2010 was a rough year for Brewers catchers, 28 year old George Kottaras and rookie Jonathan Lucroy combined to have one of the roughest years in the majors. While their struggles are reflected in their surface stats, both Kottaras and Lucroy's underlying numbers appear promising.
Kottares produced an abysmal .205/.305/.396 line with 9 homeruns in 250 at-bats in 2010. While his surface stats leave little to be desired, Kottaras produced a strong 13% walk rate which falls nicely in line with his 12% career mark. In addition, his .193 isolated power increased from .151 in 2009. To top it off, he sported an 82% contact rate. Ultimately, George Kottaras possesses a trifecta of impressive underlying skills which should lead to a much stronger offensive 2011. with only 312 career major league at-bats, Kottaras should continue to progress with time.
After a mid-season call up, Lucroy went on to hit .253/.300/.329 with 4 homeruns in 277 at-bats, a season even worse than Kottaras'. Similar to Kottaras, Lucroy's underlying stats suggest his offensive potential is greater than he showed in his rookie season. His 85% contact rate is quite strong and fully supported by his minor league numbers. He has never hit for a lot of power, only surpassing a .200 ISO once in the minors (High A in 2008), chances are his power will never be more than league average. Lucroy's plate discipline was below average in 2010, however his minor league numbers suggest he should be able to develop above average plate discipline. While he'll never hit for much power, Lucroy's plate discipline and contact skills will help become an above average offensive contributor in short order.
During their brief major league careers Kottaras has proven to be a better hitter against righthanded pitchers, while Lucroy has been stronger against lefthanders. This gives the Brewers the perfect opportunity platoon the two to ensure they get the most possible production out of their catchers. Neither catcher will ever be an all-star, but both will preform a lot better offensively in 2011.
Showing posts with label Milwaukee Brewers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Milwaukee Brewers. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
2009 Preview: Milwaukee Brewers
There was a lot of optimism in Milwaukee heading into 2008, Prince Fielder was coming off of a 50 homerun campaign, Yovani Gallardo and Ryan Braun had burst onto the scene and looked like future superstars, and the rest of the lineup, especially JJ Hardy and Corey Hart had surprising years. Gallardo tore his ACL in spring training, and Fielder struggled mightily over the first two months of the season, but thanks to fantastic performances by Braun, Hart, and Ben Sheets, the Brewers remained in contention. After trading for all-star CC Sabathia, the Brewers blossomed; Sabathia pitched 7 complete games and led Milwaukee to it's first playoff appearance since 1983.
Projected Lineup:
C - Jason Kendall
1B - Prince Fielder
2B - Rickie Weeks
3B - Bill Hall
SS - JJ Hardy
LF - Ryan Braun
CF - Mike Cameron
RF - Corey Hart
Projected Rotation:
#1 - Yovani Gallardo
#2 - Dave Bush
#3 - Manny Parra
#4 - Braden Looper
#5 - Jeff Suppan
Closer - Trevor Hoffman
Position Battles:
Middle Infield - Alcides Escobar is ready for the major's defensively, and should be a solid offensive producer right from the get-go. He is currently blocked by Hardy; there are rumors that either Hardy or Rickie Weeks could be traded to open up space for Escobar. If Weeks is traded, Hardy will move over to second base.
3B - After a fantastic season, Mat Gamel is now breathing down Bill Hall's neck. Gamel is not ready to play full-time and is a butcher at third base, but Hall has steadily regressed from his 30 homer campaign a few years ago, he is now a border-line player and a change of scenery could do him some good.
2009 Outlook: Milwaukee's rotation took a major hit when they lost both Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia, who are without question two of the best starting pitchers in the game today. The Brewers made no impact signings to fill their void in the rotation, as a result they will have trouble staying in games when their offense doesn't produce.
Milwaukee's lineup is certainly potent, led by Braun and Fielder, they should be one of the best in the big leagues. The additions of Escobar and Gamel will help, unfortunately it won't be enough to make up for the loss of Sheets and Sabathia.
Projected Finish: 3rd Place, NL Central
Projected Lineup:
C - Jason Kendall
1B - Prince Fielder
2B - Rickie Weeks
3B - Bill Hall
SS - JJ Hardy
LF - Ryan Braun
CF - Mike Cameron
RF - Corey Hart
Projected Rotation:
#1 - Yovani Gallardo
#2 - Dave Bush
#3 - Manny Parra
#4 - Braden Looper
#5 - Jeff Suppan
Closer - Trevor Hoffman
Position Battles:
Middle Infield - Alcides Escobar is ready for the major's defensively, and should be a solid offensive producer right from the get-go. He is currently blocked by Hardy; there are rumors that either Hardy or Rickie Weeks could be traded to open up space for Escobar. If Weeks is traded, Hardy will move over to second base.
3B - After a fantastic season, Mat Gamel is now breathing down Bill Hall's neck. Gamel is not ready to play full-time and is a butcher at third base, but Hall has steadily regressed from his 30 homer campaign a few years ago, he is now a border-line player and a change of scenery could do him some good.
2009 Outlook: Milwaukee's rotation took a major hit when they lost both Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia, who are without question two of the best starting pitchers in the game today. The Brewers made no impact signings to fill their void in the rotation, as a result they will have trouble staying in games when their offense doesn't produce.
Milwaukee's lineup is certainly potent, led by Braun and Fielder, they should be one of the best in the big leagues. The additions of Escobar and Gamel will help, unfortunately it won't be enough to make up for the loss of Sheets and Sabathia.
Projected Finish: 3rd Place, NL Central
Friday, February 13, 2009
Contender to Pretender in One Off-Season
Last year the Milwaukee Brewers won the Wild Card, keeping the New York Mets out of the playoffs. A big reason for their success was the pitching of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. This off-season both players were free agents and if the Brewers were able to get them both or at least one of them, then they would still be in contention for the Division or Wild Card next year. The only problem is... they did not get either!
CC Sabathia signed mega deal with the New York Yankees (7 years, $161 million). With the Brewers last year Sabathia went 11- 2, had a 1.65 ERA, had a 1.003 WHIP, and had 7 complete games. Simply put: CC Sabathia was superb with the Brewers. Now the Brewers do not have that superstar pitcher on their team. That was a huge loss for Milwaukee, but not a surprise in the very least that he did not re-sign them.
Ben Sheets still could re-sign with the Brewers, but the chances of that happening are very slim. Sheets has been known as an injury prone pitcher throughout his career, but the first half of last year Ben Sheets was healthy and dominating. He went 10 - 3, with a 2.83 ERA, and 3 complete games. Not surprisingly, Sheets went down with an elbow injury in the second half of the year which hindered his second half and is keeping Sheets from signing with the Brewers or another team in the off-season. When healthy, Ben Sheets is nothing short of dominant, and his presence and production will certainly be missed by the Brewers. Last week, news came out that Sheet's elbow injury is a lot worse than originally presumed, if a team does sign him, it will most likely be after the all-star break when he is expected to be fully healthy.
Overall, Ben Sheets' excellent first half and CC Sabathia's unbelievable second half, coupled with Milwaukee's solid offense anchored by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder helped lead them to their first playoff appearance since 1982. This Brewers team will not be the same as last year and probably won't be in contention for a playoff spot due to the lack reliable of pitching that the team possess.
The Brewers did sign Trevor Hoffman, who should help the awful bullpen they have, but he is old and his skills have been declining over the last couple years. Also, he was pitching in Petco Park last year, by far the most extreme pitcher's park in the league, this year he will be pitching in a more hitter friendly park, which should definitely have a negative affect him.
Milwaukee's rotation does have some young talent in Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra who are good pitchers, but not aces. Gallardo is another pitcher who cannot stay healthy and if he is able to play a full season, then he can help the team in a big way, but that does not seem likely. Parra has been the third or fourth starter as of late and has been doing a good job, but can he take a more important role on that staff? We will have to see. A lot of players will need to step up next year for the Brewers to have any chance at playing in October.
CC Sabathia signed mega deal with the New York Yankees (7 years, $161 million). With the Brewers last year Sabathia went 11- 2, had a 1.65 ERA, had a 1.003 WHIP, and had 7 complete games. Simply put: CC Sabathia was superb with the Brewers. Now the Brewers do not have that superstar pitcher on their team. That was a huge loss for Milwaukee, but not a surprise in the very least that he did not re-sign them.
Ben Sheets still could re-sign with the Brewers, but the chances of that happening are very slim. Sheets has been known as an injury prone pitcher throughout his career, but the first half of last year Ben Sheets was healthy and dominating. He went 10 - 3, with a 2.83 ERA, and 3 complete games. Not surprisingly, Sheets went down with an elbow injury in the second half of the year which hindered his second half and is keeping Sheets from signing with the Brewers or another team in the off-season. When healthy, Ben Sheets is nothing short of dominant, and his presence and production will certainly be missed by the Brewers. Last week, news came out that Sheet's elbow injury is a lot worse than originally presumed, if a team does sign him, it will most likely be after the all-star break when he is expected to be fully healthy.
Overall, Ben Sheets' excellent first half and CC Sabathia's unbelievable second half, coupled with Milwaukee's solid offense anchored by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder helped lead them to their first playoff appearance since 1982. This Brewers team will not be the same as last year and probably won't be in contention for a playoff spot due to the lack reliable of pitching that the team possess.
The Brewers did sign Trevor Hoffman, who should help the awful bullpen they have, but he is old and his skills have been declining over the last couple years. Also, he was pitching in Petco Park last year, by far the most extreme pitcher's park in the league, this year he will be pitching in a more hitter friendly park, which should definitely have a negative affect him.
Milwaukee's rotation does have some young talent in Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra who are good pitchers, but not aces. Gallardo is another pitcher who cannot stay healthy and if he is able to play a full season, then he can help the team in a big way, but that does not seem likely. Parra has been the third or fourth starter as of late and has been doing a good job, but can he take a more important role on that staff? We will have to see. A lot of players will need to step up next year for the Brewers to have any chance at playing in October.
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