Problems with the bench

[FVBrewerFan]

What are the options for replacing the current bench players? Pinch hitters haven't exactly delieverd, and Nelson looks more lost at the plate than JJ Hardy. Now, I'm not sure why Nelson is always the first choice with runners on base. Last night was a good example. Bases loaded, less than 2 out. Seems to me that's a spot for a contact hitter. Anyhow, back to the original question. Is it time to bring Gwynn up again? Are there any vets out on the street? All I know is this will cost us some games if it doesn't get fixed.

[PlayerHader]

Nelson would probably benefit greatly from regular play with Nashville right now. I don't know how that is feasible, but he needs some swings. Maybe him and TGJ could switch spots for a little while.

[Ennder]

I'm not sure Nelson really looks lost at the plate, he almost hit a grand slam the other night and then last night he took some pitches which were just off the plate, he just happened to swing over a change up for strike 3. The samples are so low that I can't really be worried about this yet.

 

I would think the option for OF is Gwynn since Cain got hurt but to be honest they might as well just use Duffy more instead since he is Gwynn with a little more power. I wouldn't mind signing Edmonds if he would go cheap and was willing to take a backup job.

[joepepsi]

The problem for Duffy is that Cameron is playing great. Braun and Fielder have been hitting well for the last week, Hart has been solid all month. You hate to sit these guys down just to give Nelson some at bats. McGehee can really only play for Weeks and Hall. Since he's a righty you don't get any platoon advantage. Plus, Weeks and Hall are off to solid starts after stumbling seasons last year; you hate to sit them down when they are on a roll. There's every reason to play Rivera at least once a series right now, and the lefty Counsell is justified in the lineup once a week or so.

 

As the season goes on and there are fewer off days with more Sunday and Thursday "get out of town" games, there will be more chances for these guys to get playing time. Last week or so the offense has been clicking pretty well; you hate to mix it up too much right now.

[jhart05]

I'd rather let Nelson work out his problems here, than have to watch TGJ ground out weakly to second.

 

I think Nelson is just pressing a little bit. He'll be all right, still a better option than TGJ.

[endaround]

I don't think Gwynn is a serious option. You look for a veteran free agent or perhaps Cole Gillespie after he gets some time in AAA. But right now is no reason to really do anything.

[Invader3K]

Fortunately the Brewers just haven't had to rely on their bench all that much so far this season. I do wish Nelson would start getting some hits though...Macha has given him plenty of chances in the past few games.

 

Also, isn't Nelson out of options? There's a chance another team could claim him.

[endaround]

Nelson isn't only out of options, he's been DFA'd once already. He gets DFA'd again he becomes a FA.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

I think people are jumping the gun a bit on Brad Nelson. He has less than 20 PA's so far this year. That rings small sample size alert in my mind. I'd keep him here because he has good patience at the plate and good power. It's only a matter of time before he gets some big hits.

[TooLiveBrew]

Totally agree, TWR (a sure sign of the apocalypse!). I really enjoy Nelson's approach at the plate, and his minor league production certainly shows that "he has good patience at the plate and good power." I think having him over the course of the season as the #1 PH option is going to be huge. The hits will come.

[brewmann04]

You can see Macha wants to give Brad alot of chances to get his first hit, Brad is pressing right now once that first hit comes he be Fine.

[fallingleaves]

I am not convinced Nelson is MLB player, even as a Bench role. Bring back Ray Durham!

[TooLiveBrew]

I am not convinced Nelson is MLB player

 

Why/Based on what?

[FVBrewerFan]

I think people are jumping the gun a bit on Brad Nelson. He has less than 20 PA's so far this year. That rings small sample size alert in my mind. I'd keep him here because he has good patience at the plate and good power. It's only a matter of time before he gets some big hits.

I understand the small sample size argument, but that's the definition of a pinch hitter. You have to produce in the limited opportunities you have, or you're not much use as a PH.

[Ennder]

Another definition of pinch hitter is your production over a small time frame is more or less random. I'm sure Lenny Harris went 0 for 10 or more at some point in his career too.

[tyguy20204]

Forget about small sample size, what has to be disconcerting is his terrible plate discipline.

 

Anyone who has watched his at bats cannot honestly say that he has looked good up there. He's swinging at too many junk pitches for me to say that it's simply a product of small sample size.

[yoshii8]

I also hope that they stick w/ Brad Nelson, I think that when he eventually gets going he is going to be a very important player off the bench.

 

On a side note, I was disappointed to see him get booed last night after he struck out, I hope that doesn't affect his confidence too much.

[TooLiveBrew]

Forget about small sample size, what has to be disconcerting is his terrible plate discipline.

 

Anyone who has watched his at bats cannot honestly say that he has looked good up there. He's swinging at too many junk pitches for me to say that it's simply a product of small sample size

 

But if you do the fact-checking you see that he's demonstrated very good plate discipline at the highest levels of minor-league ball. I have watched almost all of Nelson's PAs this season & really don't see much reason for concern. He's worked several good ABs imo. The hits will come.

[tyguy20204]

Forget about small sample size, what has to be disconcerting is his terrible plate discipline.

 

Anyone who has watched his at bats cannot honestly say that he has looked good up there. He's swinging at too many junk pitches for me to say that it's simply a product of small sample size

 

But if you do the fact-checking you see that he's demonstrated very good plate discipline at the highest levels of minor-league ball. I have watched almost all of Nelson's PAs this season & really don't see much reason for concern. He's worked several good ABs imo. The hits will come.

I've seen his minor league numbers, and they're not all that impressive. I mean, hitting .286/.380/.480 at Triple A Nashville doesn't translate all that well. The highest projection I've seen for him is from Marcel, and they have him at .345/.425 for an OPS of .770. The other projections have him at the lower .700 range for an OPS. But let's be optimistic and take the higher end. A .770 OPS from a bench player isn't terrible, in fact it's pretty good, but when that player lacks any other dimensions to his game, it's hard for me to get excited.

 

And if you check out Nelson's minor league splits, he really can't hit lefties at all - .508 OPS against in 2006, .623 OPS against in 2007, and .686 OPS against in 2008.

 

So if we're going to have a bench player that really can't field all that well, can only hit against right-handers (.308/.399/.525 last year in AAA), and has no speed, then Brad Nelson is your man.

 

Not to mention that he doesn't have a major league track record at all. Many players with better, much better, numbers in AAA have failed at the major league level.

 

So, for these reasons, he'll have to prove to me that he can hit. And from watching him play so far, all I can see is that he can't hit a breaking ball.

[Invader3K]

I think he is definitely pressing right now. Hopefully once he gets that first hit, he'll relax a bit, like other mentioned.

 

But right now I don't think worrying about the bench is a big priority. We're winning right now, and that's all that matters. I don't think we've really lost any games due to lack of production from the bench guys.

[JJHardy7]

I mean, hitting .286/.380/.480 at Triple A Nashville doesn't translate all that well.

 

Why?

[tyguy20204]

I mean, hitting .286/.380/.480 at Triple A Nashville doesn't translate all that well.

 

Why?

Because playing in Triple A is a lot easier than playing in the majors.

[logan82]

And if you check out Nelson's minor league splits, he really can't hit lefties at all - .508 OPS against in 2006, .623 OPS against in 2007, and .686 OPS against in 2008.

 

If he was an every day player this might be a problem. Being a bench player means he will probably be put in favorable hitting situations much like a platooned player. He will give Hart or Braun days off against righties or come in to pinch hit against RHP. He should almost never see LHP.

[tyguy20204]

And if you check out Nelson's minor league splits, he really can't hit lefties at all - .508 OPS against in 2006, .623 OPS against in 2007, and .686 OPS against in 2008.

 

If he was an every day player this might be a problem. Being a bench player means he will probably be put in favorable hitting situations much like a platooned player. He will give Hart or Braun days off against righties or come in to pinch hit against RHP. He should almost never see LHP.

I know it's not much of a problem. What is a problem, in my mind, is that he only brings with him one asset, and that asset has yet to be proven at the major league level.

 

I agree that theoretically Nelson should be decent against right-handed pitchers. But that's all he brings to the table, and since he has yet to bring even that to the table, it's fair-game to question him.

 

Look, I like Brad Nelson, and I hope he succeeds, I'm just not as high on him as some of you guys are.

[FVBrewerFan]

I think he is definitely pressing right now. Hopefully once he gets that first hit, he'll relax a bit, like other mentioned.

 

But right now I don't think worrying about the bench is a big priority. We're winning right now, and that's all that matters. I don't think we've really lost any games due to lack of production from the bench guys.

We're winning right now? Aren't we 9-10? And I don't think it's possible to say categorically you win or lose a game because of a player. What we CAN say is besides Counsel none of them have helped win any games, and were factors in losing them. Nelson, for example, is 0-9 with runners on base. That certainly doesn't HELP you win games.