Link Report for Monday 7/10 - Timber Rattlers Lunchtime Matinee

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via the Shuck Dynasty Soundcloud: "Radio highlights of the Shuckers 8-4 win over Jacksonville including three homers from Michael Choice and one from Aaron Wilkerson."

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 9, Missoula 5

 

Big First Inning Helps Brewers Claim Series Against Osprey

Helena scores six runs in the first, sending 11 men to the plate

By Garrett Greene / Helena Brewers

 

 

Yerald Martinez

 

***

 

Brewers' big bats lift them over Missoula Osprey 9-5 to take series

Erik C. Anderson, Helena Independent Record

 

Includes quotes from the skipper...

 

***

 

If you follow-through and read both reports at the two links above, you'll have a thorough knowledge of what transpired in Helena Monday night - promise.

 

VIDEO: Now watch! (Dallas Carroll, not Dallas Clark, though)

 

***

 

Helena Box Score

 

Catcher Payton Henry's OBP got a needed boost after reaching five times; CF Zach Clark (.931 OPS) reached three times; welcome, K.J. Harrison!

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

UGH, Mudcats fans --

 

[Mass Haas]

[Noche]

What a time to be alive

[MrTPlush]

I too still believe in Trent Clark's hit tool. His OBP skills are off the charts and once he adds more power/AVG he is going to be legit. Definitely has the making of a starting OFer in my opinion. He is 20 years old have a pretty darn respectable year at A-Adv. Stealing bases at an 88% clip ain't too shabby either.

 

People start throwing these guys under a bus way too quickly. He only has 859 PAs so far in his career. That isn't even two ears worth of PAs. People get offended if you throw Orlando Arcia under the bus for not hitting because it is too soon...yet almost everyone discredits a HS draftee after less than two years worth of experience?

[Lathund]

Yeah whenever people say that Clark's stats this year show he's a bust I get very confused. I look at the stats and see that .390 OBP, and great basestealing ability. And if that's "cherry picking stats to fit my narrative" then there's the 124 wRC+. I.e regardless of any batting average this guy who's still young for his level is producing 24% more runs than the league average (It's exactly the same as Ryan Braun, and just below Domingo Santana (127)). And that doesn't factor in any extra runs that might have scored thanks to stolen bases. This also doesn't even take into account the fact that pure stat line scouting for players at that age and at that level is pretty much meaningless. But at least it tells you that he's not overmatched at this level. Batting over .300 in the last month as well, so even using the BA to knock him could be a thing of the past.

 

Some of the biggest criticism of him has also come from posters who were very critical of even drafting him in the first place, which probably is no coincidence.

[And That]

AZL Brewers 10, AZL White Sox 9 (10 innings)

 

AZL Brewers Boxscore

 

Not to be outdone by KJ Harrison's two double debut up in Helena, debuting Tristan Lutz smacked two home runs in his pro debut, en route to a 5 RBI game and another AZL Brewer win. The first homer went over the scoreboard in left field, and the second was a three run job that gave the Brewers am 8-6 lead. They would need all of those eight runs to make it to the tenth inning, where they were gifted two runs and ended up holding on to win the game.

 

It's also worth noting that Lutz played in center field. There's somewhat of a consensus within the scouting community that he'll wind up in right field - he looks the part for the right corner post to be sure - but he's obviously that much more valuable if he can stay in center.

 

Speaking of debuting outfielders, 12th round pick Je'Von Ward started in right field. Ward might be playing a little out of position there as he's generally seen as a left field/first base type due to his arm. But, trying these things out is what rookie ball is for. Ward took an 0-4, though he did have a walk.

 

Outside of Lutz, the only Brewer hitter with more than one hit was Pat McInerney, who hit another double (#5 on the year) and another home run (#5 on the year - this leads the AZL). It's not hard to see McInerney developing a cult following if he keeps this up. He's slashing .286/.453/.694 through 64 pro PAs. He was signed as an undrafted free agent, and he's a big boy at 6'5, 245.

 

The Baby Brewer offense walked 13 times, though somewhat oddly no one walked more than twice. Spreading the walk love around. The only Brewers who did not walk were McInerney (who leads the AZL in walks) and Francisco Thomas.

 

Robie Rojas threw out the only runner attempting a stolen base against him. He's thrown out 4 of 7 potential base stealers. I imagine if there weren't a glut of catchers directly ahead of him in Helena, he'd be there already.

 

The pitching was... the Brewers needed 10 runs to win again. 4th round pick and Illinois native Brendan Murphy made his pro debut and allowed two runs in two innings of work. Scott Serigstad likewise allowed two runs in two innings. Wilfred Salaman allowed one earned run in four innings. No pickoffs for Salaman - his pickoff streak ends at five games.

 

Cameron Hanes allowed the tying run in the ninth and put the tying run on base in the tenth before Tyler Thorne shut the door on the White Sox. Interesting note about the extra innings automatic runner at second base - if the pitcher allows that runner to score, it is an unearned run.

 

AZL Brewers Game Log

 

Lutz HR #1:

AZL Brewers Top of the 4th

Tyler Lawrence walks.

Francisco Thomas flies out to right fielder Alex Call.

Jesus Lujano grounds into a force out, second baseman Laz Rivera to shortstop Lenyn Sosa. Tyler Lawrence out at 2nd. Jesus Lujano to 1st.

Tristen Lutz homers (1) on a line drive to left field. Jesus Lujano scores.

Nick Egnatuk grounds out, shortstop Lenyn Sosa to first baseman Michael Hickman.

 

Lutz HR #2:

AZL Brewers Top of the 8th

Pitching Change: Andre Wheeler replaces Kevin George.

Francisco Thomas singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Taylor.

Jesus Lujano singles on a line drive to right fielder Alex Call. Francisco Thomas to 2nd.

Tristen Lutz homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Francisco Thomas scores. Jesus Lujano scores.

Nick Egnatuk grounds out, third baseman Amado Nunez to first baseman Michael Hickman.

Pat McInerney doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Alex Call.

Julio Mendez called out on strikes.

Robie Rojas flies out to center fielder Logan Taylor.

 

Lutz IBB #1/the winning rally:

AZL Brewers Top of the 10th

Pitching Change: Joseph Benitez replaces Greg Minier.

David Cronin remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Francisco Thomas starts inning at 2nd base.

Jesus Lujano out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Amado Nunez to first baseman Michael Hickman. Francisco Thomas to 3rd.

Joseph Benitez intentionally walks Tristen Lutz.

Nick Egnatuk strikes out swinging. Tristen Lutz steals (1) 2nd base.

Pat McInerney reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Michael Hickman. Francisco Thomas scores. Tristen Lutz scores.

Julio Mendez lines out to second baseman Laz Rivera.

[Mass Haas]

How about young Manager Rafael Neda at Maryvale? A-Crew at 11-3!

[Jenkins5]

Yeah whenever people say that Clark's stats this year show he's a bust I get very confused. I look at the stats and see that .390 OBP, and great basestealing ability. And if that's "cherry picking stats to fit my narrative" then there's the 124 wRC+. I.e regardless of any batting average this guy who's still young for his level is producing 24% more runs than the league average (It's exactly the same as Ryan Braun, and just below Domingo Santana (127)). And that doesn't factor in any extra runs that might have scored thanks to stolen bases. This also doesn't even take into account the fact that pure stat line scouting for players at that age and at that level is pretty much meaningless. But at least it tells you that he's not overmatched at this level. Batting over .300 in the last month as well, so even using the BA to knock him could be a thing of the past.

 

Some of the biggest criticism of him has also come from posters who were very critical of even drafting him in the first place, which probably is no coincidence.

 

Yeah same goes for a guy like Ray. There is a huge cheering section for him to fail due to disliking the pick. We can go back & read, I was strongly against the pick but he is a Brewer & I will cheer for him. Not going to nitpick or create arguments to spend rest of his career here proving how bad of a pick it was. Get he was an advanced bat coming out of college & should be Ryan Braun but not all players develop & adjust the same. He is 1 year in and has faced some injuries. Like that whole roster, not hitting enough & k'ing too much but there is plenty of positives there! Power, speed, walks! His wRC+ is still at or above 100. Erceg has not been good this year and is creating 23% less runs than the average at same age. However, everyone loved the pick so he gets a free pass & excuses made for him. He doesn't walk, hasn't hit until recently, power is down, Ks a good amount but Ray & Clark are the ones who receive most of the hate in that lineup.

[Brewer Fever]

It's been said before but bears repeating, often we learn that these guys have been sacrificing numbers in order to work on a specific skillset or approach. And usually we find out long after disparaging conclusions have been drawn about the player. Pitchers working on a 3rd or 4th pitch or hitters focused on hitting to the opposite field for example. Rarely do we know which players are just letting it fly and which are given the OK to ignore stat lines and focus on development with the organization assuring them that their numbers will not be held against them.

 

Regarding Corey Ray, I could swear that I read something within the past few weeks of something he was working on that would put a damper on his numbers but the organization was giving him the blessing and assurance that his likely drop in stats wouldn't lessen his status in their eyes. Those things happen all the time without our knowledge. Us fans are thinking we have a bust on our hands and the organization is as high on the player as ever.

[bork]

I think people were also thinking that since we're out of Brevard, High A offensive numbers should be going up this year. It's our first taste of Carolina and we may need to reset our expectations for offense.

[CheezWizHed]

Tristen Lutz and Je'Von Ward are in Maryvale's lineup tonight, and the Baby Brewers' starting pitcher is Brendan Murphy. Debut-a-palooza.

Lutz homers in his debut. Nice way to start.

 

Make that two.

 

I like him already!

 

Free Tristen Lutz!

[82brewcrew82]

It's been said before but bears repeating, often we learn that these guys have been sacrificing numbers in order to work on a specific skillset or approach. And usually we find out long after disparaging conclusions have been drawn about the player. Pitchers working on a 3rd or 4th pitch or hitters focused on hitting to the opposite field for example. Rarely do we know which players are just letting it fly and which are given the OK to ignore stat lines and focus on development with the organization assuring them that their numbers will not be held against them.

 

Regarding Corey Ray, I could swear that I read something within the past few weeks of something he was working on that would put a damper on his numbers but the organization was giving him the blessing and assurance that his likely drop in stats wouldn't lessen his status in their eyes. Those things happen all the time without our knowledge. Us fans are thinking we have a bust on our hands and the organization is as high on the player as ever.

 

 

This is a great post. It has a lot to do with the availability of information as well. There are a lot of folks that think they can read a basic stat line and form a definitive, informed opinion of that player based on a comparison to some arbitrarily picked player and/or player group. Maybe it's a product of our fast food drive through, instant gratification society that we NEED to know how a prospect will pan out long before that event ever happens. Too many fans just cannot enjoy the ride and HAVE to from an instant opinion and then spend inordinate amounts of time trying to justify that opinion with some misguided sense that they can predict the future. They do this while dismissing any context at all and fomenting at those who dare to look at any evaluations of that player beyond their anointed basic stat line. There is a reason every single team employs actual, in person scouts and that is because it matters. Stats aren't everything.