tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28082465302764463162024-03-18T04:47:40.070-05:00Wisconsin Sports TapServing up Cold and Frosty Wisconsin Sports Goodness since 2009Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-16787663324779435042014-09-11T19:27:00.000-05:002014-09-11T19:27:54.523-05:00I Hate the NFL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMfXET1XjphqIoDoYN3etivuNFSmmau9u4abE8FSvTYpS52fLVinEw3kCOOUOUhyphenhyphen1Ff4KOyx_jw_CBC9TjJWlmc1YO-ni2RJTuZTYiLZJZEK3pk9RLJ2QRUB0CoE6uBALVwLTuzY_CD3-/s1600/NFL_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMfXET1XjphqIoDoYN3etivuNFSmmau9u4abE8FSvTYpS52fLVinEw3kCOOUOUhyphenhyphen1Ff4KOyx_jw_CBC9TjJWlmc1YO-ni2RJTuZTYiLZJZEK3pk9RLJ2QRUB0CoE6uBALVwLTuzY_CD3-/s1600/NFL_Logo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm not sure if my headline is entirely accurate, but it's pretty damn close. The NFL has become equal parts irritation and annoyance on days that don't start with "Sun." And that's what this comes down to. Today is Thursday and today I hate the NFL. Tomorrow is Friday, and I will hate the NFL. After that? Saturday. And I'll hate the NFL on that day as well.<br />
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Then comes Sunday. And for one day, when all there is are games and highlights, I will enjoy football again. But then Monday will role around and the whole vicious cycle will start all over again. So what is it that fills me with such vitriol? Let's get started.<br />
<br />
<b>I hate Thursday Night Football</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Thanksgiving football was fun and cheeky. Everyone has off of work and nobody wants to talk to family anyways. Even opening the season on a Thursday night has been a nice touch. It is an attention grabbing event and the teams are well rested.<br />
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But the rest of the season all we get are poorly prepared, poorly rested and generally shitty football games. There's nothing like having your team play a shitty game on a night when you'd rather just take a damn nap so you can get through your Friday and make it to the weekend.<br />
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Seriously nobody wants to watch football on Thursday nights. I would rather do anything than give up four hours in the middle of the week. You have one day. ONE DAY. And that's enough. I fucking hate Thursday Night Football, just go away already.<br />
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<b>I hate Roger Goodell<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4LKOKb2rA5-duTgDFZz35Rsx4uzguLPNOd7zysaHn-uCkZ8ioSQlPf2BEJx3hIQit1ntxXymIVVlST5Wq7wTamFi7EltbEg0cSYCXHjnZRZ87k0pvJQso9hkd8icD_iYvqKBPJNkD5jP/s1600/tonhho4o0bv9fqfaau2m.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4LKOKb2rA5-duTgDFZz35Rsx4uzguLPNOd7zysaHn-uCkZ8ioSQlPf2BEJx3hIQit1ntxXymIVVlST5Wq7wTamFi7EltbEg0cSYCXHjnZRZ87k0pvJQso9hkd8icD_iYvqKBPJNkD5jP/s1600/tonhho4o0bv9fqfaau2m.png" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Guy Sucks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.playboy.com/articles/nfl-commissioner-flowchart">This sums it up better</a> than I can but I'm still going to give it a try. Roger Goodell is a shitty commissioner and has done absolutely nothing to improve the league while continuing with a pattern of bad decisions that has left the league with a repeated number of black eyes. Let's throw a few of the headline grabbers out there:<br />
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18 Game Schedule<br />
Replacement Refs<br />
Criminal Owners<br />
Concussions<br />
Player Discipline<br />
The Ray Rice Fiasco<br />
The Washington Redskins<br />
<br />
Yea, he definitely deserves a vote of confidence from the billionaires that are his bosses continually give him. Honestly, it's like Paul Tagliabue gave him a goose that laid golden eggs and he's slowly but surely bashing it's head against the ground, plucking it's feathers and getting ready to deep fry that sucker so he can eat it and leave it as a big pile of shit. I hate Roger Goodell and what he's done to this league.<br />
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<b>I hate the NFL Draft</b><br />
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Three days of this garbage? Are you kidding me? I'm supposed to give up three days in the middle of spring toward a damn draft? No. Just No. Here's the deal, the draft doesn't matter. There is absolutely nothing entertaining about this event. Hey, here's a bunch of people that most likely won't be as good as we want them to be except for all these guys we aren't really paying attention to that may end up being stars.<br />
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It's a crap shoot and the coverage is absolutely insufferable. Well anything that involves Chris Berman is absolutely insufferable. Amazing that Mel Kiper can make a career out of moderately accurately guessing where players will be drafted but is just godawful at predicting whether or not they'll be decent players.<br />
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<b>I hate ESPN</b><br />
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Does this really fit with my 345 day a year hatred of the NFL. Why yes, yes it does. No news organization or media group (short of Peter King at Sports Illustrated) is more in bed with the NFL than ESPN. The personalities that they trot out on a week to week basis to talk all things FOOTBALL make me want to stab myself in the ears.<br />
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It's this constant and unstoppable inundation of annoying information that first makes one associate "NFL" with "STFU." I really, really, really hate ESPN.<br />
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<b>I hate the Lack of Player Protection</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
You want to decrease head injuries? How about meaningful punishments. Helmet-to-helmet hit? Four game minimum suspension EVERY TIME. See how willing players are to take a shot at a player if it's going to cost them 25% of their salary every time they do it. This game is dangerous enough as it is, if the league isn't properly punishing players for making it more dangerous how can you enact reasonable and lasting change?<br />
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I hate this complete and utter Lack of Player Protection.<br />
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<b>I hate the Locker Room Mentality</b><br />
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I've had enough of the macho boys club. Of a bunch of guys thinking that they can't move into the 21st century with the rest of us because they are MEN who play FOOTBALL. I hate the <a href="http://deadspin.com/richie-incognito-and-jonathan-martin-texted-about-puss-1515397633">Richie Incognitos</a> and <a href="http://deadspin.com/5980341/49ers-cornerback-chris-culliver-is-not-cool-with-gay-people">Chris Cullivers</a> of the world. And I hate that the NFL puts them in a position to have their bigotry and general shitty-ness a platform to spew the nonsense.<br />
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I hate the message that if you won't play through your injury then you are a pussy. Man up, never mind the fact that you may be ruining your body and your mind for the rest of your life. I hate the face that this locker room culture is viewed as acceptable and so little is being done to change it, in any sport.<br />
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<b>But Most of All</b><br />
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I hate that the NFL has such potential to be a force for the positive and this is how they choose to exist in the world. The league doesn't need to throw money at social issues, issues like domestic violence, at risk youth, bullying and the list goes on.<br />
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The NFL could make a difference by setting an example. By leading the way and showing fans and kids how to not be awful people. Instead we're left people like <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/01/10/ray-lewis-baltimore-ravens-atlanta-murder-2000/1566198/">Ray Lewis</a>, <a href="http://deadspin.com/greg-hardys-girlfriend-testifies-in-hardys-assault-tria-1605431366">Greg Hardy</a> and <a href="http://deadspin.com/jim-irsay-pleads-guilty-to-owi-receives-probation-1629555194">Jim Irsay</a> to be shining stars for the most impactful league in the United States. And I hate that.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com97tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-12183234459926905852014-09-09T08:22:00.002-05:002014-09-09T08:22:50.894-05:00Revisiting 3rd and 3<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2014/09/three-and-out.html">After a few days of reflection</a>, I'd like to delve a bit deeper into Rodgers error in judgement on 3rd and 3 in the third quarter.<br />
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That isn't to say he's off the hook. It felt a bit like the Giants playoff game in 2007 to me, when Favre looked so cold that he would rather go home early than finish the game. I remember thinking to myself, "If the yearly goal is to make the Super Bowl, and the Packers will have to play in Lambeau in January to get there, then I don't think Brett Favre can be our QB anymore." Both Rodgers's and Favre's plays left me reevaluating who they were.<br />
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I'm not suggesting Rodgers is no longer capable of leading the Packers. Far from it. I simply believe that this is a play Rodgers should have made. It's a play people have come to expect him to make, simply because he's been that good. I'm still frustrated that he botched it, and I might argue he would be too, were he in my shoes.<br />
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We actually got an excellent example of this on Thursday night. Consider the differences between the two offensive linemen who took the field on Thursday night as injury relief: Corey Linsley and Derek Sherrod. <br />
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Linsley, a rookie playing his very first regular season NFL game on a huge stage, played a very good game, making one mistake while otherwise being invisible, a desired trait on the offensive line. Sherrod, on the other hand, was embarrassed to the tune of recovering the fumble that he allowed in his own endzone for a safety. But who drew the wrath of Rodgers on camera? Linsley.<br />
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Why?<br />
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It's a difference of expectation. Linsley had prepared all week for this game with the starters, and barring a personnel change, will be starting until week 9. Sherrod, on the other hand, was a reserve unexpectedly jumping into a game against the defending Super Bowl champs. Maybe Rodgers has a higher opinion of Linsley, maybe he just feels Linsley has more potential than Sherrod, but the bottom line is Rodgers demanded perfection from Linsley, and when he didn't deliver, he heard about it. Rodgers had no such expectations for Sherrod, which might tell us something about Sherrod's future with the team.<br />
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So as Rodgers goes with Linsley, so do I with Rodgers, as should anyone else rooting for Green Bay. If that's Scott Tolzien filling in due to injury and erring, I give him a pass . But Aaron Rodgers is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. He holds the current record for highest career passer rating, preps for games with a relentless attention to detail, and year after year has proven his ability to make plays with his arm and his feet that very few at his position can mimic. Most of the time he lives up to that standard, but on third and three at a pivotal moment in a nationally televised game, he fell short. I don't think it's unfair to expect him to make that play, and I think he would agree.dbauhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17128362769534134637noreply@blogger.com198tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-33013735051575532642014-09-05T01:09:00.001-05:002014-09-05T01:14:50.611-05:00Three and OutFour quarters to win a game, four downs to get a first down. There are a lot of reasons the Packers lost Thursday night: rushing defense, an injury to Bryan Bulaga, and poor play by the receivers. But if I had to pick four key plays, here's how the Packers blew it on Thursday night in four downs.<br />
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<b>First down: Brad Jones drops an interception in the first quarter</b><br />
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Yes, Zach Miller made a nice defensive play on offense, but we're not that far removed from training camp, and that was a textbook tip drill. Brad Jones, in a game this big, has GOT to catch that ball. If Jones holds on to that interception, Mike Daniels never runs into the kicker, the Packers take over at midfield, and the Packers are in position to score first instead of the Seahawks. This play could change the entire landscape of the game.<br />
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As a side note, I'm beyond done with Brad Jones. Give me Jamari Lattimore. Give me Sam Barrington. Hell, bring back Nick Barnett, but if you're going to stick with the vanilla AJ Hawk in the middle, you need a wild card to pair him with.<br />
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<b>Second down: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix drops an interception in the second quarter</b><br />
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This is a play the safety should make. The Packers are only down 7 near the end of the second quarter, and if Ha Ha holds on to this ball and just goes down, the Packers likely get at minimum 3 points, and at best tie the game going into the half. The dynamic of the game coming out of half time drastically changes with this pick.<br />
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There is a silver lining to this play, however. We have a rookie here who was in position to make a play, as he was several times in this game. Although we have a pretty small sample size, Ha Ha seems to have the proverbial "nose for the ball", which tells me that we likely have our replacement for the painfully average Morgan Burnett, perhaps as soon as midseason. The secondary is suddenly a strength, which is encouraging.<br />
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<b>Third down: Aaron Rodgers throws the ball away in the third quarter</b><br />
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This one hurts the most. Brad Jones is someone I have no faith in, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a rookie. But Rodgers is our guy. The face of the franchise. He's molded his role on the team as a guy who unabashedly demands the most of his teammates and sets the tone with his play. So when you're that guy, how do you throw the ball away on 3rd and 3 with enough real estate in front of you to get a first down with your legs? That play concerned me more than anything tonight. Perhaps there was a miscommunication between him and Nelson on the play, but they say winners want the ball in their hand with the game on the line, and I'd argue that the game was on the line here. I'm disappointed that Rodgers didn't tuck and run.<br />
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And if you're going to defend the decision, I'll say right now that I don't care if McCarthy doesn't like him running for first downs. I can't remember who said it, but a coach once said (and I'm paraphrasing), "There are two types of players I can't win with: those who never listen to me, and those who always listen to me." That was a play where Rodgers should have ignored his coach.<br />
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<b>Punt: Brad Jones is called for holding in the fourth quater</b><br />
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Early in the drive Green Bay had Seattle stopped on third down on their own 24 yard line when the aforementioned Brad Jones commits a holding penalty to give Seattle an automatic first down. By passing, the Seahawks seem to be trying to give the Packers a shot, but they can't capitalize.<br />
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If this stop is made, there's still an outside chance (however slim) at scoring twice and winning 30-29. Instead, Russell Wilson directed a soul crushing 13 play, 80 yard drive, culminating with a TD pass on 4th and 1 from the GB 15 yard line.<br />
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<b>Final score: 36-16</b>. <br />
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0-1 to start the season. This loss is far from a death knell, and even with injuries to Bryan Bulaga and Richard Rodgers, you have to like the Packers chances next week against the perennially hapless Jets. With that being said, after opening and closing the last two seasons with losses to the 49ers, it's hard not to wonder if the best case scenario this year is deja vu all over again, only with the Seahawks as the substitute.<br />
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<br />dbauhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17128362769534134637noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-83892546936556782672014-07-23T14:00:00.000-05:002014-07-23T14:00:00.698-05:00My Weak-ly ThoughtsSo many times, I think of something I want to say, but I can never really formulate it into a full post. So, I'm hoping to have a weekly article with all of my, weak thoughts. Enjoy!<br />
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<b>Buster Olney is Back on the Braun Offensive:</b><br />
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Buster Olney, on the anniversary of Ryan Braun's admission and suspension for PED use, has put together an article highlighting how Braun is a different hitter than in previous years. I'll admit, fairly topical, and certainly noteworthy, so what's my problem with it? It's the implication.<br />
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Olney points out that so far in 2014, Braun has gone to opposite field much more than in year's past. Also, the balls Braun has pulled, have had less distance. .... Olney leaves the rest up to you, stopping short of suggesting Braun, now clean of PED's, is not the same player he was with PED's. Olney does of course mention Braun is having a great year, but it's almost a side thought.<br />
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The evidence sounds damning, but take into account Braun's lingering injuries, most notably the damaged nerve in his thumb. Usually player's receive high praise when injury forces them to change up their approach and still succeed, but not Braun. With all of that said, I'm not necessarily defending Braun, it's been rumored he was taking PED's for a nagging injury (which he seems to be prone to), so perhaps this adjustment is still a result. But let's give some credit to a player having a terrific year and making necessary adjustments to help his team win.<br />
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<b>The Milwaukee Bucks</b><br />
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Yes, I do have a thought about the Bucks. Don't be alarmed, I'm not sick. I have half a notion to start caring once more about the Bucks, and thus in turn, the NBA. I have very mixed feelings on this. I grew up as many kids of my age did, a fan of the Jordan Era Bulls. Then, as I got older, I became a fan of the hometown team. I got to experience the electric atmosphere as the 2001 Bucks beat the Hornets at the Bradley Center, this is OUR HOUSE! Then, the series against the 76'ers came. You can read about it in Bill Simmons' <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4746227" target="_blank">"The Book of Basketball's Lost Pages"</a> under item 10. NBA was dead to me. It was clear (to me) the game was rigged.<br />
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Of course, in the years after we learned of one referee fixing games as a debt to the mob, but that to me, seemed like it wasn't the whole story. Plus, the Bucks were mired in terrible mediocrity, and had little interest in making splashes.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyphHYYLwKHqJgPJRxvnNpuvtHfmg96_sWlGdc_TsjBVMMltUFg8WvprCqUgTDcmUVkTBiIRS9FD-8CL6daVkw2mi3gM03PGBJVC3ISbCQipPIpfwRufjt78yd0qqthIBdJOb_c3UZffw/s1600/Jabari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyphHYYLwKHqJgPJRxvnNpuvtHfmg96_sWlGdc_TsjBVMMltUFg8WvprCqUgTDcmUVkTBiIRS9FD-8CL6daVkw2mi3gM03PGBJVC3ISbCQipPIpfwRufjt78yd0qqthIBdJOb_c3UZffw/s1600/Jabari.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
Now, the Bucks have new ownership, and hopefully that means a new direction. While his NBA talent is still unknown, Jabari Parker is a flashy draft pick, and he's said all of the right things, which gives me hope there is a base now to build off of. This almost feels like Mark Attanasio taking over the Brewers and having some young prospects named Fielder and Braun start to showcase their abilities. I was on that train from the beginning and it's been a fun ride. Perhaps I want to jump on the Bucks now, and enjoy the same thing? I was not a fan of the Jason Kidd hiring, nor a fan of how it was handled....but who knows, no risk, no reward.<br />
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Plus, I really need something to do in the wintertime! I've tried to get into hockey, a sport that is super fun to watch....but minor league hockey is hard to get into. I've accepted Milwaukee will not get an NHL team, so I might as well enjoy the NBA team......maybe.<br />
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<b>The Brewers</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Ouch on that end of the 1st half! It felt like the Brewers were just going to put it on cruise to the playoffs, just keep those 10 game splits in the positive and the Central would be ours. Well, the lead has evaporated, and now the battle is on. I think everyone is done moping about it (I hope). So, let's enjoy being in a real playoff race, 4 teams vying for crown of NL Central Champs.....baseball just got a whole lot more exciting for the final few months! Get out to the Park, avoid the fires and cheer on the team! This reminds me, I need to get to another game.<br />
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<b>A New Beer I Tried & Would Like To Talk About</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BIuDydeMefBPCKFltCQr28qixvrOtETtGICGydLADLW1yD90UoOE5zx2enyA0x5xsbhMm1E23UFTNPM2Yn2ZXg1xqDqYu1dt29O79wd5OROEaQvns6AuAuiPZAJ9eI3ZHJ66jXyRBqk/s1600/Invasion+Pale+Ale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BIuDydeMefBPCKFltCQr28qixvrOtETtGICGydLADLW1yD90UoOE5zx2enyA0x5xsbhMm1E23UFTNPM2Yn2ZXg1xqDqYu1dt29O79wd5OROEaQvns6AuAuiPZAJ9eI3ZHJ66jXyRBqk/s1600/Invasion+Pale+Ale.jpg" height="200" width="118" /></a></div>
I was just in Florida on a mini-vacation with the wife, and whenever I'm in Florida, I look for anything from <a href="http://cigarcitybrewing.com/" target="_blank">Cigar City Brewing</a>. It's a magnificent brewery based out of Tampa. Seriously, if you see some, snatch it up. Better yet, if you have time to kill and you're near the Tampa airport, stop by their facility. I feel like all Cigar City beers have a unique under<br />
lying taste to them that I can't explain. It's smooth, it's mellow, it's freaking delicious! Well, while in West Palm Beach I came across a beer of theirs I haven't had yet. Invasion Pale Ale. It's a session ale, so the low alcohol was handy since I was drinking all day in the sun, but the flavor was still very present. Great hop taste, with a good malty balance.<br />
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<br />@diddy05http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955269747785311380noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-84313007163204335602014-07-22T14:21:00.002-05:002014-07-22T14:21:50.058-05:00The Value of the GameThis month, my dad turned seventy. He's now entering his eighth decade on this planet. But I'm not here to talk about that. We're a German family, we don't share. Every 'I love you' and 'thanks for everything' goes unsaid, we all mean to say it and we all know it's true but it doesn't need to be vocalized. No - That's not what I'm here to talk about though.<br />
<br />
I'm not here to talk about the rough times. I'm not going to talk about that month in fifth grade when in a span of four weeks we lost two grandparents, one from each side of the family and I remember sitting in a worn out old recliner and having my Dad come sit next to me. He didn't say anything... I told him 'We're having a bad month' and he said 'We are.' Because we were. That's not the memory I'm here to talk about.<br />
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What I'm here to talk to you about is the beauty of a game. Of any game. It's the value of sport, the connection of family and the reason so many of us come to the games we love. I'm here to share with you memories. I'm here to help you understand why I love these games - not for the wins and the championships - but for the value they bring to my life and my relationships.<br />
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I'm here to talk to you about a season ticket holder. Of Wisconsin Hockey since the late 60's. A guy from a small town in southern Illinois who decided to check out something new and four decades later calls his 31-year-old son to convince him to come to town to catch the game with him (the son never goes back often enough). That's the same son that can vividly remember sitting in the kitchen with his old man hanging on every word of the radio broadcast 20 years earlier, weekend after weekend.<br />
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I'm here to talk to you about three kids, and a terrible Wisconsin football team. See this guy from southern Illinois also had season tickets to football and there was a time not long ago when the Badgers couldn't fill their stadium to save their lives, so we always ended up with better seats and more tickets. I can hardly remember Tom Brady at Michigan but I can always remember my dad with seat cushions and hot chocolate.<br />
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See we went to Badger football games for years and years, my brother, my sister and I. Yet between the three of us, we can barely scare up a handful of results for all those games we invested our Saturdays in. However we can tell you about the brat stand by the train tracks (now bike path) that our dad always stopped at. The kids didn't often eat there, but dad never missed a chance. And he never forgot sauerkraut.<br />
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I'm not here to talk about the dark times. When I was unemployed and struggling to get back to the field I had worked so hard to break in to, I faced the end of the most important relationship I had to this point in my life. Marriage can be ugly. I'm not here to tell you how, when I broke this news to my parents - I broke down. And my dad gave me a hug and I'll never forget that. Because, the assumed had met a moment not to be assumed the most important people showed up for it. That's not what I'm here to talk to you about.<br />
<br />
I want to tell you about being a kid and learning to ski. About all the fear dissipating because as I slid unbalanced and unsteady down the hill I did it with my dad holding me up. We learned to ski when we learned to walk. And each one of us<span style="color: red;"> </span>three kids will still make time to fly down a mountain with this guy from southern Illinois.<br />
<br />
I'm here to tell you about a soccer team without a coach. And experience be damned, there he was again. Fostering an experience for a group of kids because every kid should have a team and every team needs a coach. Was he a good coach? Probably not, but without those teams I wouldn't have the relationships I have today.<br />
<br />
I'm not here to talk about someone who spends his retirement working on his kid's houses. Be they five minutes away, 25 minutes away or an hour and a half away. He and his better half will travel the distance to plant flowers, build shelving or even just mow the lawn.<br />
<br />
What I am here to tell you about is a man who met his two sons at a bar on a Tuesday afternoon to watch a World Cup soccer game. A game that resulted in an American loss but not one of the three family members that went to watch the game went home unsatisfied.<br />
<br />
I'm here to tell you about why we love sports, and why we will pass that love on to those we care about. Wins are nice but the experience is what will always be valued most. All of those games with my dad, I can't tell you which side went home winners. I can recall a big game here and there but the memories that stay with me are of my family, of my dad. It's that time spent that gives me a fondness for the sports I love. It's those times that have shown me why, win or lose, a great time should be had.<br />
<br />
What I want to tell you is that I love sports. I love being a part of a sold-out Kohl Center, watching the Badgers square off against the Gophers. I love sitting at the 40-yard-line watching Wisconsin battle against Ohio State. I love sitting at a bar, beer in hand, cheering on USA soccer or the Milwaukee Brewers. I love lacing up my cleats and competing.<br />
<br />
What I want you to remember is that it's not the teams that bring me back. The names on the back of the jerseys will change. Teams will win and lose, but there will always be more games. The experience we have with those important to us will be what we remember most.<br />
<br />
For all those Hockey and Football games in Madison, all those games watched at the bar. I can't tell you who won, but I can tell you that I watched them with my dad. And I wouldn't have it any other way.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-647582024899542782014-06-25T09:10:00.002-05:002014-06-25T09:10:37.184-05:00Soccer Snobbery and Other Soccer RantsThe World Cup is here, and America is tuned in, myself included. Now, I haven't had a chance to watch much more than 15 minutes or so, but that's due more to a busy life than disinterest. I like watching the World Cup, I always have, I remember watching the 1994 World Cup and enjoying Alexi Lalas' goatee and Cobi Jones' cool dreads. So, is it soccer that I like? No, it's the event I like and having national pride, just like the Olympics. I don't care about Gymnastics, but once every four years, there I am living and dying by every misstep. I think I'm like most Americans, we love big events, and we love America defeating other countries in sporting (or warring) events. When the US is eventually eliminated (or wins it all), the majority of Americans will once again lose interest in the sport. Well, the soccer snobs will live on, in an effort to annoy everyone else.<br />
<br />
I hate the soccer snobs. Do you know one of these people, I'm sure you do. The people that call their jerseys, "kits", the fields "the pitch", and even need to refer to soccer as football....and they love to correct you on these terms the moment you say it wrong. Yes, these, are the soccer snobs. There are people who genuinely like soccer which is fine, in fact that's great, everyone should enjoy whatever sport they want. I'm not talking about those people.<br />
<br />
So snobs. You like to go to your local soccer bar (soccer bars are such a hipster phenomenon and I hate hipsters) at noon to watch the Premier League, that's fine. Are you going to the pub, to have a pint and watch footy on the telly, occasionally using the loo while you eat some chips? No, I bet you're going to the bar, to drink some beer, watch the game on TV, occasionally using the bathroom and eating some fries. So, why do you insist on calling the soccer terms in their British form, we don't live in England, and we call things different. So, don't be a snob and tell people who want to say "nice jersey" that it's a kit. People hate you for that. I saw on Twitter someone say "this isn't hockey, it's not called an assist, it's called a cross" ...... Fuck you! Ronaldo had a hell of an assist as far as I'm concerned. I just wish the goalie (not the keeper) was in a better position on the field to stop that shot that the other dude hit with his head.<br />
<br />
If we want soccer to take a hold in the US, we need to adapt it for our society. For instance look at the MLS teams. "Sporting Kansas City", "Dallas FC", "Real Salt Lake" etc... What the hell is that? We're mimicking the European leagues and it's stupid, especially those that put FC on their name, once again, we call it soccer here, don't be a snob MLS, people don't pay attention to snobs. Oh, and how about we change the US Men's National Team, or as it's so annoyingly tagged on Twitter #USMNT, to The US Soccer Team, or, #USSoccer, I like that better.<br />
<br />
Oh, also a rule I hate. The offsides rule. If an offensive player gets behind the defense, sorry defense you didn't do your job. Imagine if in football the Wide Receiver got past the Safety, but that was considered "offsides", no way, stupid rule.<br />
<br />
Also, the whole faking to be injured thing disturbs me. I know other sports have had that issue as well, but I hate it so much, and it turns me off to the game.<br />
<br />
So, after this rant, I'll continue to watch the World Cup (only when the US plays), I'll continue to play FIFA video games (they're fun), and I'll continue to not care about actual soccer. Because, I'm American, and it's my duty.<br />
<br />@diddy05http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955269747785311380noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-41847094466804574912013-11-14T09:37:00.000-06:002013-11-14T09:37:11.005-06:00Tampa Bay Rays to Relocate to Turner Field in 2017The Tampa Bay Rays finally have their new stadium, after years of low attendance and jokes at the Trop's expense, Rays' ownership have finally found an opportunity for a new stadium when the Atlanta Braves decided to move out of Turner Field. Rays Principal Owner Stu Sternberg was elated to share the news, saying, "We have heard the cries of Rays fans everywhere and have struck a deal with the city of Atlanta to play in a world class facility built not long ago for the Olympics, the freaking Olympics, how great is that?!" He then promised that the name, the logo, and the community involvement in the city of Tampa would not change.<br />
<br />
The Rays, who in 2013 saw just 1,510,300 people come through the turnstiles were in desperate need of something to engage fans. This Sternberg also addressed in his initial statement claiming, "We are taking Rays baseball to the fans!"<br />
<br />
When asked how moving to a stadium 478 miles from their existing stadium would be moving "to the fans", Sternberg was quick to mention, "Oh, Tampa doesn't have baseball fans, Florida doesn't have baseball fans, look at Miami. We are moving to where people enjoy baseball, in the City of Atlanta. As I mentioned in my statement, we are just as dedicated to the City of Tampa as we've always been. For those who do want to attend a game, it's one road, I-75, how simple is that? In Chicago, you need to take about 50 streets and 3 trains just to see a game, what a pain!"<br />
<br />
Fans in Tampa are excited by the news. One die hard Rays fan said, "I think it's great for the Rays to move to a facility as current and modern as Turner Field". When asked if this would change his going to see games, he simply said, "Absolutely not, I love the Rays, and that's why I'm glad I can still listen on the radio while at the beach, I've never actually attended a game, that sounds terrible."<br />
<br />
<br />@diddy05http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955269747785311380noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-33534756679914463062013-08-28T18:55:00.001-05:002013-08-28T18:55:23.347-05:00Prospecting: R.J. Seidel<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7iHLK2oxNgausUatk-WoyDSLm9zAd9xnS3DC8HJc8sq4GgZT3-UxQyLmTyw6yz7idCGVQz611xlRuko3ssvwWRlo_1wnsaHTUi2o2dflbhAeNJZ27ul6eyZdm33vQ_rgvdsyh25g-h-7/s1600/seidel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7iHLK2oxNgausUatk-WoyDSLm9zAd9xnS3DC8HJc8sq4GgZT3-UxQyLmTyw6yz7idCGVQz611xlRuko3ssvwWRlo_1wnsaHTUi2o2dflbhAeNJZ27ul6eyZdm33vQ_rgvdsyh25g-h-7/s320/seidel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure this is the guy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been a little bit since my last post, but that'll happen. Today I'm here to talk about an old prospect who <br />
is really a young prospect but has been around a while but who has been off most people's radar for the last couple of seasons. Got that? Good.<br />
<br />
Said prospect is none other than Wisconsin Native and LAX'er Richard Seidel, better known as R.J.<br />
<br />
<b>Who Is R.J. Seidel?</b><br />
<br />
From La Crosse, Wis., Seidel was drafted in the 16th round of the 2006 amateur draft (see what I'm saying, been around a while). 2013 marked his seventh professional season, all spent in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system. He's been around long enough to have played A-ball with the West Virginia Power (fun fact: also on that team were Jonathan Lucroy, Logan Schafer, Caleb Gindl and Rob Wooten).<br />
<br />
So what took so long? Injury for one, before the 2009 season he tore his ACL when he slipped on ice. He would only throw 57 innings that year and did not look sharp in the process - Seidel had an ERA of 6.79 combined between the Arizona League Brewers and the low-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. <br />
<br />
The following season he opened the year in the starting rotation for the High-A Brevard County Manatees and struggled some before moving into the bullpen, which turned out to be a good move for him. 2010 saw him finish with a 3.70 ERA in 65.2 innings pitched. Solid, but not spectacular.<br />
<br />
It took Seidel a couple shots at double-A to stick and he earned a promotion to Nashville early this season. Once there, whether by necessity or demand he found his way back into the starting rotation. And, aside from one bad month, he has had a pretty impressive season.<br />
<br />
<b>The Good</b><br />
<br />
To start us off, let's take a look at his month by month splits. In May Seidel had a 3.51 ERA, in June - 10.20, in July 3.48 and here in August he has yet to give up a run in either appearance. If you take away that atrocious month of June you would consider this a breakout season.<br />
<br />
The strikeout numbers aren't too bad either, he's struck out 94 batters between a brief stint at double-A and triple-A spanning 88.2 innings. The strikeouts are a career high and the inning count is his highest since his 2008 season. It's a limited return to the starting rotation but results are results.<br />
<br />
<b>The Bad</b><br />
<br />
Durability might be an issue, this is a player that's only gone over the 100 inning mark once in his career. He's been used sparingly in August so it's unlikely we'll see him go over that mark this year either. His role is another question, Seidel has had success as a reliever at times and as a starter at times. While his numbers with Nashville this year are promising, that one bad month was REALLY bad.<br />
<br />
In June Seidel made five appearances, pitching in 15 innings. In those 15 innings he managed to give up 17 runs and walk 12 batters. His ERA was a less-than-stellar 10.20, yikes. The consistency just wasn't there. This was also the first season he saw extended action in the starting rotation since 2010.<br />
<br />
<b>The Outlook</b><br />
<br />
This is a tough one to get a read on, which usually isn't a good sign. Seidel seems to be a player that will be able to contribute at the major league level but in an as yet determined role. In the immediate future, assuming he remains with Milwaukee, he should be given a chance in the starting rotation with Nashville. <br />
<br />
When you consider the lack of near majors ready pitching prospects and the struggles of Taylor Jungmann and Drew Gagnon with double-A Hunstville this year, any pitcher whose shown some flashes of success at a higher level should be given a chance to realize that. Whether the organization decides to do that or not is anyone's guess.<br />
<br />
In the event that the organization wants him in a relief role in 2013 I would expect to see him receive an invite to major league spring training with a chance to earn a spot in the bullpen (slim chance, but if you don't make it and you pitch well in the minors your name will likely be the first called - example Donovan Hand).<br />
<br />
The story has the potential to be a good one, he's a Wisconsin kid who has worked his way up the minor league ladder. Overcome bad luck, overcome some bad seasons and now has the potential to be a perfect example of Doug Melvin's patience paying off. I'm rooting for him.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-39639864715657279602013-07-25T01:27:00.000-05:002013-07-25T01:27:51.143-05:00Prospecting: Nick Delmonico<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24DRACCOaZpAgG44IWuHOyRrIm2iGr-PDrrdctgnp4mOEcP6OjLCLbjpPz3jqQsViX49ZTAfkNBI9uPmtfcJSFFxbm9Lhj9vogD6ttutqSjq8ggD6lTBuTEsmUuxS2-YMKBSbVbWLK1BG/s1600/delmonico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24DRACCOaZpAgG44IWuHOyRrIm2iGr-PDrrdctgnp4mOEcP6OjLCLbjpPz3jqQsViX49ZTAfkNBI9uPmtfcJSFFxbm9Lhj9vogD6ttutqSjq8ggD6lTBuTEsmUuxS2-YMKBSbVbWLK1BG/s320/delmonico.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this really the best picture I could find?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ryan Braun got suspended, and you can read about that <a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2013/07/the-braun-conspiracy.html?utm_source=BP_recent">here</a> and <a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2013/07/the-most-plausible-ryan-braun-scenario.html?utm_source=BP_recent">here</a>, especially if you enjoy some rumors and wild speculation. Not so wild, but they are definitely a different approach. That being said, I'm not here to talk about Ryan Braun. I'm here to talk about a surprisingly good trade that Doug Melvin and company pulled off for a reliever that nobody wanted to sign in the offseason.<br />
<br />
The trade that was made? Closer Francisco Rodriguez for Nick Delmonico, a third baseman in the Baltimore Orioles system. So a player that most of major league baseball had no interest in, who had to start his year in the minor leagues, netted Milwaukee the Orioles No. 5 overall prospect (or No. 4 depending on which list you read). Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me, so let's find out about the new guy.<br />
<br />
<b>Who is Nick Delmonico?</b><br />
<br />
I guess for starters, he's not really a third baseman. Well he is, but he isn't. Delmonico has seen time at first, second and third but as far as the Milwaukee Brewers are concerned - he's a third baseman. Delmonico was drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 draft. He's 6'2" with a left-handed bat and a right-handed throw. The 21-year-old spent last season in A-ball and spent the first half of this season with the Orioles High-A affiliate. Early reports are he's headed to Brevard County, Milwaukee's High-A squad.<br />
<br />
In 2012 - his first professional season - Delmonico hit .249 with a .351 OBP and 11 home runs in 95 games. He also drove in 54 runs and was 8-for-9 in stolen base attempts. Solid numbers as a 20-year-old in your first run as a professional ballplayer.<br />
<br />
Delmonico followed that up with an improved sophomore season, he already has 13 home runs in 61 games this year. The average and on-base numbers are about the same, .243 and .350, but the potential is certainly there.<br />
<br />
<b>The Good</b><br />
<br />
First - power from the left side. With 24 homers and 34 doubles in 156 professional games Delmonico has the chance to be a legitimate contributor to a big league line-up. He's also a third base prospect, something Milwaukee has been lacking in their farm system since trading away Brett Lawrie. At the big league level, the Brewers have been hard pressed to find a left-handed complement to their right side heavy lineup.<br />
<br />
Delmonico has good plate presence to go with the aforementioned power, which his .350 on-base percentage demonstrates. So far, he's played 156 professional games - call it a full season- and he has 24 homers, 84 RBIs and a .351 OBP. If your third baseman does that on a year-to-year basis you would not be complaining.<br />
<br />
<b>The Bad</b><br />
<br />
That batting average isn't a very pretty number. Delmonico is a .246 hitter in his pro career, not exactly all-star material. He is young enough that you can hope for improvement but that would be the biggest hole in his offensive game. His strikeouts are a bit high (59 in 61 games in 2013) but it's not something I would be overly concerned with - yet.<br />
<br />
The defensive game has some shortcomings as well. In 2012, when he saw time at first and second, Delmonico committed 22 errors, This year, mostly at third, he's committed 14. Hopefully he can settle down when he is playing consistently at the same position. I mean, if Rickie Weeks can become an above average (albeit very slightly above average) then anyone can, right?<br />
<br />
<b>The Outlook</b><br />
<br />
Regardless of whether or not Delmonico pans out as a major leaguer this was a good trade. K-Rod was not in the plans for the organization's future and they signed him off the scrap heap. To turn him around for a player who is a top five prospect in your farm system before even playing a game is a definite win.<br />
<br />
As for the player's outlook, there is a lot of promise here. Left-handed power bats are hard to come by and that's what Delmonico has the potential to be. Are there holes in his game? Definitely. He's also only played a season and a half of professional baseball. If he continues to develop he could have a very bright future for the Milwaukee Brewers franchise.<br />
<br />
Expect to see Delmonico in Double-A Huntsville next season, at his current rate of development we could see him make his major league debut sometime in 2015.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-72874157657437417602013-07-24T11:43:00.002-05:002013-07-24T12:21:30.966-05:00A More Plausible Ryan Braun ScenarioI wrote my conspiracy theory yesterday, and like I said, it wasn't actually what I personally believed. I figure he's guilty, but there was still more information I needed to really decide how I felt about it all. The "what" and the "when". Today, ESPN's T.J.Quinn may have answered that riddle. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Sources tell OTL Braun's relationship w Bosch began summer '11, months before testing positive. RB was on PED regimen for high-end clients.<br />
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/TJQuinnESPN/statuses/360042239558295552">July 24, 2013</a></blockquote>
<br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Here's a Biogenesis document sources say written by Bosch that lists PEDs for clients like Braun & A-Rod. <a href="http://t.co/XqsmTVsfEq">pic.twitter.com/XqsmTVsfEq</a><br />
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/TJQuinnESPN/statuses/360043639449219072">July 24, 2013</a></blockquote>
<br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<br />
If these tweets are correct, and Braun didn't have a relationship with Bosch until the summer of 2011, then he clearly didn't need to take any PED's to be a superstar, he was already at that level. This can be further backed up by Braun being stringently tested for 5 years prior, all clean (unless testing process changed). Why then, would one of the game's brightest stars, turn to cheating? The answer, if you look back, is perhaps the "Andy Pettite excuse". In mid-2011, Ryan Braun was suffering from a lingering calf strain. The Brewers were in the hunt and Braun likely felt pressure to get on the field and perform like a healthy Ryan Braun can. He couldn't get on the field, he couldn't perform to his own standards, and he likely was frustrated. In creeps the dark side, and a desperate decision, PED's. Braun is able to get back on the field, help the Brewers win their first NL Central Crown. All is well, until it turns out he failed a drug test.<br />
<br />
Likely, Braun's team of lawyers found a very big loophole in the testing process, and the decision was made to fight. We know this part of the story. He wins arbitration. However, the story was leaked, and Braun's name had been sullied. Damage control needs to be done.<br />
<br />
It's very possible, Ryan Braun, knowing he had dodged a bullet, vowed to never again cheat the game. He knew it was wrong, he knew he was lucky, but it was behind him (so he thought), and he could go on an all out offensive to help regain some of his image, which had been tarnished. He could lie, lie, lie....as only himself and Tony Bosch likely knew the whole truth, and he probably trusted Tony more than he should have. Ryan went on the attack, ignorantly thinking that since the issue was now behind him, and that he'll never again take a PED, that it will never come back to haunt him. We humans are a silly creature.<br />
<br />
Of course, this is where we know what happens again. <br />
<br />
Once again, this is all speculation, and maybe I make him look like too good of a person but:<br />
<br />
- Braun upset at himself and feeling pressure to perform while injured, took an illegal substance.<br />
- Braun escaped "sentencing" on a technicality.<br />
- Braun, being a very arrogant individual, goes on the offensive thinking the past is behind him.<br />
- The past catches up, he has to continue the lie in order to save face, but it bites him in the ass.<br />
<br />
<br />
Braun has more apologies to make, and deserves a punishment. He deserves a lot of the ire he has drawn, but I think I'll have a hard time holding a long grudge against him. I don't blame the rest of the fans across the league to hate him, I'd do the same. But, being a Brewer fan, and a long supporter of Braun, I can see the human nature in what he did. He fucked up; we all have. He escaped punishment from his mistake; we all have. He lied about it to save face; we all have. His lies caught up to him; happened to us all.<br />
<br />
Clearly, me lying about my car being dead to escape a parking ticket, is on a scale far less than Braun's. While I like to think I have hoards of fans looking up to me, I don't. So, yes, he needed to have far better judgement than he used, but he's also a lot more arrogant than I am, and likely felt much more invincible. The point is this, if you think you got away with something, you tend to not suddenly fess up for no reason.<br />
<br />
So, what now?<br />
<br />
In 2014, Braun needs to be humble, he needs to be the clubhouse leader he's never been, and he needs to perform at the same caliber that we expect of Ryan Braun. While Cooperstown is an unlikely stop for him, if he acts correctly, I think he can still be accepted in the Milwaukee community. He has a lot of work to do though.<br />
<br />
<br />
(Once again, this is only my opinion)<br />
<br />
Update: Let me make it clear. Even in this scenario, what Ryan Braun did was 100% wrong. I was just trying to guess what his thought process may have been. He should have never gotten so aggressive in his Feb 12 presser, if he knew in fact he was lying. He should have just said "I was found Not Guilty, I applaud the testing system put in place for working, and now I want to focus on baseball....thank you". I'm suggesting his arrogance, and the pressure he puts on himself to back up said arrogance, caused him to make a very seriously wrong decision, and he himself is to blame.@diddy05http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955269747785311380noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-87552830530539245222013-07-23T14:02:00.000-05:002013-07-23T14:06:06.911-05:00The Braun Conspiracy<i>Let me start by saying, that the following conspiracy is nothing that I personally believe. Where there's smoke, there's fire. However, the following isn't exactly the world's biggest stretch of the imagination. Here ends the disclaimer.</i><br />
<br />
What if the whole world wanted you to tell the truth, but the truth isn't exactly what it appears? If you tell the masses what they want to hear, you'd in fact, be lying. If you told the real truth, you'd be deemed a liar, and forever thrown into the role of pariah <br />
<br />
Sounds a bit like a movie plot, where the protagonist is dealt with this decision while the antagonist is pulling strings on his puppets. Inside the world in which this movie is set, the villain appears to be the good guy, the hero appears to be the villain. However, as a viewers, you know what is real and what is propaganda. What if you didn't know the truth, what if you weren't privy to the inside information? You'd probably join the masses against the protagonist.<br />
<br />
What if, in my example above, Ryan Braun was the good guy in the movie, Bud Selig, the bad? Let me explain:<br />
<br />
After Braun beat the suspension for a failed drug test from 2011, MLB has seemingly had a vendetta against him. Throwing a giant hissy fit over the results, firing an independent arbitrator who voted against them, publicly smearing Braun, and likely vowing for revenge. As we know, Braun then, in February of 2012, struck back hard at the process of which he said he was a victim. He laid a convincing argument on why he was innocent, if it was a lie, he deserves an Academy Award. What if, what Braun said, was the truth, and he didn't cheat, he was being unfairly accused of cheating?<br />
<br />
In comes Biogenesis. First reports in the Miami Herald, mention A-Rod and others, but no Braun. It comes out later on Yahoo! that Braun was on the list. Miami Herald later says it didn't list him, as the evidence wasn't strong enough. MLB takes over, does their own investigation, where it's been rumored they paid for people's confessions. Scribbled notes and forced confessions is all we as the public had to go on. Then, wham, Braun accepts a penalty (doesn't confess to PEDs), he appears to have been guilty all along.....the sports world casts him in the pit of evil.<br />
<br />
So, here's the thing. Clearly, the MLB is going to get their way. They have the money, the resources, and judging by their ability to fire independent arbitrators, the means to suspend any and all players using whatever evidence they want. This isn't the court of law, it's the Feudal System. There's the King (Selig), the Dukes and Lords (Owners), the knights (players), and the peasants (the fans). The king will get his way, the Lords will agree, and all of the peasants will believe what the all mighty king says. A knight is forever outcast, for making the king look foolish. <br />
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Yes, no matter the evidence, Ryan Braun was going to be suspended, and from the rumors, even a possible lifetime ban was in play. The way Braun's contract is shaped, if the suspension goes into next year, he has a lot to lose. Plus he'd be hurting the 2014 Brewers. Something the fans won't enjoy as they already think he's a cheater, for he has been convicted.<br />
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So, either fight, probably lose, screw over your finances and your team, or make a bargain which essentially means you're accepting guilt over something you didn't do, but you won't be punished as severely. Also, upon accepting the punishment, Braun just gave credibility to the entire Biogenesis investigation, and others will soon drop like flies. King Selig looks like a hero.<br />
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There's no doubt, MLB had a witch hunt going for Braun. Like @MillerParkNorth tweeted "Witch hunts almost always find a witch.", but like we all know, a lot of innocent "witches" have been burned at the stake.<br />
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Was Ryan Braun Bud Selig's great sacrifice, which will ensure Selig honorable praise when he enters Cooperstown, or is the simplest answer (Braun cheated and lied) the most likely?@diddy05http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955269747785311380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-62544447900898927682013-06-18T20:04:00.000-05:002013-06-18T20:04:23.231-05:00Prospecting: Tyrone Taylor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGGj_Y1qnimJGVJ1HVFKkL3IRqHQT9VM4Cxq1FzVm0ExZX7fnZsV1G1cgwSNXrc6ZzfoyOUmTNdP9k40jrz0La9R60pUxp84ypwZxNM6AbMKAcsF9AoUA_N5dIeJUpLshUVW0FHESm2E2/s1600/51b9e78508929.preview-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGGj_Y1qnimJGVJ1HVFKkL3IRqHQT9VM4Cxq1FzVm0ExZX7fnZsV1G1cgwSNXrc6ZzfoyOUmTNdP9k40jrz0La9R60pUxp84ypwZxNM6AbMKAcsF9AoUA_N5dIeJUpLshUVW0FHESm2E2/s320/51b9e78508929.preview-300.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
This "writing" thing, almost seems foreign to me. But I still live and my computer still works and there is tons of useless (useful?) opinions on the world of Wisconsin sports floating around aimlessly in my head. I'd sit here and tell you that I'm back and I'm going to be a consistent contributor to the sports blogosphere, but let's ease back in to this shall we? For example, a closer look at one of my new favorite Milwaukee Brewers hitting prospects - one Tyrone Taylor.<div>
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<b>Who is Tyrone Taylor?</b></div>
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Drafted in the second round of the 2012 draft (92nd overall) Taylor was the fourth player taken by Milwaukee a year ago. Athletic is the word that you will hear in regards to this outfield prospect the most often. To go along with baseball he was also a running back in high school, rushing for over 1500 yards and double-digit touchdowns.</div>
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He came onto the scene with a splash last season, hitting .389 in eight games with the rookie Arizona Brewers, which earned him a promotion to Helena for short season ball. Taylor hit .385 with a pair of home runs in ten games before an injury ended his first professional season. Still, the front office had seen enough to assign him to Wisconsin (Low-A) for the 2012 season.</div>
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Taylor got off to a slow start this year but has been absolutely on fire in the month of June. In April he hit .247, in May .236, but in June he is scorching the ball to the tune of a .482 average. Not bad. He has four home runs - good enough for third on the team - and is leading the T-Rats with 19 doubles.</div>
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<b>The Good</b></div>
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The numbers across the board are good for Taylor. His 24 extra-base hits are tops on the team, his athleticism has shown through on his 14 stolen bases in 18 attempts and he hasn't looked over-matched at the plate (he's struck out only 27 times in 239 at-bats). Throw in a .297 batting average, .355 on-base percentage and there is a lot to like about him.</div>
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Did I mention he is only 19 years old? All of this from a 19-year-old, that is pretty impressive by itself.</div>
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<b>The Bad</b></div>
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A little more consistency would be nice, a rough April-May has been washed out by an outstanding first two-plus weeks of June but imagine how outrageous his numbers would look had he been performing at a high level for the whole season. That being said, he is only 19 and what you really want to see from month to month is improvement. And we are seeing that.</div>
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Honestly I don't have much else, if consistency is the biggest problem a 19-year-old hitting prospect has, things are looking good.</div>
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<b>The Outlook</b></div>
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Taylor is going to be a fun one to watch develop. His 19 doubles and four home runs indicate he could have developing power, he has good speed and plate presence and he can steal bases. He is a true five-tool prospect, which is as exciting as it is terrifying. Five-tool major league ball players are extremely rare, just look how long it took for Carlos Gomez to develop. </div>
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If he continues to hit like he has in June, Taylor could see a promotion to Brevard County. More likely, especially considering his age, he will play out the 2013 season with Wisconsin and play his 2014 campaign with the High-A Manatees. So if you are reading this, you should really head up to the Fox Valley and watch this kid play - he could be a good one.</div>
Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-56006989940328795562013-06-12T10:50:00.001-05:002013-06-12T10:50:27.822-05:00Support Your Local BrewersI don't just mean your local craft brewers, of which you should also support them. No, I mean your Milwaukee Brewers baseball club. It would seem after disastrous six win May, that they've managed to spoil any chance of the postseason. But fret not fellow fans, there are still reasons on why you should continue to support the team.<br />
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<b>There is a Lot of Talent on the Team </b>- Talent? These bums can't seem to win with any consistency. True, they've struggled putting it all together, but let's take a look at this lineup again. You have two electric breakout stars right now in Jean Segura and Carlos Gomez. Jean Segura obviously is off to a hot start, and as of now, deserves a trip to the All-Star game (VOTE!), but why would I mention Gomez has being breakout? Well, because he's 28 years old. He shouldn't have been called to the Majors as quickly as he was, and he is now starting to make the most of his talent. Between these two players and Ryan Braun, this team has a solid core of which to build around. Then of course there's Lucroy, a fan favorite for good reason. Yes, this offense is able to put up double digits on any given game. This isn't your team of the 90's, there's talent that is worth going out to the ballpark to watch.<br />
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<b>A Glimpse at the Future </b>- We know about Jean Segura now, and we know he's under Brewers control for many more years, even without an extension. However, the club is starting to give their talented young prospects chances this year. Rickie's struggles have forced the hand of the Brewers to call up Scooter Gennett, a player who's hit successfully on every level. Another young bat, who we might see a lot more of soon if Braun goes on the DL or is suspended is Logan Schafer. This young man already has my attention with his walk-up music selection, "Return of the Mack".<br />
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Then there's the pitching. Wily Peralta and Hiram Burgos are still learning the ropes in the rotation, but are still good reasons to go out to the park. Other young pitchers like Fiers and Thornburg, have had a few bumps in the road, but could still turn things around. This year seems like it might be a good year to watch these young arms, to see progress as we move towards 2014.<br />
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This isn't the "watch the future Brewers" of the 00's where we desperately hoped players like Ben Hendrickson would bring us championships, no, this is to see who will fill in the holes of an already solid core. Remember, it was these young arms that helped propel the 2012 Brewers to a relevant 2nd half of the season. Which brings us to:<br />
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<b>The Season Isn't Over </b>- Like I just mentioned, the Brewers, after a seemingly lost 2012 early on, managed to come roaring back and get themselves in the playoff picture until the last few games of the year. September was still meaningful. Who's to say that doesn't happen again this year? It's sort of a Roenicke thing, maybe his years with Scioscia have rubbed off. Remember the Yost days, where it was start hot, finish poor? Listen, I'm not delusional, I'm just saying, hopping off and on the bandwagon must get exhausting.<br />
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<b>It's a Great Summer Activity </b>- We bitch all winter long about the cold, and the lack of baseball. So now you're not going to go have a good time just because the team didn't start off too great? That's some dollar store brand of stadium sauce right there...WEAK! Go to the park, tailgate, party, enjoy baseball while it lasts. If you can't make it to a game, listen to Uecker call a game from your deck while grilling with a beer in hand. Summer is fleeting in Wisconsin. To me, baseball = summer and summer = fun.<br />
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Prost!@diddy05http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955269747785311380noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-10325193756153257062013-06-10T10:22:00.001-05:002013-06-10T10:23:24.539-05:00Like a Phoenix Rising From the Ashes...Wisconsin Sport Tap has returned. Okay, so a Phoenix doesn't really fit the bill. Let me rephrase this:<br />
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<b>Like the lazy Rip Van Winkel, awaking from his slumber, Wisconsin Sports Tap is back!</b><br />
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There, that seems more appropriate. But, I've gotten the writing bug again, and I'll try to convince Mark to do the same. A few topics I want to get started on:<br />
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- Biogenesis<br />
- Continuing to support your Milwaukee Brewers during a possibly lost season<br />
- Brett Favre<br />
- Various other nonsense.<br />
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Let me trim my beard, and I'll get started right away!<br />
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Cheers, Prost, Kanpai, Salute, Salud, Skål@diddy05http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955269747785311380noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-50213765750245799262012-07-03T02:45:00.000-05:002012-07-03T02:45:19.548-05:00Midseason Farm Report: CatchersThe halfway point of the minor league season has come and gone, but not gone is the chance to do a little recouping of the Brewers farm system. If you'll recall back to January I took a shot at positional rankings of Milwaukee's minor leaguers, my rankings - stat based (not WAR) and completely lacking scouting reports. I like doubles and walks, but even more so I like players who are consistent and succeed at higher levels of the minors.<br />
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Take it as you will, but here are my rankings from earlier this year:<br />
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<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-catchers.html">Catcher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-first-base.html">First Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-second-base.html">Second Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-third-base.html">Third Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-shortstop.html">Shortstop</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-outfielders.html">Outfield</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/02/farm-report-relief-pitcher.html">Relief Pitcher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/02/farm-report-starting-pitcher.html">Starting Pitcher</a><br />
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So we revisit these illustrious rankings with a little mid-season update. Leading the way for the position group is the catchers, here's a look where they stood in the offseason:<br />
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<b>1. Martin Maldonado</b><br />
<b>2. Shawn Zarraga</b><br />
<b>3. Parker Berberet</b><br />
<b>4. Cameron Garfield</b><br />
<b>5. Joey Paciorek</b><br />
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And without further ado, where they stand here in July.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai9jtsTzPOF0XCltO7regRqVZ5V_fGRbHKAVwPuOUO4RTwn7jDo1GDDdO5lODbchyphenhyphenbnL8TLgQr7fwnYLGNh7_d8C8k6C26yj9IKjybXdFFrJMzZbnkrhXc9bB5C15RUFdkYP-5tVxlSvk/s1600/maldonado1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgai9jtsTzPOF0XCltO7regRqVZ5V_fGRbHKAVwPuOUO4RTwn7jDo1GDDdO5lODbchyphenhyphenbnL8TLgQr7fwnYLGNh7_d8C8k6C26yj9IKjybXdFFrJMzZbnkrhXc9bB5C15RUFdkYP-5tVxlSvk/s320/maldonado1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's still this guy, how great is this picture?</td></tr>
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<b>1. Martin Maldonado -</b> Barely, just barely, am I willing to maintain Maldonado's prospect status but it's retained none the less. Maldonado was the no-brainer call-up after the fluke injury to Jonathan Lucroy back in May and since then he's been about as good as anyone could have hoped for. Maldonado is batting .267 (4th on the team) with five home runs and 16 runs batted in. What's more important, his defense has been as advertised (by which I mean really good).<br />
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A decision will need to be made when Lucroy returns from his broken hand, but Maldanado has made that a difficult choice for Brewers brass to make. Don't be surprised to see current backup catcher George Kottaras traded around the time Milwaukee makes that choice.<br />
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<b>2. Cameron Garfield - </b>The nice thing about prep players is that when a season is lost, early, to injury they are still young enough that development won't (usually) be horribly delayed. Garfield only saw action in 15 games last year but he seems to be bouncing back nicely in 2012... and he's only 21 years old. Since returning to a starting role for the Timber Rattlers at the end of may he's played in 22 games and batted .314 with a .392 on-base percentage. It's doubtful he'll get promoted this year but it's good to see him back on the field.<br />
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<b>3. Clint Coulter -</b> With a sigh do I rate Coulter this high. As I've said I don't like to rate a player based on their draft position but that's all I have to go on for this year's first round pick (by the way the new signing rules regarding draft picks is going to do wonders for player development). Coulter was the top pick for Milwaukee in 2012 and is currently with the rookie league Arizona Brewers. Eight games into his first pro season and he's 3-for-31 with a triple, home run and four driven in. In other words, not going anywhere soon, but then he's also only 18 years old.<br />
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<b>4. Parker Berberet -</b> It's a wash between the four and five spots, but Berberet gets the slight nod thanks in part to the numbers he put up last season when he hit seven home runs and drove in 40 for Helena. This year he started out with Low-A Wisconsin and was promoted to Brevard County after an injury to our number five guy, Shawn Zarraga. In 36 games between Rattlers and the Manatees Berberet has hit .261 with a .343 on-base percentage. The power has been absent however, as he's only managed six extra-base hits in 119 at-bats.<br />
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<b>5. Shawn Zarraga -</b> Before going down with an injury (anyone know what it was?) the 23-year-old Zarraga was off to a nice start for Brevard County. Through his first 28 games he was batting .292 with a .384 on-base percentage. With six doubles, a triple and two home runs he still has more extra-base hits than Berberet. All this adds up to Zarraga likely finding it easy to move ahead of the player that took his spot once he returns from injury.<br />
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<b>Off the List</b> - Joey Paciorek - Backing up Berberet at Brevard County is Paciorek. He's not doing a bad job, he has a .255 average with eight runs batted in, but he's still the backup. Would I really rate the backup ahead of the starter? Don't answer that.<br />
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<b>Final Thoughts -</b> We are past the halfway point of the minor league season and there hasn't been a ton of change in this ranking. That could change drastically by the end of the year though, Maldonado should stick in the big leagues and be off this list, Coulter could show why he's a first round pick and Garfield could start flashing more power. Realistically though expect to see this same group of names, maybe with some shuffling of the order, when these rankings are updated next.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-21732940973129733852012-05-03T01:09:00.002-05:002012-05-03T01:12:08.419-05:00The War Against WARBaseball is a stat driven game, well past a time when success was measured by home runs and RBIs. It's the era of OPS, where stats require equations that the average fan doesn't begin to understand or attempt to use. And at the helm of the modern day statistical ship is the big one. WAR. A stat that can actually tell you how many wins a player adds to your teams total.<br />
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It's also one of the most overused and values-less stats that floats around the baseball world.<br />
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<b>What is WAR?</b><br />
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Wins Above Replacement, a stat that is intended to tell you exactly how valuable a player is to a team by measuring how many wins a player adds over a replacement bench or Triple-A player. For example Matt Kemp, last years runner-up to the NL MVP award, had a WAR of 10 (by the baseball reference formula) for the Los Angeles Dodgers. What that means is he was ten wins better than a player that the Dodgers could take off the bench or out of the minor leagues 2011.<br />
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One thing to remember about WAR is not that it's wins provided above a player that put up the major league average at his position, it's win's provided above a replacement player. That replacement player is someone who is coming in off the bench or someone who is called up from the minor leagues.<br />
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The stat is put together by combining a number of different statistics, I won't try to sell you on it but <a href="http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/6/20/919779/great-explanations-of-wins-above" target="_blank">this is a better write up</a> than I could come up with.<br />
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In practice, this stat allows a user to say player X is worth more wins to his team than player Y. A cut and dry measurement of how important a player is to his team. <br />
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So why doesn't it work?<br />
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<b>No Standard Formula</b><br />
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To find out the WAR number of a player you can go to a website like Baseball Reference and find it in their stat line. Or you can go to Baseball Prospectus and find it in his stat line. Or you can go to Fangraphs and find it in his stat line. There's only one problem, all three numbers will be different.<br />
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Take Jose Bautista for example, according to Baseball Reference his WAR was 8.5 in 2011. On Baseball Prospectus it was 10.3 and on Fangraphs it was 7.1. Which of these stats is right? Is one better than the other? If all three websites use a different formula to come out for the same stat how is any one of them valid?<br />
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There a simplicity to measuring things like batting average or earned run average because every time you measure it your numbers are going to be the same. The WAR of a player cannot be three different numbers and still be taken seriously. If one site values one aspect of their WAR equation more than another then the stat becomes subjective. Stats can't be subject to a value judgement like that.<br />
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<b>Defensive Misgivings</b><br />
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Measuring defense in baseball is by far one of the most difficult things to do. It's been widely accepted that errors and fielding percentage tells us very little beyond how many majorly botched plays a defender makes in a season. There have been numerous attempts to accurately quantify defense but thus far nothing has taken a lead.<br />
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WAR uses these less than sound defensive metrics, be it one of the many attempts at a zone defensive ratings or otherwise, in its formula. This is unsound. Until there is a more widely accepted measurement of defense all of the WAR ratings will be based on ratings that are, in and of themselves, unreliable.<br />
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Baseball will find a valid system of measuring it's players defensive capabilities but until they do, basing a statistic on the current flaw-ridden defensive metrics only serves to poke more holes in a stat that has as many holes in it as swiss cheese.<br />
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<b>The Replacement Player</b><br />
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Assumption. That is what the presumed replacement value is. It is an assumption about what the replacement player can do, for good or ill. When a player has a negative WAR, like Casey McGehee did last year, can we say that the replacement player would have been better than he was? <br />
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Perhaps, but that also draws a conclusion that this replacement player will perform at a certain level. WAR generalizes. One teams replacement option is different then the next team's. If you have a top prospect waiting in the wings, like the Brewers did with Taylor Green, it probably would have been a safe bet to say Green could have done a better job. But if you didn't have a good option? If your replacement level player has a negative WAR?<br />
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That's the problem of WAR, a replacement player can have a negative wins above replacement value. So then what? Another replacement player with an even lower value? The stat becomes ineffectual. Even more to the point, you just can't measure a real players actual performance against a generalized, assumed performance of the so-called replacement player.<br />
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<b>Winning the Battle</b><br />
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The fact of the matter is, WAR isn't going away. As long as performance can be measured by a variety and combination of statistics then new statistics will be derived to measure what a player actually contributes to his team. It's a noble effort, to establish how many wins a single player can add to his team's performance over the marathon that is the professional baseball season, unfortunately it's also one that's inherently flawed.<br />
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Should the metric world cease it's attempts at a better measuring stick for Major League players? Not at all. But for those that consider themselves statistically enlightened they must also recognize the problems that an all-encompassing stat like WAR can bring. You can use statistics to prove anything and WAR gives credence to that old standby.<br />
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The truth of the matter is that quoting a player's WAR is about as convincing as quoting his RBIs. To measure a players performance you must use several statistics, not several statistics mashed together in some sort of sabermetric stew.<br />
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Maybe some day baseball's all-consuming and all-enveloping stat will come to fruition but until that day having more than one way to measure a player is not a bad concept.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-10171027411667824452012-04-03T09:08:00.004-05:002012-04-03T09:08:54.430-05:00Here She Is...Miss America (Now Cheer For Her)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcFh5sHakfx9A75FbxmLVs_MJgsxFNriTGGwovAfxlqlaBKm-iERJgDiy2ZOnRPDN_BcjJBLtAJGf0ZRFIaUeetDoCbkPsqilps9dcSMabCTytsitUNX2jFlei0I0bMBkOI3bD11Wssc/s1600/Miss+America.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcFh5sHakfx9A75FbxmLVs_MJgsxFNriTGGwovAfxlqlaBKm-iERJgDiy2ZOnRPDN_BcjJBLtAJGf0ZRFIaUeetDoCbkPsqilps9dcSMabCTytsitUNX2jFlei0I0bMBkOI3bD11Wssc/s320/Miss+America.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura Kaeppeler</td></tr>
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Yesterday afternoon my twitter feed blew up about how Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler, is going to be tossing out the first pitch at the Brewers home opener, and that, *GASP*, she is a lifelong Cubs fan!<br />
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Oh, the horrors! How can we sully our unofficial state holiday with such an atrocity. People should be fired, wars should be waged.....we the good people of Wisconsin should take over the the military scrap pile on the Wisconsin/Illinois border and launch an all out assault on all that is Illinois, and as many of you have suggested on twitter, we should boo the living hell out of Miss America!<br />
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<b>Grow up!</b><br />
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It was just months ago, we thought she was the cutest
thing ever for wanting to meet Aaron Rodgers! It was the beauty queen and the
football star...classic Americana! A Packer fan, a true Sconnie right???? But wait, (record scratch), how can she be a Cubs fan then? ... Have you ever been to Kenosha? You do realize that with METRA running there, it is the northernmost grip of what some like to call Chicagoland. It's not like this is a girl who was born steps from County Stadium, no, this is a girl born in an area where Chicago and Wisconsin blend together. Seeing a Packer/Cub fan is a very common thing in Kenosha!<br /><br />
Wisconsin hasn't had a Miss America since 1973, I'm guessing most of my readers weren't even born then (I wasn't). We know that we're a damn good looking people, but let's face it, there's a national stereotype that we're not....I personally, would like to thank Laura for helping to make Wisconsin look good.<br />
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Miss America travels the country, working with many charities, often involving children, and spreads positive messages. She will also be representing the United States in the Miss Universe pageant later this year. Sounds to me like ideas we should all be applauding.<br />
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Don't make a fool of yourself Milwaukee, do the right thing, stand up, clap, cheer as the ball crosses the plate. And if you can't even fathom that idea, stay out in the parking lot for one more beer. Booing Miss America, is something an imbecile would do.<br />
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Oh, I heard a rumor that Ryan Braun grew up a Dodgers fan...grab your pitchforks and torches Milwaukee!<br />@diddy05http://www.blogger.com/profile/16955269747785311380noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-63622918394865187072012-03-27T20:59:00.000-05:002012-03-28T11:47:39.963-05:00Let's Get Excited About the Milwaukee Brewers<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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I’ve admittedly been lazy in trying to get my first post up. So in true lazy fashion, my first post will be gimmick style. I’m going to give you 43 reasons to be excited about this upcoming Milwaukee Brewers season. One for each of the Brewers seasons in <city><place>Milwaukee</place></city>. So without blathering any further, here they are, enjoy. </div>
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1. Ryan Braun. </div>
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2. Spending the first month trying to remember which Alex Gonzalez is on the Brewers. (Hint: It’s not the one that helped ruin Steve Bartman’s life)</div>
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3. Watching Alex Gonzalez flash a little leather, no disrespect to my man Yuni B though. </div>
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4. Getting to see the Central Division Champs pennant that will be at the stadium reminding us of what a special year it was in 2011. </div>
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5. Getting a full season of Zack Greinke. I, like most optimistic fans expect big things from Mr. Greinke. </div>
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6. Anytime you get to spend a Saturday afternoon at <place><placename>Miller</placename> <placetype>Park</placetype></place>. </div>
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7. Trying to remember the actual game after spending a Saturday afternoon at <place><placename>Miller</placename> <placetype>Park</placetype></place>. </div>
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8. Nori Aoki. This is the most excited I’ve ever been for a 5<sup>th</sup> outfielder, though I really don’t know what to expect and playing time might be hard to come by. </div>
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9. Playing 17 games against the Houston Astros. </div>
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10. Monitoring Lucroy’s beard throughout the year.</div>
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11. Georgie “Greek God” Kottaras and his beard. I love Georgie more and more every time he plays. </div>
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12. Axford’s hair and ‘stache watch. Might as well get these three out of the way. </div>
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13. Hopefully being able to watch Rickie Weeks tear things up for an entire season. We love you Rick. </div>
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14. Carlos Gomez on the base paths. The guy is a terror when he’s there; hope he can do it a little more this year. </div>
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15. Another year of Nyjer Morgan. I have loved Nyjer since his days with <city><place>Pittsburgh</place></city> and enjoyed him thoroughly last year. </div>
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16. Tony Plush, but not too much Tony Plush. Don’t let it jump the shark Nyjer. Just enough to keep us engaged.</div>
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17. The death of Beast Mode. It was great when it happened, but like untuckem when Cameron left, it must go with Prince. </div>
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18. Gomez making amazing plays in CF. Nyjer crashing into the wall and making plays in CF.</div>
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19. A potentially huge year out of Yovani Gallardo. Who can’t see him winning 18-19 games?</div>
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20. Trying to come up with more nicknames for Narveson. Narvdog, Narvster, Narvy, Narvs. There’s got to be more right?</div>
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21. Seeing if Mat “Not Matt” Gamel can be a late bloomer. </div>
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22. Playing 17 games against the Chicago Cubs.</div>
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23. The return of Manny Parra’s cry face.</div>
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24. Wondering which Corey Hart we will get this year and making fun of him whether he’s good or bad because he is a weird dude. </div>
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25. Freaking out every time K-Rod comes in to pitch a close game, ok I’m not looking forward to that. </div>
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26. Accidentally falling asleep on the couch during a Sunday game, waking up in the 6<sup>th</sup> inning and Todd Coffey is pitching. Oops that was on my 2009 list. </div>
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27. Hopefully watching Nyjer take out his digger and toss it in the general direction of a Cardinals pitcher again so they can stay on the high horse they are on. </div>
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28. Braun’s hair? </div>
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29. Wearing my Alcides Escobar jersey shirt to at least one game. </div>
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30. Wolfie smacking a double and getting a 2-1 win with Georgie scoring the run that puts them ahead. </div>
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31. A Marco Estrada spot start if Marcum’s arm falls off. </div>
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32. Kameron Loe getting in and out of terrible jams.</div>
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33. Playing 15 games against the Pittsburgh Pirates.</div>
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34. Watching super drunk Brewer fan and super drunk Cub (or Cardinal) fan have a completely pointless argument at <place><placename>Miller</placename> <placetype>Park</placetype></place>. </div>
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35. Seeing Aramis Ramirez go deep hopefully more than just a few times. </div>
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36. Braun gunning some poor soul out at home. </div>
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37. Enjoying shots of Counsell during games, but not seeing him in uniform.</div>
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38. Listening to Brian Anderson say something to try and make Rock laugh, but he of course won’t laugh.</div>
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39. Hoping that Joe Block’s voice is just close enough to Uecker that if you turn a game on in the middle you question yourself just like with everyone else who has ever worked with him. </div>
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40. Getting to see some young guys come up late in the year and have some big moments.</div>
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41. The potential of winning a division that is still wide open, though the Brewers have been set in stone in 3<sup>rd</sup> by the media.</div>
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42. A monster Braun homer that ties or wins a game, maybe clinching another playoff spot? </div>
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43. Ryan Braun.</div>
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As an ever optimistic fan, I feel they are definitely talented enough to win the division or return to the playoffs as one of the wild cards. The thing is, we don’t know what will happen and that is the best part. Go Brewers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOJAI7oeH5GWF2tKdp3mYHIVIPRqb6GtvS9dCBkmgxFNNcd6JzleHONHk-a3beuQWK09_fH5ZD1EtKuuWaZSJR_QNzuB39AgNvyRm2hTcVeNKIhv1mDGSSAPFIM4OrhP4RM2Yf-lQ038/s1600/milwaukee_brewers_logo-19565.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOJAI7oeH5GWF2tKdp3mYHIVIPRqb6GtvS9dCBkmgxFNNcd6JzleHONHk-a3beuQWK09_fH5ZD1EtKuuWaZSJR_QNzuB39AgNvyRm2hTcVeNKIhv1mDGSSAPFIM4OrhP4RM2Yf-lQ038/s320/milwaukee_brewers_logo-19565.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05290010722523357766noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-89137850976515811632012-02-02T00:00:00.002-06:002012-02-02T00:00:08.300-06:00Farm Report: Starting Pitcher<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0H0CnLzCGLcMQPSMG2hvtHnfCLpBRxu3LyTdI_UlOCaGQrp09WKxMvK2ztVmuvEVqHCt-hU9RQRlNiSfiNc8EH9IoxkynY9XCsRxGdn1GvGOdI1f-VN8sfkJIO2IiIgdBD59Ywf9pXX1S/s1600/peralta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0H0CnLzCGLcMQPSMG2hvtHnfCLpBRxu3LyTdI_UlOCaGQrp09WKxMvK2ztVmuvEVqHCt-hU9RQRlNiSfiNc8EH9IoxkynY9XCsRxGdn1GvGOdI1f-VN8sfkJIO2IiIgdBD59Ywf9pXX1S/s320/peralta.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wily Peralta looks like he has a very bright future</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rounding out our analysis of the Brewers organization is an in-depth look at the starting pitcher, which for a change might be the strongest group. This is also the group that may spark the most debate among my method of ranking prospects.<br />
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First, there will be a couple of notable absences from this group - last year's first round draft picks Taylor Jungmann (12th) and Jed Bradley (15th). While they need to be mentioned on this list I won't be ranking them being on draft position or Arizona Fall League stats. Bradley is widely considered one of the the top pitching prospects (if not the top) and is very highly regarded. There is some concern about workload for Jungmann, he pitched a ton last year for Texas.<br />
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Another name that isn't on the list just yet is last year's second round pick, Jorge Lopez. Lopez did pitch 12 innings for the Arizona rookie Brewers. He struck out 10 with a 2.25 ERA. Where these three pitchers land will be a determination of how highly the organization thinks of them. Early indications would put Bradley and Jungmann as high as Brevard County (High A). If the team is looking to lighten workloads short season Helena would be a better choice. Lopez... probably Wisconsin (Low A) at best.<br />
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In six months all three of these guys should be on this list, but right now I won't be ranking them based on where they were drafted.<br />
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Moving on, here is a look back at our other position breakdowns with an update to the relief pitchers section. Apparently my third ranked relief pitcher (Robert Hinton) signed with Baltimore. My writing layoff finally caught up to me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-catchers.html">Catcher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-first-base.html">First Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-second-base.html">Second Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-third-base.html">Third Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-shortstop.html">Shortstop</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-outfielders.html">Outfield</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/02/farm-report-relief-pitcher.html">Relief Pitcher</a><br />
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<b>1. Wily Peralta -</b> After spending most of the 2011 season with Double-A Huntsville (21 starts) Peralta was bumped up to Triple-A Nashville where he made five very impressive starts. In 31 innings at the minors top level he was dominant, with a 2.03 ERA with 40 strikeouts and only 11 walks. For the year he had a 3.17 ERA in a career high 150.2 innings pitched. The big improvement was his walk to strikeout rate which had been so-so the prior season. In 2010 he struck out 1.63 batters to every walk, that improved by one full strikeout (2.66 strikeouts per walk last season).<br />
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Peralta should be the first name mentioned if the Brewers need a major league starter, be it because of injury or ineffectiveness. He has a mid-90s fastball and a good breaking ball with a much improved change. A full year at Nashville wouldn't hurt, but Peralta is ready and you wouldn't be wrong to pencil him in to the 2013 rotation.<br />
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<b>2. Tyler Thornburg -</b> A third round pick in the 2010 draft, Thornburg dominated Midwestern League (Low-A) batters to the tune of a 1.57 ERA in 68.2 innings before a mid-season promotion. After moving up to Brevard County he was still good, but not quite dominant. In 68 innings with the Manatees he had a 3.57 ERA. For the year he struck out 160 batters in 136.2 innings pitched. Everything indicates he should be with Huntsville in 2012 and he's been climbing the ladder quickly. Depending how the transition to Double-A goes, he could reach the major leagues as soon as late 2013.<br />
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<b>3. Michael Fiers -</b> Fiers was too good in 2011 to look past anymore. Prior to last season the question was whether or not he would be able to translate his A-ball success to the more advanced levels of the minors. Well, he looked pretty good last season. In 126 innings split between Huntsville and Nashville he had a 1.86 ERA and struck out 132 batters while only walking 32. He's 26 years old and may have a chance to win a spot on the opening day roster with a strong spring.<br />
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<b>4. Cody Scarpetta -</b> Another player who will be in the big leagues sooner than later (whether the Brewers like it or not - Scarpetta had to be added to the 40-man roster earlier than normal due to an invalidated rookie contract). At the moment, he looks more like a future reliever but he will be given every opportunity to establish himself as a starting pitcher. With Huntsville in 2011 he had a 3.85 ERA in 117 innings, Scarpetta has had marginal command though. In his last two seasons he walked 128 batters, too many if he's going to be a starter. Nashville in 2012.<br />
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<b>5. Nic Bucci -</b> I was torn between Bucci and Kyle Heckathorn for the fifth spot, but am given Bucci the nod for putting up similar numbers and being two years younger than Heckathorn. At the start of the 2012 season Bucci will be 21 years-old and should be pitching for the Huntsville Stars. With Brevard County last season he had a 3.84 ERA and pitched a career high 150 innings. He also cut his walk rate from 68 in 2010 to 51 in 2011 despite pitching 30 more innings.<br />
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<b>Final Thoughts -</b> There are a lot of pitchers to be excited about in the Brewers farm system. After struggling to develop any major league pitchers besides Yovani Gallardo the organization has come up with a sizable number of high potential pitching prospects. Along with the eight players mentioned you can throw names like Kyle Heckathorn, Austin Ross, Jimmy Nelson and Brooks Hall in the mix and the group gets deeper. And if former top prospects like Mark Rogers (injuries) or Amaury Rivas (struggled at Triple-A) have bounce back years then you have an even stronger prospect group.<br />
<br />
This is the deepest the Brewers have been in the pitching department, despite giving up a prospect like Jake Odorizzi a year ago. The future is bright for developing starters in the near future, which is important considering only two of the Brewers five starting pitchers are under contract after this season.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-12796653858556096942012-02-01T00:00:00.002-06:002012-02-01T20:41:50.862-06:00Farm Report: Relief PitcherThere's something about ranking relief pitchers that just feels like a waste of time. It's not that these players won't contribute, it's more that there are so few players that are true relief pitchers. Most relief pitchers are failed starters and when a pitcher is in the minors he is still in the process of being an unsuccessful starter before becoming a successful reliever.<br />
<br />
Still, we'll give it a go. The important stats for relief pitcher are pretty simple, low WHIP, high strikeouts and few home runs. Before we get started here's a look back at the hitters:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-catchers.html">Catcher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-first-base.html">First Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-second-base.html">Second Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-third-base.html">Third Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-shortstop.html">Shortstop</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-outfielders.html">Outfield</a><br />
<br />
<b>1. Santo Manzanillo - </b>The first concern with Manzanillo is that he get healthy, after being in a <a href="http://brewersbeat.mlblogs.com/2011/11/29/manzanillo-involved-in-auto-accident/">car accident</a> in the offseason. Depending on when Manzanillo can start pitching again the hope will be that he can pick up where he left off in 2011. Sporting a high velocity fastball (upper 90s), Manzanillo 62 batters in 61.2 innings pitched. He had a WHIP of 1.14. His numbers were dominant with Brevard County, to the tune of a 1.52 ERA. Getting back and healthy is most important.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Daniel Meadows - </b>I am rooting for Meadows, if only because he was drafted in the 49th round of the draft. Splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, Meadows pitched 77.1 innings and had a 2.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He struck out 74 batters and only walked 23. It's likely he starts the year with Nashville but he will be high on the list when injuries or ineffectiveness open up spots on the major league roster.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Robert Hinton -</b> This is where ranking relievers really gets difficult. Getting the nod at the third spot is Hinton, based on a strong 2011 year at double-A. In 54 innings with Huntsville he struck out 58 batters and walked only 19 with a sparkling 1.67 ERA. Hinton has yet to see that success translate to Triple-A however, in 29.1 career innings at the minor's highest level he has an ERA close to six (5.83).<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATE: </b>I knew I was going to get burned by one of these rankings and Hinton it is. Hinton was a minor league free agent this offseason and elected to sign with Baltimore. Not overly surprising that the organization would pass on a 27-year-old reliever that had been unable to make the transition from Double-A to Triple-A (so far).<br />
<br />
In his place I offer up Casey Medlen, a 37th round draft pick a year ago. Medlen saw time with rookie Helena and Wisconsin, striking out 44 in 34.2 innings and sporting a 1.07 WHIP. His impressive 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings pitched ratio catches the eye, as does the fact that he walked only 11 batters in his first professional season.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Rob Wooten - </b>After missing 2010 with an arm injury, Wooten bounced back with a solid year split between High-A Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville. For the season he had a 1.16 WHIP and 3.09 ERA. Wooten doesn't throw overly hard but he has been a closer for most of his minor league career. He'll be 26 at the start of 2012 and should begin the season at Nashville.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Eric Marzec -</b> On the strength of his strikeout numbers and a sharp ERA I'm going with Marzec at the number five spot. Marzec has pitched 103 innings and struck out 111 batters. His WHIP that same amount of time is 1.12. I suppose that's not such a bad number either. The Brewers saw fit to give him a brief look with Triple-A Nashville last season and there's no reason to think he'll start any lower than Double-A in 2012.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Thoughts - </b>The main purpose of making a relief pitchers list was to have a group for Manzanillo. After him, there are a whole bunch of guys that could be considered relief prospects. Names like Casey Medlen, Maverick Lasker, Jonathan Pokorny or Donovan Hand all come to hand. Basically, there is no John Axford coming up in the wings but there are a bunch of guys with a chance at helping the major league roster.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-81545659161075691642012-01-31T00:00:00.016-06:002012-01-31T00:00:07.655-06:00Farm Report: Outfielders<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BOWnbgUrWcsEw1vwXM-d-NXyQLljoaM6n4SjZHMfDOjognF_1aSv1Uyvde7AfpW9FTBhyphenhyphenEkMZW43IMkN11PYmJEJ5MwqthKgwXkHZ-uFo20L-tC6zu2raUjN6LYCLnUEkJUCtQDV-u8o/s1600/schafer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BOWnbgUrWcsEw1vwXM-d-NXyQLljoaM6n4SjZHMfDOjognF_1aSv1Uyvde7AfpW9FTBhyphenhyphenEkMZW43IMkN11PYmJEJ5MwqthKgwXkHZ-uFo20L-tC6zu2raUjN6LYCLnUEkJUCtQDV-u8o/s400/schafer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depending on Plush 2.0, Logan Schafer could start sometime in 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We'll be doing the outfield group a little bit differently. Too many minor league outfielders see time at all three outfield spots to group them into being a right fielder, left fielder or center fielder. That said, some players have established themselves in an outfield spot so when those do pop up we'll let you know.<br />
<br />
But first, feel obligated to take a look back at the infield:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-catchers.html">Catcher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-first-base.html">First Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-second-base.html">Second Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-third-base.html">Third Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-shortstop.html">Shortstop</a><br />
<br />
<b>1. Logan Schafer -</b> Centerfielder of the future, probably very near future. After an injury plagued 2010 season Schafer reclaimed the top spot in the outfield rankings with a strong 2011 campaign. Schafer hit .315 with a .385 OBP and 33 extra-base hits. His best success came after a call-up to Nashville, where he hit .331. A full season at Nashville wouldn't be a bad idea, especially with what could be a packed outfield at the major league level.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Caleb Gindl -</b> A corner outfielder most likely, but Gindl has seen a fair amount of time in center. If he is the future replacement for Corey Hart in right it will be quite the change. Gindl is 23 years old and only 5'9" but he can hit. Last season he hit .307 with 15 home runs and 60 runs driven in. He also walked 63 times. Gindl won't be on the big club in 2012 but he's knocking on the door pretty loudly now.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Khristopher Davis -</b> 2012 is a big year for Davis, after hitting the ball well at Low-A and High-A he struggled mightily in a stint with Double-A Huntsville. With Wisconsin in 2010 he hit .280 with 22 home runs and in 90 games with Brevard County he hit .309 with 15 homers. After being promoted to Huntsville he hit the wall, batting .210 with only two home runs in 35 games. If he can replicate his success from A-ball with Huntsville next year he will be a top prospect, replicating that success will be no small feat though.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Brock Kjeldgaard -</b> This may be a little high for Kjeldgaard, but it's hard to overlook his power. In his last three seasons his home run numbers have been 20, 17 and 24. Arguably his best season was 2011, when he hit .270 with a .354 OBP and 76 runs driven in. He even stole 15 bases. His game is not without holes, but he is a very raw talent and if he continues to improve he could be a legit major leaguer.<br />
<br />
<b>5. D'Vontrey Richardson -</b> Speaking of raw talents, Richardson fits very well into that category. A true five-tool prospect, Richardson has flashed every tool possible in his two seasons but is far from any degree of consistency. In his two seasons in pro-ball he has played almost exclusively in center. Last year with Brevard County he hit .284 with 23 extra-base hits and a .327 OBP. It would seem prudent to give Richardson another season in A-ball to sharpen up a few areas of his game.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Kentrail Davis - </b>Another example of why I won't rate players based solely on their draft position, Davis saw his stock dip in 2011. Considered a five tool prospect, Davis has shown those tools despite not being able to consistently put it all together. Last season he had 34 extra-base hits and stole 33 bases, but he also hit just .245. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him bumped to Double-A if the organization thinks stiffer competition will draw better results from him.<br />
<br />
<b>7. T.J. Mittelstaedt - </b>A 44th round pick in 2010, Mittlestaedt did a little bit of everything for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers last season. In the minors he's played left and right field, second and third base and he even pitched a couple innings last season. At the dish he hit .293 with an impressive .410 OBP and 29 extra-base hits. Oh and he stole 28 bases. Mittlestaedt will be with Brevard County in 2012, if not higher.<br />
<br />
<b>8. Ruben Ozuna -</b> Ozuna will be 20 when the season starts, he saw time with three teams in his second season in the Brewers organization. He played 11 games with the Brewers Dominican Summer League affiliate, seven with the rookie Arizona Brewers and 12 with rookie Helena. Ozuna batted .299 with a .356 OBP and eight extra-base hits. Nothing outrageously good but it catches your eye. Expect a little more stability in 2012, in the form of a promotion to Wisconsin or at least a full season with Helena. You get the feeling the organization wants to see him play.<br />
<br />
<b>9. Max Walla -</b> A true project pick, Walla was drafted in the second round in 2009. He spent his first two professional seasons with rookie level Arizona. In his first season he hit .201 with a .282 OBP, in season two he hit .252 with a .335 OBP and in his third season (now with rookie Helena) he batted .285 with a .374 OBP. With Helena he also had 22 extra-base hits and a career high .785 OPS. Nothing too good, but steady improvement. It will be interesting to see what Walla can do in 2012, probably with the Timber Rattlers.<br />
<br />
<b>10. Lee Haydel -</b> I really don't know what to make of Haydel. Supposedly he can fly but he was only successful on 17 of 35 stolen bases attempts last year. He's a career .282 hitter in five seasons but with only a .324 OBP, so he doesn't project as a leadoff hitter. If he can improve his plate presence and not get caught stealing bases so often he will probably have a chance to reach the majors as a fourth or fifth outfielder someday. He may have a chance at Nashville's bench in 2012, otherwise it's a third straight season in Double-A.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Thoughts -</b> This is the strongest position group for the Brewers organization, with some very high ceiling players. With a big season a guy like Kentrail Davis or D'Vontrey Richardson could shoot to number three on this list. Both players are very athletic and have had a degree of success so far, but need to develop more consistency before having a shot at the majors. <br />
<br />
Schafer and Gindl are about as close to sure things as there are for hitting prospects. They've had success at every level they've been and seem to be ready for a chance at the majors. You also have a guy like Brock Kjeldgaard, who has huge power but strikes out a ton and Khristopher Davis, a college hitter who has hit the ball well at every level but faces his biggest test with a full season at Double-A.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>Further down the list you have project guys like Ozuna and Walla, who once they start to really take strides in their development could see their stock shoot up. This is a good group of players and the Brewers have to be happy with their options for the outfield.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-20691082225992862522012-01-30T00:00:00.002-06:002012-01-30T00:00:06.863-06:00Farm Report: Shortstop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddtaUw3etBcvRqyJRG7zCxsqDKXpMWNqqqN_cPJhnG207DNQKjORh1lcPDCDIkzdA3piF576VZVFmSU3GNAF8agHwneWcQrScwH_YnmnQIAOeIDpFWqUwf7JTY8LcI1tkGRD8972hq7Uk/s1600/rivera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddtaUw3etBcvRqyJRG7zCxsqDKXpMWNqqqN_cPJhnG207DNQKjORh1lcPDCDIkzdA3piF576VZVFmSU3GNAF8agHwneWcQrScwH_YnmnQIAOeIDpFWqUwf7JTY8LcI1tkGRD8972hq7Uk/s1600/rivera.jpg" /></a></div>Time for some light Monday morning reading in the form of yet another Farm Report, finishing out the infield. This is a, well, interesting group and I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. What I can tell you is that you shouldn't expect to see any of these players in the majors anytime soon.<br />
<br />
Here's a look back at last weeks prospect rankings:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-catchers.html">Catcher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-first-base.html">First Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-second-base.html">Second Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-third-base.html">Third Base </a><br />
<br />
<b>1. Yadiel Rivera -</b> You'll hear a player described as "toolsy" and that fits the bill for Rivera. Potential is the word for him. Only 19 years old, Rivera split time between Low-A Wisconsin and rookie Helena with his most success coming in rookie ball. For the season he had nine home runs and 43 RBIs with a .236 batting average. He's got some work to do, but more on that later. The organization will probably give him another chance at Low-A Wisconsin but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him at Helena for another year of seasoning.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Josh Prince -</b> A third round pick in the 2009 draft, Prince is a slap hitter who has hit for decent average but a low OBP. Last season with a Brevard County he played in 75 games and hit .281 with a career high five home runs. In three professional seasons he has a .254 career batting average but he's stolen 106 bases in his career. He would seem destined for Double-A in 2012.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Mike Brownstein -</b> Brownstein has struggled to stay on the field and so far has been more of a utility player than anything else. That said, the positions he saw the most amount of playing time at were second base and shortstop, so for our purposes we are putting him at shortstop. In the 85 games Brownstein played between Wisconsin and Brevard County he hit .261 with a .350 OBP. So there's that. <br />
<br />
<b>4. Hainley Statia -</b> I don't know if we can even call Statia a prospect since he's only spent one year in the Brewers system after spending his first six minor league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels organization. But, he's still only 25 and has yet to make an appearance in the big leagues. He also had a solid first season with Double-A Huntsville. Statia played in 95 games and hit .279 with a .355 OBP and 22 extra-base hits. It would seem he would get a look at Triple-A Nashville next season.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Brandon Macias -</b> Another utility player, Macias was undrafted and signed by the Brewers. He played in 52 games at two different levels, Arizona Rookie League and Low-A Wisconsin. He saw time at second base, third base, shortstop and even played a game in left field. Macias hit .249 with a .335 OBP and 17 extra-base hits.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Thoughts -</b> Let's take a look at this group, two utility players, one seven year minor league veteran and two actual shortstops. Rivera is the only high potential player in this group, showing a decent pop for a shortstop. But Rivera is very unrefined, he struck out 125 times in 106 games and committed 34 errors. So while he may have high potential he is a long way from reaching it.<br />
<br />
Prince is an interesting prospect, although at his best he would seem to be a place holder for someone with a bigger stick. That said, if he can consistently hit .270-.280 with 30-40 stolen bases he would be an acceptable starter at shortstop. Double-A will be a big test for him in 2012.<br />
<br />
As for the rest of this group, it's tough to say much. Brownstein and Macias haven't played enough to get a good read on and they aren't true shortstops. As for Statia... he would appear the most solid all around prospect in the system. That said he's been in the minors for seven seasons, that's a long time.<br />
<br />
Overall this group is better than it was a year or two ago but it's still not good. There isn't anyone in this group that seems like they will be helping the major league club anytime soon. We'll be back tomorrow with the outfield.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-32742743759804825232012-01-26T00:00:00.002-06:002012-01-26T00:00:09.030-06:00Farm Report: Third Base<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW6AMPR5pZ7AtOJgjXPjm8lqh5bCK7Xl8RcEFYrGe7yG_uwsXD4CcWNBiYqRBQIQPtTyxa3ys-Xtitg99hdI3TBXiLXlzU2uOsmk0tcvDsvp00Ig26Zp2fMw2bK4fqWPB3UnqRqWbNSh8/s1600/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW6AMPR5pZ7AtOJgjXPjm8lqh5bCK7Xl8RcEFYrGe7yG_uwsXD4CcWNBiYqRBQIQPtTyxa3ys-Xtitg99hdI3TBXiLXlzU2uOsmk0tcvDsvp00Ig26Zp2fMw2bK4fqWPB3UnqRqWbNSh8/s320/green.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taylor Green hit lights out last year, but where<br />
will he be on opening day?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>To cap off our first week back from hiatus (that's right, I'm taking Friday off) we'll take a look at the hot corner. Third base, a position with some legit depth but not necessarily a future starter. Or with three future starters, depending how you look at it.<br />
<br />
Here's the previous position breakdowns:<br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-catchers.html">Catcher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-first-base.html">First Base</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-second-base.html">Second Base</a><br />
<br />
<b>1. Taylor Green -</b> Much like Gamel, it may be a little unfair to call Green a prospect still. But he's never had any consistent playing time in the majors. Green might have been the only hitter who was better than Mat Gamel in 2011, he hit .336 with 22 home runs and 36 doubles. He drove in 88 and had OBP over .400 (.413 to be exact). His white hot summer earned him a call-up to the majors and his .270 average in 37 at-bats earned him a spot on the postseason roster. His role in 2012 is very unclear, he'll have a chance at making the big league roster but playing time may be hard to come by. Green can spell Aramis Ramirez at third and Rickie Weeks at second, but that doesn't guarantee very much playing time. Because of this, it would not be a surprise to see him back with Nashville in 2012, at least when the season starts.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Mike Walker -</b> Taking second place by a nose on the third base prospect list is Walker. He split time between first and third for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2011 and showed decent power in his first season outside of rookie ball. For the T-Rats last year Walker hit 15 home runs and drove in 72 while hitting .277 with a .387 OBP. He'll be with Brevard County in 2012 but his real test won't be until he hits Huntsville.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Zelous Wheeler -</b> 2011 was a lost year for Zelous Wheeler. A 19th round pick in 2007 Wheeler had been steadily climbing the Brewers farm system before injuries slowed him down last season. In his five minor league seasons he is hitting .271 with a .371 OBP. Wheeler is best defensively at third base, in very limited time at other positions he has struggled mightily. The next step in his development will be for Triple-A Nashville, but depending on where Taylor Green lands the playing time may not be there.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Shea Vucinich -</b> Drafted in the 20th round of the 2010 draft, Vucinich played in 125 games for Brevard County last season. His numbers were solid, especially considering he bypassed Low-A. Vucinich batted .260 with a .348 OBP and drove in 51 runs.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Kyle Dhanani -</b> Sure, why not. Dhanani final had a breakthrough offensively in his third professional season. He hit .266 with two home runs and 28 RBIs in 59 games with Rookie level Helena. Tough to read what his future is, but it was likely enough to keep him around for another year.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Thoughts -</b> Good group, a lot of guys who could have a role on a major league club. Green looks like a potential starter and if his minor league stats are any indication he could be a future star. But the team is not quite convinced, having signed Aramis Ramirez to a three-year deal. That being said, Ramirez could be viewed as a first or third baseman, which means you have three players for two spots (Gamel, Green and Ramirez) and only one of those players has a history of big league success. Have to like the front office hedging their bets there.<br />
<br />
As for Walker and Wheeler, time will tell. Wheeler right now looks like he could contribute offensively, at least off the bench, but his defense and lack of experience at a position besides third base would cause doubts that he could serve as a utility player. And for a player with only 43 home runs in five seasons starting at third base is almost completely out of the question.<br />
<br />
Walker could be a legit prospect, but he's more defensively polished at first base than third. Also as a college hitter success at lower levels of the minor leagues should be expected. His first big test may not be until he reaches Double-A Huntsville, which likely won't be until 2013.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned, we'll be back next week Monday to finish up the infield.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-72456558090960757172012-01-25T00:00:00.002-06:002012-01-25T00:00:03.801-06:00Farm Report: Second Base<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEQQBUvxw3J719RfepPu0NQUq-yw5O5KhZlq4o9T7gMmUKGsgmkaG14lp7J57shSV4-yZfTYAmmS0JjvxfiPTh7n-NroMog7UrrBwffAplEHD8vVEnPis9p40mH_0k_EFYxTuQJLRtPxu/s1600/gennett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEQQBUvxw3J719RfepPu0NQUq-yw5O5KhZlq4o9T7gMmUKGsgmkaG14lp7J57shSV4-yZfTYAmmS0JjvxfiPTh7n-NroMog7UrrBwffAplEHD8vVEnPis9p40mH_0k_EFYxTuQJLRtPxu/s320/gennett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Day three of our position-by-position look at the Milwaukee Brewers farm system brings us to the middle infield, second base to be specific. And for a change this group features one of the organizations top prospects.<br />
<br />
Here's a look back at our first two position breakdowns:<br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-catchers.html">Catcher</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wisconsinsportstap.com/2012/01/farm-report-first-base.html">First Base</a><br />
<br />
<b>1. Scooter Gennett -</b> Ryan Gennett, or 'Scooter' if you will, was drafted by the Brewers in the 16th round in 2009. He fell in the draft due to signing concerns but Milwaukee felt they would be able to strike a deal. He didn't play in 2009 (it took a while to sign) and made his debut the following season. Last season Gennett hit .300 with nine home runs and drove in 51 runs while scoring 74 times for High-A Brevard County. He'll start next season with Double-A Huntsville.<br />
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<b>2. Eric Farris -</b> Farris had a nice bounce back year with Nashville a season ago. After struggling through a knee injury in 2010, he came back for the Sounds and hit .271 with 37 extra-base hits. Farris never played at Double-A and it would seem he's headed for another year with Nashville.<br />
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<b>3. Nick Shaw -</b> An interesting prospect, Nick Shaw has tremendous eye at the plate, maybe the best in the Brewers farm system. Last season Shaw had a .260 average for Wisconsin last year but to go along with that mediocre average his OBP was .374. He walked 82 times for the Timber Rattlers last season. Shaw has split time between second and shortstop, so he projects out as more of a utility payer for the time being.<br />
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<b>4. Sergio Miranda -</b> In five seasons in the minor leagues, Miranda is a .286 hitter with a .347 OBP. His career year came in 2010 when he drove in 71 runs with 18 doubles. Last year with Huntsville he took a step back, hitting .270 and driving in only 29 RBIs. He'll likely be the odd man out in the shuffle and promotions for 2012. With Farris at Nashville and Gennett at Huntsville, Miranda seems destined for a bench role next season.<br />
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<b>5. Adrian Williams -</b> Choices are few and very far between after the top four in this group, we'll give it to Williams. He was drafted in the 45th round a year ago and played in 56 games for Rookie Helena, batting .238. Williams is only 21 so who knows what will happen next for him.<br />
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<b>Final Thoughts -</b> Second base can be labeled a strength, mostly on the wheels of Scooter Gennett. He has some power (18 home runs in his first two seasons) and he projects as probably a lead-off or number two hitter, unless his power improves. The concern with Gennett is his defense, in two seasons he has committed 43 errors at second base. Still, he's a station to station guy so if his defense improves he could be a replacement for Rickie Weeks in a few seasons.<br />
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Farris is a solid prospect, although it's not clear whether Milwaukee views him as a future starter or a bench player. He's got good speed, 70 stolen bases in 2009 and is a career .289 hitter through five minor league seasons. His near future is likely as a bench player and it wouldn't be surprising if he had a chance to win a spot on a big club out of spring training.<br />
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All-in-all this is a group that features 2-3 players who could contribute at the major league level and one of which has the tools to be a future all-star.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808246530276446316.post-16696843302522172822012-01-24T00:00:00.000-06:002012-01-24T00:00:02.069-06:00Farm Report: First Base<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrp-1hyphenhyphenWpFJDfJlj9rOVKRuS3rUHXMd8MuVj6eRnpw_lt1zgD4EVz4D_ZSIa6t9rOt8iLYu0CF9caFXWhmFAbAgBN8SS4bWhkFJmWEG_vM_QwjqUmarmL3t89Vtw2kGgONeDusA3CZY5c/s1600/gamel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrp-1hyphenhyphenWpFJDfJlj9rOVKRuS3rUHXMd8MuVj6eRnpw_lt1zgD4EVz4D_ZSIa6t9rOt8iLYu0CF9caFXWhmFAbAgBN8SS4bWhkFJmWEG_vM_QwjqUmarmL3t89Vtw2kGgONeDusA3CZY5c/s320/gamel.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet your 2012 First Baseman, Crew Fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>For round two of our look at the Brewers farm system, we continue our trip around the infield with an in-depth look at Milwaukee's first base prospects. First base is one of the better positional groups though maybe without than the high-end prospects the team has had in the past (Prince Fielder).<br />
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<b>1. Mat Gamel -</b> It may not be fair to call Gamel a prospect anymore, but for the purposes of this ranking he is. Gamel should start the 2012 season as the starting first baseman and his stats at Triple-A would say he has little left to accomplish in the Minors. Gamel hit .310 with a career high 28 home runs and 96 RBIs last year.<br />
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<b>2. Hunter Morris -</b> Drafted in the 2nd round in 2010, Morris played the majority of his season with Brevard County, batting .274 with 20 home runs and 69 RBIs for the season. He did have a brief stay with Double-A Huntsville, in four games with the Stars he batted .353 with a home run and two RBIs.<br />
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<b>3. Sean Halton -</b> Halton is a player who has consistently hit for average throughout the minor leagues, that was a trend that continued for him in 2011. For the year he hit .298 with only seven home runs but with an impressive 39 doubles (that was fourth in the Southern League).<br />
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<b>4. Cody Hawn -</b> Another high-round corner infielder drafted in 2010 for Milwaukee, Hawn entered pro ball after being drafted in the 6th round. It was actually the second time Milwaukee drafted him, they first drafted him in 2007 in the 23rd round but he elected college ball instead. Hawn saw his power dip in his second year as a pro, he hit only six home runs, but he did hit .294 for Low-A Wisconsin in 2011.<br />
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<b>5. Nick Ramirez -</b> One more corner infielder drafted high by the Brewers, this time in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, almost like they were planning for a first base opening or something. In his first 59 games as a professional he hit 11 home runs and drove in 53 with a .271 batting average.<br />
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<b>Final Thoughts -</b> This is one of the better position groups in the organization, though Gamel seems to have the best upside of any of these players. That said, he hasn't been able to make the transition to the majors in the short stints he's been in the big leagues. He'll get the chance next year as an every day player but it's good to know the organization has planned for other options.<br />
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Morris and Hawn would combine to make a really top tier prospect but each has holes in their game. Morris has good power - as evidenced by his home run totals - but his walk count is awful. A .274 batting average is good but a .301 OBP from a first baseman is just unacceptable. Hawn is the opposite, his power dipped last year but his OBP was very nice. To go with his .294 average, Hawn had a .382 OBP. He walked 51 times in 101 games, not too shabby.<br />
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Sean Halton is another interesting prospect, but his game is not without holes. He will likely be at Triple-A next year and it should be a defining year in his development. The good? Through three seasons in the minors Halton has a .301 average and .352 OBP. The Bad? Through those three seasons he only has 23 home runs. So the question is can he succeed as a doubles hitter and hit for a high enough average to be a productive major leaguer.<br />
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As for Ramirez, he's a ways from contributing to at the major league level. He put up big power numbers in his first year but his average took a huge dip when he was promoted from Rookie Helena to Low-A Wisconsin, for the Timber Rattlers he batted only .197 in 36 games for the T-Rats.<br />
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Options, that's what this group offers the Milwaukee Brewers. If Gamel pans out then you have trade bait or possibly a player you could move to a corner outfield spot as a replacement for Corey Hart (although outfield prospects are aplenty in the Brewers system). If Gamel doesn't work out this is a group of guys that, with seasoning, could be major league contributors.Langehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07093922853725693349noreply@blogger.com3