Pitching staff adjustments?

[pacopete4]

According to the broadcast tonight Garza will not be making his next start. Really don't understand why they haven't made a move .

 

No need to rush it. Either Garza will wake up Wednesday and feel okay or they'll call up Espino to spot start it again. [sarcasm]It is just too bad Tommy Milone wasn't around now.[/sarcasm]

[adambr2]

According to the broadcast tonight Garza will not be making his next start. Really don't understand why they haven't made a move .

 

No need to rush it. Either Garza will wake up Wednesday and feel okay or they'll call up Espino to spot start it again. [sarcasm]It is just too bad Tommy Milone wasn't around now.[/sarcasm]

 

If they've already known they were going to be without Garza, they could have brought up another bench player or pen arm for today and tomorrow. They were pretty adamant that he isn't starting Thursday.

[pacopete4]

According to the broadcast tonight Garza will not be making his next start. Really don't understand why they haven't made a move .

 

No need to rush it. Either Garza will wake up Wednesday and feel okay or they'll call up Espino to spot start it again. [sarcasm]It is just too bad Tommy Milone wasn't around now.[/sarcasm]

 

If they've already known they were going to be without Garza, they could have brought up another bench player or pen arm for today and tomorrow. They were pretty adamant that he isn't starting Thursday.

 

Bring up a bench guy for one game? Not really a big deal to make the straight swap of a starting pitcher.

[jerichoholicninja]

Bring up a bench guy for one game? Not really a big deal to make the straight swap of a starting pitcher.

 

They've brought up relievers for 1 game at least once so far this year. And I'm pretty sure he didn't even pitch.

[pacopete4]

Bring up a bench guy for one game? Not really a big deal to make the straight swap of a starting pitcher.

 

They've brought up relievers for 1 game at least once so far this year. And I'm pretty sure he didn't even pitch.

 

 

So not a big deal then. Okay

[adambr2]

Bring up a bench guy for one game? Not really a big deal to make the straight swap of a starting pitcher.

 

They've brought up relievers for 1 game at least once so far this year. And I'm pretty sure he didn't even pitch.

 

 

So not a big deal then. Okay

 

Would have been a big deal if we had gone 15 innings tonight and run out of relievers or bench players and end up losing.

 

Chances are it doesn't matter, but there's always a chance and there's no reason to play shorthanded if you don't need to. As mentioned we have made 1-2 day callups this year.

[MrTPlush]

Brewers now rank #6 in all of baseball for starter ERA.

 

Wow can things change fast.

[markedman5]

Nelson

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-brewers-might-have-an-actual-ace/

[JohnBriggs12]

Isn't it about time for Wang? Lefties are batting .139 off him in AAA. Sure Drake has nice reverse splits, but having a lefty arm in the pen would be nice to have. He's allowed one earned run in his last 10 games (0.71 ERA)

[SoCalBrewfan]

If and when they decide to cut bait on Feliz there are a few options in the minors; Wang seems like a good choice but again he's not currently on the 40-man roster whereas Suter and Cravy are. I can only imagine that the brain trust is comparing the merits of various scenarios with the 'pen daily, and they're looking carefully at guys to figure out a plan for the rest of the season....I can't honestly tell who they presently think are the third and fourth best relievers behind Knebel and Barnes, and suspect they're trying themselves to get a read on this. We all want moves but there's a danger of overreacting; relievers are volatile and it's hard to judge based on even a month of results. So do they wait on Torres and Hughes to achieve some consistency? Do they dump Feliz? Are they happy with Scahill and Drake?

[FVBrewerFan]

Isn't it about time for Wang? Lefties are batting .139 off him in AAA. Sure Drake has nice reverse splits, but having a lefty arm in the pen would be nice to have. He's allowed one earned run in his last 10 games (0.71 ERA)

 

Sure seems like he's ready. But two factors to consider. First, is he mentally and physically ready? Could be some refinement they're still working on with him. And since he's been in MLB already and got knocked around a little, you really want to be sure he comes up with confidence.

 

Potentially, he's not just an option for the present but for the future as well. (As opposed to the Cravys and Blazeks, etc.) So, if you can, you want to avoid the yo-yo of going back and forth between MLB and AAA.

 

Secondly, who does he replace? Not long ago nobody would have a problem dumping Hughes. Then he turned in a couple of exceptional outings. Every guy in the Brewers pen has had success in the past, most in the very recent past. So you want to be careful about giving up on guys too soon.

[adambr2]

Isn't it about time for Wang? Lefties are batting .139 off him in AAA. Sure Drake has nice reverse splits, but having a lefty arm in the pen would be nice to have. He's allowed one earned run in his last 10 games (0.71 ERA)

 

Sure seems like he's ready. But two factors to consider. First, is he mentally and physically ready? Could be some refinement they're still working on with him. And since he's been in MLB already and got knocked around a little, you really want to be sure he comes up with confidence.

 

Potentially, he's not just an option for the present but for the future as well. (As opposed to the Cravys and Blazeks, etc.) So, if you can, you want to avoid the yo-yo of going back and forth between MLB and AAA.

 

Secondly, who does he replace? Not long ago nobody would have a problem dumping Hughes. Then he turned in a couple of exceptional outings. Every guy in the Brewers pen has had success in the past, most in the very recent past. So you want to be careful about giving up on guys too soon.

 

My choice would probably be DFA Franklin, option Scahill, purchase contract of Wang and promote him to 25. That way you can keep Phillips up too, and you've got 2 good options against lefties in the pen.

[jerichoholicninja]

Isn't it about time for Wang? Lefties are batting .139 off him in AAA. Sure Drake has nice reverse splits, but having a lefty arm in the pen would be nice to have. He's allowed one earned run in his last 10 games (0.71 ERA)

 

Sure seems like he's ready. But two factors to consider. First, is he mentally and physically ready? Could be some refinement they're still working on with him. And since he's been in MLB already and got knocked around a little, you really want to be sure he comes up with confidence.

 

Potentially, he's not just an option for the present but for the future as well. (As opposed to the Cravys and Blazeks, etc.) So, if you can, you want to avoid the yo-yo of going back and forth between MLB and AAA.

 

Secondly, who does he replace? Not long ago nobody would have a problem dumping Hughes. Then he turned in a couple of exceptional outings. Every guy in the Brewers pen has had success in the past, most in the very recent past. So you want to be careful about giving up on guys too soon.

 

If a guy lacks confidence because he got hit around in the majors two years ago after making the jump from rookie ball, he's never going to be mentally ready.

[FVBrewerFan]

If a guy lacks confidence because he got hit around in the majors two years ago after making the jump from rookie ball, he's never going to be mentally ready.

 

And you know that because? Stearns, CC, and many others in the organization have said there's more to just numbers when determining if a player is "ready" to be called up. Maturity, confidence, etc. all factor in. It's why Arcia was brought up so early, no problem with confidence there! I'm just using that word, but it's that intangible that tells you someone is ready. That's all I'm saying.

[homer]

Nelson

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-brewers-might-have-an-actual-ace/

 

 

Cool article. Thanks for posting. I've always enjoyed reading Sullivan's stuff.

[jerichoholicninja]

If a guy lacks confidence because he got hit around in the majors two years ago after making the jump from rookie ball, he's never going to be mentally ready.

 

And you know that because? Stearns, CC, and many others in the organization have said there's more to just numbers when determining if a player is "ready" to be called up. Maturity, confidence, etc. all factor in. It's why Arcia was brought up so early, no problem with confidence there! I'm just using that word, but it's that intangible that tells you someone is ready. That's all I'm saying.

 

I agree about intangibles. But if his first major league action over 2 years ago is a mental block that prevents him from succeeding this year, his mental makeup is pretty weak. Especially after he worked and earned his way back.

[Crash2303]

Potentially, [Wang's] not just an option for the present but for the future as well. (As opposed to the Cravys and Blazeks, etc.)

 

Why isn't Cravy an option for the future? I'm not saying he's a high ceiling cornerstone pitching prospect, but he certainly deserves another shot and to be mentioned as a possible supporting bullpen piece moving forward. since the beginning of last year he has pitched really well in relief (and away from Colorado springs).

 

2017-AAA - at Colorado springs his numbers are terrible 7.59 ERA, but away from the thin air, did you know he has not allowed a run in 14IP and has 13K along with a 0.837 WHIP.

 

2017- MLB Spring Training (not much meaning in these stats, but reinforces he has consistently been pitching well for the last year)- 2.03 ERA, 13IP, 11K, 0.60 WHIP

 

2016-MLB - 0.81 ERA in 22IP and 17K and 0.940 WHIP as a reliever.

 

2016-AAA - 2.38 ERA in 41IP, 40K and 1.176WHIP as a reliever. those numbers get even better when you isolate him away from Colorado Springs.

 

To me, he's the next reliever you bring up.

[dacbrewers]

Great points...I think part of the problem with him was brought on by Brewers switching him back and forth from starter to reliever. Last year starting a couple games early in season when not properly stretched out didn't help his stock. Keep him as a reliever. Once Barnes started relieving they never went back to having him start games.

[dacbrewers]

The Brewers would be silly to move Hader to the pen this early in his career. I'm 100% percent certain that they are committed to developing Josh as a starter. Any minor league bullpen appearances would be to just limit his innings, etc.

 

As silly as it may seem, that's what they are going to do. Anything Stearns or the organization says can be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the starters in the Brewers organization are going to end up as relievers. I just wonder how many innings Hader will get in the Brewers bullpen this year.

[pacopete4]

The Brewers would be silly to move Hader to the pen this early in his career. I'm 100% percent certain that they are committed to developing Josh as a starter. Any minor league bullpen appearances would be to just limit his innings, etc.

 

As silly as it may seem, that's what they are going to do. Anything Stearns or the organization says can be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the starters in the Brewers organization are going to end up as relievers. I just wonder how many innings Hader will get in the Brewers bullpen this year.

 

Do you have some inside information to back that claim up? Nothing reported has really been to what you are saying.

[dacbrewers]

Limiting his innings can only mean he's going to pen for now...we will see going forward what they do with him.

[pacopete4]

Limiting his innings can only mean he's going to pen for now...we will see going forward what they do with him.

 

I guess we see what we want to see. Just saying though that there's no 100% in anything.

[monty57]

Limiting his innings can only mean he's going to pen for now...we will see going forward what they do with him.

 

Someone posted earlier that limiting his innings now and then gradually stretching him back out will allow for him to be called up to the majors as a starter and not have to get shut down or pulled early in every start. That made sense to me.

 

If they wanted him as a reliever, why is he still starting games and going through the routine starters go through every five days? Why not put him in the 'pen and let him get used to coming in for different situations?

 

I agree that most of the current pitching prospects will not make it to the majors as a starter. However, Hader is our best pitching prospect, and is nearly ready to make the move to the majors. If the team believes that our best pitching prospect is not good enough to start at the MLB level, and he is going to be permanently moved to the 'pen before he ever gets a major league start, then we're screwed.

 

Now, it's possible that they decide not to bring him up as a starter this year, but need him in the 'pen in August/September to help out in a playoff race, fully intending to move him back to a starter's role in the future. If they make that decision and it gets them into the playoffs, it may be worth burning some of his service time. But, if they're already deciding that his future is as a reliever, then our farm system just got a whole lot weaker.

[JohnBriggs12]

Isn't it about time for Wang? Lefties are batting .139 off him in AAA. Sure Drake has nice reverse splits, but having a lefty arm in the pen would be nice to have. He's allowed one earned run in his last 10 games (0.71 ERA)

 

Sure seems like he's ready. But two factors to consider. First, is he mentally and physically ready? Could be some refinement they're still working on with him. And since he's been in MLB already and got knocked around a little, you really want to be sure he comes up with confidence.

 

Potentially, he's not just an option for the present but for the future as well. (As opposed to the Cravys and Blazeks, etc.) So, if you can, you want to avoid the yo-yo of going back and forth between MLB and AAA.

 

Secondly, who does he replace? Not long ago nobody would have a problem dumping Hughes. Then he turned in a couple of exceptional outings. Every guy in the Brewers pen has had success in the past, most in the very recent past. So you want to be careful about giving up on guys too soon.

 

If a guy lacks confidence because he got hit around in the majors two years ago after making the jump from rookie ball, he's never going to be mentally ready.

 

He got hit around 3 years ago not two when he was 22 and lacked much minor league time. Now he's 25 and performing well in very tough environment. I would expect he's matured. Personally, I would deal either Hughes or Torres to open a spot if an injury doesn't intervene.

[Ennder]

The best way to break in starters in the majors is to either keep them in the minors a long time to get them fully stretched out or bring them up in the bullpen for part of their first year. It is the only way to make the innings work.