7/19/2004 - Brewers (Hendrickson) @ Reds (Harang)

[brewcrewkid14]

Crew Welcomes Back Hendrickson

 

CHICAGO -- The Brewers' top pitching prospect is on his way back to the Majors, and this time it could be for good.

Following Sunday's 4-2 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the team announced that 23-year-old right-hander Ben Hendrickson had been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis and will start Monday in Cincinnati. To make room on the roster, infielder Matt Erickson was sent back to Indy.

 

"It's going to be Hendrickson," general manager Doug Melvin confirmed.

 

Hendrickson, a Minnesota native selected by the Brewers in the 10th round of the 1999 draft, made a spot start for the Brewers on June 2 when Ben Sheets was sidelined by dizzy spells. He surrendered four runs on seven hits in five innings of a 5-2 loss at Dodger Stadium.

 

"He's a kid that's not an overpowering guy," Yost said. "He spots his fastball and has a tremendous curveball. He's got a chance to be a good pitcher."

 

 

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"You know what was good for him? He made one start against the Dodgers, came up, saw what it was like, and then went down and got on a roll."

-- Ned Yost on Ben Hendrickson

 

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At Triple-A Indianapolis, Hendrickson enjoyed much more success. He is 8-2 with a league-leading 2.27 ERA in 17 starts and was the International League's starting pitcher in last week's Triple-A All-Star Game.

 

"You know what was good for him?" Yost said. "He made one start against the Dodgers, came up, saw what it was like, and then went down and got on a roll. ... You put so much emphasis in your mind on how good these Major League hitters are [and wonder], 'Can I compete?'

 

"Then you pitch against them, and even though he lost, I think he went back with it in his mind that, 'Yeah these guys are good, but I can get them out.' He took that experience and confidence back with him to Triple-A and got on a roll."

 

Hendrickson replaces right-hander Wes Obermueller, who went 3-5 with a 6.69 ERA and was demoted to Triple-A. Because the Brewers are in a long stretch without a day off, Hendrickson will not have to worry about pitching on the irregular schedule that plagued Obermueller.

 

The team had other chances to call up Hendrickson, rated the Brewers' eighth-best prospect by Baseball America. But until Sheets' sudden unavailability created an emergency, Yost and Melvin instead used reliever Matt Wise in a pair of spot starts.

 

"If we were going to do it, I wanted it to be in a position where [Hendrickson] would get four or five or six starts and get his feet on the ground a little bit," Yost said.

 

One worry about Hendrickson is that his curveball may be too good. His fastball tops out in the upper 80-mph range but he throws a hard, sweeping curve that has so much break, Yost noticed home plate umpire Mike Dimuro bailing on it early in Los Angeles and calling it a ball.

 

"When we take the lineup cards up we remind the umps that, 'Hey, this kid has a really big, hard, snapping curveball. Just stay with it, please,'" Yost said.

 

Behind the plate: Yost said he would wait until Monday to determine if Chad Moeller or Gary Bennett would handle catching duties. Bennett handled Hendrickson in his earlier start and also caught Obermueller's games, but he is batting .177 in 40 games including his current 0-for-13 slump.

 

Name game: When Hendrickson returns, he will make clubhouse chatter even more confusing. Five Brewers go by the nickname 'Benny:' Hendrickson, Bennett, outfielder Ben Grieve and pitchers Ben Sheets and Jeff Bennett.

 

Start talking: Left-hander Doug Davis confirmed Sunday that he is interested in a multi-year contract with the Brewers that would avoid salary arbitration.

 

"I don't know a lot of people who wouldn't be open to that," Davis said. "Doug [Melvin] knows that I want to stay here for a couple years, and they figure they can save some money by avoiding arbitration. It sounds like a good deal."

 

Davis is 9-7 this season with a 3.53 ERA and has emerged as a solid No. 2 starter behind Sheets. He and his agent, Steve Canter, opted to renew Davis' contract last winter at $450,000.

 

Sheets, who makes $2.45 million this year, is eligible for his second year of arbitration after this season. Entering Sunday's game, Brewers starters were 34-31 with an impressive 3.92 ERA.

 

"I'm a totally different pitcher than the other four guys, but there's something there. I don't know if you'd call it competing, but we're feeding off each other. It's all about being successful. I think we've got guys who are fun to watch.

 

"If I could get a two- or three-year deal, I would be the happiest guy in the world."

 

In comparison: Going into game No. 90, the Brewers were 46-43 versus their 37-52 mark last year. The overall staff ERA is 3.86 versus 5.00 at this point last year. But the offense has not been as good, batting .255 with 74 home runs and 379 runs scored. That represents a two-point drop in average, 35 fewer homers and 37 fewer runs.

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Well, Hendrickson will try to make a better start than his first one. Here's to hoping he gets more support than Big Ben.

 

GO CREW!

[rluzinski]

Scary to think what the Brewer's record would be with the offense from last year.

 

Come on Scotty and Jenks!

[obobo55]

Quote:

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That represents a two-point drop in average, 35 fewer homers and 37 fewer runs.

---

 

We said coming in that the biggest difference was going to come in the power category. Well it appears that is ALL there is to it. 35 fewer HRs correspond to the 37 fewer runs nearly exactly.

 

Just thought that was too amazing not to comment on...

[SlideBernieSlide]

A note for Mr. Hendrickson...

 

Dear Lil Ben,

Welcome back! Please don't forget the simple things I'm sure you know. For example, change speeds (you're good at that) it keeps even big leaguers off-balance, don't try and be too fine with your pitches that's what hurt the guy you're replacing. Just trust your stuff. It's gotten you here. May the minor leagues only be a fading memory in your mind from this day forwrad. Go get em'! You've earned it!

 

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/2004/06/03/En9QcatO.jpg

[Member]

No TV tonight, right?

[squarepusher]

That's right, only radio tonight.

 

---

 

Welcome back, for good, Ben!... This day's been much anticipated by everyone here.

[ja002h]

Still only 1 loss back in the WC race...

[Member]

Thanks, Brian.

 

Good luck Ben.

[burniebrewer]

Today is the last day of the free MLB Extra Innings preview and they have the game listed as being televised. Will it not be on in our market? I know we've discussed all of the blackout rules before and I'm not sure how they actually apply, but if you're home tonight it's worth a look to see if it's on in your area.

 

 

EDIT: My bad, it was discussed in another thread that the game wouldn't be on tonight. That rule sucks.

[tlpc4]

They actually have 383 runs. With 383 runs scored and 391 runs allowed they should have a record of 44-46. Which I believe means that they have been lucky to win 47 games.

 

Ironically if you add 35 runs scored (last years offense) they should have a record of 48-42.

 

In conclusion, luck has made up for this years offensive drop.

 

Hell, I don't know what I am talking about. I just love that pythagorean winning percentage formula. link

[DrugBust]

In conclusion, luck has made up for this years offensive drop.

 

Or a really good pitching staff.

[JoeHova]

I think having Bennett catch Lil Ben's 1st game was a huge mistake. Bennett can't block balls in the dirt, thus Ben couldn't throw his curve out of the zone and he got hammered. If Moeller catches tonight, I think he'll pitch well. If its Bennett, Ben'll get knocked around.

[DHonks]

thus Ben couldn't throw his curve out of the zone and he got hammered.

 

Ben threw great curves at the belt that froze several hitters for apparent strike 3's, only they were called balls. Then on the next pitch they got hits. Can't fault him. And, he never got hammered. They didn't hit him hard at all.

[Brewer Fever]

Bill Hall must play!

 

6 for 9 versus Harang with 3 doubles, 1 homer, and 5 RBI.

 

If he doesn't play tonight it's a traveshamockery.

[SlideBernieSlide]

I'd love to see Chad catch Lil Ben, also. Not only for the reasons mentioned above, but also because Bennett's bat has no business in a line-up 40% of the time. Although, I know Moeller isn't much of an upgrade, he is a tad better.

 

But remember we have a day game on Tuesday with Doug Davis pitching. Moeller always catches Doug, so I'd be surprised if Yost gives Moeller a night game start followed by a day game. Maybe this time Gary will know what he's catching and just how lethal the Hendrickson curveball is.

 

But given that Ned said yesterday that he hadn't decided who'll catch Hendrickson may be a sign that Moeller would get the assignment?

[ja002h]

Wow, he really said he wasn't sure yet? That's fantastic, maybe he's (slowly) coming around!

[danzig6767]

That blows the game isn't on TV,it has to fall on a day lil Ben is pitching instead of a day Obie was pitching.

[SlideBernieSlide]

Yeah. There was a little blurb about who'd catch Lil Ben on the Brewers MLB page..."Yost said he would wait until Monday to determine if Chad Moeller or Gary Bennett would handle catching duties. Bennett handled Hendrickson in his earlier start and also caught Obermueller's games, but he is batting .177 in 40 games including his current 0-for-13 slump."

 

Also, it'll be nice to see each team have the opportunity to showcase their top Triple A starters in this series. Milwaukee with Hendrickson tonight and Cincy with LHP Brandon Claussen on Tuesday afternoon. I'm interested to see how both pitch.

[jwaltz]

Hopefully Hendrickson wins and Claussen loses.

[ja002h]

Today's lineups are brought to you by Gary "Just happy to be getting a ML paycheck" Bennett.

 MILWAUKEE CINCINNATI AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI Scott Podsednik CF .255 9 27 Ryan Freel CF .279 1 16 Craig Counsell SS .250 2 14 Barry Larkin SS .296 5 34 Geoff Jenkins LF .250 13 51 Sean Casey 1B .341 15 55 Lyle Overbay 1B .344 10 62 Adam Dunn LF .264 26 56 Bill Hall 2B .249 5 30 D'Angelo Jimenez 2B .269 6 29 Keith Ginter 3B .258 10 35 Wily Mo Pena RF .289 12 34 Brady Clark RF .273 4 23 Jason Larue C .229 9 30 Gary Bennett C .177 1 9 Juan Castro 3B .277 1 10 Ben Hendrickson RHP .000 0 0 Aaron Harang RHP .037 0 0 (0-1, 7.20) (5-2, 4.25) 

[RoseBowlMtg]

Alright this might be interesting listening to Bob and Jim and seeing what other Brewerfans have to say about the game. I believe yesterday was a huge momentum boost game for many which will get them going for the rest of the year. Is that high hopes enough?

[Ennder]

I don't think RS and RA really works for judging records. If you take out the brewers fifth pitcher from the stats I bet our RA is just about right where it should be. We just really get blown out bad a lot with that 5th starter. This of course happens to many teams but not all of the teams.

[DHonks]

I don't think RS and RA really works for judging records

 

kind of obvious thus far. entering the 2nd half, the brewers and reds were over .500 but had allowed more than they'd scored, but the Astros were at .500 and has scored quite a bit more than they'd allowed

[homer]

Anybody listening via the net? Is it just me or can you only get the Cincy feed?

[rluzinski]

This may be over soon, by the look of things.

 

Bases loaded and 1 out..... come on double play!!

 

EDIT: 2 run single.... ughhhhh. Is this Ben Hendrickson or Diggins http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif