colbyjack

I really don't want to turn this thread into a debate about Tom Haudricourt's abilities as a beat writer. However, I can't bring myself to say he's good, although I honestly don't know how good other beat writers are. It just doesn't seem as though he's motivated to go out of his way to report some of the stuff that so many of us crave. He has been better since JSOnline added the blog feature, and he does seem very responsive when reached out to. However, he just seems to do as much as he needs to to earn his paycheck. Plus, he really lost me a few years ago during the BA Brewers top prospect chat when he got defensive to some questions challenging his credibility, asking who else out there got paid to know the Brewers prospects as well as he did. If any of us had his job we would be working stories a lot harder than he does. Anyway, here's today's box score. Mark Rogers just entered the game in the fourth: 10/27 Box Score 10/27 Gameday Cain already 0-2 and hasn't been as productive from the leadoff spot in recent games. The pitch types/speeds don't seem to be working on Gameday this evening.

I don't mean to sound unappreciative of the blog entry, since I'll take any news I can get this time of year, but Tom has enough resources to tap into to get some early impressions of their performances. We all have access to the stats, although I know we here are the only ones crazed enough to look at them everyday http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. I would argue that Cain isn't off to a poor start. Entering today's game he had a .364 OBP with 7 runs scored in 7 games. He's doing his job atop the Javelinas lineup, even if he isn't hitting the greatest. A night game tonight, just recently underway: 10/26 Box Score Cain again in the leadoff spot (0-1 so far), with Lucroy playing catcher (batting sixth) and Green at third (batting eighth).

I wasn't able to commit as much time to 5 Tool Talk as I would have liked, although it didn't even get off the ground until April. This year I'm excited to get things kicked off much, much earlier, recently updating the 2010 draft order, top 50 prospects, notes, a mock draft and a new Dandy Dozen. A 2010 draft preview story will be coming very soon as well. As always, I'm open to hear your thoughts. 5 Tool Talk EDIT: It was fun to re-read this thread. Kudos to Tedaldtada29 for predicting Kentrail Davis' selection in the sandwich round, even if he didn't know it (and even if I felt it wouldn't happen -- I thought his connection to Boras would carry him back to Tennessee if he fell that far). Also, Heckathorn's name was also mentioned as a realistic sandwich round option. EDIT #2: I apologize that I still haven't addressed a few coding issues for IE users. You really should find a different browser anyway, but who am I to preach about such things? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

BA's popular annual feature, the draft report cards, have started today, beginning with the AL East. The Brewers and the rest of the NL Central are up next Wednesday, the 28th: Draft Report Cards However, if you get the print edition, like I do, you already have access to the reports for all 30 teams. I know I was critical of the reports last year, but am more impressed with them again this year. I think last year they focused too much on the most intriguing backgrounds when I think most people are more interested in the scouting reports. I'll wait for the list to be released online so I don't ruin it for other subscribers that may not have received their print editions yet (and after all, it is subscriber-based content). I will point out that Kentrail Davis was credited for looking strong in instructional camp, while LHP Lex Rutledge, the team's 26th round pick that honored his commitment to Samford, was targeted as the one that got away. Overall they had quite a few players noted in both the best power and fastest runner categories, as we all know the team loaded up on quite a few toolsy outfielders. By the way, I am currently working on my annual draft review story and hope to get that on the homepage in the next week or two.

Coach, that's pretty cool that Mike hooked up with the Royals Scout Team. I know Dayton Moore has carried over a lot of philosophies from the Braves, including assembling their own teams for the WWBA World Championship so they get an up close look and feel for the players on the team. Best of luck to them, and best of luck to the Scorpions SunGrasses (congrats to them for winning the underclass, although I realize that's a separate team). The East Cobb Astros, a perennial favorite at any tournament event, have another familiar naming gracing their roster: Ben Gamel. Best of luck to them as well in the event that lexi stops by to talk about catchers http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. EDIT: Coach, I'd love to get your thoughts on Robert Aviles if you've seen him pitch. He looked great at the Aflac game, and is one of my favorite arms for the 2010 draft. The times I have seen him pitch, he reminds me a lot of Chris Tillman, who is now with the Orioles.

The story linked below was posted on the Brewerfan homepage earlier this week, but it may have gotten lost with the Jeff Juden story that is also on the homepage. The Brewerfan staff compiled their annual awards for the 2009 season, while also addressing the three key points that were identified in the preseason. Have at it: 2009 Award Winners Also, please ignore the title. We're aware that it says 2008 award winners and will try to correct that soon.

I thought the comment about the team opening their own Dominican camp was particularly exciting. I know this is something that has been alluded to before since the Brewers partnered with the Orioles this past year. Melvin had pretty good success developing talent from Latin America when he was with the Rangers, so hopefully this avenue can prove to be more fruitful than what it has been. Alcides Escboar is a nice start! Also interesting that they are going to re-assess Lawrie's placement in the spring. I guess I just felt that his AA assignment was proof that the team wanted to put him on the accelerated fast-track. He still might be, but Brevard County still sounds like a realistic option. Overall some good stuff. Ash was pretty candid in his responses.

trwi7, your comments are interesting, as I've been to the Marty's in Delafield twice I think, and the one in Brookfield about 3-4 times over the last 6-8 years, and I wouldn't call either a quiet, sit-down type of place. Every time I go there the place is buzzing with chatter, kids, etc. I also think the price is pretty reasonable, at least for a pizza place. The one on Bluemound does have a small gameroom, and maybe I'm just distracted by my kids to recognize what a quiet sit-down place is actually like http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

It's a chain, but BW3 is great for kids. Maybe not the one downtown on Water Street, but there are plenty of things to look at with plenty of tasty things on the menu (they have pretty good burgers if he doesn't like chicken) that kids love. I haven't met a kid that doesn't like pizza, and I haven't been to a pizza place that isn't kid-friendly, so the possibilities there are endless. Marty's in Brookfield on Bluemound Road is particularly kid/family friendly. Good luck!

Lucroy finished 4-4 with a walk, a homer, an RBI, and 3 R scored out of the 8 hole...not too shabby... I know we're only a week into the AFL season, but hopefully today's performance will get him more regular playing time. I know it doesn't necessarily work that way in this league, but I was hoping to see his name in the box score more than every third day. We talked earlier this year that Braddock might be a candidate to make the MLB team in September. Obviously injuries didn't help him once again, but he's another dark-horse to make the team out of spring training.

Morrow's certainly far from perfect, but he has an incredible arm, and as noted, is probably the best the Brewers could get in exchange for Hardy. His numbers aren't pretty, as he still seems to be the same pitcher he was coming out of college at Cal in 2006, but he also wasn't handled the greatest by the Mariners previous regime. They bumped him up extremely fast, as he made his MLB debut the spring after he was drafted, as a reliever. He spent most of last year coming out of the bullpen as well before this year, as the Zduriencik-led Ms wanted to see if they could give him some time at the major and minor league level to work on his ability to start. He has a great arm, with a power fastball-curveball combo. Like so many power pitchers, his third pitch is in question, and obviously he has control problems. You can't just cite his terrible BB:K ratio without pointing out that his K:IP ratio is roughly 1:1. Obviously the BBs need to come down, but he wouldn't be the first power pitcher that struggles with control early in his career.

Lorenzo Cain had another nice day at the plate, going 2-4 with two walks, two runs scored and a stolen base. You can't do much else as a leadoff man, and it doesn't hurt having the second overall pick from the 2009 draft, Dustin Ackley, hitting behind you. Cain tore up the league last year, which of course got us all excited about him as a possibility to take over in CF for 2010. Don't tease us again Lorenzo...

I was pleasantly surprised to see Angel Salome's name among the top 20 prospects in the PCL despite having somewhat of a down year at the plate. I think that proves that he still is a legit prospect, even if the love for him isn't as strong as it was a year ago. I still believe Lucroy is the better all-around catching prospect in the system, but Salome still gives the organization two exciting catching prospects. I know his name is frequently brought up as potential trade bait, but I would like to see both Lucroy and Salome share catching duties at AAA next year with the Brewers finding an adequate stopgap for the 2010 season. Those two may very well serve an interesting tandem at the big-league level in 2011.

I agree that Toronto and Seattle are going to be among the teams tied to Hardy. You also have Detroit, Boston, Minnesota, Baltimore and possibly both the Nationals and Padres that could express interest. I'm not touching the NL Central teams as I really doubt Melvin would move a player of significance to a division rival, even if he can get a good pitcher in return. I'm sure there is a team or more that I'm missing, but I think the year-to-year need for a good shortstop for so many teams out there will play in the Brewers favor, even if Hardy had a disappointing year. Not to mention the best player available on the free agent market is Orlando Cabrera. I'm not sure if I've ever been more convinced that a player was as good as gone. I hate to part with the guy when his value is so low, since we all know he's a lot better than what he showed this past year and is still plenty young, but the writing is on the wall.

For those looking for a mid-October baseball fix, the AFL has started today, and Lorenzo Cain is batting leadoff (so far, 1-2 with a double) for the Peoria Javelinas. Omar Aguilar has just entered the game in the fourth inning: http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2009_10_13_surwin_perwin_1

Why don't they announce it already and get it over with? Seems like this is one of the worst kept secrets in the baseball off-season at this point. Do you think the Brewers might be waiting to see what happens in St. Louis to determine if Dave Duncan might become available? I know there were some rumors that La Russa might call it quits regardless of the Cardinals fast exit out of the playoffs, and now that the Cardinals have been eliminated, there seems to be more and more talk about the possibility of the Cardinals moving forward with somone else at the helm. Just a thought, since Peterson does seem like a good fit without knowing who some of the other candidates would be.

Thanks for providing those stories TLB. I was just about to ask for someone with knowledge of his history, since I know there is a handful of A's fans around these parts, to share their thoughts on his practices. As already noted, the Brewers job could be all the more appealing because the team may be looking for a system-wide philosophy to be implemented by Peterson. Since so much he talks about his about mechanics and injury prevention, it's particularly refreshing given some of the problems the team has had with pitchers the past few years. And this quote in particular is encouraging to me: When a scout's looking at an amateur, the first thing he always looks for is velocity. When you're signed they gave you a check for velocity. After that, you never make another damn dollar for velocity, it's all on location. High-end velocity still has value, but somewhere along the line the pitcher's own attitude has to change, so he's not worrying about throwing hard. Pitching coaches just need to rewire them. Guys like Mulder and Hudson understand that pitching at 90% effort puts you in a rhythm and balance that will give you location and movement but still yield your highest-end velocities. In the same Q&A, Peterson also notes that when he was with Oakland, Beane would provide him with tape of amateur pitchers in relationship to the draft for him to analyze to make sure there weren't any major mechanical flaws. I realize that many of his studies, along with those of Dr. Andrews, are more theory than fact, but the simple fact that they are following some kind of overall method is exciting.

NASA messing with the moon.

Similar to the FSL, the SL is also a deep league, and usually is, when it comes to prospective talent. That means a ranking of 13 is pretty high praise for Lucroy. For those that don't have access to the scouting reports, he was praised for his approach and his ability to make hard contact, although it is noted that we shouldn't expect much power (not that any of that is a surprise). His defense continues to draw mixed reviews, with some questioning his arm strength, yet others called him MLB ready, praising his technique, footwork and release. He threw out 40% of opposing baserunners this year (and without looking I think he threw out something like 47% of runners last year between WV and BC), so he obviously has a knack for gunning down would-be base-stealers. Coupled by some of the recent comments from Gord Ash as noted in a different thread, I'm really anxious to follow Lucroy in the AFL, as it could be his final tune-up before a surprise promotion to Milwaukee if he swings the bat and handles the star-studded cast of pitching well.

I felt Gindl at #16 in an extremely deep league was pretty high praise considering questions about his height. I again agree with battlekow's assessment about Gindl's defensively capability, as BA's scouting report mentioned that he would be restricted to left field given his overall physical limitations, which goes against most of what we've heard about him since he was drafted. He's proven that he can play CF in a pinch, and has good enough wheels and a strong enough arm to play on either corner.

Well you got your question answered. I did and I didn't. Cooper did reply to my question, but he really didn't answer why Rivas didn't make the cut. He admitted that his FB was in the 90-94 range and he had the best changeup in the league. I don't think an inconsistent slider would keep him from the top 20, even with the talent as deep as it was given the combination of success and stuff. I do think his relative unknown status hurts his prospect status a little, because if Cooper would have said that it was because Rivas was 23, soon to be 24, I would have gone for that more. Not to nitpick, because the league-by-league top prospect lists are probably my favorite BA feature. Agreed. He doesn't sound like a tweener to me. Caleb Gindl is your stereotypical tweener. Again, I don't meant to nitpick, but I too was confused by the word "'tweener," because it wasn't used how I am accustomed to. Cooper admitted that Schafer was a good CF with good speed, but that it was his bat that left scouts wondering if he was a backup at the highest level. That's not a 'tweener, so I would be interested to hear Cooper explain that one a little further. I got the most recent print issue of BA today, in which all of the league top prospects are listed. I won't spoil all of the fun for everyone else, but I was pleased to see three prospects make the PCL list, which is due up online next week. SL is up tomorrow...

There are already two questions asking about Schafer's exclusion. Here's one of the responses from Cooper that sums it up the best while also pointing out how statistics can't be over-analyzed: Another person (BA chat stalwart Jaypers) asked about Anundsen's exclusion, with the expected answer that his stuff wasn't good enough to make the list.

Keep in mind stats aren't the things that make one prospect stand out from another. And at a quick glance, there isn't too much shame in having some notable players not make the list, as the league was loaded with top prospects. The top 15 guys are so are all guys that are going to factor prominently into BA's top 100 list when it's released next spring. I agree that Rivas' exclusion is a little bit of a surprise, but age may be working against him just like it seems to be for Schafer. I made sure to ask the question where those two along with Anundsen and Farris (who was mentioned in the league lead-in) factored in, so hopefully that question will be answered. And players can appear on as many lists as they qualify for. Gallardo and Braun were both prominently listed in both the FSL and SL the year the two of them spent time at both levels.

While I understand the point about adding Jeffress to the 40-man roster, putting aside everyone's stance on marijuana use, what kind of message would that send to the rest of the organization? Ask any player, agent, coach, etc. and they'll tell you that making the 40-man roster is an incredibly huge deal to the players, and for good reason. Rewarding Jeffress' idiocy in an attempt to protect their investment with such a placement would not be a very wise move on the part of the Brewers. I'm all for giving people second and third chances, but if Jeffress gets busted again and is indeed banned for life, then so be it. He clearly would have much bigger priorities in his life than the game of baseball if that happens, and lets just hope it doesn't come to that.

I see no reason why a good closer shouldn't be a priority for a team in this position. I agree 100%, and am happy to see this deal go down so quickly. Just because the team needs starting pitching more than anything else shouldn't take away from the current strengths and possible other needs this team has. One thing that drives me crazy in the offseason is how some teams address their priorities one by one, instead of trying to just get the best players they can on their team. I'm sure the team has some kind of an idea of how they intend to improve their starting rotation and likely wouldn't have made this signing so quickly if they felt it would restrict any other moves they could make.