Blurb 11/1: Improving the Outfield Part 1: Current Situation

This is the first in a four part series covering the Brewers Outfield (Which is part 1 of a 4 or 5-part series covering each of the major position groups for the Brewers and ways to improve it. I will either do catcher during a busy week for me like thanksgiving, or combine it with another position group like starting pitching). Today I will be discussing the Brewers current outfield situation.

Later tonight, I will post the first Brewers Season-In-Review. They are essays on the 2011 season that I was previously planning on selling from this website, but I couldn't figure out how to work Blogspot to sell something. I will post one every day (Monday-Friday) for the next few weeks in addition to the Blurb. Now that this note is out of the way, lets begin.

First lets start with the player that will, barring some injury, be our left fielder for the next decade. Ryan Braun.

Ryan Braun: .332/.397/.597/.994, 33 HR, 33 SB.

Ryan Braun had an MVP calibar season. He set career highs in batting average, on-base percentage, and had his second best slugging percentage and OPS. He also had his first ever 30+ steal season (In fact, it was his first season above 20 steals). Not much more needs to be said about Braun's offence that hasn't been said already so I will move on to his defence. His defence, while it is not worthy of the gold glove that Braun is a finalist for, is improving. Braun will probably never be thought of as a great fielder, or even an average defensive player. But with his offensive numbers as long as he doesn't reproduce the horrendous numbers his first year (Playing 3B). His bat should make him a worthwhile player, and a perennial all-star.

My take (On what Braun's role SHOULD be next year): Starter in LF
What will happen: Starter in LF

Nyjer Morgan: .304/.357/.421/.778, 4 HR, 13 SB

Everyone's favorite F-bomber had a breakout year in center field. Even though the stats show he had a better year in 2007 with the Pirates, he only played in 28 games and had a quarter of the plate appearances than he had in this season (Where he platooned and missed the month of April). The big question is will he be able to repeat these numbers next year. In September, I was encouraged to see him up his OBP by taking more walks (9) which was one less than he had in all of 2011. In addition to his good offensive numbers, Morgan had an above average year defensively, and between himself and Gomez, they anchored a very solid centerfield defence. Next year, I would like to see him increase his stolen base numbers as his SB's fell from 34 last year, and 42 the season before that.

My take: Platoon-CF (Hit vs. RH, Be available for Defensive sub/Pinch-run when a lefty starts)
What will happen: Platoon-CF (Same as above)

Corey Hart: .285/.356/.510/.866, 26 HR, 7 SB

Corey Hart had another above average year. Although, due to injury, Hart only had 14 AB's in April, he still had 26 HR's. Hart found a new home in the lead-off spot, where he has a OPS of .917. Corey Hart's defense has been getting worse every year, and he is already losing speed at only 29, a move to 1B should be strongly considered by the organization especially vs. lefties. Hart destroyed lefty pitchers with an OPS of 1.057. So, due to the lack of production vs. lefties by many of the likely contributors in the 2011 season for the Brewers, Corey Hart should be considered for a move to 1B vs. lefties to platoon with Mat Gamel, so that a better defender (Logan Schafer, Nyjer Morgan) can at least have an opportunity to contribute in RF to an otherwise subpar defense.

My Take: If the Brewers do not acquire another outfielder or first basemen,
vs. RHP: Start RF (If Mat Gamel is a bust, move Hart to 1B, move Hart to 1B late in games)
vs. LHP: Start 1B (Move a better defender like Nyjer Morgan, Logan Schafer to RF)

What will happen: Starting RF

Carlos Gomez:.225/.276/.403/.679, 8 HR, 16 SB

Unfortunately, the sad offensive line of 2011 for Carlos Gomez is not a mirage, but, most likely, a trend that will probably continue throughout his career. It is sad too because with his amazing defensive skills, if he even did anything at the plate he would easily be a starter for the Brewers, and many other teams. But he is what he is, a great defensive center fielder, but a below average hitter with a little power. He performed well under a platoon role for the Brewers this season. I was encouraged to see Gomez's improvement vs. lefties (from a .638 OPS in 2010 to a .857 OPS in 2011). Who knows, if he can improve at hitting lefties then maybe he can finally be an average hitter. While that probably won't happen, you can always hope.

My take: Platoon-CF (vs. LHP, late-innings pinch-runner, defensive replacement)
What will happen: Platoon-CF (Same as above)

Mark Kotsay: .270/.329/.373/.703, 3 HR, 3 SB

Mark Kotsay proved to be a good bat off the bench for Brewers. He is a decent option in the field if he is playing 1B, or maybe a little of RF, but under no circumstances should he be playing CF again in his career. If Kotsay is willing to come back another cheap one-year contract to be the #1 or #2 PH option and #2/#3 1B and #6 OF, the Brewers should take him back. They could certainly do worse than a .703 OPS Bench player.

My Take: Bench Player (Limited time at 1B, #1 or #2 pinch hit option)
What Will Happen: Bench Player (Time at OF, #1 or #2 pinch hit, a little at 1B)

That's all folks.

Come back tomorrow for a look at the top outfield prospects in the organization. Then on Thursday, I will look at possible free-agent outfielders available to the Brewers. On Friday, I will conclude the series on the Outfield.

Go Brewers and Please Comment

Defensive Substitutions

For the second straight (and third overall playoff game), Ron Roenicke has removed Corey Hart for a defensive replacement. While I believe that Nyjer Morgan or Carlos Gomez is a clear defensive upgrade over Corey Hart, there is a player in left field that is a worse defender than Corey, and in the right situation should be removed from the outfield.


According to fangraphs.com, Carlos Gomez is the best defensive outfielder, than comes Nyjer Morgan, Corey Hart, and trudging in at last place is Ryan Braun. While Ryan Braun's bat is enough to warrant him an MVP award, his defensive isn't helping his case. In the right situation (like the game yesterday when the Brewers have a three-plus run lead), the extra offense provided by Braun's bat isn't worth enough to overlook his poor defense that may prove to be costly.


Most likely, the reason why Roenicke is removing Hart over Braun, is because it would cause a complete revolt in Brewer land. But statistically, the next time that Roenicke has a 9-6 lead in the 8th, the outfield should be: Corey Hart LF (If he is open to moving to Left, if not insert Nyjer Morgan here), Carlos Gomez CF, Nyjer Morgan RF. The Brewers need to maximize every opportunity avilable including optimizing its outfield defense late in games when they have the lead.


Please Comment and Go Brewers!

Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs Series Preview

The Milwaukee Brewers begin a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs today.

Player to watch:

Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun

Can Braun keep up his MLB leading batting average (.336)? Can he get a few home runs, and some RBI's and contend for the triple crown? Probably not going to happen, but you can't count him out.

Chicago Cubs: Bryan LaHair

This 30 year old first baseman only had one other stint in the major leagues, with Seattle, where he hit .250. This year he is hitting .424 for an OPS of 1.300 (But only in 33 AB's) Obviously, he isn't going to be a 1.300 OPS hitter the rest of his career, but he is on a tear right now.

Pitcher to Watch:

Milwaukee Brewers: Shaun Marcum

In his last two starts, Shaun Marcum has a 8.04 era. Both of those starts were at home.Marcum is a better pitcher on the road where he will get his start this week, so maybe this is just what he needs to bounce back.

Chicago Cubs: Matt Garza

Garza is on fire. In his last nine starts, he has a 2.54 era with a 4-2. He is a tough pitcher to hit right now, and should present the Brewers with their toughest challenge of the series.

Pitching Matchup's

Note: The Bold text isn't the game prediction, it is just showing the better pitcher right now.

Game 1: Chris Narveson (10-7, 4.40 era) vs. Casey Coleman (2-8, 7.06 era)
Game 2: Shaun Marcum (12-7, 3.40 era) vs. Randy Wells (7-4, 4.93 era)
Game 3: Randy Wolf (13-9, 3.45 era) vs. Matt Garza (8-10, 3.51 era)

Prediction: Brewers win series 2-1

Chris Narveson should win the first game, although I am a little bit worried because this is his first start in a while. But I think that the Cubs will win one of the two other games. But still, winning a road series isn't to bad. Lets Go Brewers and get a 5-1 road series.

Sorry no preview today.

Prediction: Milwaukee 6 Cincinnati 4

Please Comment and Go Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers 8 Cincinnati Reds 1 Rapid Response

The Milwaukee swept the Reds with a 8-1 victory today.

Zack Grienke pitched a dominant seven innings, with ten strikeouts, and only giving up two hits and one run. I love how the pitching staff is trying to 1-up each other.

Yuniesky Betancourt has had errors in three consecutive games.

Casey McGeehe is hitless in his last 15 AB, and Taylor Green's hitless streak is at 10.

Schafer got his first hit! Roenicke must have been reading this blog.

How about the speed in the outfield in the 9th (Schafer, Gomez, Morgan). When Nyjer Morgan is your left fielder, you have got some speed.

Nice job by Gomez getting a two-hit game (including that homer). If he can provide any kind of offensive contribution at all (even a .240/.290/.400 type line) with the speed that he has, and his defensive skills, he can be a very dangerous weapon.

Aren't you glad that we have Braun for the rest of his career? 3/4 today raised his batting average to .336.

Milwaukee Brewers 10 Cincinnati Reds 1 Rapid Response

The Milwaukee Brewers slaughtered the Cincinnati Reds 10-1. Here is the Rapid Response.

How dominant was Gallardo today, he now has 25 K's in his last 13 IP. I wish it was a playoff game so they would let Gallardo stay in for another inning or two instead of taking him out at 100 pitches. He is definatly making the case to be the #1 starter in the playoff rotation (More in Monday-Thursday's Blurb).

Prediction: Weeks plays 9 innings tomorrow. I think because they sat him out today, they are setting him up for a whole game tomorrow.

Nice two days for Braun. Yesterday he hits 2 homers, and joins 30-30 club. Today, 3-5 with another homer, and he's leads the N.L. in batting average.

Is anyone else as high on De La Cruz as I am? He only has given up one earned run in his last eight innings, also he's only given up four hits in that time. Now if only he could get some more work...

Yonder Alonso, my player to watch for the Reds this series, went 1-4 with a homer today. Nice pick if I do say so myself.

Game Prediction: Brewers 3 Reds 1
Result: Brewers 10 Reds 1
Record: 2-0

Please Comment, and Go Brewers!

Milwaukee Brewers 6 Cincinnati Reds 3 Rapid Response

Every games recap here at the Blurb will be done in two phases:

1. The Rapid Response will usually be posted within one hour of the completion of the game (Player of the Game finalists will be named)
2. The Full Recap will be posted the next day. The point of this is to sleep on the game before I write a full recap, so as to better objectively cover the game (Player of the Game named)

Here is the Rapid Response.

Brilliant move by Ron Roenicke by starting Mark Kotsay today. Kotsay probably should have gone 3-4 today if it weren't for Brandon Phillips amazing catch.

The sixth spot contained two players with sizable hitless streaks Jerry Hairston Jr. (0 hits in his last 18 AB's), and Taylor Green (0 hits in his last 10 AB's).

I wish they would let Logan Schafer bat sometime, or at least let him play in the field (maybe they did and I missed it) instead of always only having him pinch-run. It would be refreshing to see him instead of Carlos Gomez in one of these garbage games.

Interesting decision to let Lucroy catch the 9th, either Roenicke has confidence in Lucroy's catching ability to let him catch in the 9th instead of Kottaras, or he just wants Lucroy to get some more practice. Maybe all of this speculation about Kottaras being a better catcher than Lucroy is wrong?

Congrats on entering the 30-30 club Ryan Braun. You are only the second player in Brewer history to accomplish this tremendous feat. The other player was Tommy Harper who did it in 1970.

Also congrats on 40 consecutive saves for John Axford only two more to get to half of Eric Gange's 84 consecutive saves.

Pre-Game Prediction: Brewers 5 Reds 4

Result: Brewers 6 Reds 3

Record: 1-0

Hey, at least I got the winner, and the runs scored correct

Finalists for Players of the Game

Ryan Braun, Randy Wolf, Mark Kotsay, John Axford

Sorry this is up so late, more coverage from tonight's game tomorrow, including the Player of the Game award.

Please Comment and Go Brewers.