brewerfanx1 wrote:

Farris will still play some shortstop

The Brewers are very short of shortstops in the Minor Leagues, and some fans wondered why they have not simply moved Triple-A second baseman Eric Farris into the slot, since the plan was to use him occasionally at that position this season.

Brewers assistant scouting director Tom Flanagan is on this road trip and answered that question today. He said Farris has been slowed this month by a very minor foot injury that did not keep him out of Nashville’s lineup, and the organization did not want to ask him to play a different position while he was less than 100 percent.

(Thanks to Brewers fan @sessilefielder for pointing me to Farris’ Twitter account, which says he was hurt fouling a ball of his foot.)

Soon, Farris will start playing something like two days a week at shortstop. Why not more? For one, he’s a superior defensive second baseman who has played there since college. The Brewers are also somewhat hesitant to move too many of their top prospects, though there are obviously exceptions (Mat Gamel comes to mind). There’s a growing belief in the front office that it’s more productive to give a guy a position and keep him there.

I know a certain other Brewers beat writer has made this point, but I’ll say it, too. It’s really too bad for the Brewers and Luis Cruz that Cruz refused the Brewers’ assignment to Nashville and signed with the Rangers to play at Triple-A instead. It seems to me that his path to the Majors was easier as a backup to Yuniesky Betancourt than to the Rangers’ young Elvis Andrus.

I told you!!!!!

http://brewersbeat.mlblogs.com/2011/04/18/farris-will-still-play-some-shortstop/

shirt wrote:Could Green make McGehee expendable for a SS or bullpen arm? This was a very highly touted prospect who had a wrist injury. It can take a lot of time to come back from those.

17 Farris, Eric AAA 2B 25 R R
The Brewers announced that Farris will start playing SS a few times a week at Nashville to increase his versatility and utility usefulness in the big leagues. Do not read in to this: "Shortstop of the future." If the Brewers thought he could play shortstop everyday in MLB, he'd be playing SS everyday in Nashville. Now if they really want him to increase versatility, I'd like to see him play some CF and 3B, too.

shirt wrote:From BF.net's Power 50:

17 Farris, Eric AAA 2B 25 R R
The Brewers announced that Farris will start playing SS a few times a week at Nashville to increase his versatility and utility usefulness in the big leagues. Do not read in to this: "Shortstop of the future." If the Brewers thought he could play shortstop everyday in MLB, he'd be playing SS everyday in Nashville. Now if they really want him to increase versatility, I'd like to see him play some CF and 3B, too.

shirt wrote:On a side note, it should be interesting to hear what Brewerfanx1 has to say since much of his dislike for Gamel's defense seemed to come from comments made by Money. Well here he is ripping on two of Brewerfanx1's favorite players. Can't have it both ways. Personally I think Money tells it a little too real and is too hard on his players. A lot of the time he is right, but he also doesn't seem to think progression is possible which must be pretty frustrating to hear if you are a player.

shirt wrote:Could Green make McGehee expendable for a SS or bullpen arm? This was a very highly touted prospect who had a wrist injury. It can take a lot of time to come back from those.

dusters wrote:What do you think we could get for Casey? He is a good hitter under team control for a while, but terrible on the basepaths and below average defensively.

shirt wrote:Don Money ripping on Mark Rodgers for still "not getting it" and Eric Farris for his throwing style. Positive reports from him on Gamel though for once. It seems like he could be a rough coach to work with since he is so negative. Just another reason I wouldn't mind getting Gamel away from him after a couple years.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/page.jsp?ymd=20100208&content_id=8040224&vkey=multimedia_t556&fext=.jsp&sid=t556

On a side note, it should be interesting to hear what Brewerfanx1 has to say since much of his dislike for Gamel's defense seemed to come from comments made by Money. Well here he is ripping on two of Brewerfanx1's favorite players. Can't have it both ways. Personally I think Money tells it a little too real and is too hard on his players. A lot of the time he is right, but he also doesn't seem to think progression is possible which must be pretty frustrating to hear if you are a player.

shirt wrote:From having the biggest impact on the MLB team this year to A ball. This is why you don't make stupid predictions Brewerfanx1.

http://twitter.com/#!/Haudricourt/status/70338313587916800

Get your shit together Mark. You're too talented for this.

1) 2B Scooter Gennett (High-A Brevard County)

Though not walking a ton, Gennett is hitting .290/.330/.347 in High-A as a 21-year-old and only in his second professional season. The lack of power is a bit concerning. The Florida State League does that to left-handed hitters, though, and scouts really like his hit tool.

2) RHP Wily Peralta (Double-A Huntsville)

The strikeouts have returned, which is perhaps the best news of the spring for Peralta. Still possesses a solid three-pitch mix, and the changeup is progressing. Consistency must improve if he’s going to stick as a starter, but only 22-years-old in Double-A.

3) RHP Tyler Thornburg (Class-A Wisconsin)

Shutting down A-ball hitters, as a 22-year-old collegiate pitcher should. Overpowering stuff, but has command issues and his slight build makes scouts wonder if he will be able to be durable enough for the starting rotation. Love his ceiling, though. Poised to shoot to the top of this list if he can prove effective in Brevard County later this season.

4) RHP Kyle Heckathorn (High-A Brevard County)

Not as overpowering as one would expect from a pitcher turning 23 next month. The fastball is sitting 91-92 MPH, and he’s throwing strikes -- but the 10.1 hits per nine innings suggest he is not yet throwing quality strikes, which has been a concern since college. Needs to work the corners more as he moves up the ladder. Not as high on Heck as I was during the offseason. Thought he would really progress this spring.

5) OF Erik Komatsu (Double-A Huntsville)

Easily the most impressive prospect of the first month-and-a-half in the Brewers system. He’s now hitting .341/.432/.476 on the season, walking more than he is striking out, and is also flashing more power than we’ve seen in previous seasons (though the Southern League certainly helps). Scouts believe he can stick in center, but will be nothing more than fringe-average with the glove. If he can handle the bat as well as he has been, though, the Brewers would love his fringe-average glove in center field.

6) OF Kentrail Davis (High-A Brevard County)

Displaying great plate discipline and actually hitting left-handers better than right-handers this season, but where’s the power? Only a .120 ISO at this point. Scouts do not believe he has a chance to stick in center field. Has quick hands and a shorter stroke, but the natural power really needs to begin to manifest itself if he’s going to make The Show.

7) RHP Amaury Rivas (Triple-A Nashville)

Left-handers have accounted for 17 of the 21 earned runs that Rivas has surrendered, leaving the right-hander with a substantial platoon split -- which is always undesirable in a starting prospect. Still possesses the plus-changeup and a heavy fastball that induces plenty of groundballs. Profiles as a useful back-end starter, but nothing more at this point.

8) RHP Cody Scarpetta (Double-A Huntsville)

At 22-years-old in Double-A, a 3.37 FIP and a 8.67 K/9 strikeout rate are certainly encouraging. The command is still concerning, as his fastball/curveball mix is difficult to throw for strikes consistently. Reports surfaced in the spring of an improving changeup, but those have quieted now that the season has begun. Powerful right-hander needs to take a significant step forward in the next year, as a contract oddity may force the Brewers to add him to their 25-man roster in 2012.

9) RHP Mark Rogers (High-A Brevard County)

After struggling with shoulder stiffness, carpel tunnel, and poor command, the Brewers demoted Rogers to High-A to improve his confidence and hopefully place him on the same trail that ended with an impressive September debut last season. His velocity is reportedly down and his command is below-average (at best). Cannot help but expect a trip to the DL with a shoulder issue in the near future.

10) RHP Jimmy Nelson (Class-A Wisconsin)

A 21-year-old coming from the SEC should not experience growing pains in A-ball, but Nelson has walked more batters than he has struck out. His sinker/slider repertoire certainly shows promise, especially when considering he has compiled a 4.07 GO/AO ratio, but the command simply has to improve. There is no reason that a successful starter from the University of Alabama would struggle so much in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League.