TheCrew07

Well to be fair it's not Wang's fault we have 2 2B-only and 2 1B-only players on the roster, his status just exasperates the situation. We certainly don't have much versatility on the MLB roster but as a site we've been talking about that situation since prior to spring training. More than anything the Brewers could use an extra pitcher right now but with Braun, Ramirez, and Segura out the last 2 games it hasn't been an option. I have a hard time just letting go of Wang however I'm also worried what Pitt would want in return because there aren't obvious spots the Brewers' prospect strengths match up with a Pittsburgh weakness unless you're talking MLB ready pitching, and I'm not flipping Nelson or Thornburg for him. If they wanted a reliever I'd be thrilled, we have a plethora of nice relief options all through the minor league chain. I'd also give up someone like Yadiel Rivera if they were looking for a SS long-term beyond Hanson, but they have much better prospects all the way around at the top of their organization, so it's a tough match, division opponent or not. With slightly different roster construction, bullpen management, and without the extra inning games having Wang on the roster wouldn't be a big deal, unfortunately it is starting to become an issue.

He was scheduled to start tonight for Nashville, if he does then he won't be the guy, he wouldn't be ready for innings again until Sunday.

There is also a 4 minute video at the link. Brewers could have Rule 5 gem in lefty reliever Wang By Bernie Pleskoff 4/24/2014 12:08 P.M. ET I remember sitting in the crowded room at the 2013 Winter Meetings Rule 5 Draft. I had a fairly good sense of almost every potential player who could be selected early that morning. The Brewers selected Wei-Chung Wang, a left-handed pitcher from the Pirates organization. It was apparent I hadn't done my homework because I was not familiar with Wang. I wasn't alone. There were a considerable number of "Who?" and "What?" comments floating around the room when his name was called. But the Brewers had, indeed, done their homework. As it turns out, Wang was signed by Pittsburgh in October 2011. Because he required Tommy John surgery, his contract with Pittsburgh was voided and a new deal was structured. His new agreement invoked a little-known rule that required Wang be protected on the Pirates' 40-man roster or be subject to the Rule 5 Draft. And that's how the 21-year-old native of Taiwan landed on the Brewers roster. The Brewers paid the Pirates $50,000 for the right to draft Wang. I was shocked again when I learned that the Brewers had selected him knowing he had pitched only 47 1/3 innings for Pittsburgh's Gulf Coast League team. He had started 11 games of his 12 total appearances. He posted a 3.23 ERA and an 0.86 WHIP, walking only four and striking out 42. Yes, it was only a part of one season, but it was formidable. His surgery appeared to have been a success. His career was off and moving in the right direction. And the Brewers were aware of that. Wang is ranked No. 11 on the Brewers' Top 20 Prospect list. I got to see a lot of Wang during Spring Training in Maryvale, Ariz. Pitching eight out of nine outings from the bullpen, Wang was impressive. He showed an outstanding calm and cool mound demeanor that looked like he was born to pitch. He had a feel for pitching that came through in his sequencing and command of each pitch in his repertoire. He had a deceptive array of pitches that included a mid-90s fastball, a solid changeup and a wicked curveball. It was his curveball that caught my attention. Wang buckled the knees of both right- and left-handed hitters. He doesn't discriminate. He uses that curve at any point in the count or as an out pitch with great confidence. He threw 14 innings, giving up 15 hits and no walks. He struck out seven, and the opposition hit .283 against him. He had a WHIP of 1.07. It was a solid spring that launched him to the big league club as part of the 25-man Opening Day roster. When the Pirates decided to expose him to the Rule 5 Draft, they probably thought it was unlikely that a club would select a player with only part of one professional season. And for a team to keep him, Wang must remain on the roster for the entire season or be offered back to Pittsburgh for half the purchase price, or a total of $25,000. The Brewers have gotten off to a strong start. They are winning. Pitching and hitting are blending together nicely. Wang is in the bullpen for Milwaukee. He has appeared in only two games, going two innings. He was touched up in his second outing. Now the Brewers have to make the decision. Do they keep Wang and allow him to virtually miss development time in the Minor Leagues? Do they offer to make a trade with Pittsburgh to keep Wang and be able to send him out for seasoning? Or, do they offer him back to the Pirates at half the original cost? Not to mention that Wang's Tommy John history has to figure in the equation somewhere as well. And given the repeat elbow surgeries we've seen recently, that has to be in the conversation. Lefties like Wang -- with composure, command, control and a full repertoire -- are in high demand. The Brewers may well keep him around and then use 2015 to return him to development in the Minor Leagues. His arm may be too solid and his upside too valuable to take the chance of not retaining him for the full season.

I had missed this, I've never held Mayo in high regard but I'm huge Callis fan, regardless I don't check Prospect Watch as much as I probably should. MLB Prospect Watch 2014 Draft top 100

Mayo and Callis put together their first 10 picks. Experts take early stab at Top 10 Draft picks

First, he'd likely have to be added to the 40 man and if he's traded for and send down he'd use one up this season, so he'd have to be back for good by 2017. Second, considering how many token big leaguers you've championed I find that statement I bolded somewhat amusing. Third, this is your best case scenario... he pitches and pitches poorly enough that the Brewers can make a decent trade for him, thus retaining his rights and opening up a much needed roster spot. I really don't get the venom on this one, Wang isn't costing the Brewers a potential victory here. We had an extremely overworked pen before back to back extra inning games and a starter who didn't make it through the 4th. Yes it's the Cards which adds that extra personal element for many posters but we already pulled out to 2 victories on the road in extra innings in the series.

I'm not sure what you meant here, being on the 40 man roster affects Hellweg's AAA pay, but he's not making MLB minimum nor earning MLB service time being on the 40 man. You only earn MLB service time if you were injured while on the active MLB roster. The confusion might stem from the spring training scenario where if players are on the expanded spring training roster and get hurt they cannot be optioned to down to the minors until their rehab is completed, nor can players be optioned before spring training starts.

The usual BA chat goodness.. though extremely short, must not have been many questions. Baseball America Wednesday Chat With Matt Eddy

Not much more on Taylor other than a quick rundown of yesterday, Alex Reyes of the Cards also discussed farther down in the MWL portion. Minor League Roundup: Tyrone Taylor’s A Speedy Manatee

I'd like to see Jungmann get bumped, I'd hope they aren't planning using Figaro long-term but I guess we'll see. He's a veteran who spent most of his career as a starter so there would be logic in sliding Figaro into that slot long-term.

That was a timely question and excellent response on his part given this article from BA yesterday about players struggling with draftitis. It's a subscriber piece. Draftitis Claims More Team Victim Well for our sake I hope your work at least made the Brewers take a look if they hadn't already.

Baseball America Prospect Report (April 30)

Michael Reed may steel 50 bases but he's more like Eric Farris than he is Johnny Davis in that regard... meaning he's not a ++ runner where that total would begin to translate to MLB. He has 3 HRs in 802 career ABs, he may develop power at some point but that's not part of his game right now. As was discussed quite a bit in last year's LRs Michael is a corner OF prospect without power so even there's quite a bit to like about him as a player, he doesn't really fit where he profiles best right now. In fact I continually lamented on that point, it's too bad really. Unless he can SLG in the mid .400s his ceiling is that of a 4th OF even though he's got many average to above average tools.

How does one get playoff experience if one isn't allowed to pitch? Gerrit Cole pitched very well for the Pirates last season as a rookie,he was only 22 years old, and had less experience at the time than Wily did. [pre]Year Age Tm Series W-L% ERA G GS IP H R ER HR BB IBB SO WHIP H9 HR9 BB9 SO9 SO/W 2013 22 PIT NLDS .500 2.45 2 2 11.0 5 3 3 2 2 0 10 0.636 4.1 1.6 1.6 8.2 5.00 1 NLDS .500 2.45 2 2 11.0 5 3 3 2 2 0 10 0.636 4.1 1.6 1.6 8.2 5.00[/pre] I'm not suggesting Cole and Peralta are similar pitchers but I am suggesting that maybe people should look at more than age and experience when it comes to these issues. None of us are close enough to the situation to be "in the know" if Peralta would ready or not. Instead of the default assumption of "no", how about we lean the other and trust that a pitcher will perform well regardless of age? Peralta is now 25, has well over a year in the big leagues with 42 starts, when would be the appropriate time to let him pitch a meaningful game? To answer the question I wouldn't pitch anyone on short rest and would just be tempted to run with who's ever spot in the rotation came up. No one is going to give you a near complete game so we're going to rely on the bullpen regardless. If one of the starters isn't pitching well you could certainly adjust but I don't see any good reason to get carried away and try to "Sabathia" the situation, we just don't have that type of pitcher on the roster.

Sounds Slammed By Z's, 9-4 Nashville's Morris Goes 2-For-4 with 2 RBIs; Jeffress Makes Sounds Debut Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds allowed a season-high nine runs in Tuesday morning's contest against the New Orleans Zephyrs, falling by a final score of 9-4 on Education Day at Greer Stadium. Down 1-0 in the third inning, Sounds starting pitcher Ariel Pena (0-2) had difficulty locating pitches, with three walks and two wild pitches in the frame alone. The free bases ended up hurting Nashville when New Orleans catcher Kyle Skipworth drove a wind-aided grand slam over the centerfield wall. The grand slam is the first surrendered by Nashville this season and the first since Engle Beltre hit one for Round Rock on August 19, 2013. The Zephyrs added to their lead with three runs in the fourth inning. Pena offered a lead-off walk and committed a throwing error to put runners on the corners for Jake Marisnick, who hit a single to centerfield to make it 6-0. Pena walked the following batter, loading the bases and ending his day in the fourth. Reliever Dustin Molleken stepped in to issue a bases-loaded walk to his first batter, Josh Rodriguez. The Zephyrs plated their third run of the frame with a sacrifice fly. Pena took the loss, his second, allowing eight runs, six earned, on four hits and six walks over three innings of work. Molleken pitched three innings to finish with one unearned run on his line. Newcomer Jeremy Jeffress made his Sounds debut a good one, collecting 1 2/3 scoreless innings for Nashville. He threw five strikeouts and two of the team's season-high 11 walks. Left fielder Eugenio Velez entered the game with the league's top average of .403 and put the Sounds on the board in the fourth inning with his RBI-single to shallow center. The hit scored Caleb Gindl, who doubled for Nashville's first hit. Gindl, who batted .333 (11-for-33) on the team's recent roadtrip, finished the day 2-for-4 with two doubles. He and Hector Gomez both scored on Hunter Morris' double in the eighth inning. Taylor Green followed with a sac-fly for the Sounds' final run. The win marks New Orleans' sixth consecutive. Starting pitcher Jay Rogers (1-1) was awarded his first win, limiting Nashville to one run over six innings. The Sounds will play a doubleheader against the Zephyrs Wednesday, beginning at 4:05 p.m. Nashville's RHP Mike Fiers (4-0, 1.01) will pitch in the first game opposite LHP Brian Flynn (2-1, 4.13) while RHP Alfredo Figaro (0-0, 4.50) will start the nightcap. Jeff Hem has the call, which will begin as an internet-only broadcast before 102.5 The Game joins in progress at 6 p.m. Nashville Boxscore If you look at Arial Pena's last 3 seasons there aren't a whole lot of games in the middle, where he'd have like a 4.50 ERA for the game, nor will you find him pitching in the 7th very often. When he's on he's piling up strike outs but still not very efficient as a pitcher needing high pitch counts to get through 6, and when he's bad the wheels tend to come off. Today was one of those bad days... Pena's final line 3 IP, 4 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR, a 2 WP while throwing just 36 of 81 pitches for strikes. Jeremy Jeffress' debut was covered above, I'm pretty ambivalent about his signing right now. All of the notable hitting lines were covered in the game story. Nashville Recap This is ugly. Nashville Gameday

Three Strikes: Week 11

Corey Black (Cubs), Ismael Guillon (Reds), and Blake Lively (Reds) Pitchers of the Week For the week ending April 27 Jonathan Rodriguez (Cards) Offensive Players of the Week For the week ending April 27

Candelario drives in six in FSL shootout No. 9 Chicago prospect belts first career grand slam for Daytona

College Draft Prospect Stat Roundup Week 11 Carlos Rodon Strikes Out 15 Against Georgia Tech (VIDEO) Subscriber story. Salisbury School Boasts Top Rotation

T-Rats Postponed. Lame, will I ever get to see Coulter catch before I get to a game in person?! edit. *Sigh* someday I'll be able to beat MH on an update.

I think most of the time rating those guys in the middle is the toughest. When I'm asked to a do a prospect list the bottom half takes me at least 3 times as long as the top half. It's very difficult to rate prospects or players who don't necessary get their edge against the competition from physical gifts. Take a guy like Davis who I championed even though I knew he had a swing that could get long, sometimes you just get a gut feeling about a guy from watching him. However, I could absolutely see where prospect evaluators weren't all over him even though he was productive. The same for Gennett who's not selective, but makes his mark by being aggressive, if given the choice I'd prefer selective over aggressive but the reverse works for Scooter because of his bat on ball skills. Pitchers like Fiers who have pretty average stuff but plus command and pitchability are also tough, where is their best fit? I would say the bullpen... but he could pitch out of the rotation for at least 10 teams in baseball and do a nice job. Is it better better to be first division reliever or a second division starter? I think a very solid argument could be made both ways but as I want a rotation built on first division starters (no one worse than a 3) I'd slot him as a reliever. The guys at the top... they are easy, the rest of the guys... not so much.

T-Rats in a Rain Delay according the TV broadcast, hoping to start at 7 PM local time.

There are any number of ways to make room for Bradley without pushing prospects up to AAA to do it, I just don't think the Brewers will go that route. He could certainly take the Moye/Cravy spot in the rotation... Moye is 26 and repeating AA. Cravy has been in the system forever and I didn't realize until just now that he's only 24, seems like he should be older than that. I just don't see much happening until the deadweight on Nashville's roster is removed or some MLB injuries allow for upward mobility. I doubt they do much right now with both Nashville and Huntsville over .500, it seems winning at both levels is a priority this season.

Season 2 has been awesome so far, I'm glad you're enjoying season 1.

There's no room for him in AA right now: Jungmann Gagnon Hall Suter Cravy They could bump Cravy back to relief to make room but he's pitching very well, I don't remember who the original 5th starter was.