TheCrew07

An 85 win team on paper sure, I'm talking about the actual results of the games when all is said and done.

No mention of Romanski anywhere, rotoworld, BA, and MiLB doesn't even have a player page for him anymore. Disappointing news on Cline, I thought he did enough to warrant a full season at A+ this year.

His footwork has been repeatedly mentioned by Money... squaring up to the ball when fielding it and setting his feet properly on his throws. He never had anything negative to say about his glove or tools in general, just his footwork. It's very difficult for athletes to change bad habits once they hit the HS level because of muscle memory, they've done things the same way for so long... success or not. I can only imagine how hard it is to retrain what has essentially become instinct over the course of an additional 5 or 6 years of constant negative repetition for the kids from the south since they have the ability to play more games than we do up here. There's no time to think about properly doing something come game time, you can only react, which is why so often you see athletes repeating the same mistakes. They must work hard enough at a flaw that they essentially train a different set of instincts.

lets say that this team is a 77 win team, what good is making a move to get to 81 wins? What if you're chasing something that just isn't in the cards? It's only been 2 series...

He also pitched some AFL innings end... but I agree he won't be ready for the starting rotation next year.

Well I've had enough of AA today my goodness. Here's hoping the evening goes better.

I've considered that Mass, which is the main reason the Gamel platoon with Hall from BCB has grown on me, as it somewhat limit's his defensive liabilities while he gains valuable MLB experience. The burning a year of service time issue doesn't really bother at all considering Gamel's age and if the team signs him to a deal that buys out a single year of FA he'll be on the downside of 30 by the time he's a FA. He could get 2 more months or so with Money before moving up. At the very least he's going to stay in the minors till mid June. If the team expects young players to sign team friendly deals they have to treat the kids accordingly. What I mean to suggest is if Mat continues to rake, he's earned a look, especially considering he's an impact lefty which many people around here have pined for the last 2 off seasons. There's really no holding back of position prospects that aren't legitimately blocked... Escobar is blocked by Hardy and could benefit from some refinement this season as noted by Macha, but who's truly standing in Gamel's way other than Mat's own defense? From the player's perspective, Milwaukee would hurt Mat's future earning potential if he's ready and they hold him back, even if it would be a platoon role. At the very least if the plan is to keep Gamel in AAA all year I hope he comes up to DH during interleague play, as happy as I am for Nelson, I'd rather see Gamel in that role. On the error issue, Counsell also has 2 errors already, I'd rather let a month or 2 pass before trying to quantify how Mat's defense has progressed, if at all.

Well it's not as if 3B is devoid of prospects... there's still Green who appears to be capable of playing 3B, my boy Trejo, and for some reason I see Lawrie as a 2B/3B as well. Nothing other than gut feeling based on his athletic prowess, but if he can play 2B he should be able to slide over to 3B. The comments made during spring and linked in other threads led me to believe that the organization has left the door open and is willing to move Lawrie in order to get his bat in the lineup. I hope we don't see some sort of Hartesque type movement out of him, but he should fit nicely someplace in the infield down the road. As far as Gamel is concerned, I'd say they'd have to wait until mid June minimum to avoid super 2 status, but after that it depends on his D. His greatest value is as a 3B, but if they don't think he'll stick Melvin likes to move position players in the off season so we could see him switch positions over the winter if the team wants to try Hart in CF or move him for pitching. So far I've seen Bill Hall being Bill Hall... the very good and the very bad usually a few innings apart.

Went to the Brewer game yesterday... not one of my of better decisions knowing who was pitching and against whom, but gotta support the team. Just catching up on the site and what a wonderful article about GW. Kudos to coach32sm for some more national recognition as well. I really hope Angel figures out his defense because by all accounts including national, local beat writers for each team, and coach, he's an excellent young man who goes out of his way to help those around him and give back.

If I'm following X correctly, he'd replace Hart, who could then be moved for pitching...

What? You're way out of your league here... you obviously didn't read the link and just chose to comment on it. It's simply physics, like sophomore year of high school physics... the more mass that needs to be moved, the greater the force necessary to get the work done. Very simple. As far as NFL lineman go, it's about having a frame and enough strength to handle the weight... Prince doesn't have the frame nor the strength to support a "nimble" 300 lbs... nice job pulling a tangent out of left field that doesn't even apply. We're talking about Optimal weight ranges, and while Fielder's optimal weight will be higher than average, there's no way that someone his height has an optimal weight of 285 pounds. Optimal weight + strength = conditions for Peak Performance. Find you one study? Have you thought this all the way through? Every study done about the human body relates to baseball, there's no difference in fast twitch muscles groups between any sport, riding a bike, etc. It's all the same. Again if the player used a dietary supplement to lose the weight he sapped his strength, which was more important that the weight in the first place. The burden on proof is actually on you to prove that obesity doesn't have a negative impact on athletic performance, the scientific and medical communities have come to very consistent conclusions on the matter. It's not my responsibility to educate you, though you clearly need it, if you were interested in the truth you would simply google, "obesity", "diet supplements", "peak performance training", and so on. The article I linked is a good base of knowledge an is a terrific starting point... if that's too much work and live in the Milwaukee area Mr. Arnett of NX Level is an expert on enhancing althetic performance and I just recently listened to another of his presentations at the clinic 2 weeks ago. If you're children are interested in sports and you have the disposable income it's worth checking out, he'll make them better athletes and better people. I'm just a lowly high school football coach, but I have 14 years of experience now coaching and educating myself on these issues. Not because I'm a great person or anything, but because my father is, and when he pushes information my way I'd be a fool not absorb as much of it as possible. Have you ever attended a single clinic, presentation, training seminar, anything? What makes you more qualified than the numerous experts that have published opinions that can be freely viewed on the web or I've heard speak in person? I'm curious, you've never mentioned your background? I've never heard anyone with even a semi educated opinion on this subject make the assertions that you have. It's impossible to have an intelligent discussion about peak performance when there's no sharing of ideas, all you've done is draw a line in the sand and say it's not true because it can't be proven. Well the effect of attitude on performance is extremely difficult to prove yet any player that's had success at the professional or collegiate level will say it's what separates one player from of similar talent from another. Yep there's no statistic in any sport that proves it makes a difference, and only misguided attempts to quantify it, so it doesn't exist. Maybe someday you'll see that the very metrics you champion aren't "proof" of anything either, they are a mathematical represtantion of one person's opinion on how to best quantify a given value. Sports, any game, is like art... beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's a 1000 little things coming together to create drama and those moments that we'll remember for a lifetime. With such a narrow statistical view of baseball, I can't help but wonder if you able to appreciate the beauty in the game? The chess game between pitcher/catcher vs the batter, a fielder seeing the pitch location and the swing reacting appropriately before the ball even leaves the bat, experiencing the "zone" where there's no sound and everything in happens in slow motion... there's so much more out there to appreciate than statistical greatness, I sincerely hope you're not missing it. A final note, the "study" that you reference and I took the time to read, wasn't scientific in nature, nor are sabermetrics in general. The conclusions cannot be proven because the environment is not controlable and the data is incomplete. There is a wide gulf between scientific study and sabermetrics, in truth sabermetrics is just applied algebra and probability. It's taking events with an infinite number of variables, some which are impossible to quanitfy, dumbing it down to the point it's quantifyable, and trying to come up with a meaningful result. I don't mean to diminish their value, they are a great tools, it's just sometimes their place in baseball is overstated. What does the creator of PAP truly know of human anatomy, injury prevention, injury rehabilition, strength training, flexibility, conditioning, and ergonomic principles yet I've seen people champion the metric though it's not based on anything more than the idea that pitchers get hurt the more innings they pitch... shocking insight there. A little bit of cynacism when it comes to these metrics is a healthy thing.

I feel the issue that gets overlooked is that Mass Hass already provides all of the media coverage for every single player between the "Your 2009" threads and the link reports. It would just be a matter of consolidating that information by player... there is a wealth of overlooked information on the minor league forum.

negative sir

You can't be serious Endder... a single study about baseball players who claimed to lose weight vs scientific study done by actual... you know... scientists? Baldkin nailed it, all weight loss is not equal, and weight loss supplements are particularly troublesome because side effects aside, they also burn a significant percentage of muscle away with the fat. Anyone who followed Nelson's career knows that the first time he lost his weight he actually played worse. Issues with Supplements Very good summary of weight gain It's very reasonable to assume that Prince's weight gain negatively impacted his play, especially as he regressed in both aspects of the game. No one is saying he stunk, it's reasonable to assume that because of his weight gain he didn't make as many plays as he otherwise could have. That's all.

There is tons of proof in various studies that are easily accessible around the web regarding the impact of weight on sports performance and health. Just because sabermetrics hasn't directly addressed an issue doesn't mean it's nonexistent.

No gaudy K numbers like the TRats have been putting up but I'm pleased with what Mark did tonight. Congrats to him and everyone who's been pulling for him. Hopefully there will be much more to come. Too bad Cody isn't going to find 8mph more for his fastball out there someplace, he just keeps getting excellent results without being "projectable", I have him pegged for the BP down the road, but if he can find a way to get big league batters out multiple times through the lineup he may stick. It will be interesting to follow him this year and next as he faces more advanced competition. If he does well all year does he get a ST invite next year? Also whomever is running gameday for the AA games needs to do a better job, the outs and score don't always get updated when they should. I'd trade gameday for archived audio though... is there anyone we can complain to about the audio? maybe make them reconsider? I'd even pay for a premium service if it came to that, there's just so much information we'll miss only being able to listen to a single broadcast live. Edit. Wow Katin has just been on fire... the big 3 prospects doing well offensively thus far through 2 games in AAA as well. Didn't someone say earlier they thought he'd have a good season.? I know it's early, but he's had a real nice spring in addition to these first couple of games for Nashville. edit 2. Anyone know what Frederickson was hitting on the gun tonight?

I hate to admit this but I've been nervous all day, not because it's opening day, because I want so badly for Rogers to succeed and he's pitching tonight for the first time in what seems like forever.

Rickie's play up the middle was a very nice play, Braun taking defensive swings with the bases loaded, not a nice play.

The difference between Gallardo and Parra was Coffey... if Coffey gives up runs Yo's like nearly identical to Parra. DeFilice just didn't get it done.

I've been sending frequent hate mail to Dish Network regarding MLB. This is part of their most recent response, I removed the rep's name and other information.. Which is exactly the lead paragraph from this link which I always reference when I make the point that since consumers want the MLB Network it's in their best interest to provide it, or we'll take our business elsewhere... way to go the extra mile and put absolutely no thought into your response at all dude...

I thought audio was going to be it's own thread? Change of plans?

Scarpetta rolling early for WI with 7Ks through 3 but WI down 1-0 on back to back hits, a double and single. Butler started off nicely for BC but faltered in the 4th and 5th, BC down 4-2 but only 3 earned runs for Josh. Jeffress escapes a huge jam in the first allowing a single run (Gameday is great, though it locked up for 15 minutes on me), Huntsville tied 1-1 after 1. Escobar and Gamel do the offensive damage early for Nashville but a Wild Pitch and a Passed Ball sabotage the top half of the 2nd and Nashville is down 2-1 in the 3rd.

When I started giving consideration to trading Fielder to the Angels he was one of the pitchers I was looking at and following, I really liked what the Angels and Rays had going on... It's tragic that so many lives are cut short each year for nothing more than irresponsible behavior on the part of others.

Umm that would really stink and cut down on the vast amount of knowledge that can be passed on to the fans. edit. I get as much out of the pregame audio as I do the written articles, I really enjoy Mass' quick jumps to the pertinent info each day, this will be very disappointing if true. I wonder if they are adding a subscription feature for the audio that will have archived games?

1. 3 proven left handed bats? Why? How do you go about acquiring those bats. Too much is made of handedness... get the best bats available... plus there's some intriguing LH bats on the way up through the minors. 5. Cameron? Seriously? I'm surprised Ennder, TLB, or someone who fought this battle all winter hasn't chimed in yet... I can tolerate objective opinions, but there's no way he's below average. Hart's below average based on Aug and Sept last year? He was an all-star... not that it means anything but he's played at a high level in the past. Kendall is subpar offensively, but he has value, and I'm not going to argue defense and intangibles every day so I'll just say I disagree. To your final paragraph, how are the Brewers ever going to compete for the top FAs? You honestly expected them to shell out the money Teixeira and Sabathia got? How would they even attempt to make the payroll? Milwaukee is the smallest market in baseball, the community isn't big enough to generate a payroll much beyond where the Brewers are currently at, and the economy is in the tank. We are the smallest market, but have a mid market payroll... that's not something to be ashamed of, it's something to celebrate. The community has done very well supporting the team. I have a hard time telling people what they should believe, but I honestly have no idea how the team would adequately meet your expectations given their financial limitations.