Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Andy Moye has been promoted from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to the Brevard County Manatees. Moye was 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA in 8 games with the Rattlers. He had 8 BB to his 33 SO's.
-Zack
stats from milb.com
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Brewer's Roster Moves
Recently, much has been made
about a potential Brewers-Josh Hamilton union. The Brewers are one of
the possible suitors for Hamilton because of their low guaranteed
payroll for 2013.
Other fans want priority
placed on resigning pitching ace Zack Greinke. Both Greinke and
Hamilton will take up a large portion of the payroll, so the Brewers
won't be able to add both.
Still other fans want the
Brewers to blow up the current roster. Trade Greinke, Marcum, Weeks,
Hart, and K-rod for younger position players. This group of fans
believes a few position players, teamed with the plethora of young
pitching, can bring the Brewers back to the top in only a few
short years.
No question, Attanasio and
Melvin will have much to debate as this season progresses and
throughout the offseason. But what course of action will they take?
This will depend on the
Brewers success this season. If they can right the ship and get back
in the playoff hunt, the Crew will most likely not blow up the team,
but play for another post-season run. If they continue to struggle
and fall out of contention as the trade deadline approaches, they may
elect to trade and get younger.
To me, adding Josh Hamilton
adds nothing but a good story to the Brewers. The addition of
Hamilton will mean the Brewers will not resign Greinke, Marcum, or
K-rod. They will also be adding another outfielder to a stacked OF
group. Braun, Gomez, Hart, Aoki, and Morgan are all quality OF's
already.
More sense could be made of
the “rebuild” choice for the Brewers. The Crew's minor league
affiliates are filled with good pitching prospects. Wily Peralta and
Tyler Thornburg are developed pitchers in the Brewers AAA and AA
clubs, while recent draft picks Jed Bradley and Taylor Jungmann pitch
high-A ball. By trading some high value pieces on this years team –
like Greinke, Marcum, and K-rod, who are all free agents after this
season – and adding some poisition players, this team could be a
contender again in three or four years.
Of course, this plan will
mean a few years of losing baseball in Milawukee.
Regardless of the Brewers
choice, there are going to be some angered or frustrated fans.
Attanasio and Melvin have done nothing but good things for the
organization in the last few years, and have earned the trust of
their fans. Hopefully, the aggressive minded Attanasio won't be
temped by Josh Hamilton, but will pursue quality prospects that will
rejuvenate an empty farm system. The Brewers have the key pieces to
be good for several years. Braun, Gallardo, and Lucroy are All-Star
players at important positions. With the incoming pitching and a few
more infield prospects, the Brewers could be very good for several
more years.
-Zack
follow me on Twitter!
@WisSportsPulse
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Brewer's Lineup
The Brewers are desperate for offense.
It doesn't help that their one and two hitters consist of Weeks
(.174), Gomez (.280), Aoki (.211), and Morgan (.169). Gomez has been
a bright spot at the top of the order, but is on the 15-day DL with a
sore hamstring.
In Weeks' defense, he's top 10 in the MLB with walks (20).
Regardless, the top of the order needs help.This is my proposed changes for the Brewers lineup (with a healthy Gomez):
- Gomez (.280)
- Lucroy (.303)
- Braun (.288)
- Ramirez (.215)
- Hart (.247)
- Conrad (.000)/Green (.200)/Ishikawa (.222)
- Weeks (.174)
- Izturis (.179)
- Pitcher
Gomez is a prototypical lead off hitter. He has a lot of speed and is more of a contact hitter. Aoki can fill that spot until Gomez returns. Lucroy in the 2-hole is high for a catcher, but he's the best hitter on the team not named Ryan Braun. He takes a lot of pitches and is capable of moving runners. This will put more runners in scoring position for Braun.
Ramirez has had a slow start, no surprise. He'll be fine in the clean up role as the season progresses. I'd like to see Hart there, but he has said that he's uncomfortable as the fourth hitter. When Kottaras (.310) plays, switch him and Hart. Hart will then hit second and Kottaras fifth.
I'd prefer the Brewers to give either Conrad or Green a chance to start at first base for a while, preferably Green so that Conrad can spell Weeks at second. But any of those three guys will do an average job at first. Weeks prefers to hit in the lead off spot, but with a .174 BA, he's not in a position to be calling the shots. Bump him down in the lineup until he proves himself.
Izturis is a terrible hitter, but he's the only option as of now. There are two easy outs for opposing pitchers at the bottom of this lineup.
The Brewers lack of offense comes down to the poor production from the top of the lineup. They have to make some changes to get the team in gear. A radical lineup change may be just what the offense needs to start hitting again.
-Zack
follow me on twitter! @WisSportsPulse
stats from brewers.com
Problems with Braun's three homer game
The Brewers opened a three
game series with the Padres yesterday in San Diego. Padre's “PETCO
Park” is not known to be a hitter's ball park, but apparently no
one told Ryan Braun.
Randy Wolf gave up a run in
the second, so the Brewers would have to play from behind. In the
fourth, Ryan Braun answered with a solo shot that knotted the game at
1-1. The Brewers would add two more in the inning to take a 3-1 lead
that they would never surrender. In the very next inning, Braun hit a
two run home run.
Then again, in his third consecutive at bat, Braun
hit another deep ball; a solo home run to left field. Braun would
triple in his final at bat, scoring two more and giving him 6 RBI's
and 15 total bases on the night. The bullpen picked up struggling
starter Randy Wolf, and the Brewers won 8-3.
In a year where the offense
has struggled to score, it's refreshing to see eight runs on the
board for the Crew. However, Braun's magical night did shed light on
some of the Brewers offensive issues. Two of Braun's three home runs
were solo shots, and Nyjer Morgan struck out in front of Braun
before each homer. The top of the order has struggled to produce
early in the year. Among everyday starters, hitters 1-4 are a
combined 73 of 299 (.244), while hitters 5-8 are 70 of 268 (.261).
Infact, the bottom half of the order has more RBI's, fewer strike
outs, and the same amount of home runs.
Thankfully, as of late
Ramirez has gotten his average up over .200 and Braun looks to be
back on track. Hopefully, Weeks will join the rest of the starting
lineup in the .200's (wouldn't mind if Morgan joined him, as well).
If the top of the order can begin to hit and produce, it will only
make the second half of the order even better.
The Brewers go again
tonight at 9:05, where Marcum will face Edison Volquez. Watch for
some production from the top of the order!
-Zack
follow me on twitter!
@WisSportsPulse
Stats from brewers.com
Packer's 2012 Draft Analysis
A
different Ted Thompson showed up to the 2012 NFL Draft; an evil twin,
perhaps. Thompson used the Packers 12 draft picks to trade up not
once, not twice, but three times. Before this draft, Thompson had
only made three total trades to move up in the draft. On the
uncharacteristic moves, Thompson joked, “I'm not my father's son
anymore. It's pathetic.”
With the
moves, the packers began the draft selecting six consecutive
defenders. It wasn't until their final two picks, late in the seventh
round, that the Pack snagged some offense. Thompson and his coaches
alike reiterated that they weren't trying to fix a poor defense, but
were drafting the best available.
Well,
this is supposed to be a draft analysis, not a draft recap, so let's
get to it. For what “grades” are really worth, I've added mine.
Don't read so much into the grades, I suppose...
The
Packers watched from pick 28 as USC defensive end Nick Perry
fell into their hands. Perry is described as “very athletic” by
most scouting reports on the web. 6'2”, 271 lbs., Perry will play
OLB for the Packers, opposite fellow Trojan Clay Matthews. Perry is
criticized for inconsistent play and skeptics point out that he has
never played to potential. I'm concerned that he is more of a 4-3 guy
than a 3-4. The Packers passed on 3-4 LB prospect Courtney Upshaw
when they chose Perry.
A lot
of talent – no doubt – but a lot of question marks as well. If
we're giving out letter grades here, the Packers get a B.
Thompson
made two of his three trades in the second round. First, he moved up
to 19th
to select Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy.
Worthy was predicted by most mock drafts to be a first round talent.
He's a big guy (6'2”, 308 lbs) that the Packers can rely on to
anchor the run. Worthy can also help generate a greater pass rush,
the Packers primary need coming into the draft. Coach Trgovac
mentioned that Worthy had a little bit of “wiggle.”
First
round talent, great value. Worthy will help the Pack in a variety of
areas. A+.
Another
second round trade found Vandy CB Casey Hayward a home in Green Bay.
Hayward can make an immediate impact on the Packers defense. Whether
that is as a nickel corner or a starter that moved Woodson to safety
is dependent on his camp. Packers cornerback coach Joe Witt, Jr.
described Hayward as a smart player with the necessary intangibles to
play at a high level.
Another
top-of-the-draft talent added to the defense. The secondary needs
addressing, and the Packers think Hayward may solve issues at two
positions. A.
The
Packers waited until the end of the fourth round to select
back-to-back picks. At 132nd
overall, the d-line added another run stopper: Iowa DT Mike
Daniels.
Daniels is a bit smaller than Worthy (6'0”, 291 lbs.), and relies
on his hustle to make up for it. Daniels will probably be a
situational guy for the Pack, at least for this year.
Another
pick that helps address a need. Can fill a role immediately. B+.
With
the very next pick, 133rd
overall, the Packers kept with the defensive theme, selecting Maine S
Jerron McMillian.
McMillian dominated at the combine, posting the best 40 time and
verticle (Packer Report). He's an aggressive tackler that will help a
secondary that struggled in that area last year. He's also versatile,
able to play both free and strong safety. The Packers need to find
some safeties after letting go of Nick Collins last week. Peprah and
Burnett are the only two currently on the roster. Skeptics worry
about his size. At only 5'11”, McMillian is undersized for an NFL
safety.
Undersized,
but may be athletic enough to compensate. Interested in seeing how he
competes against top competition.
B+.
Thompson's
final trade came in the fifth round. The Packers moved up to select
South Carolina OLB Terrell
Manning.
Manning was a top ranked LB, but fell in the draft because of surgery
on both knees. Manning, a big Linebacker at 6'2', 237 lbs, will play
ILB for the Packers. Manning was a second or third round talent, a
steal for the Packers in round five. Thompson wants manning to arrive
in Green Bay with a “starting mentality.”
Terrell
Manning is an absolute steal in the fifth round if he stays healthy.
A+.
Offensive
needs were finally addressed in the seventh round with the selection
of FSU OT Andrew
Datko.
Datko played only four games in 2011 because of a shoulder injury,
one of many injuries that has plagued his career. However, with a
dwindled depth chart at tackle, he has a chance to make the team.
Recent draft picks Bryan Bulaga, Marshall Newhouse (2010), and
Derrick Sherrod (2011) are among competitors for the position.
Datko
is injury prone, but the Packers don't need him to be a major
contributor this year. With a chance to make the team, he's a solid
seventh round pick. B.
B.J.
Coleman
was the Pack's final pick. Like Datko, Coleman is a recovering,
offensive player. Coleman missed five games in 2011 due to a shoulder
injury. McCarthy and the Packers seem to be confident that Graham
Harrell can successfully fill the backup role – left vacant by Matt
Flynn – so Coleman will presumably fight for the third string spot.
At 6'4”, he is a tall QB with adequate strength to play at the next
level. However, scouts have point out his poor footwork and
fundamentals. If developed, Coleman has a chance to be a solid backup
guy, and the Packers have done a pretty good job with the last few
guys that have worked with them.
Coleman
is raw, but has the natural talent to play in the NFL. He has a long
way to go, but a lot of time to do it as a third string QB. B+.
My
overall grade: A
The Packers addressed their needs for a pass rush, run stopper, and
depth at QB and O-line. They elected not to pick a RB, which gives
Ryan Grant an opportunity to prove his stuff in the next year. Many
of these guys can make an impact on the team immediately and for the
foreseeable future. Thompson's uncharacteristic trade-up's seem to
have paid off, but we won't really know until we start seeing these
guys in action. From the looks of it now, I'd say it was a successful
draft.
Don't forget to follow me on twitter: @WisSportsPulse
The
following is a list taken from Tom Silverstein via JSOnline.com
“Here
are some of the undrafted free agents that have apparently signed
with the Packers.
Many
of these names are from players or agents of players who have Tweeted
about signing with the Packers. Some have been confirmed by agents
and others are from news reports. Nothing is official until their
name is signed on the bottom line, so some of these names could
disappear.
Also,
some may wind up being tryouts and not actual signings.
- Jaymes Brooks, OT, Virginia Tech
- Dale Moss, WR, South Dakota St.
- Don Barclay, OT, West Virginia
- Sean Richardson, S, Vanderbilt
- Nic Cooper, RB, Winston-Salem St.
- Dezman Moses, DE, Tulane.
- Dion Turner, CB, Southern Utah
- Mark Tyler, RB, USC
- Drew Vanderlin, DE, Michigan Tech
- Eric Lair, TE, Minnesota
- Tommie Draheim, OL, San Diego State
- Duane Bennett, RB, Minnesota
- Cameron Ford, TE, Wake Forest
- Marcus Rivers, WR, Buffalo
Here
are a couple of guys who have been invited for tryouts:
- LB, ElToro Freeman, Auburn
- LB Luke Lambert, Missouri
- DL Grant Cook, Arkansas
- OT Tyler Butzler, Wisconsin-Stout
- K Dave Nadeau, Minnesota-Duluth
- LS Casey Casper, Wisconsin-Whitewater
- OT Andrew Lambert, Indiana
- Jaymar Latchison, DE, New Mexico”
Stats
from packers.com and espn.com
Player
list from jsonline.com
Really?
Any
Milwaukee sports fan grows up hearing the words “small market”
over and over. Milwaukee is too small of a market to generate profit
like the Chicago's, L.A.'s, and New York's of the sports world, and
players don't want to come and play here. So the only way for the
Bucks and the Brewers to be competitive is to draft well.
The
Brewers have been successful in the draft, as of late. Prince
Fielder, Ryan Braun, Yovani Gallardo, Corey Hart, and Rickie Weeks
were All-Stars that were drafted and developed in the Brewers system.
Great drafting and developed prospects also allowed the Brewers to
move many of their successful young players for big name players now.
This has allowed them to be competitive for the past three seasons
and with hope for the near future. The Brewers set a club record for
single season wins with 96 last season.
The
Bucks, however, have not had similar success in the draft. Dismal
selections have left the Bucks to rely on trades to keep the team
afloat. But as previously stated, many of these players don't want to
play for the small market Milwaukee Bucks. Most recently, rumors that
recently acquired Monta Ellis has expressed feelings to move on from
the Bucks as soon as his contract expires in 2013.
Let's
take a look at the Bucks first round draft history since 2000.
2000 –
Pick 15: Jason Collier (5.6 ppg) traded for Joel Pryzbilla
(4.0 ppg), 4 years with Bucks
2001 –
No RD 1 pick.
2002 –
Pick 13: Marcus Haislip (3.5 ppg), 2 years with Bucks
2003 –
Pick 8: T.J. Ford (11.2), 2 years with Bucks
2004 –
No draft picks
2005 –
Pick 1: Andrew Bogut (12.7 ppg), 7 seasons with Bucks
2006 –
No RD 1 pick
2007 –
Pick 6: Yi Jianlian (7.9 ppg), 1 season with Bucks
2008 –
Pick 8: Joe Alexander (4.2 ppg), 1 season with Bucks
2009 –
Pick 10: Brandon Jennings (16.7 ppg), still with team
2010 –
Pick 15: Larry Sanders (3.9 ppg), still with team
2011 –
Pick 19: Tobias Harris (4.4 ppg), still with team
*Career
ppg, stats from espn.com
I
would consider Bogut and Jennings to be good picks, aside from that
the rest are junk. The majority of these players spent two or fewer
years with the team. Sad. The only way the Bucks will ever
be competitive in the NBA is if
they start drafting better. In the last 10 years they've had five top
10 picks, and none of them have been an All-Star. Albeit, Brandon
Jennings has the opportunity to get there in the near future. But
even the young, drafted stars on the current roster don't want to
stay. Both Illyasova and Jennings have expressed a willingness to
leave Milwaukee for better money.
Where do the Bucks go from here? I don't want to suggest
“blowing-up” this team, because they're only one legitimate big
man away from making the playoffs in a top heavy Eastern Conference.
However, they do need to make some big changes. Skiles has taken the
team about as far as he can. Their new, fast paced style isn't his
forte, plus I can't understand how he gives minutes. D'Antoni coached
this style successfully with the Suns for years, and is available.
Sanders shouldn't play, other than for a defensive substitution at
the end of quarters. Gooden is expendable. If they can find one big
man that can keep up with a running team and plays good defense (a
Tyson Chandler type), they're a top five team in the East. The answer
may be in the forward/center filled draft, as long as they don't end
up with Zeller, another soft, white dude. If you could bulk up Perry
Jones or John Henson, they'd be a perfect fit. Around the league,
there aren't too many options here that the Bucks can snag. Al
Jefferson is another good fit, but he's a year away from entering
free agency. Unless you can make a trade for Jefferson without
destroying the young core, the answer lies in the draft.
The Bucks will have an interesting off season deciding whether or
not to trade Ellis, and how to approach the draft. Hopefully, it'll
be fun to follow. Something in me knows we're still drafting
Zeller...
-Zack
follow
Wisconsin Sports Pulse on twitter! @WisSportsPulse
Defense, Draft, and D-backs
In the
2011 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers defense ranked last in total
defense and pass defense, and 14th against the run. With
the NFL draft just around the corner and free agency looming
thereafter, the obvious areas of need are on defense. What were the
major holes in the defense that led to such poor statistics? The
secondary got shredded. This may, however, have more to do with the
other defensive problem, the lack of a pass rush. The Packers fell in
the bottom five teams, recording only 29.0 sacks over the year. The
loss of Cullen Jenkins and absence of LB Frank Zombo and a handful of
other defense players made an obvious impact on their pass rush. The
previous year, the Pack ranked second in the league with 47.0 sacks.
The
draft is the first chance the Packers have to address the defensive
flaws. Mock drafts project the Packers drafting DE Shea McClellin
(Boise St.), DE Whitney Mercilus (Illinois), and a slew of other
OLB's and DE's. I don't claim to be a draft expert in any way, so I
won't make any predictions or suggestions here other than to say that
an OLB or DE is essential to fixing the defensive problems.
Another
interesting and debated option comes in the realm of the “draft day
trade.” The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly willing to trade CB
Asante Samuel for a 5th or 6th round draft
pick. Samuel is one of the best zone corners in the NFL and has
recorded the second most interceptions over the last five years,
behind Green Bay's own Charles Woodson. I
have heard that Samuel's $10 million contract would allow for
renegotiation, but that has been the deal breaker for teams like the
Denver Broncos. The problem with Samuel is his poor tackling, which
would only multiply the current tackling issues in our secondary, and
is not very good in man coverage, which the Packers play
predominately. However, for a cheap price Samuel would be a great
replacement as a nickel corner if CB Sam Shields continues to regress
from his stellar 2010 rookie campaign. Other options include starting
CB Tramon Williams and Samuel at corner and moving the aging Woodson
to the safety spot.
These
are some different suggestions to ponder. I'd like to see the Packers
draft a DE, OLB, and DB early in the draft and add a veteran
defensive back like Samuel. There are available players in this draft
who can make an immediate impact on this Packers team and help the
defense return to it's Super Bowl form of 2010.
Don't
get too worried about the defense, though. Aaron Rodgers and the
offense can always just drop 40 or 50 points to get the win.
-Zack
All stats come from nfl.com
or espn.com
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