October 18th, 2011
Milwaukee Brewers Prospects 2012: Checking in on Top Arizona Fall League Prospects
With the Milwaukee Brewers’ historical postseason now effectuated, it’s time to start looking into the future for some of the organization’s top minor league prospects.
Daniel Meadows is steadily working his way up the ranks in Milwaukee's farm system
Filling the void that will inevitably be left behind by Prince Fielder should be rather lucid, with 26-year-old Mat Gamel waiting in the wings to take over the starting job. As for the other top-notch prospects honing their skills down in the Arizona Fall League, they may have to wait a while longer.
Let’s check in on each top prospect’s progressions in the early-going of the Arizona Fall League.
Daniel Meadows, LHP
In four full seasons in the minors, the 24-year-old Meadows has proved to be one of Milwaukee’s best young relievers on the farm, particularly of late. In 21 appearances through the first half of 2011, Meadows boasted a 1.51 ERA with 39 SO in 41.2 IP for the AA affiliate Helena Stars. This fall, he’s used his above-average command and effective slider to strut a 1.80 ERA in four separate appearances, totaling 5.0 IP.
Cody Scarpetta, RHP
Scarpetta will need to refine some of his pitches this fall if he expects to be with the club on opening day
Drafted in the 11th round of the 2007 draft, Scarpetta was on the virtual fast-track to the majors after a sumptuous rookie season with high class A Brevard County and AA-Huntsville, posting a combined 2.23 ERA with 58 SO in just 36.1 IP. However, his production seemingly dropped off, specifically in 2011, where his K/BB ration fell to 1.6:1. He’ll need to refine his game if an appearance with Milwaukee is imminent, and so far he’s done well. In two appearances (including one start) Scarpetta holds true to a 2.25 ERA with 3 SO, but has also walked six in 4.o IP.
Scooter Gennett, 2B
The 5’9″, 180-pound speedy second-baseman has a bright MLB future ahead of him. Upon being selected in the 16th round of the 2009 draft by Milwaukee, Gennett has pieced together two exceptional seasons in the minors. In 2010, the speedster batted .309 with 9 HR and 55 RBI, including 14 SB and 87 runs scored. Last season, Gennett complemented his previous success by batting .300 with 9 HR and 51 RBI and 11 SB for high-A Brevard County. Thus far this fall, he’s off to another fast start — bating .333 (9-for-27), has 2 HR and 6 RBI and 17 TB to his credit.
Kentrail Davis, OF
Pardon me for being a bit too titillated, but there’s something that tells me this guy has a shot at being a superstar at the next level. The former Tennessee Volunteer and 39th overall pick in the 2009 draft has been an absolute gem in Milwaukee’s farm system in just two short seasons. In 2010, Davis batted .304, drove in 63 RBI and scored 64, all while stealing 11 bases. However, 2011 would be his coming-out party, as the nimble outfielder batted .245 with 8 HR, 46 RBI and managed 33 SB. In 25 at-bats this fall, Davis is batting .280 with an RBI and two stolen bases, and has also notably struck out 10 times.
Logan Schafer, OF
Not to be outdone, though, is the 25-year-old Schafer, who in essence could make a tremendous impact on Ron Roenicke’s clubhouse as early as next season. The former 2008 draft selection has thrived down on the farm, most notably in 2011, where he batted a ridiculous .385 with 43 RBI and 5 HR, while also stealing 16 SB. His production was enough to earn him a September call-up, where he would eventually play in eight total games, going 1-for-3. This fall, Schafer is off to a scorching start, batting .243 with a home run and 6 RBI and 1 SB.
Other news and notes: 2011 first-round draft pick Jed Bradley will replace Tyler Thornburg in the Arizona Fall League.
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Predicting Milwaukee Brewers’ 2012 Opening-Day Starting Lineup, Depth Chart
What will Milwaukee's lineup look like without Fielder?
The Milwaukee Brewers’ spectacular 2011 season came to a screeching halt on Sunday night at Miller Park, when the club dropped a must-win Game 6 of their NLCS bout with the St. Louis Cardinals by a 12-6 mark.
Truthfully, the lost hurt in more ways than one.
Not only did the loss shatter the hearts of Brewers fans across the nation, but it would also mark the commencement of a new era of baseball in Milwaukee. With Prince Fielder now set to become an unrestricted free-agent, it’s only inevitable that Milwaukee’s 2012 lineup will be one with an entirely new scope.
What could their opening day depth chart look like? Here’s a way-too-early sneak-peak before opening-day against the Cardinals.
Starting Rotation
Projected Depth Chart
Yovani Gallardo
Zack Greinke
Shaun Marcum
Randy Wolf
Chris Narveson
Breakdown
Although a portion of Milwaukee’s opening-day starting lineup will look completely different from 2011, the starting rotation is one aspect that shouldn’t alter at all. Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum are still under contract through 2012, and Randy Wolf is also under contract through next season, with a $10 million 2013 option pending after next season.
The biggest question mark for Milwaukee’s rotation heading into next season is whether or not GM Doug Melvin decides to re-sign Chris Narveson, who made a shade over $400,000 in 2011. If the Brewers sign him to a new deal, this is what Milwaukee’s opening-day rotation should ultimately look like.
Bullpen
Projected Depth Chart
John Axford
Frank Francisco*
Kameron Loe
Takashi Saito+
Frankie De La Cruz
Zach Braddock+
Mitch Stetter+
Breakdown
If I had to distinguish one specific area Melvin might try to improve the most with Fielder’s massive contract off the books, it would be refreshment of Milwaukee’s bullpen.
At times, it seemed as though the Brewer bullpen was one of the deciding factors in their 2011 success. After all, they did go from maintaining MLB’s fifth-worst ERA (4.58) in 2010 to ninth-best (3.63) in 2011 after acquiring Takashi Saito, who will need to be re-signed in the offseason.
38-year-old LaTroy Hawkins had a respectable year (2.42 ERA, 20 HLD), but will likely not be back with the club next season. The same can be said for midseason pickup Francisco Rodriguez, who restructured his contract with Milwaukee, thus avoiding a hefty $17.5 million 2012 vesting option.
In turn, the Brewers will need to seek a veteran reliever with much experience to fill the gaping hole left behind from Rodriguez, and I suspect Milwaukee to target a power right-handed setup man much like Frank Francisco this offseason.
Catchers
Projected Depth Chart
Jonathon Lucroy+
George Kottaras
Breakdown
There’s been some speculation surrounding Lucroy’s free-agent status over the past few weeks. Allow me to clear things up: the Brewers would be foolish not to re-sign the 25-year-old catcher.
Lucroy has been an unsung hero in Milwaukee’s postseason success. Holding true to a .993 FPCT, an MLB-best 8.96 RF and but one passed ball in the regular season, Lucroy is one of the better defensive catchers in the game today. His bat wasn’t half bad either, amassing 12 HR, 59 RBI and a .265 BA during the regular season.
Backup George Kottaras is arbitration eligible this offseason, but I think management will work out a deal to bring him back next year.
First Basemen
Mat Gamel should be a solid replacement for Fielder in 2012 and beyond.
Projected Depth Chart
Mat Gamel^
Breakdown
With Fielder’s exit, 26-year-old prospect Mat Gamel will finally have his shot at being Milwaukee’s starting first-baseman.
Surely, he won’t be as big of a home-run threat as No. 28 once was, but Brewers fans should have confidence in what Gamel brings to the table. He does have power, amassing 105 HR, 503 RBI and a .873 OPS over seven highly productive seasons in the minors, and he has proved himself to be a .300-plus hitter, most notably batting .304 last season with AAA-Nashville.
He’ll need some time to become acclimated defensively, but I expect him to get into the swing of things quickly. He’s a diamond in the rough, folks.
Second Basemen
Projected Depth Chart
Rickie Weeks
Josh Wilson
Breakdown
Another year, another injury-plagued season for Rickie Weeks.
The Brewers’ second baseman put up some of truly magnificent numbers during the first-half of 2011. Batting .278 with 52 RBI and a MLB-best 17 home runs, Weeks’ output was enough to name him the NL’s starter at second base.
Yet, it would be an ankle sprain in late July that would get the better of Weeks’ campaign, and he would never really return to his previous form thereafter. Nevertheless, the Brewers will be absolutely in need of No. 23 to step it up in 2012 with Fielder now gone. Chances are, he’ll be protecting Ryan Braun as the cleanup hitter — something he’s done just twice in seven seasons.
Shortstops
Projected Depth Chart
Clint Barmes*
Josh Wilson
Breakdown
Do I think the Brewers will pick up Yuniesky Betancourt’s $6 million 2012 option? Of course not. The 29-year-old shortstop has largely overstayed his welcome in Milwaukee after just one season.
That being said, if Milwaukee does decide to look elsewhere for talent on the left side of the infield, I think Melvin will key in on someone like Clint Barmes to hold the fort down. The 32-year-old shortstop will be one of the most defensively apt infielders on the free-agent market this offseason. I think Melvin will pull the trigger.
Third Basemen
Another season with Hairston will work wonders for prospect Taylor Green
Projected Depth Chart
Jerry Hairston, Jr.+
Josh Wilson
Breakdown
Acquiring Hairston fromWashington in a trade that added depth to Milwaukee’s injury-plagued infield back at the deadline proved to be invaluable to the Brewers’ late-season run.
The 35-year-old Hairston essentially swiped the starting position right out from under Casey McGehee’s feet, and produced impressively. His .385 BA in the postseason ranked second among all third basemen in the playoffs, surprisingly enough.
Making $2 million last season, Hairston is relatively cheap, and with his outstanding performance (for the most part) in the postseason, I expect him to be the opening-day starter for Milwaukee next season, ergo giving prospect Taylor Green another productive season down in the minors.
Left Fielders
Projected Depth Chart
Ryan Braun
Josh Wilson
Breakdown
I attempted to come up with something fascinating here, but it’s really just a vanilla subject at best. Looking ahead, expect Braun to be starting in left field for at least the next nine seasons.
Center Fielders
Projected Depth Chart
Carlos Gomez
Nyjer Morgan+
Mark Kotsay+
Breakdown
Could “Beast Mode” already be over? Not so fast.
Last year, Nyjer Morgan earned every penny of his one-year, $450,000 salary, batting .304 with 4 HR and 37 RBI. There’s still a chance Milwaukee could re-sign him, and I think Melvin will take than chance.
That being said, Carlos Gomez must be able to produce with consistency if a starting roll is imminent. Despite missing significant time due to a collar bone injury last summer, the speedster batted just .225 with 8 HR and 24 RBI in 231 at-bats, while notching 16 stolen bases. He’s the better defensive outfielder, without question, but his bat remains a hit-or-miss (pun not intended).
Right Fielders
Corey Hart will be key in Milwaukee's successes in 2012
Projected Depth Chart
Corey Hart
Mark Kotsay+
Breakdown
Again, not much to be said here. Milwaukee came to terms with Hart on a three-year, $26.5 million contract extension back in August of 2010, and they’ll need his services next season and beyond.
Mark Kotsay is set to become a free-agent, and there’s no questioning the depth and talent he brought forth to the club in 2011. Expect him to be re-signed this offseason to a short-term deal.
Complete Opening Day 25-Man Roster
Starters
1. RF Corey Hart
2. CF Carlos Gomez
3. LF Ryan Braun
4. 2B Rickie Weeks
5. 1B Mat Gamel
6. 3B Jerry Hairston, Jr.
7. SS Clint Barmes
8. C Jonathan Lucroy
9. P Yovani Gallardo
Bench
C George Kottaras
UTIL Josh Wilson
CF Nyjer Morgan
UTIL Mark Kotsay
Starting Rotatoin
RHP Yovani Gallardo
RHP Zack Greinke
RHP Shaun Marcum
LHP Randy Wolf
LHP Chris Narveson
Bullpen
RHP John Axford
RHP Frank Francisco
RHP Kameron Loe
RHP Takashi Saito
RHP Frankie De La Cruz
LHP Zach Braddock
LHP Mitch Stetter
Follow Alec Dopp on Twitter! @alecdopp
Alec Dopp
