Mid-season promotions

[battlekow]

I think I recall Garth Iorg saying Gennet could play SS. This is the quote from the interview: I've always played both positions. But (the coaches) brought me into the office and were talking to me and saying how, for my well-being and my career, I could probably get to the big leagues faster as a second baseman. That's not the same thing as saying they don't believe in him as a SS.

The fact that he's not playing shortstop even though the shortstops on the team (Marseco, George) have been terrible is, though.

[YoungGeezy]

I never thought he'd be a SS nor do I hold any hope what so ever that he does move over to SS. As soon as he was drafted all I heard was how simular he was to Pedroia, every scout that I read reports on Scooter stated that he could play SS but projects much better at second base and also 2nd base was his best chance. I don't get all the fantasies of him being a SS. As Battlekow said the fact that he can't even get PT at SS for the T-Rats-a low A team with only George and Marseco ahead of him should speak loudly.

 

Also still can't figure out how anyone can believe that Lawrie will be better served defensively at 3B than 2B? 3B is actually one of the hardest postions to play....2B is a postion you put the guys who can't handle playing SS or 3B. Doesn't add up to me

[sfl2hnq17]

young they are probably saying because his bat would fit well there.

[paul253]

I think the vast majority of people who suggest Lawrie moving mention first base or corner outfielder, not third base. If he moved to third base there'd be quite the logjam with gour players all at AA or higher.

 

I don't get all the fantasies of him being a SS.

 

All I ever hear from people when the idea of someone like Gamel or last year Hardy switching postions is "well his value wouldn't be as high if he switched positions". Wouldn't Gennett's value be much higher as a shortstop than it would be as a second basemen?

 

he fact that he can't even get PT at SS for the T-Rats-a low A team with

only George and Marseco ahead of him should speak loudly.

 

He has gotten PT at shortstop though, they just somewhere along the line decided he'd be better of at second. I don't think the rest of the teams shortstops have anything to do with that. I think Pete hit it on the head. They didn't decide he couldn't be a shortstop. They decided he'd be better of playing second base. Maybe they think with his advanced bat that having to play a tougher position defensively would hold him back some, so they stuck him at second knowing he wouldn't have to concentrate as much on defense.

[pete]

They might also want Gennett to be able to play both. Again, perhaps its true but the quote doesn't say they don't believe in him as a SS.

[TheCrew07]

If a player projects to be merely average defensively for a 2B, how does he project defensively at SS?

 

Isom did say that they don't see him as a SS, he just said it in a positive manner about the position switch to 2B, which is good coaching.

[DHonks]

TheCrew, I still think of how I preferred Loretta's steady glove to Valentin's rangy, error-prone glove. Guys like Loretta and Counsell were told they weren't big league Shortstops, but they've fared just fine there. That's why I personally don't like saying "this kid can't play Shortstop--he's a 2nd baseman"

[pete]

Whose projections? And no, the quote doesn't say that.

[TheCrew07]

I see him as being an average major league second

baseman, defensively.

It doesn't make sense to move the superior prospect to make room at 2B, it makes sense to do it the other way around. So call me crazy but Isom didn't even mention SS in his evaluation.... I do this all the time, if I have a DT who is getting destroyed down inside but I think he could do well over the TE or coming off the edge I don't tell him he's below average at DT, I tell him if he's willing to switch positions to DE he could be a good player. I'm going to make the switch anyway but this way the kid believes it was his decision, there's more buy in this way.

 

Q: You seem to have found a home at second after opening the season

at shortstop. Has it been a matter of just feeling more comfortable at

second?

 

A: I've always played both positions. But (the

coaches) brought me into the office and were talking to me and saying

how, for my well-being and my career, I could probably get to the big

leagues faster as a second baseman. It has been an adjustment. It's

more of a thinking position. You've got more time, and you've just got

to stay focused, where a shortstop is kind of a freestyle position.

Good coaching.

 

Yea I know I'm wrong, I guess we'll see how it turns out.

[pete]

I don't know if you're wrong, but you sound as if you've got some inside information. You almost sound as if you're a disgruntled long time employee of the Brewers. Is the projection yours?

 

That quote, no matter how many times you post it, doesn't say anything about his ability to play SS. Imagining that he's stroking his ego while telling him that he's not that good is a huuuuuuge leap.

[battlekow]

That quote, no matter how many times you post it, doesn't say anything about his ability to play SS.

Regarding how Isom feels about Gennett's ability to play shortstop:

 

Isom: "He profiles as a prototypical second baseman now."

 

Haudricourt: "Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom believes Gennett...might profile as a second baseman down the road."

[TooLiveBrew]

That quote, no matter how many times you post it, doesn't say anything about his ability to play SS

 

Yes, it does. Average 2Bman = inadequate SS. I'm really not sure why you're missing this.

[wishicouldhit]

Here is a short list of players that i think should get promoted soon (in order of preference) Rivas, Cain, Heckathorn, Gennet

[pete]

That quote, no matter how many times you post it, doesn't say anything about his ability to play SS

 

 

 

Yes, it does. Average 2Bman = inadequate SS. I'm really not sure why you're missing this.

 

No, I'm not sure what you're reading, but saying that he has a quicker path to the majors is not the same as what you just said.

[TooLiveBrew]

I can't believe I'm doing this, but here again is the quote:

 

"I see him as being an average major league second baseman, defensively."

 

There is nothing I'm misreading here.

[greeg35]

average major league second basemen does not = inadequate shortstop. They involve different skill sets. I agree that this quote is all about fastest path to the majors, which right now does not run through Escobar's position.

[1e Corbeau]

average major league second basemen does not = inadequate shortstop. They involve different skill sets. I agree that this quote is all about fastest path to the majors, which right now does not run through Escobar's position.

I've got to agree with TLB and Crew07 regarding the interpretation of that quote. If they thought he good play SS, he'd be playing SS for two very big reasons:

• SS have a higher value than 2B. If Gennett could play SS, they would play him there to maximize his value.
• He is more blocked at 2B than at SS. 2B has Weeks, Farris (who could profile as a stop-gap or utility type), and Lawrie (who projects as a premium bat). SS has Escobar and... Josh Prince, who seems fringy-er than Farris at the moment.

And, generally speaking, average defensive 2B does mean inadequate defense at SS. Guys move from SS to 2B because they don't have the range for SS or the arm to throw from the hole or left side in general. Hence, the first point: SS have more value than 2B because SS is harder to play and less players have the skillset required to play SS.

 

Regarding the quote, as Crew07 notes, Isom is likely phrasing Gennett's defensive ability in a positive manner. He could say, "I see him as being an inadequate major league short stop, defensively." Instead, he says, "I see him as being an average major league second baseman, defensively."

 

As far as quickest path to the bigs, despite being blocked by more bodies at 2B, it would take Gennett far more reps at SS to get his defense to a point that he could crack the 25-man and, more likely, he wouldn't be able to field SS adequately after an infinite amount of reps. Thus, his fastest path to Milwaukee is at 2B; he likely would never get there as a SS.

[greeg35]

I understand what you are saying; but players are not just interested in maximizing their value to the team, they are interested in getting to the show. The Brewers as an organization seem to give their players a good amount of say in where they play positionally for better or worse. On being blocked, Weeks may not be around forever, all the talk about Lawrie since he became a second baseman has him changing positions, and Farris is far from a proven roadblock at that position. Escobar is here for the duration of his Brewer controlled years.

[logan82]

Escobar is here for the duration of his Brewer controlled years.

 

Maybe. He hasn't exactly wowed anybody yet. He makes some nice plays but overall I would have to say he has been disappointing on offense and defense. I only expected him to be about average on defense this year and carry about a .310 OBP with a high .600's OPS.

[greeg35]

yeah, probably should have said "I think" in front of that. I see Escobar as a young player whose current and long term value lies primarily in defense working out the kinks in that area. His offense now is about what I expected, I expect it to improve; but not be the reason he's kept around.

[CheezWizHed]

Well, they have started to sign draft picks, but I would think only a small handful would start at low-A ball like Nelson, Thornburg and Morris. I doubt they will promote anyone that has been in extended ST, waiting for rookie ball to start... Granted demotions of non-prospects could also make room for some promotions.

 

When do the Brewers normally start promotions? After the half seasons are done?

[YoungGeezy]

I think Escobar may have just played to much baseball.... hit over .300 for us last season, hit extremely well in AFL, tore up the Winter ball and now he has fallen off a bit. Not making excuses for him but he hasn't had a break at all and it is hard to stay hot for a year straight..

 

With the Midwest All-Star game coming up, does anyone see Khris Davis returning to the Rattlers for the second half of the season? I see no reason for an advanced college hitter to stay there if he has played as well as Khris has. It is not like he is Odorizzi or Gennett and only 20 that could benifit from more grooming. I think after the Homerun Derby and All-Star game he finally gets the call up.

 

I also hope that Brewers finally move Cain up, its not like he isn't ready yet. Hopefully Schaefer gets going to help make it happen

[PrinceFielderx1]

I also hope that Brewers finally move Cain up, its not like he isn't ready yet.

Carlos Gomez isn't getting on base enough. He hasn't been good at all. For this reason the Brewers should promote Cain to AAA and see what he can do. If Cain does well in AAA I'd give him a shot to earn the CF job in Milwaukee. I'd send Gomez to the minors. The sooner the Brewers promote Cain the better IMO. He provides another option in CF other than Gomez/Edmonds.

[sfl2hnq17]

komatsu, cain and davis should all move up a level.

[PrinceFielderx1]

komatsu, cain and davis should all move up a level.

I also think Scooter (Ryan) Gennett should be promoted as well and should play SS. Escobar's lack off hitting at the Major League level is making me nervous about the production at the SS position. Gennett would be a couple years away, but that should give Escobar plenty of time to prove himself. The Brewers should be looking for some security and depth at the SS position. Gennett to SS solves that.