TheCrew07

I'm right there with you, I watch games if they are on during primetime on Wednesdays and thats about it, though I catch the occasional game when I'm at my parents' house as well. The rest of the time I'm focusing on the minor league as I'm really torn about the MLB club. I don't want to lose but I also know that winning only validates the organization's strategy in the minds of all of the decision makes, and truthfully a large majority of the fanbase. I don't want Mark A. messing around trying to determine which players will help the MLB club. I don't want Melvin retained. I'm on the fence with Seid willing to give him one more year. The Brewers strategy internationally has to change. I think most of the management at the top of the player development structure needs to go. Too often they try to stick square pegs in round holes setting back prospect development. For example, Coulter is an awful catcher by any professional standard and while I understand he's young and has room to improve, if he realistically doesn't have a future at C then why not make a change now? Clint isn't the only the player rather just latest in a long chain of those types of moves. I'm not sure why the slow and steady decline of the organization as a whole and the continual up and down nature of the MLB team as the pitching rises and falls is a surpise. A handful of posters have been continually pointing out the path we've been on for years, none of what's transpired should really be a surprise as it's been discussed from every possible angle for a long time. Soon the original core will be old & ineffective or gone and with no possible impact position players above A ball and very few impact pitching options, how are the organization's fortunes going to change unless trades happen to fill those gaps? It doesn't appear that Melvin and Mark A are willing to make those kind of moves until a walk year... I was depressed and bitter towards the organization for a long time as they continually excuted this "window" strategy and now I find myself indifferent.

Well to be fair Uke hasn't exactly set the world on fire describing the action the last handful of years. He's clearly slipping from a quality standpoint as well. He's still very entertaining but sometimes he just plain forgets to talk about what is happening on the field.

I actually think it's pretty simple and the hiring pattern has been easy to detect. Macha was the opposite of Yost strategically and Roenicke was the opposite of Macha from a personality standpoint. Every manager has been strongest in what the manager before him was the worst at. "This guy sucks at "A" so I'm going to find guy who's a good baseball man and strong in that aspect." Rinse. Repeat. It's no different than any other part of Melvin's managerial style, it's all straightforward and conservative, he doesn't seem to be a very complicated guy.

And is much older, doesn't have a dynamic FB or secondary stuff.... He's just become the epitome of a control pitcher and expecting him to maintain the level of performance he achieved in STL with a totally different team behind him, a different ballpark, and given the fact that he's aging, Lohse isn't comparable to any of the top of players in the game by any measure other than a small statistical sample of his career from STL.

I wasn't sure exactly where to put this but I think the article fits best here. How Certain Teams Can Exploit The CBA

The Pirates' Bradenton prospect duo discussed again, as is Cubs' Albert Almora who is recovering from a broken hamate bone. Prospect Notebook: Alen Hanson, Gregory Polanco Team Up To Trounce Tampa

Almora enjoys stellar season debut

Polanco, Hanson friends on, off field

Wong, Peterson lead Memphis in rout

Rattlers rock River Bandits in eleven innings Wisconsin scores seven runs in the eleventh for a 12-5 win at Quad Cities By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers DAVENPORT, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers seemed a bit angry that they had let a five run lead slip away at Modern Woodmen Park on Wednesday night. The Timber Rattlers led the Quad Cities River Bandits 5-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Bandits would rally to tie the game 5-5, but Wisconsin pulled away with a decisive seven run eleventh inning for a 12-5 win. Clint Coulter put the Timber Rattlers (20-21) up in the second inning. The Rattlers catcher launched a two-run home run with two outs in the top of the second. The home run was the third of the season for Coulter and his first since April 13. The Timber Rattlers stretched out their lead with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth. Michael Reed tripled, his second three-base hit of the game, with two outs in the top of the fifth to drive in Alfredo Rodriguez. An error on a grounder off the bat of Coulter let Victor Roache score from third base with two outs in the sixth. Later in the sixth, Rodriguez singled to center and Coulter scored from second for a 5-0 lead. The River Bandits (23-21) got to Austin Blaski for a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Austin Elkins started the inning with a solo home run to right. Jordan Scott followed with a double. He stole third and scored on the play when the throw wound up in left field. Those were the only two runs off Blaski in the game. The right-hander went six innings, allowed five hits, walked one, and struck out two. He turned the 5-2 lead over to the bullpen. Quad Cities got to within a run in the bottom of the eighth inning as Taylor Mangum walked the first two batters he faced. He gave up a single to load the bases with no outs. Closer Taylor Wall took over for Mangum at that point. Carlos Correa greeted Wall with a single to center that scored a run. Pinch hitter Brian Blasik grounded into a force out at third to drive in the run that made it 5-4. Wall would get out of the inning with that one run lead intact. But in the ninth, the Bandits would tie the game. Roberto Peña blooped in a single just fair down the right field line to start the inning. He was replaced by pinch runner Ryan Dineen, who moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. He was still at second with two outs. Then, Scott singled to center to drive in Dineen with the tying run. Neither team scored in the tenth. Tyrone Taylor, who entered the game as a pinch runner for Parker Berberet in the top of the eighth inning, started the Wisconsin eleventh with a walk. He stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Coulter slammed a single through the middle of the drawn in infield to drive in Taylor with the tie breaking run. The Rattlers were just getting warmed up in the frame. Rodriguez followed with a double into the left field corner. Coulter, who was running on the play, scored easily from first. That knocked River Bandits reliever John Neely out of the game. Jose Sermo greeted Richard Rodriguez with an RBI double to right to make it 8-5. Sermo would be caught stealing and Rodriguez got the second out of the inning. Then, Reed made a little history. The Rattlers right fielder tripled to right-center for his third three-bagger of the night. Reed became the first Timber Rattler and only the fourth player in Midwest League history to have three triples in a game. It's a feat that had not happened since Jason Smith did it for the Rockford Cubbies on September 2, 1998. Mitch Haniger followed with an RBI double to drive in Reed. Victor Roache drew a walk. Adam Giacalone singled to drive in Haniger for a 10-5 lead. Taylor, the batter who started the inning, doubled to right to drive in both Roache and Giacalone and the Rattlers were up 12-5. Blasik had to come in to get the final out of the inning. Jono Armold, who had pitched a scoreless tenth, worked a scoreless eleventh to nail down the Rattlers extra inning victory. The win was the first of Armold's professional career. Game two of the series is set for Thursday night at Modern Woodmen Park. Wisconsin has Jorge Lopez (0-3, 11.64) is their scheduled starting pitcher. Quad Cities plans to send Jamaine Cotton (0-0, 1.64) to the mound. Game time is 7:00pm. Tune in for the Miller Lite Pregame Show on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting at 6:40pm. HOME RUNS: WIS: Clint Coulter (3rd, 1 on in 2nd inning off Jordan Jankowski, 2 out) QC: Austin Elkins (1st, 0 on in 6th inning off Austin Blaski, 0 out) WP: Jono Armold (1-0) LP: John Neely (1-3) TIME: 3:39 ATTN: 1,356 Wisconsin Boxscore Wins like this make me ! I'm sorry I didn't get home until after the game was over as I'm sure it was an enjoyable listen. It's unfortunate that every scout thinks Clint Coulter won't stick behind the plate, though when you watch the games it becomes rather obvious why. I had posted earlier in the year that perhaps WI was too aggressive an assignment given everything he was trying to work on at once. Personally speaking I would rather they move him now, find a position he can excel at, and let his bat determine his future. I had also mentioned that he was starting to hit the ball with authority again, and what a game to get off the HR schneid. I find Jonathan Armold intriguing, and he's yet to give up an ER this season, but as I've only made it to one game in person (I've watched every televised broadcast), I'm not sure what he's throwing or how hard he throws. I do have something like 6 tickets from rain/snowouts to redeem yet so I'll be hoping to see him pitch in the near future. His walk rate is poorish, but he's only thrown 8.1 innings so all the usual yip yap about small sample size applies. The only FB velocity I could find on him was 79 MPH, from his junior year of HS, at a PG event. Hopefully Taylor Wall continues to pitch well and sticks with the organization, I would hate for MH to lament over the loss of another promising LHP who latches on and finds success elsewhere. Michael Reed's 3 triple performance pushed his OPS to .830, not too shabby, though he's yet to poke one over the fence. Wisconsin Recap The game winning rally, If you didn't catch it in the game story you'll notice that Tyrone Taylor had a BB and then a 2B in the same inning after coming off the bench to pinch run earlier in the game. I'm digging the young hitters in WI. Wisconsin Top of the 11th Tyrone Taylor walks. With Clint Coulter batting, Tyrone Taylor steals (10) 2nd base. With Clint Coulter batting, passed ball by Jobduan Morales, Tyrone Taylor to 3rd. Clint Coulter singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jordan Scott. Tyrone Taylor scores. Alfredo Rodriguez doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Jordan Scott. Clint Coulter scores. Pitching Change: Richard Rodriguez replaces John Neely. Jose Sermo doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Ariel Ovando. Alfredo Rodriguez scores. With Orlando Arcia batting, Jose Sermo caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Jobduan Morales to third baseman Rio Ruiz. Orlando Arcia flies out to right fielder Ariel Ovando. Michael Reed triples (5) on a line drive to left fielder Jordan Scott. Mitch Haniger doubles (12) on a ground ball to right fielder Ariel Ovando. Michael Reed scores. Victor Roache walks. Adam Giacalone singles on a fly ball to right fielder Ariel Ovando. Mitch Haniger scores. Victor Roache to 3rd. Tyrone Taylor doubles (11) on a line drive to right fielder Ariel Ovando. Victor Roache scores. Adam Giacalone scores. Pitching Change: Brian Blasik replaces Richard Rodriguez, batting 3rd. Clint Coulter grounds out, third baseman Rio Ruiz to first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki.

Draft And Prospects Chat With Jim Callis

Impact lefties pitching well... *sniffle*... can we have a couple please? Stetson Allie the only divisional mention Wednesday Prospect Notebook: Big Day For Southpaws

This is the type of rationale which I just have a very hard time getting behind. So because the draft is considered “weak” by some measure (who’s measure by the way?) it’s okay to have no chance at an impact player we desperately as an organization? How is nothing better than the possibility of something? I happen to think the top of this draft is pretty strong. I too will always take prospects over draft picks, but you are severely over valuing Lohse if you think an aging control pitcher with a backloaded deal and deferred money is going to net any kind of return. I’d be happy to just get out from under the rest of his contract if he’s going to be traded. The problem with the Lohse signing hasn’t changed since it was first discussed. What value does he bring to a team that’s likely not a playoff contender from the start? Regardless of what he does as a pitcher why is the extra payroll tied into him plus the loss of a draft pick a good idea to finish in 3rd or 4th place? It was purely a win now/PR move which many posters correctly view as wasting resources. Playing your “what if” game, what if Lohse gets hurt, then what? What if all of sudden he isn’t able to locate anymore and becomes ineffective? Now that Lohse is signed I’m on board with trying to get the best possible value out of his signing but the issue really is why even sign him in the first place? The Brewers can keep this cycle of mediocrity going as long as they want but history has proven that signing aging veterans to anchor the rotation hasn’t worked out at all, we continually have the same pitching issues and sacrificing draft picks doesn’t do anything to help right that ship. Maybe if we were players in the international market the slack could be made up but we aren’t, the Brewers haven’t been linked to anyone of note last year or so far this year. To sustain the MLB team from within we need a large talent base to draw from and by giving away draft picks and playing it conservatively internationally all the organization has done is continually limit their long-term options. We should be leaving no stone unturned looking for talent, instead Milwaukee has continually focused monetary resources where you get the least return on the dollar; signing the never ending stream of aging control pitchers to 3+ year deals. I’ve never really understood why people don’t have a problem blowing $10,000,000 on Gagne or $8,000,000 on Wolf but will vehemently argue that spending first or second round slot money on international prospects is a waste because they might fail. Why is the failure/flameout rate of “proven veterans” largely ignored by so many? I’d much rather make a mistake with $500k to $1.5 mil per player on a handful of international/domestic prospects than waste 4 times that much for a single season of any declining veteran. If Braun were to get hurt right now, sure the dead money would stink, but at least there’s a reasonable expectation he’ll come back and perform at a similar level. When your reasonable expectation is for a player’s value to decline over the length of the contract maybe that money would be better spent elsewhere?

He's a fringe 2 tool guy, but in the modern game they are most important tools... average and power. I like him as a 1B but that's pretty much all he can play, he's another 1B/DH type which will limit his opportunities with Milwaukee. He's played some LF but I don't think he has a MLB future at that position. Jason is very likable, easily one of my favorite T-Rats last season, like Macias he always seemed to do something positive when the club really needed it. He's solid in every facet of the game, and I mean that as a sincere compliment. Unfortunately his problem will be that he's not remarkable in any way either. Rogers is the type of player you have to follow to appreciate because he doesn't jump off the field at you when you watch him play, he just doesn't have that type of dynamic athleticism that grabs talent evaluators. I originally thought he was just organizational fodder, but he's more than that, he has a legit chance to have a MLB career someplace if he can keep hitting.

Bucs' Allie slugs two more home runs

Outside of a sabermetric projection argument, why? How many years in a row can a player tank for half a season and keep his job? In terms of "division" projections, Weeks is clearly a second division 2B at this time, meaning no one competing for a divisional title or greater would want him starting on their team. He's being played simply because of his contract, but every part of his game has slipped. I've watched like 6 or 7 Brewer games all season and I'd agree with those talking about his physical decline, it's that obvious. I still think he has plenty enough bat speed to be an effective hitter but if he's not putting the bat on the ball his power potential is pretty useless. My brother said it best in mid April at his bar when we were watching a game prior to Duck Dynasty... "Every year I find myself thinking this is the year Rickie finally breaks out, then I realized he's been in the league 8-9 years already. That my friends was a depressing realization." I'd agree that Brewers are basically forced to trotting keep Weeks out there, but realistically it has nothing to do with his Zips projection. It's truthfully all about his contract. Projections don't peg break out years for players anymore than they do a precipitous decline and we've gone well beyond a typical slump with Rickie the past 2 years. Finally, just because he recovered last year doesn't mean he will do the same this year. He just looks awful. I'm willing to take that leap with players in their prime, but Weeks is clearly on the downside of his career. He's not dead, but every successive week this goes on only will make the cries louder and unfortunately for Rickie he's always been the whipping boy of the fans and TH from the JSO. Jemile hasn't hit much better, it's a tough year to be in the Weeks family thus far.

When it rains it most certainly pours on us Brewer fans... dammit. Am I only the only who thinks we're overdue for a turnaround with stuff like this? I've had enough of suspensions, injuries, and poor performances out of top prospects, there's no time like to present to turn it around. Brewers Minor League Lefty Faces 50-Game Drug Suspension

I think it's very premature to begin trying to predict his career arc and I'm hesitant to project players with an iffy hit tool regardless. I hope defensively he can be a corner OF guy, the last thing we need is another 1B prospect at this time. Like all inexperienced players we'll know a lot more about him by the time his first full season is completed. He's been exactly as advertised so far with the bat... plus power with holes in his swing. The organization really doesn't have a need to push any of the OF prospects at this time so I'm not sure he would be pushed even his performance suggested differently.

I've watched him play half a dozen times now, as I currently cover the T-Rats all of my first hand observations are after the boxscore link in the T-Rats post in the Link Report each day. Chris' player observations are on the Rattler Radio blog, other LR authors have been in attendance and have posted their thoughts as well. All that information is consolidated in each day's Link Report, it should be a one stop shop on a daily basis for all your prospect needs. As far as Roache at the plate, he was struggling with breaking stuff down and/or low & away just like Clint Coulter. Over the last week or so there has been a noticeable change in the approach from Victor as well as the young hitters like Arcia and Coulter. Coulter and Roache are being more patient and getting better pitches to hit, and as such are swinging with authority again, especially in Clint's case. Arcia doesn't swing and miss much, he would just start guessing and end up taking some awful looking hacks but would somehow manage to get the bat on the ball to at least put it in play. Roache is still susceptible to the breaking ball in the dirt, but again he hasn't swung and missed at 3 in a single AB in some time, so he's making significant improvement. In the field... well he's not even average right now for an A ball prospect. Part of that could be rust, it's really difficult to tell how good his instincts are as it's not obvious that he takes a poor route to the ball like it was with Braun, Victor's first 2-3 steps are generally in the right direction. His arm looks to be league average, he doesn't have a gun, but it's not like McFarland who has lollipopped a couple across the IF. He has 4 errors but there have been at least 6 misplays I can think off the top of my head that weren't scored errors. For example he's not particularly strong going back on balls yet, he's made an adventure out of chasing fly balls a couple of times on the warning track and I remember an instance where he was so caught up in trying to feel for the wall that he pulled up early and didn't actually catch a ball which should have been a fairly routine MLB play. I want to term his defensive play as "sloppy" but I'm not sure that's fair to him, however nothing he does is real smooth or fluid out there, the proper adjective is escaping me at the moment.

Neftali Soto a Reds' corner IF prospect discussed today. Tuesday Prospect Notebook: Andrew Heaney Returns

Subscriber piece. Five Prospects Linked To The Astros For July 2

Dustin Geiger of the Cubs and Jesse Winker of the Reds Offensive Players of the Week

Jon Moscot of the Reds is the only divisional prospect Pitchers of the Week

A Pirate's relief prospect is profiled here. Zagurski keeps steamrolling through IL

I had forgotten about the shark bite, quite the story for Chad Rogers of the Reds, SL notes: Reds' Rogers keeps rolling