5 Things We Learned in Brewers Spring Training

Ryan Braun will forever have a target on his back: Okay, so maybe we already knew this. It was apparent last year that nearly every baseball fan outside of Milwaukee hated Ryan Braun and assumed he was a cheater. However, what we learned this spring is that the MLB truly believes that as well. Major League Baseball went as far as labeling Braun “Public Enemy #1” this spring, with rumors circulating regarding their apparent willingness to grant immunity to PED offenders in exchange for information that would help them to nab Braun. Things pretty much heated up again following the Biogenesis report, which indicated that Braun owed money to the organization for services rendered. Braun put out a statement, claiming he used Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch as a consultant in fighting his drug suspension last offseason. Regardless of his reasons, Braun’s name popping up in this fiasco didn’t bode well for his chances of forgiveness when it comes to the MLB and its fanbase. Regardless of the outcome, fans in Milwaukee will continue to back their superstar left fielder, myself included.  

Jean Segura is going to be a star: Yes, most people already knew this as well, but now EVERYONE knows this. After showing promise in the closing weeks on the 2012 season, Segura wasted no time in getting back on the field and continuing to develop his skills. He spent the winter playing in the Dominican Winter League. Segura shined in 35 games, batting .324 to win the league’s batting title while also swiping 11 bases. He didn’t skip a beat when spring training rolled around, as his bat continue to scorch baseballs, this time at a .367 clip while stealing 5 bases in Cactus League play. The one thing Segura may be lacking is power, but if he continues to get on base at a high rate and play solid defense, he can prove to be a very capable starter for the Brewers at shortstop and a fixture in the lineup for years to come. 

Khris Davis could be a star: After destroying baseballs for much of the year in AAA Nashville last season, many fans wondered where Khris Davis might fit into Milwaukee’s plans for the future. He played well in spring training, leading the team with 6 home runs in Cactus League play and hitting a 7th when the crew played team Canada. He fields his position well in left field, but the knock on him is his arm. He needs to show that he can make consistent, well-placed throws from that position if he expects to get consistent time in the lineup. Oh, and there’s that guy named Ryan Braun that happens to play the same position. Ron Roenicke has said they will try him in right field in an attempt to get him some playing time, but for the time being, Davis’ hot bat has at least earned him a spot on the Brewers bench to see if he can provide some pop as a pinch hitter.  

Mark Rogers is still a disappointment: Now I’m not knocking Mark Rogers. I love the guy and remain impressed with his resilience in fighting off injury after injury to reach this point since being drafted in the first round in 2004. But after posting promising stats in a short stint with the big league club last year, this spring Rogers has let fans down by failing to consistently hit the strike zone or generate the velocity he is known for. I still won’t go as far as calling him a total bust, as time will tell if he can bounce back from what has been labeled a “dead arm” and get back to throwing in the upper 90’s again. However, the Brewers front office was hoping he could earn a spot in the rotation, as he is currently out of minor league options. After his stint on the DL, the Brewers will have to make a decision whether to keep him in the bullpen or cut him loose. 

Bob Uecker’s still got it: Ueck turned 78 in January, and by no means is he slowing down. He was able to do a handful of games during spring training and continues to make listeners laugh while calling a great game. Fans have wondered, including myself, how much time Uecker has left in the booth, especially after a few health issues he has faced in recent years. But rest assured, he is still going strong and hasn’t lost a step from last season. And for those worried, refer to Vin Scully, the Dodgers play-by-play man who is back in the booth in Los Angeles for another season, at 85 years of age! Fans will be particularly interested in the new segment Bob and Joe will be doing in the booth this season called “Ask Ueck.” Fans can email in questions that Joe will read on air for Bob to answer during the games. The segment was introduced during the crew’s first game back at Miller Park and Bob didn’t fail to disappoint with his witty, informative answers. Submit your questions to askbob@jrn.com and see if your question is chosen to be read on air for Ueck to answer!

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

- Joseph Norton (@JoeP_Norton)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go @ryan_937, @Mik3_Schu, @jheldred, @B_Toom_3, @olewr7, and @Stevie2Westside. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)

The Brewers Projected Starting Rotation

A few weeks ago I took a look at the Brewers new bullpen. Had some great feedback on that, so to continue this preview of sorts of the 2013 Brewers, I will be taking a look at the projected starting rotation. As I began writing this piece, I asked my followers who they thought would be in the starting five. This created quite the stir, as my mentions blew up through the roof. It's probably the hottest subject going into Spring Training for the Brewers, as the starting line-up is pretty set in stone barring injury and the bullpen is somewhat set minus one core spot to fill in spring. Ideally, Gallardo and Fiers are likely the two pitchers that are pretty much a lock for the rotation. After them, however, is when things get mighty interesting. Out of the four other leading candidates, only one has an option to be sent to Triple-A; which makes this very simple to decide on my projected starting five.

1. Yovani Gallardo - I don't think this is a surprise to anyone that Yo will be in our rotation in 2013, and rightfully sitting at the top. In 2011, Yo had one of his best pitching years since becoming a pro as he finished 7th for National League Cy Young. Though still posting a decent record in 2012, Gallardo became very inconsistent. It took Gallardo a good portion of the season to get into a rhythm. Gallardo finished out the 2012 season going 8-1 (July 31st - September 28th) with three no-decisions and an ERA of just under 3.00 (2.9998 to be exact). If Yo can get into a rhythm to start the year out, he could easily have his eyes set on 18, 19, or 20 wins this up coming season. And, any of this three win counts would be a career high (17 wins in 2011).

2. Mike Fiers - Barring an extremely bad spring, Fiers more than proved himself last season to be a starter in the Brewers' rotation. And, as a rookie last year, he is likely to get better this year. A fatigued arm made him slow down towards the end of last season, but in my eyes that was to be expected as a rookie. Last year, he lead the National League in lowest ERA for about three months or so. I would expect Fiers to go between 160-170 innings this year and easily having 150+ strikeouts to add to his resume. I'll go as far as to say his ERA will lower significantly. The good thing about Fiers is that even if he does can to start the year, he does have an option left to be sent down to the minors to tweak any issues that could arise.

3. Marco Estrada - Above I mentioned consistency and rhythm with Gallardo. The same goes for Estrada, if not more importantly than Gallardo. On April 21st, Estrada moved to the rotation to take over for Chris Narveson. He didn't get his first win until August 21st. Granted, he had eleven no decisions mixed in with his 0-5 start, but nevertheless the Brewers cant afford to have a stretch like that in 2013. As a full time starter this year, I would expect Estrada to pitch about 180 innings this season, with a strikeout total of about 170. In 138 innings in 2012, he accumulated 143 strikeouts. Estrada has to come off strong to start the year to have a consistent season as a full time pitcher in this very young and in-experienced rotation.

4. Chris Narveson - I don't think I am the only one who is very concerned for the bottom of the rotation. Narveson is my first worry. It has already come through the Brewers news wire that Narveson is "100% ready to go and cleared to pitch with no restrictions in Spring Training". Not to compare football to baseball or apples to oranges, but Packers' Jerel Worthy recently had a "bruised knee" and then had ACL reconstruction surgery a week later with Dr. James Andrews. Narveson is coming back from rotator cuff surgery on his throwing arm. Besides having Tommy Johns, it is the most difficult surgery to come back from as a pitcher. I would imagine regardless of what percentage of ready Narveson is, he is going to have some kind of innings limit this year. Depending on how his production and record is at the All Star break, I wouldn't be surprised if they shut him down then, and replace him with a young arm in the minors. The thing to remember is that the Brewers organization takes extra care of their pitchers.

5. Mark Rogers - Rounding out the bottom of the order will be Mark Rogers. Rogers made it to only 39 innings pitched before the Brewers shut him down with precautionary intentions. I would be surprised if Rogers went more than 100 innings this year. He too could be on the same path as Narveson where he gets shut down at the All Star break. Rogers is another healthy year away from being a regular starter in our rotation without any innings restrictions. Luckily, the Brewers have young, talented arms that will fill in nicely for our pitchers who might get shut down.

I can think of three starters in the minors that will be on the outside looking in and are thirsty for their chance for a spot in the Brewers' rotation. First and foremost, the first pitcher to have dibs on a spot has to be Wily Peralta. I think for him to start in the minors to start 2013 is a fantastic idea simply because he still has a few things to work on before he embarks on full time status. Control issues and fatigue are his two main concerns. Giving him half the season in Nashville will give him enough time to work out his kinks to make him fully available for a call up at the All Star break. The second pitcher that comes to mind is Tyler Thornburg. Thornburg has a chance to be called up first out of all the pitchers in our minors because he can serve as a starter or he can fill in the bullpen if need be. Thornburg could use the time in the minors as well. He needs to develop better locations on his fastball when behind in counts, which will improve his 8 homeruns in 22 innings pitched ratio he had last year. Finally, top pitching prospect Hiram Burgos has a chance to make an appearance this season. Say Thornburg and Peralta are already up for Narveson and Rogers and someone needs to hit the DL, Burgos would likely be the guy we would call up unless we look to spot start someone in our bullpen like Tom Gorzelanny. Nonetheless, regardless of how our rotation pans out, the Brewers are a few steps ahead of the game for fill ins and replacements.



Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

-Andrew Vrchota (@AndrewVrchota)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @Brandon_BFP, @SMahon2Go @ryan_937, @Mik3_Schu. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)