Sal Frelick - Our Steven Kwan?

[DR28]

Anyone less with me on this, that Sal Frelick has every chance to be our version of Steven Kwan from the Guardians?

I honestly believe Frelick will win the LF job, moving Yelich to DH... And Frelick/Yelich will sit 1-2 in our 2023 OD lineup.

[SF70]

31 minutes ago, DR28 said:

Anyone less with me on this, that Sal Frelick has every chance to be our version of Steven Kwan from the Guardians?

I honestly believe Frelick will win the LF job, moving Yelich to DH... And Frelick/Yelich will sit 1-2 in our 2023 OD lineup.

Kwan is a good comp for Frelick, absolutely. Speed, defense and BTB all similar, with Frelick stronger and more potential for future power.

Hoping Frelick is in the lineup OD. I’d probably have it Frelick—Mitchell—TT, L to R, and bring Wiemer up late April to replace TT.

[Brewcrew82]

29 minutes ago, SF70 said:

Kwan is a good comp for Frelick, absolutely. Speed, defense and BTB all similar, with Frelick stronger and more potential for future power.

Hoping Frelick is in the lineup OD. I’d probably have it Frelick—Mitchell—TT, L to R, and bring Wiemer up late April to replace TT.

Agreed that the Kwan comp is spot-on for Frelick. 

However, we need to be careful about relying on too many rookies for starting roles next season. Frelick is probably the safest candidate to be a key contributor due to his elite contact skills, but Mitchell and Wiemer come with a lot of swing and miss and could experience their fair share of struggles. So, I wouldn't automatically pencil in Wiemer to the lineup starting in late April for an all-rookie starting OF. The tea leaves do seem to be indicating that Renfroe is on the way out, but that still leaves Yelich and Taylor to see the majority of the playing time at one of the outfield spots. As much as we would prefer it, Yelich is probably not going to be the full-time DH. 

[Robocaller]

Kwan is a good comp, his 2021 was similar to Frelick's 2022, though Frelick was a year younger. I'd be quite happy if Frelick could hit .298 in 2023.

Since they didn't promote him at the end of 2022, I think the Brewers will be cheap and delay his promotion until they have him for another year.

And keeping Renfroe would be wise; they can make room by trading Taylor..

[UpandIn]

3 hours ago, DR28 said:

Anyone less with me on this, that Sal Frelick has every chance to be our version of Steven Kwan from the Guardians?

I honestly believe Frelick will win the LF job, moving Yelich to DH... And Frelick/Yelich will sit 1-2 in our 2023 OD lineup.

I can definitely see the comp. Obviously you don't expect a rookie to produce quite like Kwan did this past year, but their obviously similar players. 

I also wouldn't hit them 1-2...though the would seem to fit in terms of BA/OBP and lack of power atop the order, you don't really want to lead off with two lefties with similar profiles. It'd be great if with the shift Yelich could hit for a little better BA, obviously more power from him would be great. 

[UpandIn]

2 hours ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Agreed that the Kwan comp is spot-on for Frelick. 

However, we need to be careful about relying on too many rookies for starting roles next season. Frelick is probably the safest candidate to be a key contributor due to his elite contact skills, but Mitchell and Wiemer come with a lot of swing and miss and could experience their fair share of struggles. So, I wouldn't automatically pencil in Wiemer to the lineup starting in late April for an all-rookie starting OF. The tea leaves do seem to be indicating that Renfroe is on the way out, but that still leaves Yelich and Taylor to see the majority of the playing time at one of the outfield spots. As much as we would prefer it, Yelich is probably not going to be the full-time DH. 

Wiemer needs to get regular at bats when he plays. His swing has a lot of moving parts and I agree, he could definitely struggle. 

I'd let Wiemer force their hand and then when they bring him up, he should be playing 5 times a week at least. Luckily he's capable of playing all 3 OF spots(RF obviously the best fit). I hope they don't non-tender Renfroe. He feels like the perfect bridge for Wiemer. He only has ~40 games in AAA and he struggled in AA, probably due to an injury, but still, for a number of reasons, he should start the year in AAA baring some injury or unless he just impresses so much in STing that he forces his way in. 

[Brewcrew82]

6 minutes ago, UpandIn said:

Wiemer needs to get regular at bats when he plays. His swing has a lot of moving parts and I agree, he could definitely struggle. 

I'd let Wiemer force their hand and then when they bring him up, he should be playing 5 times a week at least. Luckily he's capable of playing all 3 OF spots(RF obviously the best fit). I hope they don't non-tender Renfroe. He feels like the perfect bridge for Wiemer. He only has ~40 games in AAA and he struggled in AA, probably due to an injury, but still, for a number of reasons, he should start the year in AAA baring some injury or unless he just impresses so much in STing that he forces his way in. 

Agreed. I think Wiemer needs more time in the minors after playing through injury the majority of the season. Hopefully, his AAA numbers are indicative of him being healthy and ready to start next season strong. He's definitely the prototype for a modern-day right fielder. 

I also agree that they should keep Renfroe as the perfect bridge to Wiemer. Unfortunately, the rumors have been that the team is looking to deal him to clear up salary. I wonder if that is now made more likely by the fact that they exercised Wong's option....It would be a real shame, as Renfroe was our only regular hitter to OPS over .800 this year....

[UpandIn]

24 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Agreed. I think Wiemer needs more time in the minors after playing through injury the majority of the season. Hopefully, his AAA numbers are indicative of him being healthy and ready to start next season strong. He's definitely the prototype for a modern-day right fielder. 

I also agree that they should keep Renfroe as the perfect bridge to Wiemer. Unfortunately, the rumors have been that the team is looking to deal him to clear up salary. I wonder if that is now made more likely by the fact that they exercised Wong's option....It would be a real shame, as Renfroe was our only regular hitter to OPS over .800 this year....

Yeah, I don't get that. Wiemer with his long kinda funky swing seems like it could take some time to adjust.

I agree, he's the prototypical RFer with that size, speed, power and arm strength, but...the swing and miss and the questionable hit tool is the difference between a superstar and Lewis Brinson.

We're also just not very good vs lefties, so it would seem you'd be better served to hang onto Renfroe and look to move Wong. Maybe that's what they'll do. Or maybe it's 11/14 and we should give Arnold some time to actually put the team together!

[DR28]

18 hours ago, Robocaller said:

Kwan is a good comp, his 2021 was similar to Frelick's 2022, though Frelick was a year younger. I'd be quite happy if Frelick could hit .298 in 2023.

Since they didn't promote him at the end of 2022, I think the Brewers will be cheap and delay his promotion until they have him for another year.

And keeping Renfroe would be wise; they can make room by trading Taylor..

We need to be aggressive with our prospects at some point.... If Sal is indeed legit, he could be a game changer for us hitting leadoff and getting on base.

[Hacksaw Jim Duggan]

I like the Kwan comparison to Frelick.  I hope Frelick gets an opportunity next year.  I am all for an outfield of Renfroe, Mitchell/Taylor, and Yelich/Frelick.  With Wiemer being groomed for Renfroe's free agent departure next year.  There is nothing wrong with depending on young players to produce.  Some will ultimately fail but others will make it.  This is how many small market teams operate.  Keeps the roster young and cheap.  The next two years are going to be nearly a complete revamp of the offense.  Going to be a lot of home-grown talent on the field.  

[Hacksaw Jim Duggan]

Promote the youngsters.  Remember there is a guy in double AA that could pick up any outfield short comings.  Depending what the FO thinks of Chourio's performance this year, he might be the reason why Renfroe is traded.  Wiemer gets a year to prove himself and if not Jackson Chourio is next up.

[wibadgers23]

Yeah these guys are all high draft picks and have produced in the minors.  It's time to see what they can do in the big leagues.  I have no problem keeping Renfroe around but Mitchell and Frelick should be given every opportunity to start OD.

[DR28]

14 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

Yeah these guys are all high draft picks and have produced in the minors.  It's time to see what they can do in the big leagues.  I have no problem keeping Renfroe around but Mitchell and Frelick should be given every opportunity to start OD.

Agreed we need to keep Renfroe, need his power bat.

Frelick in LF, Mitchell/Taylor platoon in CF.

[MVP2110]

Frelick played in 46 games in AAA, Wiemer in 43. Give them a chance to earn a spot sure but there is no need to rush them either.

[Brewcrew82]

3 minutes ago, MVP2110 said:

Frelick played in 46 games in AAA, Wiemer in 43. Give them a chance to earn a spot sure but there is no need to rush them either.

With how thoroughly Frelick beat up on AAA pitching and how advanced his hit tool is, it's not rushing him to bring him up opening day. 

[DR28]

10 minutes ago, MVP2110 said:

Frelick played in 46 games in AAA, Wiemer in 43. Give them a chance to earn a spot sure but there is no need to rush them either.

Frelick needs to be our OD LF... I agree on Wiemer tho, give him til AS break in AAA.

Need Frelick and Yelich to be table setters for Adames, Tellez and Renfroe.

[reillymcshane]

Kwan was a 5+ WAR player last season. If Frelick and come up and do half of that it's a nice start. 

I think Frelick (LF), Mitchell (CF) and Renfroe (RF) with Taylor and maybe Ruiz in reserve is a nice group. Defense would be massively better than last year.

Move Yelich to 1B/DH - along with Rowdy. Basically let the better fielder of the two play in the field - the other guy goes to DH. 

[Hacksaw Jim Duggan]

An outfield with Frelick, Mitchell and Ruiz in it could lead to the resigning of a Burnes, Woodruff, or Adames.  Could also include Turang replacing either Wong or Urias.  Free up lots of money for a few years.

[UpandIn]

13 hours ago, Hacksaw Jim Duggan said:

I like the Kwan comparison to Frelick.  I hope Frelick gets an opportunity next year.  I am all for an outfield of Renfroe, Mitchell/Taylor, and Yelich/Frelick.  With Wiemer being groomed for Renfroe's free agent departure next year.  There is nothing wrong with depending on young players to produce.  Some will ultimately fail but others will make it.  This is how many small market teams operate.  Keeps the roster young and cheap.  The next two years are going to be nearly a complete revamp of the offense.  Going to be a lot of home-grown talent on the field.  

We're clearly going to...I think it's just a question of when Frelick comes up. It's both hard to justify not breaking STing with him, but...also, small market team, extra year of control vs 6 weeks of not having him?

Cleveland made it work with a very young team last year, so...no reason we can't. We need some more BP help like Uribe coming through or...I don't know, a FA. The guys I thought might be expensive, but in or price range turned out to be more expensive and signed immediately in Montero and Suarez. 

[Hacksaw Jim Duggan]

We're clearly going to...I think it's just a question of when Frelick comes up. It's both hard to justify not breaking STing with him, but...also, small market team, extra year of control vs 6 weeks of not having him?

Cleveland made it work with a very young team last year, so...no reason we can't. We need some more BP help like Uribe coming through or...I don't know, a FA. The guys I thought might be expensive, but in or price range turned out to be more expensive and signed immediately in Montero and Suarez. 

 

 

I agree.  A good thing about a small market team is the rapid change over in the roster, next man up mentality.  No team ever stays together very long.  Puts an emphasis on trading/developing talent.  But I am very surprised at the cost of talented relievers this year.  Looking at what Suarez and Montero received things might get costly for the Brewers to rebuild the bullpen this year.  I think the Brewers might sign a lot of reclamation projects.  I hope it works out.  

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm generally loathe to compare any prospect to one of the most successful rookies of a recent season.

Frelick has the tools and upside to post Kwan-like numbers but I feel even saying that just sets up people for disappointment not only when he debuts but when he likely stumbles at some point down the road.

[Roderick]

On 11/14/2022 at 2:30 PM, Robocaller said:

And keeping Renfroe would be wise; they can make room by trading Taylor..

I don't see trading Taylor because he is pre-arby pay.  He is the insurance policy on the young guys, that allows them to go back to AAA and get more at bats if needed. 

My hope is that Frelick LF, Mitchell CF, Renfroe RF, with Taylor as 4th OF and Yelich gets 5th OF time. 

Then if Frelick or Mitchell aren't ready, then Taylor gets more starts.  If Wiemer is killing them in AAA, and Frelick and Mitchell are holding their own in the majors, I will gladly take that problem and work it out.

[MVP2110]

6 hours ago, Roderick said:

I don't see trading Taylor because he is pre-arby pay.  He is the insurance policy on the young guys, that allows them to go back to AAA and get more at bats if needed. 

My hope is that Frelick LF, Mitchell CF, Renfroe RF, with Taylor as 4th OF and Yelich gets 5th OF time. 

Then if Frelick or Mitchell aren't ready, then Taylor gets more starts.  If Wiemer is killing them in AAA, and Frelick and Mitchell are holding their own in the majors, I will gladly take that problem and work it out.

Yelich is the highest paid player on the team and is still a good hitter(111 OPS+), he'll be in the lineup

[DR28]

48 minutes ago, MVP2110 said:

Yelich is the highest paid player on the team and is still a good hitter(111 OPS+), he'll be in the lineup

Better watch it around here with that talk!!! Dont you know that Yelich is complete garbage now.

[Robocaller]

7 hours ago, MVP2110 said:

Yelich is the highest paid player on the team and is still a good hitter(111 OPS+), he'll be in the lineup

I think he was suggesting Yelich will be a part time outfielder and most-or-half of the time DH,, not that he will sit 100 games.