Next to the Bigs, 2008 Minor league surprise

[wvpowerblkwel]

We've all talked about what is a prospect, who are the top 20, or top 3, for a different topic of discussion, along the same lines if you can say that....Who does everyone think the next guy to reach the bigs for let's say 30 games or more ala Yo, Braun, or even with another big league squad as Joe Thatcher did last year (he was by the way my pick to reach the bigs after Yo last year!). Also, who will be the next big surprise in the minor league system such as, say the numbers Zach Braddock put up early last year? Anyone want to weigh in? I need to think about this for a couple days, but I thought it'd be something else for us to talk about until pitchers and catchers report! What do you learned guys in this forum think?

[colbyjack]

Since Parra and Stetter have already had a taste of the big-leagues, I'll go with Lou Palmisano.

 

 

 

Surprise player goes to Efrain Nieves. It's a little harder for me to comment on that right now since I'm currently compiling the fan top 20 prospect list, and there are quite a few players that received votes for the top 20. Nieves wasn't one of them. He had the best K rate on the Baby Brewers, and received a bump up to Helena for the playoffs. You may not see him in WV until 2009, but I'm predicting him to be light's out at Helena this year.

 

 

 

For your own interests wvpowerblkwel, Eric Farris is going to tear up WV.

[tigerbrew]

I will go with Derek Miller.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Ok, so it didn't take a couple days to make up my mind. My minor league pick to click this year is a Lefty reliever out of Rice, Bobby Bramhall. I watched how off balance he kept hitters down here, and seemed to be a pretty cerebral pitcher. Didn't do anything flashy, but really seems to know HOW to pitch, plus having the college experience he has, I think he will move quickly in an organization where we seem to be less than content with the relief pitchers in the system. On the big league side, I think Palmisano is probably the man there, but I'm not so sure that if Angel stays clean after finishing the suspension and continues his 2007 comeback, he might get at least a sniff. Seems like the catcher slot is something the Brewers definitely know they need to address, but they certainly spent there $4.25 mill for a guy that doesn't do that much for me.

[DrWood]

for the surprise player to be in mlb I'd pick Laporta.

[Brian the Automator]

I'll say Steve Bray is next to the bigs.

[dadofandrew]

Zach Jackson, though it may not be as a Brewers' pitcher.

[pogokat]

First to the majors? I think Brendan Katin could see some time in the bigs this year...possibly during interleague...

[ILuvDaBush]

I think one half of our "other" double play combo is going to be the first up, either The Hurricane or Escobar, as I could see Rickie or JJ succumbing to the injury bug and the Brews wanting to get a feel for them. As for the Out-Of-Nowhere prediction, I'll go with Mike Bell. I remember when we drafted him, I was excited. And while he hasn't lived up to my expectations, I just have a feeling about this year.

[sbrylski]

I'm not the most well versed on the lower levels, so I'll just make a wild prediction that Jon Lucroy has a monster year in the SAL (something like .340/.415/.550), a mid season bump to A+, and shoots to #2 on the P50 behind LaPorta, who gets time with the big league club in September.

 

 

 

For first "prospect" to make a Milwaukee appearance, I'll say our 1st round pick next June. You know how they have them come and tour the stadium and such...

 

 

 

Roster-wise, I'll make another crazy guess and say Yohannis Perez. Last year he had to shake off the rust after not playing for two seasons. If he starts well in AA, maybe he gets a look for AAA or a cup in the big leagues if we get some injuries.

[JohnBriggs12]

I'll say Ozzie Chavez. He's not the prospect that Escobar is, but he's more advanced, a solid defender and he progressed with the bat in 07.

 

 

 

By and large though if either Hardy or Weeks goes down for a length of time (a month or more), that spells trouble. The dropoff to Counsell is pronounced. I think they'd have to make a deal or shift Hall to that spot and go with Dillon at third.

[twobrewers]

2008 Minor League Suprise

Zach Braddock

(Maybe not fair because he had some injuries. But I think by the end of the season he is in the Power 50 top 10)

 

Next to Bigs

Hernan Iribarren

(In case of injury he could play a pretty big role yet this year)

[pogokat]

If Zach was healthy, he might be top 5...Zach's a hoss...

[wvpowerblkwel]

Scary thing is Zach was really starting to get in a rythm and seemed in control of things when he got injured. He is a guy that I think once his confidence kicks in and he realizes how good he truly can be, he will dominate. Still just a kid, but if he is healthy I see him as a potential very quick climber! Only reason I didn't pick him as my surprise is that after the way he dominated early last year, not much surprise...I mean 68 strikeouts in 47 innings....what does that project out to over 200 innings.....290 k's!!!!...and he was just getting started!!

[twobrewers]

If Zach was healthy, he might be top 5...Zach's a hoss...

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

See, I told you I would get caught cheating!

 

Honestly, all I did was look at the Power 50 and try to figure out which player I expected to rise the most spots in 2008. Seeing that Zach is currently at #18 - he was kind of a no brainer.

[chowyo123]

I'll say Mark Rogers for my surprise as he seemed to be making progress before his injury.

[Gopher74]

My "click to pick" this year in the minors is Mark Rogers. I'll admit, this one's more wishful because if we can get him back on the fast track, possible have him dominate A+, then move up to AA at the break, he could be a late season '09 BP arm, and a candidate for the '10 rotation.

 

My pick to make it to the bigs next is Luis Pena sometimes in August. Of course, I think Parra will be up earlier, but how much fun is that? So after Parra, Pena.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Just for some fun, I thought I'd dig this thread back out of the trash heap and see what anyone has to add. It's always fun to look back at what all the experts had to say back when the snow was still flying. I'd like to see you guys add this as a pre-spring training fixture every year, so we can look back and see how our "opinions" (for which mine have not pleased a few folks on the board this year) pan out! Anyone got a pick for next year's Minor league surprise?

[battlekow]

Nice calls with Bramhall and Salome, John, and I think twobrewers wins by calling Iribarren to the bigs, though that didn't last very long, as he was more like Tropical Storm Iribarren in 2008.

 

I'll take Chris Dennis as the 2009 minor league surprise.

[colbyjack]

John, you definitely made some good calls, and I don't think you displeased anyone in doing so.

 

I have to give some props to sbrylski06 for his comment on Lucroy:

 

I'm not the most well versed on the lower levels, so I'll just make a wild prediction that Jon Lucroy has a monster year in the SAL (something like .340/.415/.550), a mid season bump to A+, and shoots to #2 on the P50 behind LaPorta, who gets time with the big league club in September.

 

Lucroy hit .310/.391/.510 before being bumped up to BC at midseason.

 

Efrain Nieves was my surprise minor leaguer, although I had Lou Palmisano as the first prospect to make it to Milwaukee. You win some, you lose some http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

 

For the 2009 season I'll take Luis Guerrero, who I predict will have a similar impact with Helena that Nieves did this past summer. Since the Brewers called up so many players today, I think we have to wait until next winter/spring to try and determine who might be next.

[TheCrew07]

Edgar Trejo!

[bamberger]

Let's just call him a "tropical depression" for 2008.