Four to Represent Brewers at Midsummer Classic

The votes are in.  The selections have been made.

Four players will represent the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in Minneapolis for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.

Carlos Gomez, Aramis Ramírez, Jonathan Lucroy, and Francisco Rodriguez have been selected to participate for the National League in the 85th installment of the Midsummer Classic.

Gomez and Ramírez have earned starting nods via the fan vote.  It is the second consecutive All-Star appearance for Gomez and third overall for Ramírez, who is representing Milwaukee for the first time.  Both players are making their first starts in the Midsummer Classic, with Ramírez becoming the first Brewer to start such a contest at the hot corner.

Gomez continues to display his coveted combination of power and speed, having belted 13 homers and swiped 14 bags in 17 opportunities thus far.  His 45 runs batted in and .299 batting average validate his status as one of the premier outfielders in the game.  Gomez finished behind reigning MVP Andrew McCutchen in voting among NL outfielders.

Ramírez has crushed 11 long balls while driving in 41 runs, ranking him fourth and fifth among NL third basemen, respectively.  It is the final year of a three-year pact for Ramírez, who edged out Mets veteran David Wright in votes among third basemen.

Jonathan Lucroy, making his first All-Star appearance, will serve as a backup backstop for the National League.  Lucroy currently ranks second in the National League and fourth in all of baseball with a .329 batting average, tops among catchers.  His 44 RBIs rank second among MLB catchers, while his nine homers rank fourth in the National League at the position.

Despite a politically influenced 'Vote Lucroy' video campaign, the Brewers' catcher fell short in votes to rival backstop Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Red Birds' skipper Mike Matheny publicly criticized Lucroy's campaign, taking exception to the negative connotations directed towards the Cardinals organization.

Francisco Rodriquez will make his fifth All-Star appearance and first as a Brewer.  Having served primarily as a set-up man for Milwaukee from 2011-2013, Rodriquez has been dominant as the unquestioned closer in 2014.  'K-Rod' has converted 27 of 30 save opportunities and is currently tied with Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel for the MLB lead in that category.  Rodriguez owns a 2.34 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in what has surely been a bounce-back season in the closer's role.

Several other unselected Brewers players certainly earned All-Star consideration.  Right handed starter Kyle Lohse made a strong bid for his first Midsummer Classic appearance, pacing the staff with a 9-3 mark, 3.18 ERA, and 1.10 WHIP.  Many view Lohse as the ace of Milwaukee's staff, having leaped over Yovani Gallardo for the unofficial title.

Despite leading his club with 49 runs batted in, Ryan Braun's overall numbers are less than staggering this season.  Milwaukee's embattled right fielder, who has been bothered by a myriad of injuries in 2014, has socked 11 homers while batting .288.  Despite his dip in numbers, Braun did finish sixth in voting among NL outfielders.

Arguments could be made for Wily Peralta, Will Smith, and Zach Duke, who are all enjoying very solid seasons as members of Milwaukee's staff.

Despite any perceived snubs, the Brewers and their fans should certainly be proud.  The Brewers have four All-Star selections for the first time since 2007, the franchise's first winning campaign in a decade and a half.  At that Midsummer Classic, Milwaukee was represented by the likes of Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, Ben Sheets, and Francisco Cordero.

Like it or not, the Midsummer Classic has a direct impact on the Fall Classic.  With the All-Star Game carrying home field advantage implications for the World Series, the first-place Milwaukee Brewers have every intention of bringing home a victory for the National League.

Thank you for voting!
Barrel Man

2014 Milwaukee Brewers: Fantasy Baseball Projections

MLB.com has released its 2014 Player Preview.  The preview is released annually to provide fantasy baseball team owners the opportunity to perform player research prior to drafts.

Brewers players are listed below, in accordance with MLB.com's projections:

(Team Rank/Positional Rank/Overall Rank)

OF: Ryan Braun (1st/5th/12th)
OF: Carlos Gomez (2nd/8th/21st)
SS: Jean Segura (3rd/5th/57th)
SP: Marco Estrada (4th/37th/136th)
3B: Aramis Ramírez (5th/13th/144th)
SP: Matt Garza (6th/51st/167th)
RP: Jim Henderson (7th/19th/174th)
C: Jonathan Lucroy (8th/9th/178th)
SP: Kyle Lohse (9th/60th/188th)
SP: Yovani Gallardo (10th/69th/207th)
OF: Khris Davis (11th/56th/224th)
SP: Wily Peralta (12th/103rd/328th)
2B: Scooter Gennett (13th/31st/396th)
1B: Mark Reynolds (14th/44th/467th)
1B: Juan Francisco (15th/45th/488th)
RP: Tom Gorzelanny (16th/73rd/507th)
RP: Brandon Kintzler (17th/94th/543rd)
RP: Will Smith (18th/102nd/564th)
2B: Rickie Weeks (19th/44th/570th)
RP: Tyler Thornburg (20th/112th/585th)
OF: Logan Schafer (21st/139th/604th)
OF: Caleb Gindl (22nd/162nd/683rd)
C: Martin Maldonado (23rd/60th/712th)
RP: Donovan Hand (24th/143rd/729th)
1B: Lyle Overbay (25th/67th/759th)
SS: Jeff Bianchi (26th/64th/822nd)
1B: Sean Halton (27th/73rd/836th)

MLB.com has Milwaukee's pitching staff ranked 11th among National League clubs and 22nd overall.  Accordingly, the Brewers are projected to go 76-86 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 1,160 strikeouts.

Good luck in the fantasy season to come!
Barrel Man

2013 Milwaukee Brewers: Year in Review

The Milwaukee Brewers endured a roller coaster of a 2013 calendar year that contained a little bit of everything.

Following division realignment, the Brewers found themselves in an improved, five-team NL Central Division.  At 74-88, the Crew finished eight games ahead of the rival Cubs, 23 games behind the Division Champion Cardinals, and 16 games behind the Wild Card Reds.

Following moths of internet rumors and speculation, Ryan Braun was finally suspended by Major League Baseball in July.  The suspension was the result of a positive PED test from October 2011, a documented relationship with former Biogenesis operator Anthony Bosch, and obstruction of MLB's investigation into the now-defunct Biogenesis clinic.  Braun sat for the final 65 games while his teammates strung together a 33-32 record.

2013 Milwaukee Brewers: Memorable Moments

Despite Braun's disappointing fall from grace, 2013 yielded impressive campaigns for several of his teammates.

Acquired from the Angels in July 2012, shortstop prospect Jean Segura burst onto the Milwaukee scene.  In a 2013 All-Star season, Segura swiped 44 bags and slugged 12 homers while batting .294.

Following a three-year extension signed during the offseason, center fielder Carlos Gomez put together a 2013 All-Star campaign of his own.  Carlos stole 40 bases, belted 24 homers, drove in 73 runs, and collected 12 outfield assists en route to team MVP honors and an NL Gold Glove Award.

Signed to a three-year deal near the conclusion of Spring Training, veteran right hander Kyle Lohse enjoyed a strong 2013 Brewers debut.  In 32 stars, Kyle earned 11 victories while striking out 125 batters and maintaining a 3.35 earned run average.  On September 25 at Atlanta, a masterful Lohse tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout.

While pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Wily Peralta battled inconsistencies in 2013, right handed prospect Tyler Thornburg impressed down the stretch.  In just over 66 innings pitched, Thornburg held opposing batters to a .225 batting average while owning an ERA just over two.

Closer Jim Henderson impressed as the team's closer, converting 28 saves in 32 chances while maintaining a 2.70 ERA.  Henderson replaced an inconsistent John Axford, who bounced back and forth between closer and setup roles before eventually being traded to St. Louis.

In just 136 at-bats, left field prospect Khris Davis crushed 11 home runs, drove in 27 runs, and belted 10 doubles while batting .279.  Davis' impressive 2013 debut has earned him a starting role in 2014, forcing the Brewers to shift Braun to right field.

Second base prospect Scooter Gennett impressed in his 2013 debut, hitting .324 in just 69 games.  The emergence of Gennett may spell the end for Rickie Weeks, whose ongoing injuries and inconsistencies led to a disappointing 2013 season.

Outfielder Norichika Aoki enjoyed a strong 2013 showing in Milwaukee, swiping 20 bases and belting 20 doubles while hitting .286.  Following the season, the Brewers exercised Aoki's club option for 2014, only to deal him to Kansas City in exchange for left handed pitcher Will Smith.

Following surgeries on both knees, versatile slugger Corey Hart missed all of 2013.  In Hart's absence, Brewers first basemen combined to bat a dismal .211.  Hart has since signed a one-year, incentive-laden contract with the Mariners, ending his memorable tenure in Milwaukee.

Needless to say, the Milwaukee Brewers saw their share of positives and negatives over the course of 2013.  Regardless of adversities faced or challenges lying ahead, Brewers fans have reason to be optimistic about their beloved team.  A surplus of young talent and a returning superstar yield a bright future for the Milwaukee Brewers.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and my absolute best for the year ahead!
Barrel Man

2014 Milwaukee Brewers: Bobble Head Lineup Revealed

Hello fans of the Barrel!

For all you Brewer bobble head collectors out there, the 2014 bobble head lineup has been revealed:

4:27: Carlos Gomez, 2013 Gold Glove Award Winner
5/11: Kyle Lohse
6/15: Vintage Kewpie Style Brewer
6/29: Norichika Aoki, Japanese Brewers Jersey
7/27: To Be Determined, Fan Vote
8/10: Chorizo Racing Sausage
8/24: Jean Segura
9/14: Robin Yount, Vintage 1970's

The 2014 bobble head lineup is certainly an interesting one. The Lohse and Segura bobbles come as no surprise to me, though I'm somewhat surprised that Wily Peralta will not be granted one in the coming season.

Gomez and Aoki bobble heads are included in the bobble head lineup for a second consecutive season. The Aoki situation is interesting, as he has been discussed as possible trade bait. The Brewers have Khris Davis waiting in the wings and are looking to bolster their starting staff. It will be a shame if Aoki isn't around for his own bobble head day at the end of June.

I'm intrigued by the Fan Vote Bobble Head to be given away on 7/27. Who would you most like to see enshrined in bobble head form? Personally, I think George Bamberger is well-overdue for one. Comment below with your vote.

Have a good weekend!
-Barrel Man

Gomez Earns Gold Glove; Ends 31-Year Franchise Drought

2013 has proved to be an eventful year for Brewers center fielder Carlos Gomez.

*In March, Gomez and the Brewers agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract extension through 2016
*Gomez earned his first All-Star nod in July, traveling to New York alongside Jean Segura to serve as National League reserves
*Carlos elevated his game in 2013, finishing the season with career highs in home runs (24), runs batted in (73), hits (152), doubles (27), triples (10), runs scored (80), and stolen bases (40), earning team Most Valuable Player honors
*It was announced this week that Gomez is the recipient of the 2013 National League Gold Glove Award for center field

Gomez was one of three finalists to receive consideration for a Gold Glove Award at center field.  The other two were Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates and Denard Span of the Nationals.  Gomez is the first Brewer to earn a Gold Glove Award since Robin Yount in 1982.  That season, Yount earned a Gold Glove Award for his defensive prowess at shortstop, as well as American League Most Valuable Player honors while leading Milwaukee to its first pennant.

In 2013, Gomez committed only five errors in 408 total chances, good for a .988 fielding percentage.  Not only was Carlos fundamentally sound on defense, he also made several spectacular, highlight reel plays in center field.  One particular play stands out.

On July 8, the Brewers held a 4-3 lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the top of the ninth inning at Miller Park.  With two outs, a man on first, and a 2-2 count on the Reds' most dangerous hitter, Joey Votto crushed a Francisco Rodriguez fastball into deep center field, sending Gomez to the wall.

Carlos leaped, reached over the wall, and grabbed what should have been a go-ahead, two-run blast.  Votto was in disbelief, signaling for umpires to check Gomez's glove.  Gomez had, in fact, secured the catch and the victory.  It was all smiles for the Brewers' center fielder, his teammates, and Brewer fans everywhere.

Gomez Robs Votto

Congratulations to Carlos Gomez on his 2013 National League Gold Glove Award!

Thank you for reading!
-Barrel Man

2014 Milwaukee Brewers: Potential Lineup

Greetings Brew Crew fans!

Though it's only October, it's never too early to start contemplating potential Brewers lineups for the season to come.  Granted, pieces can always be added and subtracted between now and the 2014 season.  However, with the pieces the Brewers have currently, I feel that this lineup will give the Brewers their best chance to compete in a competitive National League Central Division:

SS-Jean Segura 
The Brewers' young shortstop enjoyed an impressive 2013 campaign, earning his first All-Star nod at the tender age of 23.  An up-and-coming superstar, Segura possess excellent speed and decent power.  Though Segura will produce at any spot in the Brewers' lineup, his calling may be as a table setter at the very top.

CF-Carlos Gomez
Coming off his strongest season in the major leagues, the Brewers' 2013 Most Valuable Player is perhaps their best overall athlete.  Gomez is a power threat at the plate and practically automatic on the base paths, swiping 40 bases in 47 attempts this past season.  Batting behind Segura and in front of the big boys, Gomez will be able to utilize his talents and capabilities.

RF-Ryan Braun 
Returning from suspension, Braun will likely be a distraction early on.  National media will be all over the Brewers both at home and on the road, but for all the wrong reasons.  Regardless, Braun is a natural athlete and proven superstar.  Players like Ryan Braun don't simply forget how to hit a baseball.

3B-Aramis Ramírez
2013 proved to be a frustrating campaign for Ramirez, who was hampered by injuries.  The aging third baseman will be 36 in June, and is clearly past his prime.  However, he showed some pop late in 2013 and is entering a contract year.  Players always seem to push a little harder during contract years.  Though retirement following 2014 would be a possibility for Ramirez, it is possible that he will try to impress in 2014, hoping to play another season or two with a different club.

C-Jonathan Lucroy
The Brewers' backstop has shown steady improvement each season both at and behind the plate.  Lucroy possess solid plate discipline and decent power, stroking a career-high 18 long balls in 2013.  Lucroy's pop and good eye at the plate make him an ideal candidate to bat fifth in the order.


1B-Corey Hart
Though Hart is currently eligible for free agency, he has yet to file.  The Brewers are in desperate need of help at first base and may be willing to offer Hart a one or two-year deal.  Hart has already expressed a willingness to return to Milwaukee at a reduced salary.

LF-Khris Davis
In 2013, the Brewers' left field prospect received a decent amount of playing time in the absence of Ryan Braun.  Davis made the most of his opportunity, slugging 11 home runs and driving in 27 runs in just 136 at bats.  Though it is possible that the Brewers will option Davis back to Triple-A Nashville, it is more likely that they will try and make room for him on their 25-man roster in 2014.  Davis will turn 26 in December and seems to be pounding on the door for an opportunity.  In order to compensate Davis, Braun would have to shift to right field, a move currently being discussed by Doug Melvin & Co.

2B-Scooter Gennett/Rickie Weeks
This is perhaps the most interesting position to analyze.  Weeks batted just .209 in 104 games in 2013, battling injuries as he has throughout his career.  Gennett made the most of his 213 at bats, batting .324 and belting six home runs.  However, Weeks is under contract, and is a decent power threat at the plate when healthy.  A platoon is possible, as is a "Duke 'em out" scenario in Spring Training.  Time will tell how the second base situation unfolds in the season to come.

You will notice that this potential lineup does not include Norichika Aoki.  The Brewers do hold a team option on Aoki, which is expected to be exercised.  However, the emergence of Khris Davis has led to speculation that Aoki might be used as trade bait, following his exercised option.  The Brewers are in need of help at starting pitching, something I'll discuss on my next blog post.

Thank you for reading!
-Barrel Man