Zach Braddock (Update: Ailing Shoulder-Reply #21)

[PrimeTime955]

This guy has been fun to watch in the link report over the past few seasons. I don't know a ton about him but it seems like he has just as good of a chance as any of our minor league pitchers to be an impact arm at the major league level.

 

I'd like to hear more about him, and about his injury history. From what I can tell, he hasn't gone more than 2 1/3 innings this season but has been dominant. His WHIP is under 1 and he's holding opposing batters to a .163 BA. He has a 22/2 K/BB ratio...so why isn't he being pushed into more innings? Are we still worried about his injuries?

 

I don't have an issue with him still being in Brevard if he's going to be starting ball games and getting stretched out. But if the Brewers plan to use him as a reliever, shouldn't he move up to Huntsville for as dominant as he's been?

[aintbize]

PT955-if you have watched the way the Brewers have treated Braddock, Rogers, Jones and many others as they have come up with injuries over the years, they do not seem to have the same sense of urgency that we share as fans. Especially for a power lefty with a very, very high ceiling who literally could pitch into his 40's if he was fortunate enough health wise.

 

I think we all share your frustration with several of Brevard pitcher's conservative outings. On the positive side, I don't think Zach has gone more than 2 IP before so 2.1 is progress (tongue in cheek). Great to see him dancing all over 95+MPH (and Axford too) but less than 6 months after last surgery, posting what apear to be career numbers.

 

With Braddock, you've had a best kept secret over the last two years due to the nagging ulna nerve irritation. I think we'd all agree the the Dec. corrective surgery has brought on the guy we have been hoping for all along.

 

Look at how long the road has been for Mike Jones and Mark Rogers. I am enthused about their respective progress despite the controlled outings. These pitchers have given you a glimpse of their work ethic, commitment and desire to compete at the highest level are guys I'd take any day. On top of it, they are all really good guys. Not to say that they are all going to have the luck and fortitude to make it to the starting rotation or some capacity on the Major League pitching squad, but I wouldn't be surprised if all three were successes.

 

I was told by an insider today the Braddock has "if not the best stuff, nearly the best of all of the young LHP in baseball. If he stays healthy and stays straight on off the field issues, he will be a major impact MLB pitcher." Ah....Jack & Tony...thank you!

 

I think this group of contributors knows how to temper enthusiasm, but get excited by glimmers of greatness...I think top to bottom in this organization, we have that kind of year to enjoy!

[CheezWizHed]

Even with the injuries he has had, I doubt they see him as a RP. I'm sure that they want him in that nice warm Florida sunshine and to stretch him out to be a SP.

[DHonks]

Even with the injuries he has had, I doubt they see him as a RP. I'm sure that they want him in that nice warm Florida sunshine and to stretch him out to be a SP.

Was that supposed to be in blue? Here I thought they wanted him in the FSL for the rigorous 2-games per week schedule

[bamberger]

I don't know that Florida weather is doing anything for anybody! Why can't he throw two innings twice a week in Huntsville or Nashville? If he has it, he is it!

 

Good luck to Braddock.

[wvpowerblkwel]

I have gotten to know Zach over the last couple years, and he is a great guy and if these medical issues are behind him, I expect him to continue the path to Milwaukee! After watching him pitch here, he is truly baffling to hitters when he is on. The lack of walks this year is almost as impressive as the total of K's...I can't wait to see him move on, but the guy still won't turn 22 til August, so I guess, why rush!

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/04e35c5b9f767b69e91dcf75ee3a7e2b2808f7a.jpg

 

 

[CheezWizHed]

Even with the injuries he has had, I doubt they see him as a RP. I'm sure that they want him in that nice warm Florida sunshine and to stretch him out to be a SP.

Was that supposed to be in blue? Here I thought they wanted him in the FSL for the rigorous 2-games per week schedule

Haha. I forgot about all the rain-outs they have had. And its not like Huntsville is a cold location...

[twobrewers]

Any word on why Braddock hasn't pitched since the 7th of July?

 

He had been pitching every 3 days (2 innings) since joining Huntsville.

[jjfanec]

Braddock still has not pitched since the 7th. Any word on why? This has me nervous because with his medical issues in the past a prolonged absence like this does not look good.

[Never Outhustled]

Adding to the concerns of his inactivity is the fact the he uncharacteristically struggled in his last couple of outings, which is a pretty common precursor to injury.

[Mass Haas]

Braddock still has not pitched since the 7th. Any word on why? This has me nervous because with his medical issues in the past a prolonged absence like this does not look good.

Yeah, we know why, we're just not telling. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif

 

But seriously, if we knew, you'd know. I can tell you right now, the folks we're familiar with in the various affiliate front offices, be it broadcasters, media relations, management, they all are not at liberty in almost 99.9% of instances to discuss player absences.

 

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com is on vacation for a while, maybe someone will put a bug in Tom H.'s ear and he'll ask Gord Ash about it. Gord at times has provided direct updates to credentialed media like Adam and Tom at times when asked.

[TheCrew07]

There was part of an interview that I didn't post because the quality was horrible that covered the young pitchers in AA. Braddock was discovering that AA hitters can hit a fastball, he was going to have to adjust the way he pitches a bit and he was not locating his slider effectively. I sincerely hope he's not hurt again, with Jeffress being Jeffress and Rogers only pitching 50 pitches a game, this would be a significant blow to me personally as I tend to favor pitching.

 

With any other organization I'd say at least it's encouraging that he hasn't been put on the DL, but that doesn't mean anything the way the Brewers have dealt with injuries in the past.

[CheezWizHed]

But seriously, if we knew, you'd know. I can tell you right now, the folks we're familiar with in the various affiliate front offices, be it broadcasters, media relations, management, they all are not at liberty in almost 99.9% of instances to discuss player absences.

Generally injuries are reported, so if this is something they can't discuss, can we rule out injury?

 

Maybe I'm reading into your statement too much, but I'm looking for a silver lining... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Mass Haas]

Generally injuries are reported,

I disagree, unless an injury occurs during the course of a game -- bad hop grounder breaks nose, player collides with catcher at the plate and breaks ankle, we hear about those.

 

But how many times do we mention that a player has gone on the 7-day DL with an undisclosed injury? Often. And even if some of those are "phantom" injuries (alleviated this year by the use of the Helena roster for paper moves), we still don't learn the nature of most injuries until way after the fact, if at all.

 

Braddock's not on the DL. Consider that a good thing.

[twobrewers]

I think it is safe to say something is wrong...

 

Death in the family?

Injury?

Emotional problems?

Suspension?

 

There is just no way he goes 11 days without pitching for no significant reason. He had been pitching every 3 days.

[pogokat]

There's been zero indication that zach has been suspended or is dealing with off the field problems of that variety

[twobrewers]

Braddock's failure to pitch in 11 days a very large indication that something is going on.

You are correct that we have zero indication that he has been suspended or dealing with off the field problems. However, we also have zero indication that he is injured either.

I was merely pointing out that the lack of information opens the possibility to every other factor.

[aintbize]

Braddock's failure to pitch in 11 days a very large indication that something is going on.

 

You are correct that we have zero indication that he has been suspended or dealing with off the field problems. However, we also have zero indication that he is injured either.

 

I was merely pointing out that the lack of information opens the possibility to every other factor.

My best sources tell me he has not been involved in anything that would result in a suspension. What I have heard is that Braddock has been taken out of the loop as a precautionary measure. I don't know if that means elbow or shoulder. But given his upside and the Brewer's tendency to handle him with kid gloves doesn't excite me too much. I'll wait for the DL report. Maybe he is just experiencing some inflammation or something, very common with pitchers young and old.

[twobrewers]

I emailed Haudricourt about it and received this reply...

 

I remember asking Gord about it and I believe Braddock has some minor injury but I'll check again.

Sounds pretty much like a best case scenario.

 

(It would be nice if a moderator could update the thread title to indicate he is likely dealing with a minor injury)

[igor67]

I vote for a vicious hang nail. I'd say this could prove as a fair reminder that while Zach has crazy good potential he's not exactly the worst guy in the world to deal if something good comes along.

[Katuluu]

Fingers crossed for blister.

[twobrewers]

I received official word today from TH - straight from Gord Ash.

 

I was told by Gord Ash today that Braddock has an ailing shoulder and they're giving it a couple of weeks to calm down.

 

Certainly not the minor blister we were hoping for.

 

On an aside, people rip on TH a lot. But I've always enjoyed his work. He also responded to my email question within a day. (His first response) And then asked Gord about about the problem - and emailed me a second time. I can't imagine what more you would ask of a beat writer.

 

Big props to Haudricourt.

[molitor fan]

Ouch, Braddock was a major trade possibility in the Halladay deal.....not anymore I would guess....

[Godspeed]

On an aside, people rip on TH a lot. But I've always enjoyed his work. He also responded to my email question within a day. (His first response) And then asked Gord about about the problem - and emailed me a second time. I can't imagine what more you would ask of a beat writer.

 

How about actually reporting the news to the public, instead of solely in your personal correspondence. That, and people skills.

 

Bad news on the shoulder. Hopefully rest will do it some good.

[Never Outhustled]

Braddock can't even handle a 50 pitch work load, I'd say its a pipe dream that he could be stretched out to 120 pitches, and sustain it for a 6 month season.

 

Lets keep him in the pen, and get him to the bigs as fast as we can. I'd rather have an awesome reliever than an injured minor league starter.