The Old Milwaukees

The Thursday Thinker: Worst Defensive Brewers

February 2, 2012

In this morning's Mug, High Heat Stats noted that Ryan Braun was worth -35 runs defensively at third base in 2007, the third worst defensive season in major league history.

As you might imagine, -35 is easily the lowest single season mark in Brewer franchise history. 35 players, however, have posted a mark worse than -10. How many can you name in ten minutes?

The rules remain the same: Post your score in the comments but do not comment on any specific answer until after 6 pm Central time, so everyone gets a chance to try it out without having it spoiled for them. And, of course, there's no reason to cheat here, because there aren't any prizes.

I will be absolutely stunned if anyone can get all of these without cheating. If you do, be sure to post your time along with your score in the comments.

Have fun, and don't forget to post your score in the comments!

If you've finished that one and you're looking for more Brewer Sporcle today, here are this offseason's other quizzes:

• Name the Brewers who have played at least 740 games at one position.
• Name the Brewers with career OBPs above .333.
• Name the last 25 players the BBWAA has elected to the Hall of Fame.
• Name the Brewers who have hit 23 or more home runs since 2005.
• Name the Brewers who have hit for an overcycle.
• Name the Brewers from unlikely places.
• Name the Brewer third baseman since 1998.
• Name the highest paid Brewers by season.
• Name the Brewers who have appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot since 2009.
• Name the Brewers whose first or last name started with T.
• Name the 2011 Brewers: By playing time or by clues.
• Name the shortstops that have played in at least 149 games in a season since 2007.
• Name the Brewer single-season record holders for games played by position.
• Name the Brewers who have pitched at least 70 innings in a season with an ERA under 2.

Thursday’s Frosty Mug

February 2, 2012

Some things to read while calling off the search.

We're 16 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, and yesterday was all Tony Plush all the time. While Nyjer Morgan was practicing with the San Jose Sharks (slideshow and video), the team announced that he'll be the subject of 2012's third bobblehead on June 10.

Elsewhere in hockey news, the Milwaukee Admirals will be wearing (retro) Brewer-themed jerseys for one night only on Friday. Adam McCalvy has more on the promotions and a picture of the jerseys.

Meanwhile, time is running out for the Brewers to reach a deal to avoid arbitration with their last two eligible players, Shaun Marcum and Jose Veras. Arbitration hearings started this week (John Lannan and the Nationals had their case heard yesterday, and Jeff Niemann and the Rays are scheduled for today), but Adam McCalvy says he hasn't heard when the two Brewers are scheduled.

Looking back, John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a post discussing how baseball's top 30 hitters in 2011 were viewed during their time in the minors. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder were listed as A- prospects in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Here's a reminder of why Braun's prospect status was held back a bit: High Heat Stats says his 2007 rookie season at third base was the third worst defensive season of all time.

Speaking of Braun, Tom Haudricourt says he won't be surprised if this week goes by without any announcement regarding the status of his appeal. I feel like this almost has to be resolved before the Brewers report to spring training, but it might be close.

In the minors:

• Starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson was the subject of this week's edition of the Timber Rattlers' Interrogation Room.
• Nelson missed the cut on Wisconsin Sports Tap's list of the organization's top five starting pitching prospects. Wily Peralta was #1.
• Brewer Nation continued their "Brewers By the (Jersey) Numbers" series with a profile of Michael Fiers.
• Chris Mehring of Rattler Radio didn't have access to an actual groundhog, so he did the best he could with what he had available for this Groundhog Day post.

As of this writing Kentrail Davis leads Santo Manzanillo (and a closely grouped collection of others) by 33 votes in the race for the #12 spot in our Community Prospect Rankings. You have until 1 today to cast your vote, then stop back after 2 to vote for #13.

Today's power ranking note is another frustrating one: Sports Illustrated has the Brewers 17th.

Around baseball:

Blue Jays: Designated infielder Darin Mastroianni for assignment.
Mariners: Signed infielder Carlos Guillen to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Signed pitcher Chad Durbin to a minor league deal.
Padres: Signed pitcher Micah Owings to a one year, $1 million deal.
Pirates: Signed pitcher Juan Cruz to a minor league deal.
White Sox: Signed first baseman Dan Johnson to a minor league deal.

Today in former Brewers:

• Richard Barbieri of The Hardball Times has Hank Aaron starting in right field for his All-February birthday team.
• Bluebird Banter listed Paul Molitor as the 55th best Blue Jay of all time.

Here's my favorite sabermetric note from today: Matt Klaassen of FanGraphs considers the possibility that sluggers should bunt to the opposite field to beat the shift. Prince Fielder certainly could have picked up a lot of hits this way, but he also likely would have been left on first base after many of them.

And in baseball economics:

• Steve Cohen, who just paid $20 million to become a minority owner of the Mets, is also involved in the bidding to buy the Dodgers.
• D.J. Gallo of ESPN notes that Barry Bonds made $4.7 million as a Pirate in 1992, which is more than any Pirate will make this season.
  

Here's a reminder that hitting a baseball is really hard: The Biz of Baseball has an excellent infographic looking at the time a hitter has to identify, decide and swing at a 95 mph fastball.

This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History wishes a happy 89th birthday to former Milwaukee Brave Red Schoendienst. Plunk Everyone notes that Schoendienst and 1970 Brewer Max Alvis are two of the top five most plunked batters born on February 2.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to sort and label my gurus.

Drink up.

VIDEO: Nyjer Morgan Skates With The Sharks

February 2, 2012

Unlike Major League Baseball, the NHL actually encourages users to share their videos online. As such, I'm able to post this for your enjoyment.

(h/t @SanJoseSharks)

Today In Brewer History: Happy Birthday, Red Schoendienst

February 2, 2012

On this day in 1923, Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst was born in Germantown, Illinois. The Cardinals signed him as a nineteen-year-old amateur free agent in 1943, and by 1945 he was a big league regular.

Schoendienst spent 15 of his 19 big league seasons with the Cardinals, and most of his best years came there. He represented St. Louis in nine of his ten All Star appearances, including eight straight from 1948-55. The Cardinals traded him to the Giants in 1956, though, and almost a year to the day later the Giants moved him along to the Milwaukee Braves.

Schoendienst was in the middle of one of his best campaigns when he came to Milwaukee in 1957, and finished that year with an NL-leading 200 hits and a .309/.344/.451 batting line. He was the Braves' primary second baseman for the second half of their lone World Series Championship season.

Unfortunately, 1957 was Schoendienst's last great season as a Brave. He appeared in just 179 games over the next three seasons before being released and returning to the Cardinals.

Schoendienst made 15 appearances on the BBWAA ballot and never received more than 42.6% of the vote, but was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1989. He turns 89 today. With help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd also like to wish a happy birthday to:

• 2006 Brewer Jared Fernandez, who turns 40.
• 1970 Brewer Max Alvis, who turns 74.

Skating with Sharks: T-Plush takes to the ice

February 1, 2012

If Nyjer Morgan could choose between being a professional baseball player and a pro hockey player, he'd choose hockey in a heartbeat.

Brew Crew Ball Community Prospect Rankings: Vote For #12

February 1, 2012

After sitting on the board for nearly two weeks Cody Scarpetta won yesterday, so here's where we stand:

1. Wily Peralta
2. Taylor Jungmann
3. Tyler Thornburg
4. Taylor Green
5. Jed Bradley
6. Scooter Gennett
7. Logan Schafer
8. Michael Fiers
9. Jorge Lopez
10. Caleb Gindl
11. Cody Scarpetta

The nominees for the #12 spot are:

Orlando Arcia
Nick Bucci
Kentrail Davis
Khris Davis
David Goforth
Santo Manzanillo
Hunter Morris
Jimmy Nelson
Michael Reed
D'Vontrey Richardson

Follow the jump for more on the candidates, then vote in the poll below.

Orlando Arcia
Age: 17
Top Level Reached In 2011: Dominican Summer League

2011 Stats:

Dominican Summer League: 254 PA, .294/.386/.459, 6 HR, 13 SB, 4 CS, 30 BB, 20 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	16	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Nick Bucci, RHP
Age: 21
Top Level Reached in 2011: A+

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 150 IP, 3.84 ERA, 1.293 WHIP, 51 BB, 119 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	14	20
FanGraphs	13	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Kentrail Davis, OF
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: A+

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 565 PA, .245/.317/.361, 8 HR, 33 SB, 8 CS, 37 BB, 97 K
Arizona Fall League: 91 PA, .325/.429/.519, 1 HR, 4 SB, 1 CS, 13 BB, 24 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	15	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Khris Davis
Age: 24
Top Level Reached in 2011: AA

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 371 PA, .309/.415/.533, 15 HR, 10 SB, 5 CS, 51 BB, 70 K
Huntsville (AA): 136 PA, .210/.272/.331, 2 HR, 0 SB, 0 CS, 10 BB, 23 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out of
John Sickels	Honorable Mention	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

David Goforth, RHP
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: Rookie

2011 Stats:

Helena (Rookie): 40.2 IP, 4.43 ERA, 1.328 WHIP, 10 BB, 42 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	13	20
FanGraphs	12	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Santo Manzanillo, RHP
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: AA

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 41.1 IP, 1.52 ERA, 1.089 WHIP, 14 BB, 43 K
Huntsville (AA): 20.1 IP, 2.21 ERA, 1.230 WHIP, 12 BB, 19 K
Arizona Fall League: 2.2 IP, 6.75 ERA, 1.880 WHIP, 2 BB, 1 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	11	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Hunter Morris, 1B
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: AA

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 531 PA, .271/.299/.461, 19 HR, 7 SB, 3 CS, 18 BB, 84 K
Huntsville (AA): 17 PA, .353/.353/.706, 1 HR, 0 SB, 0 CS, 0 BB, 1 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out of
John Sickels	17	20
FanGraphs	10	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Jimmy Nelson, RHP
Age: 22
Top Level Reached in 2011: A

2011 Stats:

Wisconsin (A): 146 IP, 4.38 ERA, 1.445 WHIP, 65 BB, 120 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	19	20
FanGraphs	7	15
Baseball America	10	10

Michael Reed, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level Reached in 2011: Rookie

2011 Stats:

Arizona (Rookie): 62 PA, .232/.295/.375, 0 HR, 1 SB, 0 CS, 5 BB, 17 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out of
John Sickels	Honorable Mention	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

D' Vontrey Richardson
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: A+

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 392 PA, .284/.327/.384, 3 HR, 9 SB, 13 CS, 22 BB, 70 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	18	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Poll

Who should be #12 in our Community Prospect Rankings?

11%

Orlando Arcia

23 votes

6%

Nick Bucci

13 votes

30%

Kentrail Davis

60 votes

6%

Khris Davis

13 votes

2%

David Goforth

5 votes

13%

Santo Manzanillo

26 votes

11%

Hunter Morris

23 votes

10%

Jimmy Nelson

21 votes

2%

Michael Reed

4 votes

6%

D' Vontrey Richardson

12 votes

200 votes | Poll has closed

Wednesday’s Frosty Mug

February 1, 2012

Some things to read while fixing Noah's cake.

We're 17 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Maryvale, and for the second straight day a bobblehead announcement is today's top story. The team announced yesterday that Yovani Gallardo will get his long-overdue honor on May 13.

Mat Gamel will probably have to wait another year or two for his bobblehead, but he is still going to get a chance to start at first base. Andrew Wagner of FS Wisconsin talked to Gamel about his first full time opportunity in the majors. Meanwhile, Reviewing the Brew wonders if Taylor Green is an option at first base.

It's been a really interesting winter for the NL Central, where several notable departures have changed the division's landscape a bit. Jayson Stark has a look at the division's new look, and becomes the latest national writer to paint a grim picture for the Brewers.

Yesterday's national writer taking a potshot at Milwaukee was Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune. We spent a fair amount of time discussing his failings in the comments of the Mug, but if you'd still like more Craig Calcaterra has you covered.

As mentioned earlier this week, Nyjer Morgan is skating with the San Jose Sharks at their practice today. Adam McCalvy has a story with more on how this came about. Brewer assistant GM Gord Ash says he's not worried about Morgan getting injured.

If you or someone you'd like to attend a baseball game with is allergic to peanuts, the Brewers have good news for you: They're turning three sections of the club level into a peanut-free zone for three games during the 2012 season. Policing that rule could be a challenge, but kudos to the team for giving it a shot.

Earlier this week we mentioned that John Axford signed a baby at On Deck last weekend. This morning for the first time we have visual evidence.

If nothing else, this week has been a good opportunity to see just how far we can stretch the definition of "notable:" Brandon Warne of FanGraphs included Corey Patterson on a list of notable recent minor league contracts.

In the minors:

• MLB Dirt has unveiled their list of the Brewers' top 16 prospects, led by Taylor Jungmann.
• Wisconsin Sports Tap has a look at the top relievers in the organization, led by Santo Manzanillo.
• The Brevard County Manatees have unveiled a new online team store.

As of this writing Cody Scarpetta leads Kentrail Davis by about 40 votes for the #11 spot in our Community Prospect Rankings. You have until 1 pm today to weigh in, then stop back again after 2 to vote for #12.

Finally, the success of Fake Doug Melvin's musical debut has led Grim Spandango to quickly follow up with a sequel: Head over to this FanShot to listen to "Terrible on D," an ode to Yuniesky Betancourt.

Around baseball:

Astros: Signed pitcher Livan Hernandez to a minor league deal.
Diamondbacks: Signed catcher Miguel Montero ($5.9 million) and third baseman Ryan Roberts ($2.0125 million) to one year deals to avoid arbitration.
Phillies: Signed pitcher Chad Qualls to a one year, $1.15 million deal.

If you hadn't noticed, it's a really slow news week. It's so slow, in fact, that MLB Network is televising Jose Reyes' haircut on Friday.

I feel like it's a little early to start including him in this conversation, but The Huffington Post has Prince Fielder seventh on their list of baseball's worst contracts. (h/t @THTlinks). I think I'd take Fielder for nine years before eating the rest of Alfonso Soriano's contract.

Elsewhere in former Brewers: 2010 27th round pick Alex Jones will spend the 2012 season pitching for the Normal Cornbelters of the independent Frontier League.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to suggest a name to Rubie.

Drink up.

Today In Brewer History: Goodbye For Now, Kevin Seitzer

February 1, 2012

On this day in 1993, Oakland signed third baseman Kevin Seitzer as a free agent. Seitzer had played the previous season as a Brewer, hitting .270/.337/.367 in 1992 before leaving as a free agent and waiting all the way into February to find a job.

Seitzer would be back in Milwaukee before long, though: He played in just 73 games for the 1993 A's before being released and returning to the Brewers. His second tour of duty in Milwaukee was much more memorable: He appeared in 391 games as a Brewer between 1993 and '96, posting an OPS of .815 or higher each season and batting .311 or better in 1994, '95 and '96.

Over his final three seasons as a Brewer Seitzer was a .318/.400/.447 hitter and made one of his two career All Star appearances. Even after leaving, he continued to pay dividends for Milwaukee: He was traded to the Indians late in the 1996 season in a deal that brought Jeromy Burnitz to the Brewers.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

• Erick Almonte, who turns 34.
• 1999 Brewer Rich Becker, who turns 40.
• Oakland, WI native Billy Sullivan, who would have turned 137. Sullivan played 16 major league seasons between 1899-1916 as a member of the White Sox and two other teams.

Brew Crew Ball Community Prospect Rankings: Vote For #11

January 31, 2012

Caleb Gindl ran away with yesterday's vote, so here's where we stand:

1. Wily Peralta
2. Taylor Jungmann
3. Tyler Thornburg
4. Taylor Green
5. Jed Bradley
6. Scooter Gennett
7. Logan Schafer
8. Michael Fiers
9. Jorge Lopez
10. Caleb Gindl

I'm opening up the field to ten candidates now, so the nominees for the #11 spot are:

Orlando Arcia
Nick Bucci
Kentrail Davis
Khris Davis
David Goforth
Santo Manzanillo
Hunter Morris
Jimmy Nelson
Michael Reed
Cody Scarpetta

Follow the jump for more on the candidates, then vote in the poll below.

Orlando Arcia
Age: 17
Top Level Reached In 2011: Dominican Summer League

2011 Stats:

Dominican Summer League: 254 PA, .294/.386/.459, 6 HR, 13 SB, 4 CS, 30 BB, 20 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	16	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Nick Bucci, RHP
Age: 21
Top Level Reached in 2011: A+

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 150 IP, 3.84 ERA, 1.293 WHIP, 51 BB, 119 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	14	20
FanGraphs	13	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Kentrail Davis, OF
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: A+

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 565 PA, .245/.317/.361, 8 HR, 33 SB, 8 CS, 37 BB, 97 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	15	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Khris Davis
Age: 24
Top Level Reached in 2011: AA

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 371 PA, .309/.415/.533, 15 HR, 10 SB, 5 CS, 51 BB, 70 K
Huntsville (AA): 136 PA, .210/.272/.331, 2 HR, 0 SB, 0 CS, 10 BB, 23 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out of
John Sickels	Honorable Mention	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

David Goforth, RHP
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: Rookie

2011 Stats:

Helena (Rookie): 40.2 IP, 4.43 ERA, 1.328 WHIP, 10 BB, 42 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	13	20
FanGraphs	12	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Santo Manzanillo, RHP
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: AA

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 41.1 IP, 1.52 ERA, 1.089 WHIP, 14 BB, 43 K
Huntsville (AA): 20.1 IP, 2.21 ERA, 1.230 WHIP, 12 BB, 19 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	11	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Hunter Morris, 1B
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: AA

2011 Stats:

Brevard County (A+): 531 PA, .271/.299/.461, 19 HR, 7 SB, 3 CS, 18 BB, 84 K
Huntsville (AA): 17 PA, .353/.353/.706, 1 HR, 0 SB, 0 CS, 0 BB, 1 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out of
John Sickels	17	20
FanGraphs	10	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Jimmy Nelson, RHP
Age: 22
Top Level Reached in 2011: A

2011 Stats:

Wisconsin (A): 146 IP, 4.38 ERA, 1.445 WHIP, 65 BB, 120 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	19	20
FanGraphs	7	15
Baseball America	10	10

Michael Reed, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level Reached in 2011: Rookie

2011 Stats:

Arizona (Rookie): 62 PA, .232/.295/.375, 0 HR, 1 SB, 0 CS, 5 BB, 17 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out of
John Sickels	Honorable Mention	20
FanGraphs	NR	15
Baseball America	NR	10

Cody Scarpetta, RHP
Age: 23
Top Level Reached in 2011: AA

2011 Stats:

Huntsville (AA): 117 IP, 3.85 ERA, 1.376 WHIP, 61 BB, 98 K

Other Rankings:

Source	Rank	Out Of
John Sickels	9	20
FanGraphs	11	15
Baseball America	7	10

Poll

Who should be #11 in our Community Prospect Rankings?

7%

Orlando Arcia

14 votes

5%

Nick Bucci

10 votes

15%

Kentrail Davis

28 votes

1%

Khris Davis

2 votes

2%

David Goforth

5 votes

8%

Santo Manzanillo

15 votes

6%

Hunter Morris

12 votes

7%

Jimmy Nelson

13 votes

2%

Michael Reed

4 votes

43%

Cody Scarpetta

78 votes

181 votes | Poll has closed

Fake Doug Melvin is back with another Adele parody, this time it’s for Yuniesky Betancourt. The…

January 31, 2012