Milwaukee

Ok, the draft order is set, we are ready to mock the 2013 draft. I'll do picks 1-20 and may edit depending on things that unfold before the actual draft on June 27th. The Cavaliers once again rise to the first pick in the draft, but unlike the last two times as Quick Draw McGraw might say, There's some thinnin' to do round here. There is no clear cut order here but here is what I think might happen with some comments. 1. Cleveland-Nerlens Noel-I really think Cleveland would rather take someone else(Porter)but could use the inside presence of Noel more. Also helps drive the 2014 tank so this is the way they go imho. 2. Orlando-Trey Burke-Struggled with this one for a bit but I can't see them picking someone else, think Noel would be the best for them but PG is definitely a PON(position of need I'll use this again) 3. Washington-Otto Porter-Biggest no-brainer so far, Georgetown kid, play the biggest PON. Only trouble is the Wiz have no one to score other than their backcourt and have little to trade. 4. Charlotte-Ben McLemore-They get their choice of 2 guards here, wouldn't be surprised with Olipado either but I think scoring wins over D. 5. Phoenix-Victor Olipado-Debated on Bennett for a minute but think Victor fills a PON and gives them some D. Sarver will be making more changes, hey Robert, need a flashy PG to go with Olipado? 6. New Orleans Pelicans-Cody Zeller-Bennett should be taken here but I'm guessing they go Zeller, kind of makes sense. 7. Sacramento Kings-C.J. McCollum-makes sense to me even though I'd love him to fall to 15. 8. Detroit Pistons-Shabazz Muhammed-Think Detroit would prefer McCollum but takes some scoring with Bazz. 9. Minnesota T-Wolves-Alex Len- Not really who they want but no choice really 10. Portland Trailblazers-Steven Adams-Looking at my countryman Bennett who has tumbled down to 10 but they go big with Steven Adams 11. Philadelphia 76ers-Anthony Bennett-They run up to the mike and grab Bennett before anyone yells mulligan, a great pick for the Sixers 12. Oklahoma Thunder-Kelly Olynyk-Back-to-back Canucks, Kelly Olynyk helps out with some front-court scoring. 13. Dallas Mavericks-Miles Plumlee-I know some think Schroeder but I pick Plumlee here, just a gut feel. 14. Utah Jazz-Dennis Schroeder-Ricky Dennis Schroeder, no ifs, ands or buts 15. Milwaukee Bucks-Kentavious Caldwell-Pope-Coin flip between KCP and Sergei Karasev, Pope wins out 16. Boston Celtics-Michael Carter-Williams-Can't resist Michael Carter-Williams, they'll shop Rondo in the summer. 17. Atlanta Hawks-Rudy Gobert-just because they have two picks. 18. Atlanta Hawks-Gorgui Dieng- no more Al Horford at C. 19. Cleveland Cavaliers-Sergei Karasev-fits perfectly here, their D will still blow but they can fill it. 20. Chicago Bulls-Jamaal Franklin-forms the most athletic NBA backcourt with Rose(presuming Rose plays next year) Well that's it for my 2013 Mock Draft, feel free to leave any comments, I am sure we are not all in agreement. I think there will be some trades this year, just didn't want to make a mock with trades(I can see Minny trading out for sure) Don't think Bennett falls to 11 either tbh, just the way it played out Ok, the draft order is set, we are ready to mock the 2013 draft. I'll do picks 1-20 and may edit depending on things that unfold before the actual draft on June 27th. The Cavaliers once again rise to the first pick in the draft, but unlike the last two times as Quick Draw McGraw might say, There's some thinnin' to do round here. There is no clear cut order here but here is what I think might happen with some comments. 1. Cleveland-Nerlens Noel-I really think Cleveland would rather take someone else(Porter)but could use the inside presence of Noel more. Also helps drive the 2014 tank so this is the way they go imho. 2. Orlando-Trey Burke-Struggled with this one for a bit but I can't see them

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski will return from his second career stint on the disabled list Tuesday, the Texas Rangers announced. View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – Milwaukee Brewers News

The Brewers are on track to get two left-handed arms back from injury in the next two weeks. Tom Gorzelanny and Chris Narveson have each spent time on the Brewers’ disabled list, but each made strides Tuesday to get back on the active roster. Gorzelanny tossed 20 pitches in a live batting practice on Tuesday and aims to return to the Brewers’ bullpen on Friday when they start a three game set against Pittsburgh at Miller Park. Gorzelanny was placed on the 15-day DL on May 11 with left shoulder tendinitis, a frustrating injury for the lefty who has only been on the DL twice in his nine-year career. The Brewers’ reliever said he was able to throw all of his pitches in Tuesday’s session and noted the shoulder injury has been approached more carefully by the Brewers because of the early juncture of the season. “If this came up in August or September it’d be a different story, but we’re just dealing with it now and I’ll go back out and be ready to go,” Gorzelanny said before Tuesday’s game against the Dodgers. “It went well. I feel good.” Manager Ron Roenicke noted the Brewers’ need for a left-handed arm like Gorzelanny in the bullpen. “He can go long for us, he can get out lefties,” Roenicke said. “Right before he got hurt he was mainly coming in late in the game and going through one or two lefties in that lineup and really pitching.” Narveson was placed on the 15-day DL on April 8 with a sprained left middle finger but threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and is scheduled to face live hitters on Friday. Narveson said if things go well Friday the next step is to start a rehab assignment, possibly with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville, at the beginning of next week. “The finger felt good. Just kind of taking it day by day and see how it goes Friday against hitters,” Narveson said. “You’re just trying to prepare yourself and get your body ready to pitch again. I think you expect yourself to hit the ground running once you come back.” – Kevin Massoth

Bored with the drudgery of the coaching search yet? Fear not: draft workout season has finally begun, friends. As expected, potential first rounder Glen Rice Jr. (DX #26) headlined today's first workout at the Cousins Center, with New Mexico swingman Tony Snell (DX #37), Syracuse forward James Southerland (DX #82), Marquette guard Junior Cadougan (unranked by DX) the other notables in attendance. Over at Bucks.com, Jim Paschke has video interviews from today and also brings word that the Bucks will be attending the Brooklyn (May 22-23) and Minnesota group workouts before returning to Milwaukee next week. You can click through some pictures from today's action at Bucks.com as well. Billy McKinney spoke to the media afterwards, so feel free to read as much (remember him gushing over John Henson last year?) or as little (remember him calling Larry Sanders a reach in 2010?) into these quotes as you want. Andrew Gruman at FS Wisconsin reports: "I watched one of the (finals) games and he was very good," McKinney said. "Playing in the D-League, I think out of all the draft players this year he might be the most ready to play in the NBA because of his experience playing with a lot of former NBA players. "He shoots the ball really well. He has are a really good feel for the game. He has a nice all-around game. He does a nice job on defense, as well." On Snell: "I think he's one of the most talented and gifted players in this draft," McKinney said. "His performances were up and down. Most young players will have that issue, but in terms of talent, I've watched him since he was a freshman and thought he was a guy who has been our radar for quite some time. "His game set, actually his physique reminds me of former NBA player Darius Miles. Darius was a very talented player, a lottery pick, but Tony shoots the ball much better than Darius. I think he's one of those guys who can go somewhere in the first round, he might slip into the second round. His workouts will be very critical to where he gets drafted." Basically: Snell has a lean build and cornrows. More to come later tonight.

We now interrupt your previously scheduled dreadful month of May for the Milwaukee return of one of our favorite recent Brewers. Before getting to him, though, the Brewers will have to get through the top of the first inning with Hiram Burgos (6.58/5.42 ERA/FIP) on the mound. Burgos pitched five innings against the Pirates on Thursday and allowed three runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out three. He threw 85 pitches in that game and has thrown 90 or less in four of his five major league starts. Burgos doesn't throw very hard (his average fastball sits around 87-88), so (like Mike Fiers a year ago) it's going to be interesting to see if he's able to use deception and control to consistently get hitters out. At this point he's averaging just 5.2 strikeouts per nine innings but also keeping his walks down (2.4 per nine). He's also allowed 1.7 home runs per nine innings, though, including at least one in each of his last four appearances. Burgos pitched a quality start against the Dodgers on April 26, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings. No current Dodgers have faced him ten times or more, but Carl Crawford has homered off of him. He'll face Zack Greinke (1.62/2.49 ERA/FIP), who for the second time in three seasons is getting his year off to a slow start following a weird non-throwing injury. Greinke has been out for a while with a broken collarbone and made just his third start of the season on Wednesday, allowing a run on five hits over 5.1 innings. He threw 83 pitches in that game. If Greinke's time as a Brewer taught us anything, it's that he'll throw strikes to a fault. He's walked just one batter over 16.2 innings this season, but his desire to avoid the free pass will sometimes lead to him throwing hittable pitches just to get a strike. Despite missing a month, his fastball was still in the low-to-mid 90's last week and he threw his changeup, slider, curve and cutter. Greinke was a Brewer in 2011 and 2012, but hasn't faced them in a game since a single appearance in 2007. The only current Brewer who has faced him ten times or more is Yuniesky Betancourt, who is 0-for-10. As of this writing I haven't seen tonight's lineups. If you have, please drop them in the comments. And in the bullpen: Michael Gonzalez pitched one inning (14 pitches) last night. Burke Badenhop pitched one inning (eight pitches) last night. John Axford pitched one inning (six pitches) last night. Mike Fiers pitched one inning (20 pitches) on Sunday. Francisco Rodriguez pitched one inning (eight pitches) on Sunday. Brandon Kintzler and Jim Henderson last pitched on Saturday. Alfredo Figaro last pitched on Thursday. It's a little cooler in Milwaukee today but the weather should be fine for baseball tonight. Expect a game-time temperature around 73 with winds out of the southwest.

(Look: this team's a fuckin' trip, man. I think we got some bad shit.) (Photo: Timothy Leary) Bad baseball gets me down. Bad baseball turns me round. Bad baseball is depressing sometimes, discouraging. That's why I admire the tenacity of people like Tom Haudricourt of the JS and Kyle Lobner of Brew Crew Ball, to name just a couple, as well as all baseball scribes who manage to keep an even temperament and cover the team in times of harvest and drought. It helps if one makes a living covering the team, sure. But regardless there are existential moments when calamity follows disaster and one thinks 'why am I doing this again'? Even the seemingly stable balance of being a fan can be lost when teams do little but fail. The Brewers are testing patience once again and it has me wondering how much patience the Brewers ownership group has with players and executives, as well as the coaching staff. Owner Mark Attanasio added Kyle Lohse to a costly deal before the season to shore up the pitching, but the ugly picture we've seen revealed for all to see is a team with serious concerns in all areas of the game and no safety net in the minor leagues. The Brewers don't measure up in the pitching department, their homer-happy hitting fails at inopportune moments and they still look like a team that hasn't practiced enough catching the ball and making smart baseball plays. How long has the TERRIBLE DEFENSE of the Milwaukee Brewers been tolerated? They look like my softball team at times: booting the ball, misreading fly balls, and making bad decisions. My softball team hasn’t practiced much. Have the Brewers practiced enough? This team ain't cheap and the poor overall attendance that could result this year would be yet another setback for the franchise. The Brewers need to be smarter, more proactive, more innovative. They need to be thinking one step ahead of most other teams, rather than three steps behind. Sadly, the future is ‘dark and full of terrors’, to borrow a phrase from George R. R. Martin’s well-written A Game of Thrones. One person who rightfully has come under fire this year is Brewers manager Ron Roenicke. Many complaints have targeted his constant juggling of the lineup, his questionable use of bullpen pitchers and management of the starting rotation. Then there is the overall failure of this team to reach even the low expectations many fans had coming into the season. Is Roenicke on the hot seat? Or sitting on a seat that’s getting hotter? Surely accountability will reign in 2013 and heads will roll if the Brewers’ play does not improve, yes? Here’s the rub: Roenicke and GM Doug Melvin were extended in May 2012. Roenicke’s contract goes through 2014 with a club option for ’15, while Melvin is signed through ’15. If they hadn’t been extended back then, perhaps the wheels could turn in another direction now. But for a team that’s already in tough spots financially, cutting Roenicke and/or Melvin with money remaining on their deals is financially prohibitive and therefore unlikely for the Brewers. Ownership wants to win, but they realize that 2013 may be a milestone year on the road to a better team in 2014. Unfortunately, the team in 2013 is sinking beneath the floor rather than showing how high the ceiling may be. Brewers ownership has to be greatly concerned about the way the season has unfolded thus far. It’s not even June and many people are likely cancelling or have cancelled potential trips to Miller Park; thrown it off with a shrug. Unless the team turns things around, expectations and advanced purchases for next year will fall precipitously. I normally get to several games by the end of May but I’m not ashamed to say I haven’t even been to Miller Park yet this year. They really don’t deserve it, the way this has gone. Some of it’s bad luck, some of it&r

Yesterday, I did a short piece about a feature that minor league analyst/writer/scout Nathaniel Stoltz published in Big Leauges Magazine that focused on some Nashville Sounds players. As it turns out, Nathaniel has a nice youtube channel featuring some plate appearances and pitching performances by the Brewers Triple-A players, as well! Really nice clarity, here, for seeing movement on the pitches, and swings taken by batters. Here's a video of Sacramento River Cats LHP Andrew Werner pitching to Sounds outfielder, Caleb Gindl. The fun thing about this is that Stoltz noticed Gindl looks quite a bit like Matt Stairs! Referring to body-type, of course...no one is Matt Stairs. I still wish Stairs hadn't retired : / There are a lot of really fun prospects to watch. Check out Sonny Gray, the former Vandy pitcher drafted in the 1st round of the 2011 draft by the A's. Here, he's striking out Khris Davis. And Josh Prince... - can't wait to watch Gray in the future! Here's Brewers RHP prospect, Tyler Thornburg, getting right-handed batter Grant Green to whiff on a nice curveball, in this segment. I really can never see too much of Thornburg. One of the difficult things with the Brewers signing Lohse is that Thornburg and others like him could really have used this season to try and earn spots on Milwaukee's roster, and face some more major league hitters. Here's Hideki Okajima (yes, that Hideki Okajima!) pitching to Scooter Gennett, who slams his bat down in frustrations (edge of the screen). Knows he should've done more with that. There is plenty of other footage of Scooter not slamming his bat down. Just really wanted to link this. : ) I could just go on and on, here! There are hundreds of video's on Stoltz's channel, and I hope you enjoy checking them out! He's done a great job with them.

Yovani Gallardo has had a hard time getting through the sixth inning this year. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports It’s no secret that the Milwaukee Brewers starting rotation is struggling. Well, struggling might be putting it too nicely. The starting rotation is like the movie Jack and Jill; you know it’s going to be excruciating to watch but you still show up with hopes Adam Sandler puts on a good show. However, admirable performances happen only once in a blue moon. Coming into the season, nobody expected much from Milwaukee’s corps of starting pitchers and for good reason. Yovani Gallardo is not a “bonafide ace” as Fox News labeled him, Marco Estrada gives up more home runs than Josh Hamilton‘s Home Run Derby pitcher, Kyle Lohse has had only two great seasons in his career thanks to the St. Louis Cardinals fantastic pitching coaches, Wily Peralta doesn’t trust his pitches quite yet, and Hiram Burgos probably needed another season in the minors under his belt before making the jump. Mark Attanasio and Doug Melvin knew this season was going to be a battle, especially for the rotation, but I don’t lay all the blame at the feet of  the starting pitchers. Part of, if not most, should go to pitching coach Rick Kranitz. But this isn’t an article that bashes Kranitz. This is how to get the starting rotation back on the right track. While there is no quick fix (there might not be any solution at all), here are some ways the Brewers starting rotation can improve. Increase Strikeout Rate The Brewers starting rotation is averaging only 6.17 strikeouts per nine innings – fifth-lowest in baseball.  Contributing to that low number is Gallardo. Gallardo’s strikeout numbers have been down, as has his performance. Gallardo has a 6.23 K/9, 2.08 lower than his career average. The decrease in strikeouts means more balls are being hit into play. Milwaukee’s starting rotation has the highest BABIP (batting average of balls in play) in the National Leauge at .310. All five starting pitchers have allowed a BABIP of .300 or higher with Peralta leading the way with a .318 BABIP. Another area that’s reflecting the high BABIP is the Brewers defense. Aside from Jean Segura, the infield is anything but strong, especially with Yuniesky Betancourt tasked with playing first base while Corey Hart is on the mend. The limited range of Betancourt and Ramirez has surely helped raise the BABIP. If Gallardo and the rest of the rotation can get more swings-and-misses and start racking up the strikeouts, a lower BABIP and fewer baserunners will be sure to follow. Pitch Deeper Into Games For as long as I can remember, the Brewers starting pitchers have had a strenuous time pitching deep into ballgames, aside from CC Sabathia. By the 5th inning, pitch counts are Mt. Everest high. None of the starters have a dominant out-pitch. They get ahead of the batter 0-2 and then throw three straight garbage pitches outside of the zone with hopes that the batter will chase. Of course pitch counts are going to soar if they throw like that. Not helping the starters is Ron Roenicke who is very strict on pitch counts. As soon as one of his guys approaches the century mark, Roenicke yanks him and gives the ball to the bullpen. If Estrada or whoever it may be is struggling, then yeah, it’s understandable to replace him. But when he’s only given up two or three runs and he’s approaching seven innings with a pitch count in the low 90′s, put him back out there. Throwing 110 pitches isn’t going to ruin a pitcher’s arm. Wily Peralta hasn’t pitched like the top prospect many people claimed he was. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports Brewers’ starters have the highest ERA (5.19) in the National League which is the leading cause as to why they are in the bottom of the pile in innings pitched. They average only 5.2 innings per outing. Luc

COMMENTARY | There was no doubting Clayton Kershaw was going to be a good Major League pitcher. When the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him with the seventh pick of 2006 MLB draft, they were getting a guy who would have a long and distinguished career. View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – Milwaukee Brewers News

Some things to read with the natural flavor of lemonade. The Brewers are now a season-worst nine games under .500 after getting handled easily by Clayton Kershaw in a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers last night. We've got the recap, if you missed it. In a related note, yesterday was the Brewers' 362nd consecutive regular season game without a complete game pitched, setting a new MLB record. Adam McCalvy notes that last night's loss was the eleventh complete game an opposing pitcher has thrown against them over that time. Rickie Weeks went 0-for-2 last night but did draw the Brewers' only walk and score the team's only run. Before the game Ron Roenicke defended putting Weeks back in the lineup by noting he was a career 4-for-9 against Clayton Kershaw. NotBrewers.com chronicled Weeks' recent quest for enlightenment. Other notes from the field: Before last night's game Dave Radcliffe of Yahoo noted that the Brewers were 0-17 this season when scoring three runs or fewer. They're 0-18 now. Three Brewer relievers combined to pitch three perfect innings last night, extending the bullpen scoreless streak to 14.1 innings. Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier was ejected from the game in the eighth inning following a strikeout swinging. Before being ejected he had a triple and a home run in the game. Matt Kemp, who also homered last night, is donating $1000 for each of his home runs before the All Star break to tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma. We've got video from Ron Roenicke's postgame comments. MLB.com has the story on groundskeeper Justin Scott and his crew's effort to get Miller Park ready for baseball again after Saturday's concert, which included replacing about 3000 square feet of sod in the outfield in 48 hours. The Brat won the sausage race. The series continues tonight with Zack Greinke's first game in Milwaukee as he takes on Hiram Burgos at 7:10. Adam McCalvy and Doug Miller have the MLB.com preview. Dodger Sims gives the Brewers a roughly 45% chance of winning tonight. Corey Hart took a couple of key steps forward in his rehab yesterday, taking BP and running on the field for the first time since his knee surgery. He's still not ready to go on a rehab assignment, though, and isn't expected to be until June. In the minors: The affiliates went 2-1 last night and Andy Moye pitched eight shutout innings in Huntsville's 3-0 win over Montgomery. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes. Yesterday Alec Dopp took a look at some players that might be available when the Brewers come up for the first time in the second round of the June draft. If you're visiting Miller Park this week and you're looking for new food to try while you're there, the Double Clutch stand on the loge level is serving "Shrimp Baja Burritos" for the Dodgers series. If you try one, let me know what you think. Also, if you hear a song at Miller Park this week and don't recognize it, Caitlin Moyer has an updated listing of Brewer walkup songs. If you'd like more Brewer coverage this morning but you're sick of reading, we've got a couple of options for you: Nicole's Monday appearance on The Home Stretch with Justin Hull on 95.3 FM WSCO in Appleton has been archived. The primary topic of conversation was her recent post on the Brewers' "Brewed for Her" event. Nathan will be making his weekly appearance on The Sports Den with Downtown Ollie Burrows on SportsFan 100.5 in Wausau at 5:30. If you haven't yet, please take a moment today to vote in this week's Brew Crew Ball Tracking Poll. It will remain open through the day and results will be posted either tomorrow or Thursday. Around baseball: Giants: Are expected to place pitcher Ryan Vogelsong on the DL with a broken hand.Marlins: Placed outfielder Matt Diaz on the DL with a bruised left knee.Mets: Signed pitcher David Aardsma to a minor league deal.Nationals: Are expected to place reliever Ryan Mattheus on the DL with a broken hand.Phillies: Placed catcher Carlos Ru