prepared to take Brett Myers before 9 other teams passes on Big Ben.

It's better that you don't think of it DHonks, I don't want to jinx the pick a year out. I've wait long enough for BA's final projection to come out. It's off to bed for me.

No need to move Tulo now. He would be a Gold Glove caliber 3B, and have the power potential, just like Bobby Crosby, to be a fine 3B. But again, why draft him as a 3B now when he has plenty of time before he reaches the big leagues?