Link Report for Sunday 6/4

[Brewerswillsurprise]

You might be more correct than you think....

[NolanBratt]

Brewers will say they are limiting Josh Hader's innings, but it's easy to envision a scenario where he becomes a big league relief cog fairly soon, and the organization can certainly spin things to say Hader will be stretched out again in 2018's spring training...

 

Agreed that they are likely grooming Hader for the pen, no matter what they are saying .

 

As the guy who runs @BrewerProspect on twitter, I was tweeted by a user on twitter in reply to my tweet initially mentioning Hader's unusual short 2 inning start on May 29th. The reply went something like "Just talked to Josh's mom. Said he's moving to bullpen"

 

After seeing this, I decided to direct message this user on twitter to try to find some credibility to this statement. He ended up sending me 2 screenshot Facebook message exchanges, one that he had with Josh Hader's dad and one with his mom.

 

The one with his mom went like this:

 

User: "Josh left after 2 innings today... any word?"

Hader's mom: "Hey Happy Memorial Day!! Yes apparently he said they're talking about moving him to bullpen as a reliever It sucks cause he was doing much better today. His dad sent me an article He read the other day of talks about trading. Hopefully just rumors"

 

And the one with his dad:

 

User: "Did the Brewers really talk to Josh about moving to a bullpen role? Pitched 2 innings today I saw"

Hader's dad: "Yes josh said that came from the top"

 

Our conversation went on and at one point, I showed him the McCalvy/Haudricourt reports that said Brewers are still sticking with Hader as a starter, and I think that almost made him mad, thinking that I was questioning the legitimacy of the messages he just showed me. He then went on to express his disdain for McCalvy and basically that conversation was that. I will also mention that shortly thereafter, I was messaged by a Brewers media guy that said that the same user once asked him if Braun left a game because of a herpes flare up...hmm... I decided to check back in with the user today and found that he had actually turned his twitter account on private and had blocked me (maybe to cover his tracks or maybe because he was mad at me, who knows).

 

This is all to say that although I'm not exactly a biggest fan of this user and his credibility, the screenshots that he showed me were definitely both from Hader's parents. The question of whether his parents ultimately know what the Brewers plan is for Hader is an entirely different question, but it seems that they're sure that Josh is headed for the bullpen at least for the near future.

[NYChez]

If there's a 20% chance the Brewers will be playing meaningful games in September and a 90% chance that Hader, with "innings left" to throw this season, will be a huge help to the bullpen in that circumstance, then does the reward justify the risk (of having a minor setback to Hader's career as a starter)? This could be consistent with what Hader's parents said (bullpen in late 2017) and what Haurdicourt said (long-term future as a starter).

 

Also, perhaps Stearns doesn't want Hader throwing a bunch of 30-pitch innings in high altitude and is just trying to get him through the season with a healthy arm.

[Mass Haas]

Erceg breaks out with first four-hit game

Seventh-ranked Brewers prospect plates three runs for Mudcats

By Gerard Gilberto / MiLB.com

 

Plenty of quotes from Lucas...

[AKCheesehead]

The Brewers are planning on getting Josh Hader into the bullpen this year and probably sooner rather than later. No way they are just limitting innings in June already. If he already needs his innings limitted he isn't future starter material. He isn't coming off injury so you would want to increase his innings from last year yet they are doing the opposite.

 

To me this makes a lot of sense. The MLB bullpen needs improvement, and Hader is a guy who could be a big help. There's nothing saying he couldn't move into the rotation if they need him there and he's had some MLB success.

[DHonks]

Hader and Lopez and the perfect types of guys to apply the Cardinals approach with. They have great stuff but need to learn to attack and finish hitters. I'd love them in the bullpen come August if we're contending, with opportunities to start in 2018 or 19. I've long wanted this for Peralta

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO TWEET via the Mudcats: Troy Stokes RBI double

 

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VIDEO TWEET via the Mudcats: Jake Gatewood's walkoff single

[Mass Haas]

"And That" will post his full Wisconsin updates shortly --

 

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AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Soundcloud: "The Rattlers snapped their losing streak with a 2-0 win in game two on Sunday to end a long weekend. Kyle Lobner & Chris Mehring discuss both games and have interviews with Matt Erickson, Demi Orimoloye, Braden Webb, David Burkhalter, & Nattino Diplan.

[And That]

Game One: Snappers Rally to Beat Rattlers in Thirteen Innings

Beloit tops Rattlers 4-3

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

(Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

 

An early 3-1 lead did not hold as a costly error by pitcher Braden Webb in the top of the eighth turned the tide of the game. With two outs on none on, opposing batter Jason Goldstein rolled a slow - and I mean slow - ground ball right out to Webb that for whatever reason went through his legs. It was not all that dissimilar from a croquet shot. Things spiraled out of control a little from there, and all of the sudden the game was tied.

 

The winning run was allowed on base by an error in the top of the 13th. In fact, the Rattlers staff allowed only one earned run in 13 innings of work. That'll win a game most days, but instead Wisconsin lost its 7th game in a row.

 

Mario Feliciano, Monte Harrison, and Nathan Rodriguez each had two hits. A Demi Orimoloye triple was the lone extra base hit for the Rattlers.

 

Wisconsin Game Log

 

Losing the lead:

 

Beloit Top of the 8th

JaVon Shelby singles on a line drive to right fielder Demi Orimoloye.

Eric Marinez grounds into a double play, second baseman Tucker Neuhaus to shortstop Trever Morrison to first baseman Ronnie Gideon. JaVon Shelby out at 2nd.

Jason Goldstein reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Braden Webb.

J. C. Rodriguez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Monte Harrison. Jason Goldstein to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Daniel Brown replaces Braden Webb.

Luis Barrera strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Daniel Brown. Jason Goldstein scores. C. Rodriguez to 3rd. Luis Barrera to 1st.

Luke Persico walks. Passed ball by catcher Nathan Rodriguez. J. C. Rodriguez scores. Luis Barrera to 3rd.

Edwin Diaz grounds into a force out, second baseman Tucker Neuhaus to shortstop Trever Morrison. Luke Persico out at 2nd.

 

Losing the game:

 

Beloit Top of the 13th

Luis Barrera flies out to left fielder Joantgel Segovia.

Luke Persico reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Jose Cuas. Luke Persico to 3rd.

Edwin Diaz walks.

Trace Loehr singles on a ground ball to right fielder Demi Orimoloye. Luke Persico scores. Edwin Diaz to 2nd.

Kyle Nowlin called out on strikes.

With JaVon Shelby batting, wild pitch by Luke Barker, Edwin Diaz to 3rd. Trace Loehr to 2nd.

JaVon Shelby strikes out swinging.

[And That]

Game Two: Diplan's Six Shutout Innings Help Rattlers End Losing Skid

Wisconsin beats Beloit 2-0

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

(Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

 

A win!

 

Rattlers snap a 7 game losing streak behind an unlikely-but-welcome dominant performance from Nattino Diplan. In his longest outing in almost two years, Diplan pitched 6 shutout innings, allowing only two singles and walk, while striking out seven. Diplan has struggled for most of the year, so I'm sure this was a very welcome sign for a patient Brewers' staff, but more importantly it must be a big boost of confidence for him. As I've been saying all year, Diplan has all of the talent in the world, but just can't put anything together. Maybe this will get him on the right track.

 

Demi Orimoloye hit a triple and Ronnie Gideon hit a double, while Joantgel Segovia and Trey York got the RBI.

 

Wisconsin Game Log

 

All the offense needed:

 

Wisconsin Bottom of the 2nd

Monte Harrison strikes out swinging.

Ryan Aguilar singles on a line drive to center fielder JaVon Shelby.

Ronnie Gideon walks. Ryan Aguilar to 2nd.

Jose Cuas hit by pitch. Ryan Aguilar to 3rd. Ronnie Gideon to 2nd.

Trey York grounds into a force out, third baseman Eric Marinez to second baseman J. C. Rodriguez. Ryan Aguilar scores. Ronnie Gideon to 3rd. Jose Cuas out at 2nd. Trey York to 1st.

Gilbert Lara strikes out swinging.

[MrTPlush]

Also when it comes to Hader how many years has Stearns been here and how many other pitchers are also getting their innings limitted when June just started? Hader is the only person we are trying this method on? Seems kind of obvious this isn't apart of his development unless it is to go to the bullpen for good. If that isn't the case then he is being groomed for some type of role later in the season on the MLB squad.

 

Regarding Haudricourt/McCalvy. No offense to them, but they both suck at insider info and rumors.

[CheezWizHed]

Stearns has been here less than 1.5 seasons. I don't think you can say he has any track record at this point.

 

I still say that moving him to the BP permanently based on his struggles at CS is a mistake. Though, I do fully support moving him the MLB BP (and out of CS) to get his feet wet and stretching him back out later.

 

In fact, this might very well be the solution the team is coming up with to handle guys that struggle at CS, but rely heavily on breaking pitches.

[brewcrewdue80]

Well Plush, if it werent 2,2,3 IP in last 3 starts he'd be headed for over 160 from his 126IP last year. The road in to Milw's rotation isnt deserving with his numbers vs Woodruff's numbers. Based on Brewer needs, his LH arm, a move to the pen or 2IP stints wont be the worst for his development. He's not going to only throw 1 IP every 5days. 2 2IP every 5games is 4IP vs the 5-6 you would like from him in starts. So in effect he's still increasing the innings on his arm should he pitch in September. If he were in AA at this stage of his minors career nothing would be made a big deal out of this. Next year he'd be on a full workload in AAA.

Theres always the wonder on a Playoff series to be prepared for. Hader is a most likely September callup. He helps the bullpen in dominating style there could be a few 2ip awaiting him in October.

 

He wants to be a Starter the Brewers put him back in AAA rotation til his team control passes the Super 2 threshold in 18. If he were to remain a Starter with more Innings usage he may top out as September hit and shut down then.

He's not exactly seeing ill effects on home/away. 5home starts to 7Away starts and the number are very similar

[Crash2303]

out from the oblivion, Coulter has quietly been increasing those season totals thanks to a torrid streak hitting .990OPS over the last month. Jungmann has put together some nice outings since joining Colorado Springs, makes you wonder if he was pitching w/ restricted orders just working on something specific and now is allowed to open it up. who knows. and Ray & Nottingham have also gotten hot over the last month. nice to see those guys get going. and geez, Cooper just continues to hit. he really is, as others have noted, Overbay's statistical twin.

 

In Overbay's last full AAA season at 25 years old, he hit .343/.396/.528 for a .923OPS he also had 40 doubles and 19 HR.

In Cooper's age 26 season at AAA this year, he's hitting .341/.387/.555 for a .942OPS and if he plays the same amount of games and stays at the same pace, he'd end up with 39 doubles and 23 HR.

crazy. and still crazy under the radar for many (albeit not on this board), buried beneath a considerable treasure hoard of high profiled AAA prospects.