SB Nation - Chris Snelling

Monday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:20:17 -0000

More photos » by Jim Prisching - AP

5 months ago: Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun fails to make the catch on a home run by the Los Angeles Dodgers' Orlando Hudson during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 12, 2009, in Milwaukee. The Dodgers defeated the Brewers 7-4. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

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Some things to read while walking your kangaroo.

While most of the Brewers settled in early for a few days of rest, Trevor Hoffman was making last minute reservations for St. Louis yesterday. Hoffman was a late addition to the NL All Star squad, replacing Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton, who will sit out with an injured toe. Hoffman called the invite "a big surprise" and "a big honor." Hopefully he won't give up a big inning.

If you were thinking of skipping tonight's Home Run Derby, I can't say I blame you. If you're watching, though, there's another reason to cheer for Prince Fielder: The Brewers are taking $1 off the price of loge outfield seats for the August 11-13 Padres series for each home run Fielder hits tonight. And if you need a drink in your hand to enjoy the derby, Chuckie Hacks has a drinking game that will give you a long day at work tomorrow and Home Run Derby has one that almost assures you won't make it to the second round.

Players will tell you that making the All Star Game is "a big honor," but for most it's also an extra paycheck. The Biz of Baseball has a list of players receiving a bonus for playing in the game this season. Ryan Braun is pocketing an extra $50,000 and Prince Fielder is getting $25k. The list was compiled before Trevor Hoffman was added to the team, so I don't know what he's getting.

J.J. Hardy, meanwhile, is just happy to take a break. Hardy has typically been a better hitter in the second half, and if he doesn't turn it around soon this season he'll likely have Alcides Escobar nipping on his heels for playing time down the stretch.

Escobar and Brett Lawrie represented the Brewers well in yesterday's Futures Game. Escobar started the game at shortstop for the World team and went 2-for-4 with a pair of infield singles. Lawrie started at DH for the World (a pretty nice honor for a guy who's never played above Low A) and went 1-for-3 with a seventh inning double that sparked a rally in the seventh inning. Some notes from the game:

Ryan Fagan of The Sporting News listed Escobar as one of his six "Stars in Waiting" in yesterday's game, and tweeted that Lawrie had one of the most impressive BP sessions.
Tom H. profiled Escobar, who says he's ready to be called up.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated listed Escobar as one of eight prospects who are "close to untouchable" in trade talks.

Elsewhere in the minors:

Dave Bush pitched well for the Timber Rattlers on Friday, allowing just four hits and an unearned run while throwing 53 pitches over 4.2 innings. He's still expected to return on July 20, when the Brewers open a series with the Pirates.
John Sickels of Minor League Ball spent three days last week watching the Rattlers play in Burlington, and has scouting reports on sixteen players, including top ten prospects Brett Lawrie and Lorenzo Cain.
Wily Peralta and Evan Anundsen checked in at #12 and #22 on Project Prospect's list of the top 25 prospects who didn't make the Top 100. I guess that makes them #112 and #122 overall.

Manny Parra pitched well in his return from Nashville and many are crediting Sounds pitching coach Chris Bosio for helping him turn things around. Maybe there's another explanation, though: Miller Park Drunk tells the tale of Parra's meeting with Billy Ray Cyrus.

Maybe Billy Ray has some time for Chris Narveson, too. Narveson is expected to accept an assignment to Nashville today, when he officially clears waivers.

Mike Cameron is quietly getting hot again, hitting .394/.488/.667 in ten games in July (after posting a .536 OPS in June). Padres GM Kevin Towers says he regrets letting Cameron go after the 2007 season, crediting his leadership abilities. Cameron, along with Braden Looper (option) and Jason Kendall is one of three Brewers who would be Type B free agents if the season ended today. Trevor Hoffman would be a Type A. (h/t Pro Ball NW)

This morning's Mug is going to be late enough, so I'll lump these notes into one group:

Jayson Stark listed Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun among his candidates for first half NL MVP, Bill Hall among his candidates for LVP, Casey McGehee among his candidates for Rookie of the Year and Ken Macha for manager of the year, but did not select a Brewer for any of those awards.
Rob Neyer selected Robin Yount as the Brewers' representative in his All Time AL All Star Team.
The Ghost of Moonlight Graham ranked the Brewers outfield fourth in all of baseball in his midseason rankings.
The Hardball Times' Dartboard ranked the Brewers #16.

Another homestand, another story about a player scared to stay at the Pfister Hotel. This week, it's Twins OF Carlos Gomez and another unnamed player.

Around baseball:

Angels: Placed Torii Hunter (hip abductor strain) and Vlad Guerrero (calf strain) on the DL.
Astros: Claimed catcher Chris Coste off the DL from the Phillies.
Braves: Acquired Ryan Church from the Mets for Jeff Francoeur and cash.
Cubs: Placed Geovany Soto on the DL with a strained oblique.
D-Backs: Released Tony Clark.
Mariners: Acquired Jack Hannahan from the A's for a minor league pitcher.
Mets: Signed Angel Berroa to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Fired manager Manny Acta and will replace him with Jim Riggleman.
Pirates: Released outfielder Chris Snelling.
Padres: Acquired Sean Gallagher as the PTBNL in the Scott Hairston deal with the A's and signed Russ Adams to a minor league deal.
Reds: Jay Bruce has a broken wrist and will be placed on the DL.

If you're hanging out in St. Louis this week and you're not interested in the Hone Run Derby, perhaps you should be a part of the All Star Treasure Hunt Reebok is putting on. Also, if you're the guy wandering around St. Louis wearing a Tyler Houston Brewers jersey, keep up the good work.

Here's a strategic move to debate: Lou Piniella, who needed a lefty to face two out of three Cardinal batters in last night's game, moved lefty Sean Marshall into left field for one batter, then brought him back to the mound. Good idea? Would you lose your mind if Ken Macha did it with Mitch Stetter? Discuss.

This makes sense in concept, but now a study has proven it: Dr. Ian Byram of Vanderbilt Medical Center says pitchers who come to camp with weakness around their rotator cuff are more likely to get injured during the season.

I'll admit my interest in the Moneyball movie was fading, but they did exactly what they needed to do to bring me back: asked Aaron Sorkin to redraft it. Now I'll go see it. (h/t C. Trent Rosecrans)

One year ago today, CC Sabathia pitched a complete game, 3-2 victory over the Reds, and hit a home run. For whatever it's worth.

Oh, and if you're going to haul your suitcase on the subway, you should zip up the pocket with your dirty underwear first.

Drink up.

Pirates Trade for Brian Myrow

Charlie — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:41:23 -0000

The Pirates have acquired Class AAA first baseman Brian Myrow from the White Sox for cash or a player to be named. Myrow has long been at least a semi-interesting player because he consistently puts up stats that are a cut above that of your usual AAAA journeyman (although it would probably be unwise to think he's anything more than that, at this point). My first thought was that the Pirates were preparing to trade Adam LaRoche and perhaps promote Garrett Jones (or, I guess, Myrow himself, although that seems extremely unlikely) to the big leagues.

I'm not sure that's irrelevant here, but upon further investigation, there's probably no need for conspiracy theories. Steve Pearce was the Indians' regular first baseman, and he was recently called up; another Indy first base option, Larry Broadway, is currently hurt. And meanwhile, the losses of Andrew McCutchen (to Pittsburgh) and Neil Walker (to the DL) have Indianapolis scrambling for position players. There's really no one at Altoona who deserves a promotion right now, either. So the recent trades for Myrow and Chris Snelling are about minor league depth, and probably shouldn't be read as anything more than that.

Monday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:26:46 -0000

Some things to read while getting your clothes out of the dryer.

Easily the biggest Brewer news of the day happened far from Arizona. Ryan Braun, playing for Team USA in the WBC, left yesterday's game with soreness in his side. (h/t FanShot) It doesn't sound like it's expected to be serious.

Meanwhile, Braden Looper is expected to throw a simulated game this morning, his last one before pitching a minor league game and then a Cactus League game sometime around March 24.

While Looper works his way in, Tim Dillard, Nick Green and Omar Aguilar are among six pitchers on their way out, having been optioned back to minor league camp. Dillard, who will apparently work as a starter this season, made the most of his last day in camp, entertaining teammates with his Harry Caray and Ed Sedar impressions.

Also in minor league camp, Chris Capuano continues to work on his recovery from his second Tommy John surgery. Sounds like things are going well, but he won't be stretched out enough to start games until mid-May.

Some visual evidence from this weekend's action:

Bill Hall's calf is better. Now, why is he sliding head first in spring training?
Lorenzo Cain shows off his home run trot.
You may not have heard of Brent Krause, but he left an imprint in the wall for you to remember him by.

J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun each took first place in Crawfish Boxes' NL Central positional rankings at shortstop and left field, respectively. Largely because of contributions from Hardy and Braun, David Pinto of Baseball Musings thinks the Brewers' probable lineup is good for 4.71 runs per game this season, up from 4.63 last season.

Dale Sveum is hoping to get even more production out of his hitters by cutting down on strikeouts.

Speaking of projections and predictions, Baseball Analysts has their NL Central Preview up. All three participants think the Cubs will win the division by 10 games or more.

Lisa Winston of MiLB.com has been spending some time around Brewer camp, and has ten Brewer prospects to watch, along with an overview of the system that's worth a read.

Notes from other camps:

Cubs: Signed Esteban German to a minor league deal.
Giants: May be interested in ~~derailing their youth movement~~ signing Ivan Rodriguez to compete for a job at third base.
Mariners: Claimed Jesus Delgado off waivers from the Marlins.
Marlins: Released Jay Gibbons.
Mets: Claimed Fernando Nieve off waivers from the Astros.
Nationals: Signed Julian Tavarez to a minor league deal.
Padres: Signed Chris Snelling to a minor league deal, and also Duaner Sanchez.
Red Sox: Julio Lugo will have arthroscopic knee surgery and will likely not be ready for Opening Day.
Rockies: Signed Lew Ford to a minor league deal.

Some day we might look back at the players of today in a similar light, but this seems like an extreme example: Hal McCoy has the story of former Red Buddy Gilbert, who left baseball in 1959 over a contract dispute. He and the Reds were $200 apart.

Baseball Musings also previewed the offense of the 2009 Pirates, and projects them for .3 runs per game less than 2008, or almost 50 fewer runs this season.

The Cardinals organization checked in at #21 in FanGraphs organizational rankings joining the Pirates, Reds and Astros to give the NL Central four of the bottom nine teams.

If you're out in Arizona this spring and want to make sure you're not healthy enough to leave, check out Mariner beat writer Larry Stone's review of The Heart Attack Grill.

Oh, and according to Tim Kurkijian, David Eckstein's wife, Ashley Eckstein, is the voice of Darth Vader.

Drink up.