David Stearns named Milwaukee's new GM

[Mass Haas]

The latest --

 

The Brewers have updated their Front Office page with Wurth now removed (Farm Director Reid Nichols, who we've known was not retained, has been removed from the online posting).

 

A few scouts have been removed from the posting. No replacements have been named for those listed below. It's quite possible these individuals, like Wurth, left on their own, or retired, we don't know.

 

The most notable name gone is National Crosschecker Joe Ferrone. Hired in December 2010 (link), Ferrone replaced Ray Montgomery when Montgomery took the top amateur scouting job with the D-backs. Of course, Montgomery came back as Scouting Director after Bruce Seid's passing. Ferrone was also a candidate to replace Seid at that time.

 

Ferrone was one of two National Crosscheckers, the top tier of the amateur scouting rung, under Montgomery in 2015. The other was (and remains) Stephen Riha, whose hiring last December we brought to your attention in this post.

 

Ferrone is joining the Tigers, where he was from 2003-07 (link).

[TooLiveBrew]

Interested to see how Stearns approaches team-building. So far, I like the K-Rod trade, & I'm undecided on the Villar-Sneed deal. Stearns must be a believer in Villar. I don't think Sneed is a top-tier talent, but he feels like a guy that could pitch his way up & perform, a la Dave Bush or Mike Fiers.

 

I hope that more & more resources will be poured into scouting & player development.

[homer]

Well it seems like the board will be more active than usual this off-season.

[Baldkin]

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/david-stearns-on-his-vision-for-building-the-brewers/

 

A nice read over at fangraphs including lots of words from Stearns. Including this gem:

 

“I really don’t see a dichotomy between the analytics and scouting departments. I see them both as information sources where we need the absolute best of both. We’re going to build out both until we feel we have the best information we can possibly acquire. We’re always going to want more. That’s the nature of the beast. In this industry, the game is, ‘What is the next frontier in baseball and where can we get the next competitive advantage?’”

[BrewCrewForever]

Thanks for the tip Baldkin, enjoyed that article. Really like Stearns more and more. Just seems like he is on the ball and going to be great for this organization.

[MrTPlush]

I really won't have an opinion on Stearns until he goes through an entire off season. Will he get something decent for Lind? Will he trade Lucroy or hold onto him? Is he going to sign some type of bounce back candidate? Is he going to dip into the international market some?

 

We haven't even seen him draft either yet. That is probably the most important thing to a rebuild. If you look at teams that had a fast/successful rebuild those teams drafted well and got big time players in the first round. If he doesn't draft well we could end up like the Pirates the last 10 years. They flopped twice on #1 picks...you just can't do that and you can't fail as much as they did in the Top 5 like they did.

[logan82]

Mark made it clear throughout the interview process that he was going to trust whoever he hired to make the baseball decisions. As a general manager, that’s all you can ask for.

Heard the same thing when Mark A. and the ownership group bought the Brewers. I hope Mark learned his lesson and lets the baseball people handle the baseball stuff.

[MrTPlush]

Mark made it clear throughout the interview process that he was going to trust whoever he hired to make the baseball decisions. As a general manager, that’s all you can ask for.

Heard the same thing when Mark A. and the ownership group bought the Brewers. I hope Mark learned his lesson and lets the baseball people handle the baseball stuff.

 

The real concern isn't how Attanasio acts in a rebuild, but what he does once the team gets close to competing. I have no concerns with Attanasio letting him build big farm system. I can't say the same about not dumping those prospects for MLB talent when competitive vibes hit Milwaukee.

[brewmann04]

i would like a ws within the next 10 years

[MNBrew]

I really won't have an opinion on Stearns until he goes through an entire off season. Will he get something decent for Lind? Will he trade Lucroy or hold onto him? Is he going to sign some type of bounce back candidate? Is he going to dip into the international market some?

 

We haven't even seen him draft either yet. That is probably the most important thing to a rebuild. If you look at teams that had a fast/successful rebuild those teams drafted well and got big time players in the first round. If he doesn't draft well we could end up like the Pirates the last 10 years. They flopped twice on #1 picks...you just can't do that and you can't fail as much as they did in the Top 5 like they did.

This keeps coming up. It's the Scouting Director, not the GM, who runs the draft -- that's Ray Montgomery & not David Stearns. Assuredly the GM is in the room, doubtlessly he's had several conversations with the Scouting Director in terms of learning what's up and imparting his thoughts on organizational direction (and you'd figure he & the SD are pretty close to being on the same page or else the SD would be someone else), and you have to figure he's aware of the biggest names. But the draft is the Scouting Director's baby. The GM doesn't run in the start calling the shots.

[MrTPlush]

I really won't have an opinion on Stearns until he goes through an entire off season. Will he get something decent for Lind? Will he trade Lucroy or hold onto him? Is he going to sign some type of bounce back candidate? Is he going to dip into the international market some?

 

We haven't even seen him draft either yet. That is probably the most important thing to a rebuild. If you look at teams that had a fast/successful rebuild those teams drafted well and got big time players in the first round. If he doesn't draft well we could end up like the Pirates the last 10 years. They flopped twice on #1 picks...you just can't do that and you can't fail as much as they did in the Top 5 like they did.

This keeps coming up. It's the Scouting Director, not the GM, who runs the draft -- that's Ray Montgomery & not David Stearns. Assuredly the GM is in the room, doubtlessly he's had several conversations with the Scouting Director in terms of learning what's up and imparting his thoughts on organizational direction (and you'd figure he & the SD are pretty close to being on the same page or else the SD would be someone else), and you have to figure he's aware of the biggest names. But the draft is the Scouting Director's baby. The GM doesn't run in the start calling the shots.

 

GM will always have final say on a pick. Obviously when you get into later rounds the GM will just listen, but when it comes to the first pick Stearns will definitely have a say if he wants. If he wants a catcher he is going to get one. I agree Stearns won't be running out and deciding the 15th round pick, but the first couple he should and most likely will have a lot of say in who is picked. Those first couple picks are a big deal right away and Stearns is the one building this team. He needs to get the guys he wants.

[homer]

I really won't have an opinion on Stearns until he goes through an entire off season. Will he get something decent for Lind? Will he trade Lucroy or hold onto him? Is he going to sign some type of bounce back candidate? Is he going to dip into the international market some?

 

We haven't even seen him draft either yet. That is probably the most important thing to a rebuild. If you look at teams that had a fast/successful rebuild those teams drafted well and got big time players in the first round. If he doesn't draft well we could end up like the Pirates the last 10 years. They flopped twice on #1 picks...you just can't do that and you can't fail as much as they did in the Top 5 like they did.

This keeps coming up. It's the Scouting Director, not the GM, who runs the draft -- that's Ray Montgomery & not David Stearns. Assuredly the GM is in the room, doubtlessly he's had several conversations with the Scouting Director in terms of learning what's up and imparting his thoughts on organizational direction (and you'd figure he & the SD are pretty close to being on the same page or else the SD would be someone else), and you have to figure he's aware of the biggest names. But the draft is the Scouting Director's baby. The GM doesn't run in the start calling the shots.

 

GM will always have final say on a pick. Obviously when you get into later rounds the GM will just listen, but when it comes to the first pick Stearns will definitely have a say if he wants. If he wants a catcher he is going to get one. I agree Stearns won't be running out and deciding the 15th round pick, but the first couple he should and most likely will have a lot of say in who is picked. Those first couple picks are a big deal right away and Stearns is the one building this team. He needs to get the guys he wants.

 

 

"In 2001, Beane famously threw a chair in anger after then-scouting director Grady Fuson used one of Oakland's first-round picks on Washington high school pitcher Jeremy Bonderman, the kind of high-upside, high-risk selection that Beane disdained."

[trwi7]

GM will always have final say on a pick.

 

The GM typically only sees a few possible first round picks and gives input on those players only. 99.9% of the draft is left to the scouts, crosscheckers and scouting director.

[Jenkins5]

GM will always have final say on a pick.

 

The GM typically only sees a few possible first round picks and gives input on those players only. 99.9% of the draft is left to the scouts, crosscheckers and scouting director.

 

Yeah this absolutely drives me insane when people talk like the GM drafts players in baseball. The GM has a lot on his plate, yet people believe at the same time he is able to scout every amateur and then be responsible for 40 rounds of drafting as well. He may help give his input in the 1st round when the director says here are the guys we are really high on. It is Ray who makes the tough calls for 40 rounds. It is his job and responsibility. Ray & his staff that get to hang their hats on Trent Clark, Cody Ponce, & Demi O. Same as it is Zach Minasian and his pro directing staff who gets to hang their hat just as much if not more than DM for Phillips, Santana, Hader, Houser trade. Zach and his staff scout the guys, target the guys, and give GM the name of the people to go get in that system as well as what they think the value is. GM is a little more involved in trades than drafting, however, he doesn't have the time to scout every times entire minor league systems.

 

A GM is only as good as the staff he surrounds himself with.

[Mass Haas]

From November 5th --

 

The Brewers have updated their Front Office page with Wurth now removed (Farm Director Reid Nichols, who we've known was not retained, has been removed from the online posting).

 

A few scouts have been removed from the posting. No replacements have been named for those listed below. It's quite possible these individuals, like Wurth, left on their own, or retired, we don't know.

 

The most notable name gone is National Crosschecker Joe Ferrone. Hired in December 2010 (link), Ferrone replaced Ray Montgomery when Montgomery took the top amateur scouting job with the D-backs. Of course, Montgomery came back as Scouting Director after Bruce Seid's passing. Ferrone was also a candidate to replace Seid at that time.

 

Ferrone was one of two National Crosscheckers, the top tier of the amateur scouting rung, under Montgomery in 2015. The other was (and remains) Stephen Riha, whose hiring last December we brought to your attention in this post.

 

Ferrone is joining the Tigers, where he was from 2003-07 (link).

 

December 3rd update --

 

Longtime upper-level amateur scouts/crosscheckers Doug Reynolds and Corey Rodriguez have been named the National Supervisor and Regional Supervisor, respectively, of the professional scouting staff, as per the latest front office roster on the Brewers' site. Mike Serbalink, formerly with the Astros, Reds and Diamondbacks (January 2015 article), has an amateur scouting background in the Northeast and Canada, joins Rodriguez as a Regional Supervisor on the pro side of things.

 

Former big league RHP Bryan Corey is just now listed as a "Junior Scout" on the amateur scouting staff, although he's been with the organization since last February.

 

***

 

Formerly "Director of Video Scouting and Baseball Research", Karl Mueller is now "Director, Baseball Operations".

 

Oh, and Doug Melvin's title is now officially posted as "Senior Advisor".

[1992casey]

I see that Gord Ash is listed as "Vice President - Baseball Projects."

 

I'm also noticing that Matt Arnold has vice president attached to his title while Stearns is simply listed as General Manager. Given that, I'd expect the page to tack on a presidency or vice presidency to David's title.

[QuevedosTongue]

I am really happy with the way Stearns has re-shaped the team so far. He's added a lot of depth, he's added versatile players to the big league team, and he's added arms that the scouts like. Maybe a guy like Cecchini can regain his form and be productive, or maybe Villar can find himself. In any case, Stearns has covered the team at all positions except CF (assuming 1B is manned by Braun and/or Rogers), leaving the team several options to deal any player that catches another team's fancy. Sure they won't be much good this season, but I'm 48 and feel like I can wait a few more years for the playoff team. If I was 75 I'd probably feel different.

[gregmag]

Assuming the December dealing is done (and if it isn't, that will just be more fun), and if I have all the info right:

 

In 2015, the Brewers added 22 players to the organization by trade, waiver pickup, or Rule 5 who are still in the organization now. Of those 22, twenty were born in the 90s. (The four oldest members of the group all came on board today: Pina, Walsh, Lambson, and Zac(h/k) Jones.)

 

In contrast, the Brewers in 2015 only gave up one player born in the 90s via trade or waiver who was here at the start of the year: Cy Sneed. (Two other 90s babies, Luis Sardinas and Daniel Fields, came and went in 2015.) The Brewers appear to have given up about a dozen older players via trade or waiver.

 

That's quite an infusion of young talent. The "talent" part, of course, is qualitative, but all the acquisitions seem to have a purpose. Interestingly, the group is pretty spread out in terms of relative age and organizational level. Stearns, on his own or viewed together with Melvin, isn't just getting 21 year-olds, or just getting AAA players, or just getting guys who look to have primarily long- or short-term value. He's making the system younger, and he's obviously privileging the minors over the majors, like you do in a rebuild. But he's acquiring guys for all levels of the system, including a few players who have a chance to help save our MLB vets from utter despair next year.

 

The team has not lost any player who appears likely to improve on what he's been, other than Cy Sneed. The vast majority of the new players have some positive performance history, and they're nearly all young enough to develop well past where they are now.

 

For my money, this looks like a very positive first phase of a rebuild.

[MNBrew]

I am really happy with the way Stearns has re-shaped the team so far. He's added a lot of depth, he's added versatile players to the big league team, and he's added arms that the scouts like. Maybe a guy like Cecchini can regain his form and be productive, or maybe Villar can find himself. In any case, Stearns has covered the team at all positions except CF (assuming 1B is manned by Braun and/or Rogers), leaving the team several options to deal any player that catches another team's fancy. Sure they won't be much good this season, but I'm 48 and feel like I can wait a few more years for the playoff team. If I was 75 I'd probably feel different.

I agree with your point, except perhaps you missed Counsell stating clearly that the team has no interest in moving Ryan Braun to 1B.

 

The masses can move on from that idea now.

[FVBrewerFan]

Just because CC says that in December doesn't mean things can't change by March. But I'll put a pin in that one. I always thought it would be a long shot for 2016 anyhow.

 

What I like is DS has used every tool available. Trades, waiver wire, Rule 5, etc. Better yet, he hasn't given in the masses and forced deals for C, CF, 3B, or any other perceived need. Now is not the time for worrying about positions at the MLB level.

 

First step, infuse as much young talent as you can throughout the organization. Step two, I hope, is to focus more on player development to increase the odds that more of this young talent will develop into MLB players.

 

There will be time when a certain position on the MLB roster needs to be addressed, but we are far from that day. In the meantime if he feels the need to sign someone here and there to round out the MLB roster, I'm fine with that I guess as long as it's cheap and one year contracts. Because while I could care less how many games they lose next season, most fans wouldn't look to kindly on a 120 loss team.

[Mass Haas]

From November 5th --

 

The Brewers have updated their Front Office page with pro scout Leon Wurth now removed (Farm Director Reid Nichols, who we've known was not retained, has been removed from the online posting).

 

A few scouts have been removed from the posting. No replacements have been named for those listed below. It's quite possible these individuals, like Wurth, left on their own, or retired, we don't know.

 

The most notable name gone is National Crosschecker Joe Ferrone. Hired in December 2010 (link), Ferrone replaced Ray Montgomery when Montgomery took the top amateur scouting job with the D-backs. Of course, Montgomery came back as Scouting Director after Bruce Seid's passing. Ferrone was also a candidate to replace Seid at that time.

 

Ferrone was one of two National Crosscheckers, the top tier of the amateur scouting rung, under Montgomery in 2015. The other was (and remains) Stephen Riha, whose hiring last December we brought to your attention in this post.

 

Ferrone is joining the Tigers, where he was from 2003-07 (link).

 

December 3rd update --

 

Longtime upper-level amateur scouts/crosscheckers Doug Reynolds and Corey Rodriguez have been named the National Supervisor and Regional Supervisor, respectively, of the professional scouting staff, as per the latest front office roster on the Brewers' site. Mike Serbalink, formerly with the Astros, Reds and Diamondbacks (January 2015 article), has an amateur scouting background in the Northeast and Canada, joins Rodriguez as a Regional Supervisor on the pro side of things.

 

Former big league RHP Bryan Corey is just now listed as a "Junior Scout" on the amateur scouting staff, although he's been with the organization since last February.

 

***

 

Formerly "Director of Video Scouting and Baseball Research", Karl Mueller is now "Director, Baseball Operations".

 

Oh, and Doug Melvin's title is now officially posted as "Senior Advisor".

 

January 3rd updates --

 

First of all, the Brewers have updated what was a big error in their online posting last month. Reynolds, Rodriguez, and Serbalink all received their new titles and/or positions, but they remain on the amateur side of the scouting tree, not the professional side, which makes so much more sense now.

 

***

 

Despite losing his job as the big league first base coach, Mike Guerrero's lengthy (since 1996) association with the Brewers will continue. He has been named one of Milwaukee's minor league roving coordinators, with the title of "Special Field Instructor".

 

***

 

It appears pro scout (and former MLB LHP Andy Pratt) is no longer with the Brewers. Pratt was actually included in Milwaukee's last trade with the Chicago Cubs, over 11 years ago:

 

(08/31/04) -- Acquired a player to be named (LHP Andy Pratt) and cash in exchange for OF Ben Grieve

 

***

 

Congratulations for promotions to two of Milwaukee's amateur scouts. Former Southern California and Hawaii area scout Josh Belovsky is now a regional supervisor, as is South Texas and South Louisiana area scout Brian Sankey.

 

Belovsky's key Southern Cal area goes to newcomer Michael Rouse -- the former Athletics and Indians big league infielder, now 35 years old.

 

So who scooped up the prime Hawaii gig? Look at area scout Shawn Whalen's unique coverage territory:

 

Area Scout (AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA, Western Canada)

 

***

 

Another new name on the amateur scouting staff is Joe Graham, who takes over in Northern California (formerly Justin McCray's area). Graham is a former Indians and Astros scout who was named Houston's Scout of the Year in 2010.

 

***

 

Gone from the Brewers' amateur scouting ranks is former NY, NJ, PA & New England Area Scout Steffan Wilson, the 2007-2011 Milwaukee farmhand out of Harvard. But don't feel bad for Wilson, his nice new gig is National Crosschecker for the L.A. Angels. Sidenote: I still have a Brevard County Manatee cap signed by Wilson a few years back when I stopped by his prior offseason duties at a Massachusetts baseball facility.

 

Taking Wilson's Northeast responsibilities will be the afore-mentioned Michael Serbalik, as part of his regional supervisor duties. Hopefully I can cross paths with Serbalink at a future Cape Cod League game, New England Collegiate League game, or the like in the future.

 

***

 

Added to the amateur scouting ranks as "Junior Scouts" (they need to beef up that title to sound less Cub Scout-ish) are 29-year-old former Padres and Orioles' farmhand RHP Wynn Pelzer, who looks to be based in San Diego but with a coaching and training background in Georgia, and Taylor Frederick, who appears to be based in the Ottawa, Canada area. Frederick has an amateur playing and coaching background but did not play affiliated minor league ball.

 

***

 

Earlier this month the Brewers beat guys mentioned in various posts/tweets that longtime Director of Minor League Business Operations Scott Martens was no longer with the club.

 

McCalvy

 

Haudricourt

 

It may just be an oversight, but Martens is still listed on the January organizational roster linked above.

 

Same goes for Special Assistant to the G.M./Baseball Operations Dan O'Brien, still listed despite this:

 

Haudricourt

 

***

 

New hire on the analytics side:

 

Developer - Baseball Systems: Matthew Culhane

[ewitkows]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/01/mlbtr-podcast-with-brewers-gm-david-stearns.html

 

Podcast with Stearns

[Mass Haas]

Here are the latest front office updates, noticed on January 29th --

 

There are two new scouts listed on the professional side.

 

Ross Pruitt was with the Brewers / Manatees in 2014, and discussed his work as a video coordinator in this audio on the Brevard County pregame show. Very cool to listen to how his young baseball career had begun and developed at that point, and now he's a formal member of the scouting staff.

 

Joe Prebynski also has a video coordinator background, and was the Texas Rangers' instant replay review man in 2015. He enjoyed a special moment off the field detailed here.

 

***

 

New -- Analyst - Baseball Operations: Joshua Schaffer He interned with the Mets last season.

 

LinkedIn provides a laundry list of his 2015 duties for those of you with similar aspirations, here you go...

[Mass Haas]

Here are the latest front office updates, noticed on January 29th --

 

There are two new scouts listed on the professional side.

 

Ross Pruitt was with the Brewers / Manatees in 2014, and discussed his work as a video coordinator in this audio on the Brevard County pregame show. Very cool to listen to how his young baseball career had begun and developed at that point, and now he's a formal member of the scouting staff.

 

Joe Prebynski also has a video coordinator background, and was the Texas Rangers' instant replay review man in 2015. He enjoyed a special moment off the field detailed here.

 

New -- Analyst - Baseball Operations: Joshua Schaffer He interned with the Mets last season.

 

LinkedIn provides a laundry list of his 2015 duties for those of you with similar aspirations, here you go...

 

***

 

Another update was posted February 1st --

 

Congratulations to two-time (2007, 2011) Brewers Organization Player of the Year Taylor Green, also named a scout on the professional scouting staff, ending his playing career (career stats).

 

Looking back at the numbers from that 2011 age 24 season, just wow (.996 OPS). Yes, it was the Pacific Coast League, but playing in Nashville's division, only about a quarter of his games were in offense-friendly bandboxes. And how many players win that award twice for their organization?

 

Former Brewer OF Drew Anderson has carved himself a nice start to his scouting career on the Brewers' amateur scouting staff, here's hoping Green finds success and happiness on the pro side of things.

[adambr2]

Taylor Green is a strange career case. You don't see too many guys look as amazing as he did in the minors, hit a wall in their mid 20s, plateau and then never recover. It's possible the hip injury in 2013 was a factor but that still doesn't explain 2012.