Keston Hiura called up, Shaw optioned

[pacopete4]

Aguilar not hitting is brutal. He is the only RHB who can play 1B. We can't depend on Perez to play there a bunch...and really, what a sad option there anyway. Shaw is hard to fit back on this roster. Too bad Braun was terrible there.

 

He played 18 games there, only starting 12. I don't think that is nearly enough evidence to make this claim.

 

I think there is enough evidence behind the scenes to help us infer that. They essentially said he won't play first this year and obviously despite a giant disaster at 1B this year and Gamel playing great D with offense he hasn't seen one moment there.

 

As for Grandal I seriously doubt that is any type of long term option. Pina/Nottingham is going to be trash and Grandal at first is unlikely to be very pretty. Might as well pray Aguilar figures it out at that point.

 

Disagree. If it wasn't for Aguilar going on a tear last season, you probably would have seen him a lot more. And there has been nothing said that is even close to saying he "essentially won't play first this year". Just that he would not see much time this year at first. And this was said in February when Thames/Aguilar looked like a good duo to some at that position. Either way, saying he was terrible there was a bad take backed up by very little of anything. Time will tell but they'd be foolish not to give it another go around if Aguilar continues to be a heaping pile of trash.

[JosephC]

I think that brief stint playing first base was enough for the Brewers to conclude that they don't want Braun playing first again in non-emergency situations. But now would be the perfect time to give Braun some time at first base. Not only Aguilar's offensive struggles, but Braun's defensive woes. Up until this season I thought Braun did a pretty decent job in left field, but he has not passed the eye-test so far. The metrics back that up, currently sits at a -3 DRS and a woeful -19.9 UZR/150. Have to say it was a pretty disappointing week for Thames. Here is his chance to play and he only OPS'ed .588 over the last 7 days. I do like the idea of Grandal playing more at 1B once Pina is healthy. What do people think of the Baseball Prospectus defensive metrics for catchers now? Grandal is by no means a hack behind the plate, but he hasn't appeared to be a top defensive catcher either. I think Pina is a better defensive catcher.

 

And back to Hiura, IMO the Saladino watch should now officially be on. Still would think the Brewers would prefer to send Hiura down for about 3 weeks (and then bring him right back) for Super Two reasons. Like it or not, having Hiura down for just 3 weeks could end up being a 10 million dollar saver down the road. With Shaw struggling, looks like a Plan B is becoming more of a Plan A. Saladino would be an defensive upgrade and he's continued to hit in AAA. For every positive about Hiura (3 HR, .763 OPS), there is a negative involved (.306 OBP, 1 BB and 19 K in 46 AB), and I don't think it would be out of line for the Brewers to send him back to AAA. Also would note that error in last night's game was a real key play in the loss.

[Brew crew 92]

I think that brief stint playing first base was enough for the Brewers to conclude that they don't want Braun playing first again in non-emergency situations. But now would be the perfect time to give Braun some time at first base. Not only Aguilar's offensive struggles, but Braun's defensive woes. Up until this season I thought Braun did a pretty decent job in left field, but he has not passed the eye-test so far. The metrics back that up, currently sits at a -3 DRS and a woeful -19.9 UZR/150. Have to say it was a pretty disappointing week for Thames. Here is his chance to play and he only OPS'ed .588 over the last 7 days. I do like the idea of Grandal playing more at 1B once Pina is healthy. What do people think of the Baseball Prospectus defensive metrics for catchers now? Grandal is by no means a hack behind the plate, but he hasn't appeared to be a top defensive catcher either. I think Pina is a better defensive catcher.

 

And back to Hiura, IMO the Saladino watch should now officially be on. Still would think the Brewers would prefer to send Hiura down for about 3 weeks (and then bring him right back) for Super Two reasons. Like it or not, having Hiura down for just 3 weeks could end up being a 10 million dollar saver down the road. With Shaw struggling, looks like a Plan B is becoming more of a Plan A. Saladino would be an defensive upgrade and he's continued to hit in AAA. For every positive about Hiura (3 HR, .763 OPS), there is a negative involved (.306 OBP, 1 BB and 19 K in 46 AB), and I don't think it would be out of line for the Brewers to send him back to AAA. Also would note that error in last night's game was a real key play in the loss.

 

I do think they should put Hiura back in AAA for 3 weeks, and then bring him back and play him. He needs at bats vs major league arms. Outside of yesterday’s throw, his defense has been excellent.

 

Shaw needs to stay down until he’s mashing, it’s got to just be a matter of time but he will hit again, but we have 5-7 weeks before Stearns does his deadline deals.

 

Saladino is a potential player in all this, at least until the deadline.

[Roderick]

Grandal is by no means a hack behind the plate, but he hasn't appeared to be a top defensive catcher either. I think Pina is a better defensive catcher.

 

Definitely agree that Pina is a better defensive catcher. Better on wild pitches and framing imo. I also don't like the fact that Grandal argues ball/strikes when he is hitting, as a catcher you need to take one for the team, and tell the ump you want the same call for the pitcher during the switchover in the innings.

 

But Grandal does add a bat (switch hitter +) you have to account for, and right now that trumps the defensive difference.

[DHonks]

Grandal is by no means a hack behind the plate, but he hasn't appeared to be a top defensive catcher either. I think Pina is a better defensive catcher.

 

Definitely agree that Pina is a better defensive catcher. Better on wild pitches and framing imo. I also don't like the fact that Grandal argues ball/strikes when he is hitting, as a catcher you need to take one for the team, and tell the ump you want the same call for the pitcher during the switchover in the innings.

 

But Grandal does add a bat (switch hitter +) you have to account for, and right now that trumps the defensive difference.

 

In the first few weeks we saw Grandal drop at least 5 pitches that were strikes, resulting in them called balls. But he's been better lately. Good thing teams don't run anymore, as I think they could run all day off him all day. Pina is an amazing thrower

[DHonks]

And back to Hiura, IMO the Saladino watch should now officially be on. Still would think the Brewers would prefer to send Hiura down for about 3 weeks (and then bring him right back) for Super Two reasons.

 

To me this is pretty ridiculous, and I feel good knowing that Stearns doesn't think this way. First of all, if Shaw comes back, Hiura goes back down. He's got things to work on. Secondly, If Hiura is going to be as good as we all hope, then he'll deserve the little bit more money and will be a bargain. Plus, he'll have helped us win more games along the way.

[brooks_quichenick]

RE: Hiura - If the Brewers send him down for manipulation of service time when he's clearly an upgrade from what Shaw was providing, it would be completely nonsensical for a team that's trying to compete for a title this year. Yes he's struck out a fair amount but this is exactly what we saw him do when he first got to AAA, and then he leveled that out and started mashing the ball. He's made adjustments well at every level, I'd expect that to continue, and I don't believe Stearns is worried more about Super 2 stuff years down the road than what a contending team is doing right now.

 

We know what Saladino can do and it's not an upgrade from Keston that's for sure (offensively at least).

[PeaveyFury]

RE: Hiura - If the Brewers send him down for manipulation of service time when he's clearly an upgrade from what Shaw was providing, it would be completely nonsensical for a team that's trying to compete for a title this year. Yes he's struck out a fair amount but this is exactly what we saw him do when he first got to AAA, and then he leveled that out and started mashing the ball. He's made adjustments well at every level, I'd expect that to continue, and I don't believe Stearns is worried more about Super 2 stuff years down the road than what a contending team is doing right now.

 

We know what Saladino can do and it's not an upgrade from Keston that's for sure (offensively at least).

 

But can what Perez provides right now match or exceed Hiura's production for those three weeks? I think the answer is probably yes...

[brooks_quichenick]

RE: Hiura - If the Brewers send him down for manipulation of service time when he's clearly an upgrade from what Shaw was providing, it would be completely nonsensical for a team that's trying to compete for a title this year. Yes he's struck out a fair amount but this is exactly what we saw him do when he first got to AAA, and then he leveled that out and started mashing the ball. He's made adjustments well at every level, I'd expect that to continue, and I don't believe Stearns is worried more about Super 2 stuff years down the road than what a contending team is doing right now.

 

We know what Saladino can do and it's not an upgrade from Keston that's for sure (offensively at least).

 

But can what Perez provides right now match or exceed Hiura's production for those three weeks? I think the answer is probably yes...

 

Is it really worth it to piss off your top prospect by doing something like that? He's not stupid, he will understand that the Brewers FO would be doing that simply to rob him of future $$$. Pointless when the team is good RIGHT NOW, in my opinion.

[PeaveyFury]

I think how he views it depends on his performance. If he continues to adjust, it will be a tough sell, but he'll also make it less likely that they'll send him down. If he goes through a rough patch, he'll have to understand that performance DOES play a part in it.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

RE: Hiura - If the Brewers send him down for manipulation of service time when he's clearly an upgrade from what Shaw was providing, it would be completely nonsensical for a team that's trying to compete for a title this year. Yes he's struck out a fair amount but this is exactly what we saw him do when he first got to AAA, and then he leveled that out and started mashing the ball. He's made adjustments well at every level, I'd expect that to continue, and I don't believe Stearns is worried more about Super 2 stuff years down the road than what a contending team is doing right now.

 

We know what Saladino can do and it's not an upgrade from Keston that's for sure (offensively at least).

 

But can what Perez provides right now match or exceed Hiura's production for those three weeks? I think the answer is probably yes...

 

Is it really worth it to piss off your top prospect by doing something like that? He's not stupid, he will understand that the Brewers FO would be doing that simply to rob him of future $$$. Pointless when the team is good RIGHT NOW, in my opinion.

 

Rob schmob ... the Brewers are operating within the system the players union agreed to. Hiura is young, but he knows its a business and that's just the way things work. I'm sure he's happy to be up and getting consistent playing time at the ML level, rather than watching Saladino or Spangenberg get those reps, which many expected.

[brooks_quichenick]

Yea, players love that. They're totally happy to have their service time manipulated when they're clearly ready for the Big Leagues. Kris Bryant was notoriously a huge fan of the Cubs doing that to him.

[jerichoholicninja]

Yea, players love that. They're totally happy to have their service time manipulated when they're clearly ready for the Big Leagues. Kris Bryant was notoriously a huge fan of the Cubs doing that to him.

 

Considering every team does it, and while some players have openly complained, no player has come out and said I hate my organization and will hold it against them for doing it. I wouldn't send down Keston for the sake of Super 2. If it got another year of team control I absolutely would though.

[tmwiese55]

On the other hand they did a positive beyond what most teams would have done by bringing him up at all when they did it. That shouldn't be forgotten. Now, if he was raking and sent back down, of course that makes sense to be annoyed by. But so far he's just doing OK so it's not really too outlandish. Just saying them giving him a chance early to rake and stay up is more than what most teams would've done. Many actually might've waited out this whole year then waited until mid April next year to gain the year, essentially what CHC and Tor did for Bryant/Vlad.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I think it's within the Brewers' rights, however, you cannot straight-faced say "We're all in" and then send him down for Travis Shaw to play third.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I think it's within the Brewers' rights, however, you cannot straight-faced say "We're all in" and then send him down for Travis Shaw to play third.

 

Perhaps not this very minute, but if Shaw finds his stroke, I 100% expect him to see regular playing time and take ABs away from Hiura. Why do so many assume that Shaw is either done or non-redeemable? He isn't old, and has been very good the last couple years.

[MrTPlush]

I think it's within the Brewers' rights, however, you cannot straight-faced say "We're all in" and then send him down for Travis Shaw to play third.

 

Yah you can and it wouldn't even rank within the Top 1,000 service time robberies of all time. I am half joking and half wonder how many hundreds of unfair situations are in front of him.

 

Travis Shaw has been one of the better 3B in baseball the past two seasons and has struggled with an injury this year. After some time off and a short rehab stint it really isn't crazy to send down a player who has been mostly average since his promotion. Currently there is no good option to give Shaw another chance without sending Hiura down. They could swap Hiura for Shaw tomorrow and there is no way to know whether they did it because they want to give Shaw another chance or if it is to avoid Super 2 status. No way to know because there is a ton of logic to give Shaw another chance.

 

That being said pointless argument because if they were so worried about Super 2 status they would have never promoted Hiura in the first place and had just waited. Instead they could have promoted a different MI...but they didn't because clearly Super 2 status isn't a huge deal to them.

 

Lets not act like Hiura is being held back or demoted on some terrible team with some journeymen AAAA player blocking him. Travis Shaw was borderline AS level the last two years.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I don't think Shaw is done. In fact I was taking a few punches from a certain someone around here in regards to thinking he is still pretty good but has a problem right now. I just meant that until you have reason to believe Shaw has rediscovered himself, you cannot send Hiura down for him and claim you're "all in."

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I don't think Shaw is done. In fact I was taking a few punches from a certain someone around here in regards to thinking he is still pretty good but has a problem right now. I just meant that until you have reason to believe Shaw has rediscovered himself, you cannot send Hiura down for him and claim you're "all in."

 

I don't think anyone would expect them to do otherwise. He's got time left on his rehab assignment, and options left if he isn't hitting at the end of it. They have time to let Hiura continue to figure out things at the ML level, while allowing Shaw time to figure things out in a less pressure-packed situation. It makes all the sense in the world to let things play out for awhile. I think/hope the poster that speculated that Shaw was pulled from the game was simply joking.

[MrTPlush]

I don't think Shaw is done. In fact I was taking a few punches from a certain someone around here in regards to thinking he is still pretty good but has a problem right now. I just meant that until you have reason to believe Shaw has rediscovered himself, you cannot send Hiura down for him and claim you're "all in."

 

They probably won't and that might be partially why they brought Hiura up before Super 2 (predictive) cutoff. Because they know Shaw will eventually show enough to come back up and prove himself.

 

Last 3 games for what it is worth:

 

1/3 2 BB

0/3 1 BB

2/4

 

Just 1 strikeout in this span

[Brew crew 92]

I don't think Shaw is done. In fact I was taking a few punches from a certain someone around here in regards to thinking he is still pretty good but has a problem right now. I just meant that until you have reason to believe Shaw has rediscovered himself, you cannot send Hiura down for him and claim you're "all in."

 

I don't think anyone would expect them to do otherwise. He's got time left on his rehab assignment, and options left if he isn't hitting at the end of it. They have time to let Hiura continue to figure out things at the ML level, while allowing Shaw time to figure things out in a less pressure-packed situation. It makes all the sense in the world to let things play out for awhile. I think/hope the poster that speculated that Shaw was pulled from the game was simply joking.

 

Doesn’t look like he was joking, Shaw not in the lineup for the missions tonight.

[ThisIsMyCrew]

Travis Shaw is set to rejoin the Brewers after this weekend’s Triple-A series against Omaha, Craig Counsell said. Corresponding move is obviously TBD, but there aren’t a lot of options in the position player group.

 

Guy has done nothing to prove he’s ready to come back. Unless this is for Aguilar this is a joke of a move imo.

[wildcat2237]

Travis Shaw is set to rejoin the Brewers after this weekend’s Triple-A series against Omaha, Craig Counsell said. Corresponding move is obviously TBD, but there aren’t a lot of options in the position player group.

 

Guy has done nothing to prove he’s ready to come back. Unless this is for Aguilar this is a joke of a move imo.

 

Agreed. My understanding is that Shaw has two options left.

 

Why the Brewers would decide not to burn one and make Shaw prove something is beyond me. He was terrible for 6 weeks before the IL stint. He was terrible on the rehab stint.

 

I highly doubt he returns to the big leagues and starts raking.

[TURBO]

Would this team be better with just having Perez play 2B? *Ducks...

 

Hiura is one of the top prospects in the world and had an .800+ OPS like two days ago.

 

This wasn’t a shot at Keston. I’m a big fan and believe he will be a great hitter eventually. Perez with defense and base running could bring stability to that position that he may not be ready for yet. In a post season run that may be something we need.

 

Perez being a regular post season starter would mean something bad happened to someone... I want nothing to do with Perez being a regular starter now, or in the playoffs. He already starts too much for my liking...

[folly412]

Travis Shaw is set to rejoin the Brewers after this weekend’s Triple-A series against Omaha, Craig Counsell said. Corresponding move is obviously TBD, but there aren’t a lot of options in the position player group.

 

Guy has done nothing to prove he’s ready to come back. Unless this is for Aguilar this is a joke of a move imo.

 

Aguilar's right quad is tightening up as we speak. The Phantom IL is set to receive him.