Link Report for Mon. 6/17 - Funky Walkoff Win for Manatees, Still One-Half Game Back w/Burgos On Their Mound Tuesday

[narwhalattack]

Why is it that all the Brewers top pitching prospects seem to be lacking in K's this year? Or am I just imagining this? No one is striking anyone out

To be painfully blunt, it's because our top pitching prospects aren't top prospects on the larger scale.

 

That too. Remember how the Brewers drafted Jungmann and Bradley over Fernandez, Guerrieri, and Stephenson? The brilliance of this method is just way beyond my level of comprehension!

[Eye Black]

FINAL: Brevard County 3, Lakeland 2

 

Holy Sea Cow! Manatees walk-off again!

Brevard edges Lakeland 3-2, remain one-half game back of first

By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/9/2/50952092/cuts/Bradley_6.17_1_c6ag9xqu_zkq33ypm.JPG

Manatees starting pitcher Jed Bradley allowed just one earned run in seven innings of work, but did not factor in the decision of Monday night's 3-2 walk-off win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Space Coast Stadium. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

AUDIO HIGHLIGHTS

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees earned their sixth walk-off win of the season on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium as they topped the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 3-2. This time it was on a strange single and an error with two outs in the ninth inning.

 

Brandon Macias became the hero with a soft chopper to the left side of the infield, forcing both the shortstop Brandon Loy and third baseman Francisco Martinez to charge in to try and make the play. Both collided and missed the ball, allowing runners to score from second and third on the error charged to Loy and give Brevard County (35-30) the win over Lakeland (30-36).

 

After Cameron Garfield's infield single and Cody Hawn's bloop single in left center to start the ninth, Yadiel Rivera grounded out to the pitcher and advanced both runners. Garfield had been immediately replaced by Ben McMahan on the base paths, while Hawn was lifted for Lance Roenicke to run once he reached second.

 

It was the third of Brevard's six walk-offs in which a pinch runner scored the winning run. Other such instances included on April 16 against the Flying Tigers, when Adrian Williams advanced from first to third on a pair of passed balls then scored on a wild pitch and on May 31 when T.J. Mittelstaedt scored on a double by Rivera against the Daytona Cubs.

 

Greg Hopkins led off the sixth inning with a solo homer, his third of the year, to cut what was then a 2-0 deficit to Lakeland in half. Hopkins, along with Hawn, each recorded two hits for the 'Tees.

 

Brevard County starting pitcher Jed Bradley (4-2, 3.94) was charged with two runs in the third inning, though just one was earned. The southpaw left after seven innings as he surrendered seven hits with only one walk and three strikeouts. Bradley recorded 14 groundball outs on the night and had his fourth consecutive quality start.

 

Earning the win in relief was Stephen Peterson as he fanned two with two hits allowed in as many innings, while Lakeland's All-Star closer Melvin Mercedes (3-1) was hit with the loss on three hits for two runs, one earned.

 

For Lakeland, Wilsen Palacios left the game in line for the victory but took a no-decision despite holding the Manatees to just one run on five hits and a walk, while striking out seven in seven innings.

 

With the Dunedin Blue Jays topping the Tampa Yankees on Monday night, the Manatees remain one-half game out of first place with two games to go in the first half. With the Blue Jays in Tampa tomorrow, the Manatees will once again host the Flying Tigers on Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m.

 

It was announced late Monday that the Major League rehab assignment of right-handed pitcher Hiram Burgos was transferred from Class-A Wisconsin to Brevard County and that Burgos will start for the Manatees on Tuesday. Lakeland will counter with Jeff Ferrell (3-4, 3.44).

 

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

BC Hitters

Gregory Hopkins: 2-3, HR, BB

Cody Hawn: 2-4

 

BC Pitchers

Jed Bradley: 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO

Stephen Peterson (W, 1-0): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

 

 

Brevard County Play-by-Play

 

Improbable walk-off win:

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 9th

• -Pitching Change: Melvin Mercedes replaces Slade Smith.
  -Nick Ramirez pops out to shortstop Brandon Loy.
  -Cameron Garfield singles on a ground ball to third baseman Francisco Martinez.
  -Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Ben McMahan replaces Cameron Garfield.
  -Cody Hawn singles on a fly ball to center fielder Chad Wright. Ben McMahan to 2nd.
  -Yadiel Rivera grounds out, pitcher Melvin Mercedes to first baseman Jason Krizan. Ben McMahan to 3rd. Cody Hawn to 2nd.
  -Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Lance Roenicke replaces Cody Hawn.
  -Brandon Macias singles on a ground ball to shortstop Brandon Loy. Ben McMahan scores. Lance Roenicke scores. Fielding error by shortstop Brandon Loy.
  

 

FSL North Standings

Manatees with two first half games remaining...

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/2uhr13p.jpg

[TooLiveBrew]

Sounds Avoid Sweep With 5-3 Win

Nashville's Kroenke Works Six Scoreless Frames For 4th Win

Nashville Sounds

 

http://i.imgur.com/2GjecEN.jpg

Hainley Statia & Khris Davis greet Anderson De La Rosa after his three-run HR in the 5th

(Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds)

 

• AUDIO: Khris Davis' RBI-Single
  
• AUDIO: Anderson De La Rosa's Three-Run HR
  
• AUDIO: Wooten Delivers Final Out

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds rode the arm of starting pitcher Zach Kroenke (4-8) Monday night at Greer Stadium to hold off the New Orleans Zephyrs in the series finale, avoiding the four-game series sweep with the 5-3 victory.

 

Kroenke, in his first start since June 2, held the Zephyrs scoreless through six innings of work to pick up his fourth win and fourth quality start in his last five starts for Nashville. The lefty fired six strikeouts to New Orleans, allowing only three hits and one walk. He tossed 69 pitches, 47 for strikes.

 

Offensively, the Sounds got on the board first in the third inning, when New Orleans starter Rett Varner (0-2) chucked a wild pitch to score Ozzie Chavez, who singled as the leadoff batter. Left fielder Khris Davis made it 2-0 with his single scoring Kroenke, who reached on an error.

 

Catcher Anderson De La Rosa added to the Sounds lead with a two-out home run in the fifth inning. The blast, De La Rosa's second of the year, scored Hainley Statia and Davis, who both reached base on balls.

 

Varner was charged with the loss, his second, making a spot start for the left-handed pitcher Brad Hand, who was scratched pregame.

 

The Zephyrs prevented the shutout in the top of the eighth inning on Kevin Mattison's double to the right-field corner, scoring Koyie Hill. Nick Green followed up later in the inning with a two-out, two-run single to left field.

 

The runs went as unearned to Jesus Sanchez, however, because of Stephen Parker's dropped pop out in foul territory, which extended Hill's at-bat before he doubled to start the frame.

 

Right fielder Sean Halton failed to record a hit for the first time in his last 12 games, but did show off his arm in right field, netting an outfield assist in the fourth inning by gunning down a runner at home plate to keep the Zephyrs off the board.

 

Michael Olmsted picked up 2/3 innings in the three run eighth. He allowed both of his inherited runners to score and picked up two strikeouts in the appearance. Closer Rob Wooten pitched the ninth inning to pick up his 13th save of the year.

 

The Zephyrs outhit the Sounds 7-3, but issued seven walks to Sounds batters.

 

The Sounds will begin an eight-day 10-game road trip Tuesday, as they head to Des Moines to face the Iowa Cubs (Cubs affiliate) in six games over four days before heading to New Orleans (Marlins affiliate) for a four-game set. Throwing for Nashville will be RHP Jimmy Nelson (0-1, 3.12) opposite Iowa's RHP Nick Struck (3-4, 6.46). Baseball returns to Greer Stadium Thursday, June 27.

 

 

Nashville Box

Statia: 0-1, 2 BB

K. Davis: 1-2, RBI, BB

De La Rosa: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI

Hunter Morris: 0-3, BB

Josh Prince: 0-2, 2 BB, CS

Chavez: 1-3

 

 

Nashville PbP

The scrappy two-run 3rd:

 

Nashville Bottom of the 3rd

-Ozzie Chavez singles on a line drive to right fielder Bryan Petersen.

-Zach Kroenke hits a sacrifice bunt. Fielding error by pitcher Rett Varner. Ozzie Chavez to 2nd. Zach Kroenke to 1st.

-Hainley Statia out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Koyie Hill to second baseman Matt Downs. Ozzie Chavez to 3rd. Zach Kroenke to 2nd.

-With Khris Davis batting, wild pitch by Rett Varner, Ozzie Chavez scores. Zach Kroenke to 3rd.

-Khris Davis singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Zach Kroenke scores.

-Anderson De La Rosa flies out to center fielder Kevin Mattison.

-Sean Halton grounds into a force out, shortstop Gil Velazquez to second baseman Matt Downs. Khris Davis out at 2nd.

 

Halton kept that 2-0 lead intact with this throw:

 

New Orleans Top of the 4th

-Gil Velazquez doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Josh Prince.

-Bryan Petersen grounds out, shortstop Ozzie Chavez to first baseman Hunter Morris. Gil Velazquez to 3rd.

-Nick Green flies into a double play, right fielder Sean Halton to catcher Anderson De La Rosa. Gil Velazquez out at home.

 

 

Nashville Gameday

[DHonks]

minigoon, I love the 1st half writeup for AA. I enjoyed seeing the Brewers' rankings among league leaders, the stronger numbers, etc. Love the great work and would love to see more analysis like this.

[TheCrew07]

Well Jungmann wasn't much of a strike out pitcher to begin with, Hellweg is probably just trying to make sure he can throw strikes rather than seeing whether guys will whiff at stuff outside the zone, Bradley is probably just trying to get good results and focusing too much on striking guys out probably won't help.

 

I'm not one to make excuses/rationalize/justify (however you'd like to phrase it) poor statistical performance from a predictive standpoint simply because every minor league pitcher is working on something all of the time, not just our guys.

 

I talk quite a bit about "wow" factor and what I'm looking for when I'm watching a guy is a pitch or series of pitches that makes me think to myself, "man that was NASTY!". I remember a Peralta vs Vitters (when Vitters was still a hot prospect) match-up when they were both in the MWL and Peralta K'd Vitters in 3 pitches and I was like DAMN! 2 of those pitches were absolutely filthy sliders away.

 

Jungmann just never had that when I watched him, I think is curve is similar to Axford's, it's not going to induce many swings and misses when a hitter is looking for it, it's just not tight enough. I took quite a bit of flak for being vocal about Jungmann's ceiling, but I don't think I've been all that far off the mark.

 

Hellweg's K rate dropped tremendously with the jump to AA, he had become a full time starter about halfway through the season in A+ the year before. If had to guess I would say that he was able to easily blow his FB by A ball hitters, but that hasn't been the case as he moved up. Hitters were able to get a piece of that FB which leads me to my second point, I don't think his secondary stuff is all that far along. He's certainly battling command issues, but we've had plenty of pitchers come through with poor command and big K totals.

 

Bradley doesn't have a FB that's going to scare professional hitters and I think we were bit optimistic on draft day, this was BA's take: "While he's not generally thought of as overpowering, Bradley knows how to miss bats. Scouts love his pitcher's frame, and he has a clean, loose arm. Bradley's fastball sits anywhere from 88-94 mph. In better starts, he's at the higher end of that range, touching 95." Most of us saw that he peaked at 95 and jumped to the conclusion that he would generally work 91-93 all the time, myself included, when that wasn't the case even in college. It's clear he's working at the lower end of where he worked in college FB wise but regardless I wonder why he's not having much SO success because his slider was and still is a plus pitch and his change still gets decent reviews. He should be able to induce plenty of swings and misses in A ball with that repertoire.

 

Mostly I think TLB nailed it, our top pitching prospects aren't the better pitching prospects in the game, as evidenced by hardly anyone having them as top 100 prospects on any lists.

 

I probably over value SOs to a certain extent, but here are the minor league K rates for pitchers everyone will be familiar with:

 

Manny Parra - 9.0

Dave Bush - 7.5 and that's with horrible rates since 2009

Ben Hendrickson - 6.6

Jeff Suppan - 7.6

Yovani Gallardo - 10.4

Dana Eveland - 7.7

Shawn Marcum - 8.9

Randy Wolf - 8.6

Kyle Lohse - 6.9

Doug Davis - 8.5

Ben Sheets - 7.9

Braden Looper - 8.6

Chris Capuano - 8.3

CC Sabathia - 10.4

Zack Greinke - 7.6

Brandon Webb - 8.1

Derek Lowe - 5.5

Roy Halladay - 5.9

Tim Hudson - 8.5

 

I put Webb, Lowe, Hudson, and Halladay in there because when I think of extreme or heavy ground ball pitchers, that's who immediately comes to mind. I'm not really a ground ball guy, all things being equal I'll probably take a ground ball pitcher over a fly ball pitcher, but things are rarely equal. Given the Brewers reputation of being poor defensively over the years, I'd prefer pitchers with the ability to attack hitters through strike zone and limit the number of balls actually put into play.

 

That being said I think the best we can hope for from Jungmann would be a Derek Lowe type career. The difference is that Lowe's slider was top notch, it was a swing and miss pitch, something Taylor doesn't have. If Taylor can develop a swing and miss pitch maybe he can have that sort career. Of the years Lowe's K rate dropped below 6 in MLB he only had 1 really good year, in 2002 as a 29 year he put up 2.58 ERA with a 5.2 SO/9. He sprinkled in some good years with poorer K rates, but nothing like 2002.

 

The other big difference between all of those extreme ground ball guys and Jungmann, Hellweg, and Bradley is the SO:BB ratios. Very rarely were any of those MLB ground ball pitchers under a 2.0 ratio. For reference here are the 3 I discussed at the top and Brooks Hall plus their career K/9 and K:BB ratios. Remember Hellweg's career K/9 is high because he posted obscene numbers as a reliever and starter through A ball.

 

Taylor Jungmann - 5.6 1.78

Johnny Hellweg - 8.8 1.41 (6.8 and 6.1 SO/9 the last 2 years)

Jed Bradley - 5.9 1.43

Brooks Hall - 6.1 1.91

 

When guys whom I considered to be #3s best case as MLB pitchers (such as Bush, Looper, Suppan, Wolf) all have vastly superior rate stats to our own minor league pitchers, I honestly find it a tad depressing. You have to look pretty hard to find comps from a SO/9 perspective that have had success as starters, but those guys made up the difference by also limiting the walks. I find it much easier to hope that Ariel Pena and his 8.8 K/9 will figure out how to limit the walks and get his BB rate down under 3 than I do to hope that somehow our pitchers with low K rates will ascend into that 7-8 range. It's certainly possible, but also highly unlikely.

[Mass Haas]

Holy Sea Cow! Manatees walk-off again!

By Andy Towne / Brevard County Manatees

 

VIERA, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees earned their sixth walk-off win of the season on Monday night at Space Coast Stadium as they topped the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 3-2. This time it was on a strange single and an error with two outs in the ninth inning.

 

Brandon Macias became the hero with a soft chopper to the left side of the infield, forcing both the shortstop Brandon Loy and third baseman Francisco Martinez to charge in to try and make the play. Both collided and missed the ball, allowing runners to score from second and third on the error charged to Loy and give Brevard County (35-30) the win over Lakeland (30-36).

 

After Cameron Garfield's infield single and Cody Hawn's bloop single in left center to start the ninth, Yadiel Rivera grounded out to the pitcher and advanced both runners. Garfield had been immediately replaced by Ben McMahan on the basepaths, while Hawn was lifted for Lance Roenicke to run once he reached second.

 

It was the third of Brevard's six walk-offs in which a pinch runner scored the winning run. Other such instances included on April 16 against the Flying Tigers, when Adrian Williams advanced from first to third on a pair of passed balls then scored on a wild pitch and on May 31 when T.J. Mittelstaedt scored on a double by Rivera against the Daytona Cubs.

 

Greg Hopkins led off the sixth inning with a solo homer, his third of the year, to cut what was then a 2-0 deficit to Lakeland in half. Hopkins, along with Hawn, each recorded two hits for the 'Tees.

 

Brevard County starting pitcher Jed Bradley (4-2, 3.94) was charged with two runs in the third inning, though just one was earned. The southpaw left after seven innings as he surrendered seven hits with only one walk and three strikeouts. Bradley recorded 14 groundball outs on the night and had his fourth consecutive quality start.

 

Earning the win in relief was Stephen Peterson as he fanned two with two hits allowed in as many innings, while Lakeland's All-Star closer Melvin Mercedes (3-1) was hit with the loss on three hits for two runs, one earned.

 

For Lakeland, Wilsen Palacios left the game in line for the victory but took a no-decision despite holding the Manatees to just one run on five hits and a walk, while striking out seven in seven innings.

 

With the Dunedin Blue Jays topping the Tampa Yankees on Monday night, the Manatees remain one-half game out of first place with two games to go in the first half. With the Blue Jays in Tampa tomorrow, the Manatees will once again host the Flying Tigers on Tuesday night at 6:35 PM (5:35 Central).

 

It was announced late Monday that the Major League rehab assignment of right-handed pitcher Hiram Burgos was transferred from Class-A Wisconsin to Brevard County and that Burgos will start for the Manatees on Tuesday. Lakeland will counter with Jeff Ferrell (3-4, 3.44).

 

Manatees starting pitcher Jed Bradley allowed just one earned run in seven innings of work, but did not factor in the decision of Monday night's 3-2 walk-off win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Space Coast Stadium. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/9/2/50952092/cuts/Bradley_6.17_1_c6ag9xqu_zkq33ypm.JPG

[Mass Haas]

Manatees pull off a dramatic 3-2 victory

Two runs in ninth keep title hope alive

by Michael Parsons, FLORIDA TODAY

 

VIERA — The Brevard County Manatees have won games in just about every imaginable way this season. And Monday night was no different, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Lakeland 3-2.

 

The win kept Brevard County just a half-game behind Dunedin, which beat Tampa 6-4 in the race for the Florida State League North Division first-half title.

 

Brandon Macias provided the big hit Monday. With one out, Cameron Garfield and Cody Hawn each singled. After Yadiel Rivera grounded out, Macias stepped to the plate. And with a full count and two outs, he hit a chopper between third and short that neither Lakeland player could field, scoring both runs after an errant throw.

 

“These guys find a way to win,” Brevard County manager Joe Ayrault said after the team’s latest walkoff win. “Bottom of the ninth, two out and two runners in scoring position. It is funny just how things happen.”

 

The offense struggled for most of the game, managing just three hits in the first five innings. But then things changed for the Manatees.

 

Greg Hopkins led off the sixth inning with a solo home run, his third of the season.

 

“That was huge. We were in a lull,” Ayrault said. “We were in a flat period for sure and then, bam, a home run can spark you and then you say — ‘We are in this, let’s go.’ ”

 

One of the reasons they were still in the game was Brevard County starter Jed Bradley, who was good again Monday night. Bradley tossed seven solid innings, giving up two runs — one earned and striking out three in the no-decision.

 

“He was very aggressive, been filling the zone with strikes,” Ayrault said. “He is attacking hitters and using all of his pitches. The slider has been coming around and he has been throwing the ball very well.”

 

And with two games remaining in the first half, the Manatees will get a boost on the mound tonight.

 

Hiram Burgos will make a spot start tonight while on rehab assignment. Burgos is 1-2 this season in six starts with the Milwaukee Brewers. Burgos pitched for the Manatees in 2011.

 

“He has had a lot of success here and above,” Ayrault said. “To have a big leaguer come down and make a start is great for the team, to have him in the dugout, the bullpen and the guys to see how he goes about getting ready for the game is great.”

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County Audio Highlights

 

SS Yadiel Rivera - Manatees Pre-Game Audio Interview

[Mass Haas]

Stars Lose Series, First Half Finale

By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars

 

In the final game of the first half of the Southern League season, the Huntsville Stars dropped the rubber match of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium against the Chattanooga Lookouts by a score of 3-1 on Monday night.

 

After coming from behind to win game four on Sunday, the Stars picked up right where they left off in the third inning. With one out, starting pitcher Andy Moye helped out his own cause at the plate with a double. After advancing to third on a groundout by second baseman Nick Shaw, Moye scored on a throwing error from Chattanooga starting pitcher Ross Stripling on a grounder from outfielder Rene Tosoni to give the Stars the early advantage.

 

Unfortunately for Huntsville, the lead would not last for long. In his first pitch of the fourth inning, Moye served up a solo home run to Lookouts outfielder Joc Pederson to tie up the game. For Pederson, the homer was his tenth of the year and his fourth roundtripper against the Stars in ten games played between the two teams this season.

 

One inning later, the Lookouts would take the lead for good off of Moye, who fell to 3-7 on the year with the loss. With runners at first and second with two outs, a throwing error from Stars shortstop Hector Gomez on a grounder from Lookouts third baseman Sean Burroughs allowed Jan Vazquez to score to give Chattanooga the lead. After a walk to Pederson, an RBI single from outfielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez scored Rafael Ynoa to put the Lookouts up 3-1.

 

For Chattanooga, Stripling improved to 3-1 on the season with the victory. To ensure the win for the Lookouts, relievers Jharel Cotton, Mark Thomas and Yimi Garcia (S, 13) shut out the Stars through the final three innings of the game. Chattanooga finished the first half of the season with a 35-35 overall record.

 

The loss for Huntsville marked the third time in the last four games they were held to one run. Also, the three hits on offense tied for the fewest the Stars have had in a game all season. Overall, the Stars ended the first half with a 29-39 record, finishing in last place in the Southern League North division.

 

On Wednesday, the Stars will wipe their slate clean and begin the second half of their Southern League season with a five-game series against the Jacksonville Suns in North Florida. Huntsville will send RHP Drew Gagnon (1-0, 5.40 ERA) to the bump as Jacksonville will counter with a starting pitcher that is to be determined. First pitch is at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Video Highlights / Lowlights

 

Lamenting Frankie De La Cruz's promotion -- OK...

[bkrause2]

My apologies if I missed it, but has there been a reason given for Hellweg skipping a start? He last pitched on June 11th. Nelson, Narveson and Thornburg are listed as the probables for the next three games. Just wondering if I missed something (injury, call up, personal matter, etc)

[TheCrew07]

Cubs RHP prospect Kyle Hendricks profiled here.

 

SL notes: Hendricks having his way

[BrewersAA]

I think the brewers draft style, although I don't like it, is a little smart even If its not harvesting high end pitching talent. I think it's very clear that they have sacrificed potential for ground balls, innings, and low injury probability. The ground ball pitchers are not as "sexy" but in miller park, I think it's a strategy that in the Long run we will look back and say that it was good. There is the argue net that our defense hasn't been good on the I field, but I believe it will be much better with segura at short long term and Morris at first (too defender In The southern league) not to mention that gennett will be better then weeks by default. So it will all come together I think. They also clearly think these bigger guys will give more innings cause their arms can handle it and they will get more innings because of lower pitch counts due to more contact and ground balls. I also think that they are sick of higher upside guys that can't stay healthy, in a small market (the smallest actually) its just not smart business to pay guys to be hurt, so again it might not be "sexy" to draft guys with less injury risk, but it's something the team thinks they need to do. So all in all I actually think the brewers are developing a lot of their pitching exactly how they want to, people like me are critical because there is t as much upside or strikeouts, but when you look at the big picture it looks like they have a plan, a good one considering where the brewers play their home games, and they are following it. In 3 years we will be able to really start to judges the success of the plan.

[BrewersAA]

Sorry for the spelling I'm on an iPhone

[TheCrew07]

How are ground ball pitchers less injury prone?

[CheezWizHed]

Taylor Jungmann - 5.6 1.78

Johnny Hellweg - 8.8 1.41 (6.8 and 6.1 SO/9 the last 2 years)

Jed Bradley - 5.9 1.43

Brooks Hall - 6.1 1.91

 

When guys whom I considered to be #3s best case as MLB pitchers (such as Bush, Looper, Suppan, Wolf) all have vastly superior rate stats to our own minor league pitchers, I honestly find it a tad depressing. You have to look pretty hard to find comps from a SO/9 perspective that have had success as starters, but those guys made up the difference by also limiting the walks. I find it much easier to hope that Ariel Pena and his 8.8 K/9 will figure out how to limit the walks and get his BB rate down under 3 than I do to hope that somehow our pitchers with low K rates will ascend into that 7-8 range. It's certainly possible, but also highly unlikely.

 

That was a very good write-up... unfortunately.

[BrewersAA]

How are ground ball pitchers less injury prone?

 

It's not that groundball pitchers are less injury prone, that's not what I'm saying, it's that the Brewers are drafting guys that they believe are less injury prone (remember that big study they did 4-5 years ago where they look at injuries compared to body type and pitches thrown over a 10 year period in the majors and minors and then they came up with the new pitchers to draft model) and guys that pitch to contact. They are not one and the same but I believe the brewers are seeking both qualities in the guys they draft. I also think they are doing this from An economic standpoint. You might disagree, and that's okay, but I think now that some time has passed it's looking more and more clear that that is the plan and they are sticking with it.

[TheCrew07]

I get what you are saying now, I was genuinely curious why you thought ground ball were less injury prone but I see I just read your statement from a different point of view.

 

I agree on the big bodied pitcher thing, that's definitely been the trend, all of the higher round picks fit that height profile.

[BrewersAA]

I honestly kind of hate this strategy, it's frustrates me to no end watching this team draft the last few years. The only hope I am holding out is that they are smarter than I am and this thing comes together well. I don't think any of it will ever work until Melvin becomes more willing to trade pitching, he has missed so many sell high opportunities I can't stand it. The brewers need to be a team that's always selling and restocking and then having to money to lock up the next Braun, not signing Kyle lohses. I worry that they might just hit on 5-6 of these guys and instead of trading away one or two to keep things reloading they will let the few odd men out rot and lose value in AAA.

[TooLiveBrew]

I don't think any of it will ever work until Melvin becomes more willing to trade pitching, he has missed so many sell high opportunities I can't stand it. The brewers need to be a team that's always selling and restocking and then having to money to lock up the next Braun, not signing Kyle lohses. I worry that they might just hit on 5-6 of these guys and instead of trading away one or two to keep things reloading they will let the few odd men out rot and lose value in AAA.

Alright, Seth/TC07 -- very funny... posting under a second account...

[BrewersAA]

not Seth/TC07, just me, and very honest post, i doubt we will hit on that many guys, but if we do we need to be willing to trade them away to keep things rolling.

[TooLiveBrew]

not Seth/TC07, just me, and very honest post, i doubt we will hit on that many guys, but if we do we need to be willing to trade them away to keep things rolling.

I know. I was just kidding.

 

The part of your previous post I quoted has probably been in dozens of TC07's posts, verbatim, over recent years. I think you'll find you agree with him quite frequently.

[Minigoon]

minigoon, I love the 1st half writeup for AA. I enjoyed seeing the Brewers' rankings among league leaders, the stronger numbers, etc. Love the great work and would love to see more analysis like this.

 

Thanks for the kind words! It's been a fun time writing up the summaries after the games. I'll try and get more mentions of Stars players rankings, good and bad, as they grind through the 2nd half.

 

I've been impressed with Kentrail Davis's plate patience/discipline this season. He's on pace to walk 74 times if he keeps it up and stays in Huntsville for the full season. Kind of have to temper that a bit though as he is repeating. Ariel Pena turning his season around in May was also very impressive. Disappointed he was not moved up to replace Mike Fiers in Nashville. Hopefully he keeps rolling and forces the management to rethink keeping him there.