Check out this first round mock draft through the Brewers pick at #26, shot last weekend.  A couple of guys have been improving their draft stock this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttf99JspBZY

The Brewers have 5 of the first 74 picks in this year's draft.  They have been very successful drafting first round hitters in the past decade (Fielder, Weeks, Braun, Lawrie), but have had little success with first round pitchers (Mike Jones, Mark Rogers, Jeremy Jeffess). 

Do you guys think the Brewers new scouting director (Bruce Seid) will stick with the best available player with each pick, or do you think the Brewers will(need to) focus on pitchers?  Do you think it would be wise for the Brew Crew to load up on a mix of college/high school arms with those first 5 picks this year and hope that they "hit" on a few of them?

What is the latest inside info on which players are high on the Brewers draft board?

Which Braves left-handed pitching prospect do you think will have a better MLB career and why?

Cole Rohrbough

Born:  May 23,1987  in  Medford, Oregon
Height:  6-3  Weight:  205  Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left
High School:  North Medford (North Medford, Oregon)
College:  Western Nevada College

Drafted:  Selected by Atlanta Braves in 22nd Round (670th overall) of 2006 amateur entry draft (June-Reg)  

Pitching Statistics

Jeff Locke

Born:  November 20,1987
Height:  6-2  Weight:  180  Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left
High School:  Kennett (Conway,NH)
College:  None

Drafted:  Selected by Atlanta Braves in 2nd Round (51st overall) of 2006 amateur entry draft (June-Reg)  

Pitching Statistics

Which pitcher do you think has a higher ceiling?

Sean West- 6'8 lefty returning from injury

Ross Detwiler- former pick 10 draft pick, lefty, returning from subpar season

Shooter Hunt- supplemental first round pick 2008, righty, outstanding debut \

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RHP Josh Fields was a college senior at Georgia last year and was drafted in the first round (#20 overall) by the Seattle Mariners.  He was a college closer and drafted by the Mariners previous regime. Many Seattle Fans questioned the pick for a non-contending team. He has yet to sign and has until next June to sign.  If he doesn't sign, he can go back in the 2009 draft and Seattle will receive a 2009 1st round compensation pick. (#21 I believe).

What are your thoughts on this situation?  Will or SHOULD Seattle even attempt to sign him? 

New GM Jack Z was a draft guru for the Brewers and many think he'd prefer to have the pick in 2009. 

However, now that the Mariners have traded closer J.J. Putz, they look to be in need of bullpen help.  If signed. Fields would be on a fast track to the majors.

If you are the Mariners, do you sign him or not?

If not, who do you think will be the future closer for the Mariners?

1) Brandon Morrow

2) Free Agent

3) Other in-house option

The following link is an interview with Mat Gamel, conducted in May 2008 in Huntsville, Alabama.  Mat was named Topps Minor League Player of the Year in 2008.  He is currently the Brewers top prospect. Here is a link to the interview on Youtube. He went to college in Cali and sounds like a laid back surfer dude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQJrWTAIYVs

What type of player do you think Mat projects to be in the majors?  What current or former MLB players do you think are his best comparables?  Due to his defensive challenges in the minors at 3B, do you think he will be able to stick there or have to move to a corner OF or 1B? Do you think he will spend all of 2009 at AAA Nashville, or what do you foresee his estimated ETA is at Miller Park?

I have 2 teams avail in 14 team CBS Sportsline Dynasty League with 30 man rosters and a 12 man minor league system. 21 players are kept and up to 12 minors each season. Minors qualify as any player, going into season, with less than 500 career AB or 150 career IP(75 IP for relievers). Free Agent Draft is in February.

Very active and fun. Very cool for those of you that follow minor leagues.

Thanks.  It looks as though I was able to find owners for the 2 open teams.

Thomas Hanson RHP, Atlanta Braves  age:22

Justin Masterson RHP, Boston Red Sox  age:23

Which pitcher do you think has a higher upside?  Which pitcher do you think has better pure "stuff"? Which pitcher would you rather have on your team for the next 5 years? How soon do you think Hanson will earn a spot in Braves rotation?  Do you think the Red Sox are committed to Masterson as a starter this season and beyond?

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Which prospect would you rather have?  Taylor Teagarden or Max Ramirez?  Both are catchers in the Rangers system blocked by Salty and Laird.  Do you think either will be the Rangers starting catcher in 2008 or do you think they will stick with Salty long term at Catcher now that Chris Davis is entrenched at 1B?  Teagarden has power and is a great defensive catcher.  Ramirez is a great hitter but is he more likely to switch positions?  I don't see why the Rangers don't look to trade one or the other for some young pitching.  Who would you keep/trade?  Thoughts?

Below is a link to an interview I conducted with Matt LaPorta in Huntsville in May 2008. 

He seems like a classy guy with his head on straight.  I think we will be a quality major league/middle of the lineup hitter for the Indians for years to come.  I think at a minimum he will become a player in the mold of Pat Burrell of the Phillies.  I think he'll hit 40+ homers in his prime.  We at The Brew Crew Review had LaPorta ranked as the #1 Brewer prospect and easily one of the top 20 prospects in baseball. Good luck and go Brewers and Tribe!

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Jay here.  The link this guy posted goes to a page that has been crashing many people's systems — horrible coding.  So I have removed the link.  The address for the link was "www.brewcrewreview.com" — check it out at your own risk.

For those who don't feel like crashing, check out MiLB.com's 2008 Player Journals, including six entries each from Buffalo 1B Jordan Brown and our new megaprospect Matt LaPorta — hat-tip to palcal.  [Jay]

Here's a link to a recent interview with Brewers OF Prospect Michael Brantley, son of former major leaguer Mickey Brantley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3FHPPZTfHg

Michael Brantley

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