DDSM (Double Diamond Sports Management)

[agent39]

Wow, it's been a long time since I've been here. I just got my login information from the admin and Ill do my best to revive a dead thread.

 

I currently only have Taylor Green Brandon Diaz and Alan Sharkey in the system. I still have many former Brewers that we all remember (Jeffress, Brantley, Ford, etc) Some have made it some didnt. I no longer work with Jalen Harris but remain a friend and after the Zach Kroenke fiasco after 9 years we too parted ways. On to happier topics

 

I have a new podcast on Itunes and though my blog is retired sans my once a year Kurt Cobain musing however my baseball prospectus column has returned

 

https://baseballprospectus.com/news/index.php?author=185

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/joshua-kusnick-show/id763189955?mt=2

 

Looking forward to interacting with all the great brewer fans here.

 

Regards

 

J

 

JoshuaKusnick@aol.com

@JoshuaKusnick

[splitterpfj]

Folks, I just got off the phone with Josh....prepare for the return of, "Agent 39."

 

Josh will begin posting here again soon - he's got a lot going on with the draft approaching, but he said to tell everyone hello.

 

Among others, Josh represents current Brewers farmhands Taylor Green, Brandon Diaz, and Jeremy Jeffress.

[agent39]

was asked to rejoin the discussion thread yesterday. Im more than available anytime via twitter,bp,or here.

 

regards

J

[splitterpfj]

To refresh, "Agent 39" is a professional agent, who represents about 20 pro baseball players. Among his clients are Michael Brantley, Taylor Green, Jeremy Jeffress, and Brandon Diaz.

 

Josh is an approachable, fun guy, who is more than willing to talk baseball, whether it's the business side, or the history of the game.

 

If you have a question or a comment for him...fire away.

[3and2Fastball]

Hi Josh

 

I recognize every player is different and an individual, but how many of the players that you represent get professional instruction on hitting/pitching/fielding during the offseason and if so where? Is there a particular hitting instructor who has had the most success developing players that you represent?

 

I'm always intrigued with how players attempt to elevate their game from year to year especially in the offseason.

[Mass Haas]

Hi Josh.

 

Zach Kroenke was just signed by the Nationals out of indy ball.

 

During the offseason, we posted this about Kroenke --

 

LHP Zach Kroenke has pitched well in the Dominican Republic this winter -- earlier this fall, his agent (Joshua Kusnick -- known to many as agent39 here), tweeted that Kroenke was sleeping on a very fine offer from the Brewers. Apparently Kroenke didn't think the offer was "that" fine (and maybe would have preferred it being kept quiet), and that helped spark one of the more interesting twitter conversations of the offseason.

 

***

 

I respect quite a bit about your openness with fans, but is this one case where maybe it should have waited until the ink was dry?

 

Congrats on the Michael Brantley deal (and your cut ) -- I listen to and read a ton of national MLB outlets, and it's pretty fair to say there is universal respect for the young man both on and off the field, very nice he's been loyal to you as well all these years.

[agent39]

BrandonDiaz trains with eric hosmer, deven Marrero, and Adrian nieto. I think being in the environment helps for sure especially the younger kids

[agent39]

Mr. Kroenke made what I thought to be a very poor decision in declining the Brewers offer figuring the market would be quite unkind to him. Sadly I was right but I am happy he found a home. He got bad advice from someone to turn down what Mil had offered after a historically bad season at his age but it was his decision. I was quite disappointed to have been correct in his market evaluation. Short answer. Should have taken Milwaukees deal.

[Mass Haas]

BitB Interview with Josh Kusnick – “Then one day, a player said, ‘If you buy me a glove, you’re my agent.’”

 

Very good read with many Brewers references...

 

We learn there never really was a decision by Cleveland to be made in the Brantley/Green PTBNL debate --

 

“The deal was, if the Brewers missed the playoffs, the Player to be Named would be Taylor Green, who is another one of my guys, and if the Brewers made the playoffs, it was Michael Brantley."

[agent39]

There was great reluctance to include Michael. I know there was never a choice

[MadScientist]

In the article, you mention that you wished Brandon Diaz could play second, but they put him in center. What was the reasoning behind the position switch?

[TooLiveBrew]

Josh, I hope you see this -- can you elaborate at all about Taylor Green's opt-out clause in his contract? There's some discussion on the MLB forum here & no one really has definitive answers.

[DoubleSwitch]

Between you and Tony Blengino there's two guys with Brewers connections writing some awesome stuff for those of us who love to get a peak at the business side of things. I really appreciate how forthcoming you are about this stuff.

 

I was wondering if your podcast is still going on? The link above didn't work and I couldn't find it searching through the itunes store.

[agent39]

Josh, I hope you see this -- can you elaborate at all about Taylor Green's opt-out clause in his contract? There's some discussion on the MLB forum here & no one really has definitive answers.

 

I cant. What is the confusion?

 

Thanks

 

J

[agent39]

Between you and Tony Blengino there's two guys with Brewers connections writing some awesome stuff for those of us who love to get a peak at the business side of things. I really appreciate how forthcoming you are about this stuff.

 

I was wondering if your podcast is still going on? The link above didn't work and I couldn't find it searching through the itunes store.

 

 

I am trying to bring it back but I need to find a suitable co-host who can handle the technical stuff and running it on ITunes.

 

thanks for reading/listening

 

J

[agent39]

In the article, you mention that you wished Brandon Diaz could play second, but they put him in center. What was the reasoning behind the position switch?

 

Well he played CF his sr year which led to him turning into a draft guy very late. He's good and has a very high upside but he was a 2b and a very good one. I think the brewers are reluctant to "waste" his plus arm strength and speed at second though I think he profiles extremely well at 2b. There are not a ton of R/R CF in the major leagues and he doesn't profile in the corners so it's CF or bust.

[TooLiveBrew]

Josh, I hope you see this -- can you elaborate at all about Taylor Green's opt-out clause in his contract? There's some discussion on the MLB forum here & no one really has definitive answers.

 

I cant. What is the confusion?

 

Thanks

 

J

Confusion at the time I posted was whether or not it was a pure opt-out clause, in the sense that he could immediately sign with any other organization, or if the opt-out clause was conditional on being signed to another org's 25-man roster.

[splitterpfj]

Josh, I think you're right, Brandon Diaz is better than people think.

[agent39]

Diaz is a top 5 guy in the system

[homer]

What's Brent Brewer up to?

[igor67]

What I'd like to know is what in the world did PECOTA see in Diaz's stat line to rate him so highly? It was a solid line, and while he was young he wasn't that young, his BB and Ks were respectable, SB were there but nothing special. Not that I'm complaining, but in the article or chat after they released the PECOTA top 100 I even remember the BP folks backing away from the Diaz placement, since PECOTA has no scouting information.

[agent39]

Brent may head to cfl and brandon is legitimately a top 100 mlb prospect.

[Noche]

Brent may head to cfl and brandon is legitimately a top 100 mlb prospect.

 

For me, I absolutely put more stock into what Josh says about a guy, even his own, than any of the national prospect writers. And for people inexperienced with Josh, you probably think I am crazy, I get it.

 

Super exciting stuff and great job the Brewers to find this guy.

[Noche]

Josh, why didn't Brandon Diaz start at full season ball this year?

[agent39]

should have some news coming up soon regarding my Milwaukee guys. Also a new BP story is coming out this week and if anyone is in Minny Ill be at the futures game