JJHardy7

He hasn't made huge strides. How many games have you seen him play over the past few years? Its a toss up but its not like he hasn't been given playing time and protecting him from left handed pitchers isn't evil, its putting him in the best place to succeed. Not true. He's hit lefties better than righties. I think the Brewers have given him "a shot for even a week" he has an at bat in the last 9 games, he started 6 of those. I want him at 3B for a week. Not given 'token' at-bats that count towards it either. Just tell him it's his job for a week and let's see what happens. Maybe he won't press as much as he is IMO. He can flat out hit. I'm sure in the back of his mind he knows (or reads what some here are posting) that he needs to do X in order to not get sent back to AAA.

No but he is not starting with a blank slate reputaiton. Fair or not he is going to have to show, over a longer period of time in limited opportunities that he is a solid fielder in order to overcome his reputation. Gamel has to hit well enough to overcome his own glove like Braun did in 07.. He hasn't so far. Not that his glove's been terrible or that he needs to be Braun-like on offense, but he does need to hit. If he goes down, McGehee and Counsell and to a lesser extent his likely roster replasment, Iribarren benefit, not so much Hall. I understand it's not blank, but can we take the training wheels off? He's made huge strides on defense this year. How can he show his bat when his role is clearly not defined. It seems as if it depends on which way the wind is blowing (in non-AL road games). Braun struggled in his first 20 or so at-bats, but the Brewers didn't more or less bench him for a few games. Gamel's bat is the best option at 3B. Making him perform in limited chances is a huge waste of having him up in Milwaukee. The way Gamel has been used this year is easily the most questionable thing the Brewers have done in a long, long time. It's not like they have a guy raking at 3B. Why would you not give him a shot for even a week or so and then we can take a look at what he did or didn't do with the bat or on the field. I think it's a terrible way to deal with your top prospect. There's no doubt in my mind that at this point and time he should've been left in Nashville. That's not a knock on Mat, but it's just my opinion that if you're not going to use him right at least let him play everyday somewhere. I think Brewer fans have to take a step back and first of all determine he's not Braun. Braun had maybe the best rookie season ever with the bat. His defense is also nowhere near as bad as Braun's. There were thoughts in the in-game chat when he hit his first HR of the year that Braun and Gamel were the two future faces of the franchise...how quickly that apparently changed. If Hall was making the minimum, he wouldn't be in Milwaukee right now. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but his contract is the only reason he's on the field. I know his defense is above average, but the same could be said about a lot of 3B in the majors and in the minors.

I disagree that Hall's salary has any impact on Gamel's playing time. It's Hall's defense that plays. Until Gamel hits or fields well enough in his limtied opportunities to overcome Hall's glove he will continue to have his playing time limited. Has Gamel's defense in MLB been that bad?

Trust me when I say, I"m a huge fan of Gamel's. At one point, I thought he was going to be a better player than Braun. And I hope that after the Detroit series (or even the All-Star break) there are a lot of people telling me "I told you so". I'll happily take that. But sometimes a rookie just "working through it" isn't the best for the team, nor that player. Look at his playing time though. It's been so off and on I don't put a lot of weight on his struggles. I posted a month ago I felt the Brewers didn't have a plan for Gamel and I stand by that. It's not like Hall is on fire or anything right now. If Hall didn't have his salary, Gamel would be at 3B everyday where he should be. I'm sure Gamel is pressing and trying too hard. Let's get him more than 3 at-bats a game and see what he can do.

Thanks to joepepsi for bringing some facts into this. Some people were really complaining quite vocally that Mat Gamel was practically being abused by not getting enough starts...well, he's been starting pretty regularly lately. I don't think not starting roughly 25% of the time is really going to hamper his development, or not give him enough chances. What 'facts'? He hasn't played 3B in even half the games he's played in. joepepsi isn't bringing up any fact that's relevant to this IMO. If Gamel doesn't know his role, that is probably going to make him press. If Macha says, hey Mat you're our 3B...let's roll. That changes things. I think Gamel needs to be starting 3B everyday. Starting as a DH is doing nothing to help his development at 3B. Gamel would've played twice as many innings (at least) if he was in AAA. I don't see how that's not mismanagement. Gamel's biggest question mark is his fielding and to be honest as much as I like Mat he needs to be in Nashville in order for that to be worked on. I'm not trying to attack joepepsi, but let's take Hardy in your example. He was given the SS from day one. He could barely hit .200 or so and was benched for periods IIRC. That is not the case with Mat (or at least that we know). Hardy also didn't play in less than half his games at SS and the majority at DH. Playing 40% of the games you play in at 3B is not starting everyday. Gamel has played 3B 12 games out of the 32 or so he's been in the bigs and is averaging less than 3 at-bats per game. Those are some stats related to Mat. Mat did not bat or had one at-bat in about half of the games he's been up in the bigs...that's not a lot of playing time.

Well he wsa alredy red-hot when they brought him up from Nashville! And then he began pretty much a bench role...I think many here are agreeing with you. It's his role on the team that is the problem, but it's not as if he's a finished product in the field. He needs to play 3B either at MLB or AAA.

Psycho T I have the feeling that this guy will be one of the players drafted in the 20s or so that GMs will kick themselves for not taking higher. I don't think he'll be an all-star type player, but I do think he's more of a sure bet than a lot of these other guys. To me, he's one of the lowest risk players in the draft. I've seen Utah taking him at #20 in a lot of mocks and I think that'd be a perfect fit. I really wouldn't mind the Bucks trading down and getting a player or conditional pick and taking him.

It takes a miracle to win a gold glove as LF, maybe if Braun played CF this would make some sense. So it's not as simple as making some dives in the OF and having a big bat? I think that's kind of my point. There are more moving parts involved for a Pirate player that isn't really popular on a national basis to win a GG. I don't think he's as terrible as some think he is here, but that's my opinion. I would move him to RF though.

The problem is that the Brewers probably havent told him what their plans are for him, at least I dont think they have. If they told him "no matter what you do you are staying up all year" or "no matter what you do you are going back down after interleague play" I think Mat could relax and play how he knows he can. If he is pressing to impress it could lead to him not being as selective as he normally is and putting balls into play that are easier outs. I agree with this. Mat can hit. We can look at his 80 PAs all we want, but that's no way a fair way to evaluate him. Sure he has to produce, but he needs to know his role. If he's not going to start everyday, he should be in AAA and that's not a knock on Mat. He should be the everyday 3B and let him actually get comfortable. He probably his pressing because he doesn't know his role. Gamel's bad defense already was a contributing factor in one loss this year. Already? The same could be said about several Brewers. The Brewers almost lost the other night because of a mistake by Cameron, but people realize those things happen. Please don't be like ESPN and state his errors from a few years back. He's developed just a little bit since then. I'm not saying he's perfect, but obviously not playing 3B isn't going to keep him as sharp as he should be.

Last night the blooper that fell in front of McLouth is a perfect example of why he hurts you in CF. Imho it's also a great example of why a casual fan might feel that McLouth is a good defender -- 'He just couldn't get to that one, it wasn't bad fielding' I guess I don't quite get this or the other comment (not from you) that since he dives at stuff he won the award. Defense still can't be measured to a science that hitting can be. Again, I don't think McLouth is a top 1/3 or 2/3 of OFs. I think he's miscast in CF. The one thing I still don't get is that on this board some complain about how small markets get zero love, etc, etc. A guy from Pittsburgh won a GG. Nobody besides Pirates fans have cared about this team for a few years. Again, Nate isn't a great or even average CF. Compared to his competition though...who should've won the award that played enough? If it's simply hitting, diving, and lack of errors (which is a bad stat), Ryan Braun would've walked away with this award. McLouth IMO has a pretty nice arm. I think his arm may have won him the award. I don't think that's the way to do it, but he does have some qualities besides 'he sucks, he's terrible' type of deal. He should be in RF IMO and I don't know if he's GG quality there, but he'd be above average IMO. Why did the Pirates put him in CF is my question?

I wish that teams that signed professional guys from Japan would have to give up a high draft pick. I know it's not likely, but it would help a bit IMO.

I get what you're saying, but one could argue that temperature, wind, and elevation above sea level shouldn't have an impact either. I mean, outfielders have had problems for years and years losing balls in the sun...so why shouldn't hitters or pitchers be helped or hurt by it either? Well if the shadow was in the same spot the entire game...fine. Same conditions for both teams is fine by me. My point is that if I'm a pitcher and I know it's more difficult when home plate is in the shadown and the mound is in the sun (let's just say this is a fact...I'm not debating whether it is or not) I'm going to take my sweet time on the mound as the shadow gets closer and closer to the pitching mound. To me, this can be using the 'natural weather' to one's benefit. The wind and temperature aren't elements a team can change or wait for. They can to a certain degree with the shadows. I'm not saying that teams do this. I would just imagine that it has happened before. I also agree with AJAY. These terrible shadows aren't 'part of the game'. I watch a lot of games since I have mlb.tv and Miller Park to me is still the worst with the shadows. I've thought that for a long time.

As far as the shadow being dangerous for hitters...I'm sure there are other parks where sun or shadow can make it harder for a player to see a ball coming in. I just think it's part of the game. Most of the things you mentioned though were designed as part of the stadiums. I don't think having a nasty shadow was actually designed. I was at Sheets 18K game and as well as he pitched I always felt that the shadows had a lot to do with it. That's not a knock on Ben. I'm sure pitchers love the shadows on day games. I just don't see how the position of the sun should have an impact of the game. Again, it's not always a fair thing for both teams.

Puuuuhh......lease! Complete over reaction on BOTH sides of the equation. I agree with your opinion, but I do have to admit I had a nice chuckle regarding your spelling of please and also making a point about not overreacting.

In other words, it effects both teams, so what's the big deal? I know this might be picky, but based on the time of day and who is batting it's not going to impact each team equally. I wouldn't mind it as much if it was exactly the same issue for both teams. I wonder if teams try to use the shadow at all to their advantage when pitching? Buying more time and waiting for the shadows to move so that you're team doesn't have it might not be super far fetched...

Note you said when he was in the minors and pitching well....neither one of those have been happening for quite some time. I hope he has great body language and results in Nashville--far away from Milwaukee. What is quite some time? It's not like Parra sucked all of last year. My point is before the Fielder thing and when he was pitching well nobody cared about his body language. I find that somewhat strange and to be honest annoying. He's struggling...no doubt. What do you expect him to do? Smile as he gets pulled out? Smile as he gives up a run? He hasn't handled it well. I'll agree with you there, but he cares. He knows he's not pitching well and it seems like he's taking the demotion pretty well since he knew he wasn't pitching well. Let's not get carried away that Parra has always sucked, is poor mentally, and has terrible body language all the time. When he was taken out, the first thing I thought was that he is getting sent down. My next thought was that, just going off his body language and the way he seems to handle things, it wouldn't surprise me if he just up and quit baseball. Are you claiming to be a fortune teller or something? Your thoughts are fine, but the general thought was that he had to turn things around. As far as your thoughts about quitting baseball, that's a pretty low blow. I love how these things are just fact now that Parra is so mentally weak that he's going to quit baseball. Come on. I've seen Parra pitch very well in the minors...even though he is so mentally 'weak', has poor body language, and will quit baseball. Seriously...I feel that the negativity on this board is back with a fury. Suggesting that a player on the Brewers is going to quit baseball because he can't handle things is IMO one of the lowest blows a 'fan' can make towards one of their players. It's embarrassing to be a fan when these statements are made by people who have no clue what type of mental makeup a player has. I've met Parra a few times and he's not mentally weak or whatever junk you want to say. He's struggling and to be honest is trying too hard. A trip to Nashville is what he needs. A week or two ago people posted that he had 'electric' stuff. Now he's going to quit baseball...come on.

I would say it is him vs. Gerut & the experiment known as Chris Duffy. That's true in terms of what we gave up for him or where he didn't get his chance. I think it's him vs. Hart in terms of playing time since some thought that TGJ never got a chance.

Dillard needs to have more strikeouts than walks to become a viable option to me. I just can't see Cody having success as a starter in the majors. It's not like it's a huge gap though. The same can be said (more or less) of two other starters in Nashville. Dillard is moving from the pen to a starting role. I'm not saying I agree with it, but given this he's working on more pitches (I've stated this in the past a few times). I wouldn't look at that rate all that much though since he's not walking a ton of guys. I think the biggest thing with Tim now is to build his arm...so he's not dancing around guys, which is going to lead to more balls hit into play. For example, he averaged 8k/9 last year in 63 1/3 and is now at 3k/9 in 66 innings. He has the stuff to striked out guys though. His walks per 9 are actually down this year so it's not as simple as comparing the two. I've said before that moving Dillard to a starting role was not a smart idea (not because he can't do it...I just don't like the moving guys around as much at AA or AAA). Dillard IMO is at least an average arm out the of the pen in MLB. Is he a starter? Not so sure about that, but so far it seems that the Brewers have refused to call him up even though IMO he's the best pitcher in Nashville.

Yes indeed... however if Gwynn hits over .280... in my humble OPINION that qualifys him for playing for the Brewers and I reserve the right to be disappointed that they let him go. t Well first off...it's him vs. Hart then. TGJ was never going to start over Braun or Cameron. I guess IMO I don't like TGJ as a PH since he has pretty much zero power. I do wish him the best, but if he makes it long-term it needs to be as a leadoff type guy. I also wouldn't say we 'let him go'. We got a better player IMO than TGJ is. The Padres are the ones that botched it by not claiming him earlier in the year. Agai, I wish TGJ the best, but it wasn't going to work out in Milwaukee.

I know it just happened, but I hope I don't see him until next year, if then. Something about his demeanor/body language has never sat well with me. I guess I'm not a fan of statements like this. Hid demeanor/body language was fine in the minors and it was fine when he was pitching well in Milwaukee. I still think Manny will be a big part of the Brewers future (I see him as a #3) and this to me is a case of Manny just not trusting his stuff and trying to get too cute. It is though pretty poor timing. I think this really forces the Brewers to make a trade (now or in a few weeks) if they want to make a run at the playoffs.

For a while? I think you just saw the last of Manny Parra in a Brewer uniform. If he does start putting up numbers against AAA hitters, they'll unload him on another unsuspecting team. Ummmmm...No. Selling low on him is a terrible idea IMO. Even if he puts up decent numbers in AAA I don't see that being a huge difference in trade value now or if he does that. I get the feeling that you just flat out don't like some guys. Some pitchers go through this and hopefully Parra will too. Bush was demoted last year. Parra needs to just go to AAA for two weeks or so. I've never thought he was a #1 or #2 guy, but he's better than this. There's no reason to think 'he sucks...let's trade him'. The Brewers have to develop pitching...Parra is a good project to prove they can develop it and then continue to develop it when they get to the bigs. If they can't figure out Parra, I really do worry about the ability to develop pitching. I do think the Brewers will figure it out so I'm not about to question that. I say the Brewers call up Dillard and give him a few starts. I know his K numbers aren't the best, but it's a decent in-house option. I do wonder if those trade rumors (whatever they were) will heat back up now.

Yeah, it's true... he probably won't keep it up... but I just wanted to comment while the iron was hot. Will you comment though when the iron is cold?

The shadows typically move from the RF line toward the mound and home plate. This is normal and the same thing happens at Wrigley. MP has the normal orientation of a baseball park with 1b to the south..hence the term "southpaw". Also, I'm not debating the placement of the field. It's more of a structure issue. Shadows are forming from obstructions. I don't know if there's anything they can do though to stop that...it might have been too late.

The shadows typically move from the RF line toward the mound and home plate. This is normal and the same thing happens at Wrigley. MP has the normal orientation of a baseball park with 1b to the south..hence the term "southpaw". I know how it works. I just think it is (or at least appears) to be more drastic than other parks. I have no clue if there's any stats on this type of thing, but just from the 'eye' test that shadow has slowed down some offenses in its day.

Is the sun situation here really significantly different from places like Wrigley field? I'm not an expert of other fields, but from the games I watch I'd have to put Miller Park as a top 5 worst place to play a day game. Shadows happen during day games...I just don't like the fact it's moving from home plate to the pitching mound. I just don't see it 'fair' that based on where the shadow is it's going to be easier or more difficult for a team during certain parts of the game. I have to assume this was a mistake. The team could also choose to play fewer day games, not all teams do the midweek day game thing that they do on "getaway day" here. For instance, yesterday they could have played a night game, rather than the 1pm start that is designed to make travel more convenient for the Rockies. I would rather see the problem fixed or at least look into how/if it can be fixed.