Outfield is the biggest strength for the Milwaukee Brewers and it trickles down to the Minor Leagues. When you consider that you have one of the Top 5 Players in MLB and annual MVP Candidate in Ryan Braun, a true 5-Tool player who took a huge step last year in Carlos Gomez, a Japanese import who successfully transitioned his offense (3x Batting Champion and 7x All-Star) and defense (6x Gold Glove) to the MLB in Norichika Aoki and one of the most promising Outfielders in the Brewers Minor League system with defensive skills that may be even better than Gomez' in Logan Schaffer, the outfield is set. And not only that, but it's going to be good. Damn good. While these 4 guys will definitely bring a good share of the offense to this team I'd would be irresponsible of me not to mention their speed and defense. This will be without a doubt, one of the fastest outfields in all of the Majors.
It's an atrocity that Ryan Braun has yet to win a Gold Glove and I can promise you that Carlos Gomez will win one this year if his bat keeps him in the lineup. I told you last year that Aoki would be that good and Mat Gamel's injury which moved Hart to 1st base ended up being a blessing in disguise. Aoki is the leadoff hitter we've been searching for and it allowed Rickie Weeks to move into a more productive spot in the batting order. Then you add Schaffer in the mix, who can play all 3 outfield positions with superior defense and you have a winning recipe. Just like that homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Pie I made for the County Fair. These fuckers are so fast you would think they would be felons running for the police. Carlos Gomez and Norichika Aoki may be on the Top 10 Most Wanted Lists in their respective countries but here in America they can claim Diplomatic Immunity. This pleases me because we'd be in big trouble if either of these guys got deported during the season. And speaking of trouble we have Brauny, who can't seem to stay out of it. As for Schaffer? Little Schaff-ski is as straight edged as they get so you don't have to worry about this kid ending up on the wrong side of the tracks. That's enough intro. Let's get down and dirty like these player's pants, which will get that way as a result of all the bases they will steal. Not because of accidental fecal deposit.
2013 Prediction: .324 avg, .389 OBP, 38 HRs, 107 RBIs, 31 stolen bases and a lifetime ban from winning the NL MVP again even though his numbers say otherwise. You brought this on yourself pal.
I'm going to state this for the record in case you are one of the few people left in the World who are not aware of it - I'm not a fan of Ryan Braun. Never have been. I have many issues with the guy whose nickname of Shadows takes on a new meaning these days but I'll spare you for the most part. Basically if he didn't wear a Milwaukee Brewers jersey I would be booing him as loud or even louder than the MLB fans who do so at visiting ballparks. But I will always cheer for him and defend him because he is our guy, and the face of the franchise at that. He chose to stick around here for what is likely his entire baseball career so I might as well get used to him even if I don't like it. I will say that I have no problem with him as a baseball player because his stats are off the chart. And so are his accomplishments - 2007 NL Rookie of the Year, 2011 NL MVP, 5x All-Star, 5x Silver Slugger and 9th member of the 40 (Homeruns) / 30 (Stolen Bases) Club last season. I'm sick and tired of the whole failed drug test thing and the connection with the clinic in Miami this offseason because everyone asks me my opinion about it because I'm "The Brewers Guy." If you want to get me worked up ask me what I think about Brauny after a few cocktails and I'll voice my displeasure about how he constantly drags my team's name through the mud but when I'm sober I'm going to point to the facts. And those facts are that even though he failed a drug test because of high testosterone, he challenged the chain of custody and avoided a 50-game suspension. As for his connection with the Biogenesis Clinic in Miami? So far his name is just on a piece of paper. That's it. That is my comment. But the real issue here is that the Milwaukee Brewers would be screwed without Ryan Braun so I have to hope that he is telling the truth and doesn't get caught for doing anything illegal. I wish I could say that our season doesn't hinge on one player but no one can deny the difference of the lineup with and without him.
But enough of the past. This article is about the future and it looks pretty bright as long as he is a part of it. In my years watching baseball I can say without a doubt that Ryan Braun is the best player I've ever seen in a Brewers uniform. Let it be known that I was born in 1981 and I didn't really become a big sports/baseball fan until the late 90's. Even though I grew up watching Paul Molitor and Robin Yount, I was too young or too interested in Star Wars and other nerd things to remember first hand how great they were. So I apologize if I have pissed off any fans of Harvey's Wallbangers and the teams of the 80's. If Ryan Braun stays healthy and stays out of trouble then he will surpass any former player and will own every single offensive record in Milwaukee Brewers history. If not for the whole PED controversy he would have easily won the MVP in 2012 because he put up better numbers than his 2011 season when he actually did win it. He pretty much put up a career year in 2012, but then again he puts up a career year every year. Can he do it again? I want to say no. But why say no when it feels so good to say yes? Hey, I’ll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher’s ass by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn’t you rather to take his word for it? No, what I mean is, you can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking your head up a butcher’s ass… No, wait.... It’s gotta be your bull. We have derailed. Moving on...
2013 Prediction: .270 avg, .313 OBP, 21 HRs, 60 RBIs, 42 stolen bases, a Gold Glove and the most animated player that isn't a cartoon.
Is there a more exciting and more frustrating person to watch than Carlos Gomez? Brewers fans have watched him struggle to perform offensively which led to him being in a platoon or as a defensive replacement. And then the 2012 season he proved that he could get on base enough to utilize his speed and it paid off big time. He had a career year (.260 avg, .305 obp, 19 HRs, 51 RBIs and 37 {I'M 37!?!} stolen bases) and carried it over into Spring Training this year which put a good chuck of change in his pocket. He signed a 3-year contract extension for $24 million which will keep him with the Brewers through the 2016 season. Most importantly it keeps him around through his prime years of 28-30, which means that he's only going to get better. Theoretically of course, because he has to keep himself in the lineup by staying healthy and getting on base. This has been a problem for Gomez and for a different reason than you think. My favorite thing about Gomez is also what holds him back - his energy. He is one of the most upbeat, bouncy, fun loving people you will ever see in a uniform. He always goes 110% and never quits. There's a reason I call him Go-go-Gomez. Why is this a problem? He tries to do too much which is how he broke his collarbone a few seasons ago by diving for a ball most centerfielders would have let drop for a base hit. He caught it by the way. And he likes to swing at everything, not content to talk a walk. He's like a little kid that needs to be put on Ritalin. He always wants to be active and patience is not one of his qualities. But he's got a surprising amount of power as shown by his 19 homeruns last year. So I'm all for him swinging at will as long as he is hitting above .250. Anything below that is unacceptable because his greatest strength is once he reaches base. This guy can flat out fly around the bases and is a nightmare for a pitcher and catcher. If he gets on first he's going to wind up at second whether or not you like it. But if you are a Brewers fan you are going to really like Carlos Gomez this year if he keeps taking steps in the right direction. It's good to know that he's finally putting all of his tools together in one shed while he's with our team and I for one am ecstatic that he'll be around for a couple more years.
2013 Prediction: .302 avg, .360 OBP, 8 HRs, 48 RBIs, 35 stolen bases and returns the favor by dropping the bomb on Americans who don't think that he can play our version of baseball.
I hate to be that asshole who rubs it in but let's face it, I am that guy. I called it when it comes to Norichika Aoki. Not that there were any doubters or anything. I was clamoring for him to start every day since his first day on this continent last season. Most people didn't know much about him or even understood the posting process of obtaining a player from the Japanese League. It seemed like kind of a reach to give several million dollars to a unknown commodity. But even though GM Doug Melvin admitted that he doesn't scout players in Japan he took a chance with Aoki because of the possible suspension of Braun. That obviously didn't happen and Aoki started the season on the bench. Gamel's injury moved Hart to first and Aoki into the starting lineup and the rest is history. Aoki should have been in the conversation for Rookie of the Year despite being 30 years old and 11 years in the pros with the Yakult Swallows. But that was last year. Aoki proved that he could hit for average, get on bases, steal some bases and play great defense. He also showed an usual amount of power despite his swinging style and small body type. He's cemented his place at the top of the lineup and in right field and I see him building upon it this year. He'll get more at bats because he'll be in those positions starting on Opening Day and it is my understanding that he adjusted quite nicely to the American style of baseball. He isn't scared of anything. He's not afraid of Godzilla, chupacabras, the Hodag, Sasquatch or even gas station sushi. Aoki is a 3rd level Samurai, can disappear in a cloud of smoke and has mastered the art of the Kamakaze Krush (known in the USA as the Suicide Squeeze). Aoki is another player that you can't help but like. He just does everything the right way and does everything well. There is not one complaint that I have about him and at $2 million a year he's an absolute steal. He's got an option for 2014 that is right around the same amount so you better start turning Japanese Milwaukee. I'll leave you with the following words: 則近青木、いまいましいな野球息子再生! あなたにたくさんの愛と小道具との同胞。 第二次世界大戦についての2申し訳ありません。 クールなアフレコが、右か。 なます。 また、それは私に赤ん坊のSAKI、ええ! Please copy and paste that into Google Translate to get a really funny translation that is a little off from what I originally typed, but made that much more hilarious by the differences in language. You can thank me later. どういたしまして.
2013 Prediction: .273 avg, 2 HRs, 28 RBIs, fan-fucking-tastic defense and the best Logan since Wolverine.
Logan Schaffer has impressed at every level of the minor leagues and keeps on turning heads with every single game he plays. At 26 years old he's hardly a kid anymore and it is his time to bring his talents to the Major Leagues for an extended period of time. He was a September call-up in 2011 and 2012 and has a .308 batting average in 26 at bats. I know that's a small sample size but when you also consider his .316 average during Spring Training from 2009-2013 in 117 at bats the future is definitely looking brighter for this young man. I'll throw one last stat line at you just to future prove my point that this guy is ready for the Major Leagues - in 401 games (1567 at bats) he has a batting average of .294, an OBP of .354, 254 runs scored and the most important stat which is a .989 fielding percentage. He only has 24 homeruns and 170 RBIs in his Minor League career so he probably doesn't profile as an everyday starter but he is the perfect 4th outfielder. He can play every outfield position but if you want to take full advantage of his skills you want to put him out in Centerfield. I would go so far to say that he might even be a better defender than Carlos Gomez. He's that good. With Braun locked up for life, Gomez through 2016 and Aoki through 2014 if they exercise his option (which they should), Schaffer will see limited time in the outfield over the next few years. But seeing as how he is left handed and extremely versatile. he should still get a start or 2 every week. In a right-handed heavy lineup he will be counted on to provide some balance and be able to get on base for the sluggers to drive him in. He has nothing left to prove in the Minor Leagues and is the perfect backup outfielder. I'm just surprised that it took him this long to be put in this role. Get used to watching Logan Schaffer because he's going to be around here for a long time. The only question is if he can succeed by getting limited playing time and pinch hitting. A lot of younger players struggle in that role. But he seems to have the moxy to throw down and not take shit from anybody. That's what I like to see in a kid just breaking out in the big leagues. He's going to be alright.
2013 Prediction: n/a. I'm not even going to bother because even if by chance he does make the team, he's going to be way out of his element so much that Walter Sobchak will constantly remind him of it.
Writing this blog during Spring Training is tough. I've already had to make a correction because Bobby Crosby has been released. I had predicted him to make the Opening Day Roster as a utility infielder. On the opposite side of the coin, Kris Davis was nowhere on my radar when Spring Training started. You don't want to put a lot of stock into anything that isn't a dirty magazine but it is really hard to ignore what Davis has done this Spring (as of 3/19/13) - 37 at bats, .351 batting avg, .400 OBP, 5 Hrs and 13 RBIs. He has gotten the opportunity to play every day since Ryan Braun has been playing with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and he is certainly taking advantage of it. He has a pretty good chance of making the Opening Day Roster because as it stands right now the bench is left handed and without power. I guess they didn't pay the bills and it got shut off (yuk yuk yuk). Davis could be a good power bat off of the bench but there are too really big problems with that - he is only a left fielder and younger players (he is 25) typically struggle as pinch hitters. He is a defensive liability and would only pinch hit or get a start once every 3 weeks when Brauny takes a day off. Is that worth a roster spot instead of Taylor Green (left handed bat, can play 1st, 2nd and 3rd), Donnie Murphy (right handed bat, can play SS, 2nd and 3rd) or Blake Lalli (left handed bat, decent power, could play 1B or C and allow Maldonado or Lucroy to pinch hit while still retaining a backup catcher)? I don't know. The key to a National League roster (especially the bench spots) is flexibility because the pitcher's spot, double switches and late inning defensive replacements offer plenty of challenges for a Manager. When he only has a one-trick pony on the bench that really ties his hands down and doesn't really help anyone. Besides, all of the starters have incredible power so you don't really need any on the bench. Even though you'd like to see a player get rewarded for having a good Spring, I just don't see it happening. But I've been wrong my whole life so fuck it. What the hell do I know anyway?
The Outfield is a strength, and not just because of their popular one-hit wonder song "Your Love". I don't want to lose your love... TONIGHT!! I love that the Brewers used this song for Frank Catalanotto (which led me to Google Image search camel toe and realize I'm a lonely sick bastard) and Mark Kotsay when they came in to pinch it. The crowd would really get into it and sing along. Aside from that, Braun, Gomez, Aoki and Schaffer are going to be so ridiculously good you'd swear that you were playing a video game. They are all going to put up numbers so sick that even a double dose of NyQuil couldn't shut them down. So much for that shit being the The Nightime, Sniffling, Sneezing, Coughing, Aching, Stuffyhead, Fever, So-You-Can-Rest Medicine. It has no effect on the Brewers' Outfielders. That makes me happy. And also relieved because there's one less thing to worry about come Opening Day.
Worry about the Starting Rotation. Worry about the rebuilt Bullpen. Worry about who is going to play 1st base until Hart comes back. Worry about your inability to satisfy your significant other sexually. Worry about what you would really do if we made contact with aliens. Worry about what you are going to do with your DVD collection now that Bluray is all the rage. Worry about your mismatched socks and your impending arrest by the Fashion Police. Worry about your high carb diet and how to lose those pounds to get ready for bikini season. Worry about that creepy guy who keeps following you home from work and peers into your windows in the late hours of the night. Worry that Stephenie Meyer will write another Twilight novel and you will have to suffer through another lifeless movie adaptation featuring shirtless men and sparkly vampires. Worry that you will never be in a position to not worry and be happy. Worry about plenty of things in this in this world but don't worry about the Brewers Outfield. They're going to be just fine. And probably finer than that young piece of ass you glanced at but then felt weird about it because you questioned whether or not she was over 18. Well she is. She is 22 by the way. I know because I checked her ID just to make sure. She's got a baby face but all the other parts are looking all grown up. Ok, now I'm really weirding myself out. I'm almost 32 years old now and I shouldn't be lusting over girls almost half my age. No wonder I'm still single. At least my single lifestyle allows me all the time in the World to watch Brewers games. So at least something good can come of this.
- pookon -
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