USATSI_10717363_168381442_lowres

Stealing the Spring

Spring training occurs every year.  And every year, as we reach the end of spring, people wonder whether we can take anything away from the statistics; every year, the answer should be no.  The results don’t matter, so pitchers spend different starts working on one pitch or another.  Hitters face these pitchers, and they are […]

USATSI_10677695_168381442_lowres

The Rotation is Good

What is a good pitching rotation in an MLB environment in which pitching rotations do not exist? Following the ideal model, a pitching rotation is a mechanism that an MLB team can use to line up five “starting pitchers” to rotate on a set schedule, and hopefully produce value by preventing runs during the cumulative […]

USATSI_10648296_168381442_lowres

Depth Beats Attrition

At what point does roster-building “theory” yield to the harsh facts of attrition that accumulate during a 162 game season? I ask this question because throughout the offseason, especially recently, Brewers fans appear upset with the depth that GM David Stearns has acquired for the 2018 season, and there are questions about whether this is […]

USATSI_10643805_168381442_lowres

Tyler Webb’s Roster Fight

Barring injury, the  Milwaukee Brewers bullpen is already taking shape. Corey Knebel will be the closer; Josh Hader, the swingman; and Jacob Barnes, Matt Albers, Boone Logan, Oliver Drake, and Jeremy Jeffress will likely have roles. That makes seven. If the Brewers decide to go with eight relievers as reported, things get interesting. Related: Tyler […]

USATSI_10648397_168381442_lowres

Milwaukee’s Intriguing Versatility

The Brewers roster may yet be complete — I certainly hope they have another move in them. Regardless of what David Stearns has left in the tank, the crew in camp is already plenty intriguing. The position players in particular are fascinating, as the Brewers are bringing in their most versatile group of glovemen in […]

Brewers Farm Update

Speculating on on Rookie Arms

The release of Baseball Prospectus PECOTA projections is exciting for many reasons, not the least of which is finding the player comparisons that helped inform the projection system. Since PECOTA (and its redesigns) is based in part on finding comparable players in order to assess “true ability” and design aging curves suitable to each prospect […]

USATSI_10652341_168381442_lowres

Villar is the Answer at Second

The 2018 Brewers should hit. Barring a major Spring Training trade, they’re set to enter the season with the deepest lineup in recent Milwaukee history. The lone remaining area of uncertainty is at second base, where incumbents Jonathan Villar and Eric Sogard figure to squabble for playing time, each trying to prove that their respective […]

Brewers Farm Update

Recovering Arms

The Milwaukee Brewers loudly announced a change in organizational intent from ‘rebuilding’ to ‘competing’ this past offseason, and their once vaunted farm system understandably took a hit in the process. On the evening of January 25th, David Stearns and company sent three of their top six prospects from Baseball Prospectus’ top-10 list – #1 Lewis […]