645
10-30-2004, 03:22 PM
Starting Pitchers -- Chris Capuano
Though he was hampered by hamstring and elbow injuries, Capuano showed an intense competitive streak during his 17 starts.
C-
Doug Davis
With an impressive cut fastball that neutralized right-handed batters, Davis was confident and consistent enough to earn a two-year, $6 million contract extension. His 12-12 record was a function of bad luck and poor run support. It's hard to imagine him pitching much better than he did. Needs to improve his offense, but that won't be hard. He was 1 for 64 this year.
B+
Jorge De La Rosa
After flashing potential during spring training, lefty battled command problems in the minor leagues. He will likely need more time in the minors, but if his control improves he has a chance.
I
Gary Glover
Plucked off the scrap heap late in the season, Glover showed enough to earn an invitation to spring training next season.
I
Ben Hendrickson
He dominated the competition at Class AAA Indianapolis but struggled when making the adjustment to the big leagues. Hendrickson showed good composure during rocky outings and seemed to learn and improve with each performance.
D+
Wes Obermueller
The Iowan didn't have many mediocre outings. He was usually really bad or - less often - really good. He struggled to find rhythm in the No. 5 spot but picked up the pace a bit following a midseason demotion to the minors. His outstanding hitting ability raises his grade a click.
C-
Victor Santos
A non-roster long shot in spring training, Santos pitched his way into the big-league rotation and took a 8-3 record into the all-star break before running out of gas over the final two months. He's cheap enough to get another look next year, but it seems possible that his 3-8 showing in the second half was a better indication of his talent.
C+
Ben Sheets
If new owner Mark Attanasio wants to make a positive first impression on Brewers fans, he can start by giving Sheets a long-term contract. Four years into his big-league career and still only 26, the kid from Louisiana is emerging as an ace. He added 3-4 mph to his four-seam fastball and set the franchise record for strikeouts (245) and made the all-star team for the second time. The Brewers scored just 19 runs in his 14 losses, but he didn't give up. He's a gritty competitor on the field and one of the more popular players in the clubhouse. There isn't a team in the major leagues that wouldn't welcome him in the rotation. If surgery helps alleviate his lower back soreness, he could get even better.
A-
Relief Pitchers --Mike Adams
After posting a pristine 1.85 ERA in the first half, the unheralded rookie came back to earth a bit with a 4.91 mark after the all-star break. He showed enough poise to lead some club officials to project him as a potential closer.
B-
Jeff Bennett
The hard-throwing Rule 5 pickup from Pittsburgh had some good moments, but he also surrendered some big innings. He gave up 10 of his 39 runs in outings against the Pirates. Bennett will compete for a job in the bullpen during spring training but may benefit from spending time playing for the minor-league affiliate in his home state of Tennessee.
C-
Ben Ford
Ford pitched nine times in April and was torched for 13 runs in 12 innings. Nobody lost sleep when he went to the disabled list with a shoulder problem and then headed to the minors. Don't be surprised to see him taken off the 40-man roster.
D
Brooks Kieshnick
The laid-back Texan enjoys home cooking. He had a 1.99 ERA in 14 games at home and a 5.68 mark in 17 games on the road. Though he didn't have as big an impact on offense (one homer, .274 average), Kieshnick's presence as a pinch-hitter didn't hurt.
C+
Dan Kolb
He transformed himself from a strikeout-seeking fireballer to a more controlled closer. Kolb set the franchise record for saves (39) and earned a spot on the NL all-star team, but he tailed off in the second half. In his first 40 games, he worked 371/3 innings and gave up 26 hits and six earned runs (1.45 ERA). In his final 24 games, he worked 20 innings, gave up 24 hits and 13 earned runs (5.85), but some of the trouble might have been due to irregular work. He's eligible for arbitration and represented by super-agent Scott Boras, which doesn't bode well for new owner Mark Attanasio. The Brewers may consider a trade, but they'd have to get a lot back.
B+
Pedro Liriano
He isn't overpowering and he really only threw two pitches effectively, a sinker and a plus slider, during his 11 outings. Liriano will compete for a job in middle relief.
I
Travis Phelps
He pitched in four games and managed to give up seven runs. Look for him to be booted from the roster soon.
I
Luis Vizcaino
He bounced back nicely from a lackluster 2003 campaign and led the team with 73 appearances. If his recent good-year-followed-by-bad-year pattern holds, the Brewers may try to move him this winter.
B
Matt Wise
Abandoned by Anaheim after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery, Wise used his above-average changeup to give the Brewers some solid innings as a long reliever and spot starter. The fact that he pitched well after long layoffs bodes well for his future as a long guy in the Dave Burba mold.
C
Infielders -- Russell Branyan
Picked up from Class AAA Buffalo in a cash transaction, Branyan lived up to his all-or-nothing reputation by hitting 11 homers and striking out 68 times in 158 at-bats. His defense was much better than expected and he could stick around to press Wes Helms for playing time next season.
C
Craig Counsell
He exceeded defensive expectations but fell into a major hitting slump in the second half and was unable to shake it off. Counsell hit just .205 after the break. The Brewers won't pick up his option but may bring him back to baby-sit the position for prospect J.J. Hardy.
C
Trent Durrington
Endeared himself to coaches with hard-nosed play in spring training, then saw minimal playing time in the big leagues.
I
Keith Ginter
A strong sprint to the finish (eight homers and 23 RBI after Sept. 1) put a happy ending on a rather frustrating season halted by a hand injury. One of the few Brewers hitters to punish left-handed pitching (.32x). His defense was a bit choppy, but his bat will keep him in the plans.
C
Bill Hall
Late-inning heroics led to two memorable victories against Cincinnati in April, but he stayed out of the spotlight after that. His .276 on-base average and inconsistent defense make it hard to project him as anything more than a backup with occasional power.
D+
Wes Helms
He entered the season as the incumbent starter but turned in a brutal season that will force him to fight for playing time - if not a roster spot - next spring. Got off to a horrendous start and failed to recover. A midseason knee injury didn't help matters, but that doesn't excuse his performance. Often looked as if he was trying to punch singles rather than drive the ball with authority. Defensively, he developed a nightmarish case of the "yips" that made even the most routine plays an adventure..
F
Lyle Overbay
He's unquestionably the Brewers' most valuable player. With a salary barely over the minimum, he also was one of the better bargains in baseball. After carrying the offense in the first half, batting .344 with 62 RBI, he trailed off in the second (.245, 25 RBI). He needed a hit in his final at-bat of the season to become the only Brewers regular to surpass the .300 mark. He got it - a crushed double off St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen. He wasn't a standout defensively. He made 11 errors and let balls go past him to the glove side, a trait that was spotlighted when Junior Spivey was injured.
B+
Junior Spivey
One of the more athletic players on the team, Spivey's true value to the team didn't become evident until he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury July 2 in Pittsburgh. The team struggled offensively and defensively without him. While his history of injury is cause for concern, the Brewers virtually have to bring him back until Rickie Weeks is ready for prime time.
B-
Catchers -- Gary Bennett
Offense has never been Bennett's calling card, so it wasn't a huge surprise that he didn't rack up big numbers. He's tough, dependable and worked well with pitchers. He's a solid backup, but Chad Moeller's inability to produce at the plate made his shortcomings stand out more.
D+
Mark Johnson
He spent the last few weeks in the big leagues as a reward for catching a long, frustrating season with Class AAA Indianapolis.
I
Chad Moeller
One of the bigger disappointments of the season was Moeller's inability to capitalize on the opportunity to be a front-line catcher. He hit just .200 against right-handers and .146 with runners in scoring position. He never got on track at the plate, but he worked very well behind it. He made Ben Sheets and Doug Davis very comfortable and no doubt played a role in their success. It's too early to give up on Moeller, but the Brewers would be foolish if they didn't look for an upgrade in the off-season.
D+
Outfielders -- Brady Clark
A consummate pro, Clark draws raves from coaches and scouts who love his work ethic and hustle. He earned raves on a national highlight show for getting involved in an infield rundown because he was hustling. A quality defensive player capable of playing anywhere in the outfield, Clark has offensive skills that are more in line with a centerfielder. He's the perfect fourth outfielder. Asking him to be more would be a stretch.
B-
Geoff Jenkins
The good news is that Jenkins stayed healthy and played in a personal record 157 games. The bad news is that, at a salary of $8 million, he was a non-factor in the middle of the lineup for most of the season. A seven-homer, 24-RBI surge in the final month made his final numbers reasonably respectable, but he did not contribute when the team needed him to end its second-half skid. Twenty of his 27 homers came with the bases empty. He struggled against left-handed pitchers (.215) and lacked patience at the plate in many cases. Jenkins works hard and is a solid defender, but the Brewers need him to take on more of a leadership role.
C
David Krynzel
A fractured foot sidelined him for more than two months, which hurt his development. He showed flashes of potential during a September call-up, particularly on defense, but his swing looked long and he struck out too frequently to be considered ready for a starting job in spring training.
I
Chris Magruder
A switch-hitter with decent speed and the ability to play all three outfield spots, Magruder is a serviceable backup and a good guy to have in Class AAA.
C-
Scott Podsednik
Whether it was a sophomore slump, a media guide cover jinx or a case of getting home-run happy at the plate, Podsednik did not produce the way the Brewers needed and expected him to after a solid rookie season in 2003. Though he led the majors with 70 steals, his .313 on-base percentage and sometimes shaky defense offset the value of his baserunning. He hit .213 at Miller Park, where he hit .302 last year. Podsednik also hit .209 with runners in scoring position after batting .381 in those situations the previous season. He will enter spring training as the starter in center and the leadoff batter but will need to produce to hold on to both jobs.
C-
Though he was hampered by hamstring and elbow injuries, Capuano showed an intense competitive streak during his 17 starts.
C-
Doug Davis
With an impressive cut fastball that neutralized right-handed batters, Davis was confident and consistent enough to earn a two-year, $6 million contract extension. His 12-12 record was a function of bad luck and poor run support. It's hard to imagine him pitching much better than he did. Needs to improve his offense, but that won't be hard. He was 1 for 64 this year.
B+
Jorge De La Rosa
After flashing potential during spring training, lefty battled command problems in the minor leagues. He will likely need more time in the minors, but if his control improves he has a chance.
I
Gary Glover
Plucked off the scrap heap late in the season, Glover showed enough to earn an invitation to spring training next season.
I
Ben Hendrickson
He dominated the competition at Class AAA Indianapolis but struggled when making the adjustment to the big leagues. Hendrickson showed good composure during rocky outings and seemed to learn and improve with each performance.
D+
Wes Obermueller
The Iowan didn't have many mediocre outings. He was usually really bad or - less often - really good. He struggled to find rhythm in the No. 5 spot but picked up the pace a bit following a midseason demotion to the minors. His outstanding hitting ability raises his grade a click.
C-
Victor Santos
A non-roster long shot in spring training, Santos pitched his way into the big-league rotation and took a 8-3 record into the all-star break before running out of gas over the final two months. He's cheap enough to get another look next year, but it seems possible that his 3-8 showing in the second half was a better indication of his talent.
C+
Ben Sheets
If new owner Mark Attanasio wants to make a positive first impression on Brewers fans, he can start by giving Sheets a long-term contract. Four years into his big-league career and still only 26, the kid from Louisiana is emerging as an ace. He added 3-4 mph to his four-seam fastball and set the franchise record for strikeouts (245) and made the all-star team for the second time. The Brewers scored just 19 runs in his 14 losses, but he didn't give up. He's a gritty competitor on the field and one of the more popular players in the clubhouse. There isn't a team in the major leagues that wouldn't welcome him in the rotation. If surgery helps alleviate his lower back soreness, he could get even better.
A-
Relief Pitchers --Mike Adams
After posting a pristine 1.85 ERA in the first half, the unheralded rookie came back to earth a bit with a 4.91 mark after the all-star break. He showed enough poise to lead some club officials to project him as a potential closer.
B-
Jeff Bennett
The hard-throwing Rule 5 pickup from Pittsburgh had some good moments, but he also surrendered some big innings. He gave up 10 of his 39 runs in outings against the Pirates. Bennett will compete for a job in the bullpen during spring training but may benefit from spending time playing for the minor-league affiliate in his home state of Tennessee.
C-
Ben Ford
Ford pitched nine times in April and was torched for 13 runs in 12 innings. Nobody lost sleep when he went to the disabled list with a shoulder problem and then headed to the minors. Don't be surprised to see him taken off the 40-man roster.
D
Brooks Kieshnick
The laid-back Texan enjoys home cooking. He had a 1.99 ERA in 14 games at home and a 5.68 mark in 17 games on the road. Though he didn't have as big an impact on offense (one homer, .274 average), Kieshnick's presence as a pinch-hitter didn't hurt.
C+
Dan Kolb
He transformed himself from a strikeout-seeking fireballer to a more controlled closer. Kolb set the franchise record for saves (39) and earned a spot on the NL all-star team, but he tailed off in the second half. In his first 40 games, he worked 371/3 innings and gave up 26 hits and six earned runs (1.45 ERA). In his final 24 games, he worked 20 innings, gave up 24 hits and 13 earned runs (5.85), but some of the trouble might have been due to irregular work. He's eligible for arbitration and represented by super-agent Scott Boras, which doesn't bode well for new owner Mark Attanasio. The Brewers may consider a trade, but they'd have to get a lot back.
B+
Pedro Liriano
He isn't overpowering and he really only threw two pitches effectively, a sinker and a plus slider, during his 11 outings. Liriano will compete for a job in middle relief.
I
Travis Phelps
He pitched in four games and managed to give up seven runs. Look for him to be booted from the roster soon.
I
Luis Vizcaino
He bounced back nicely from a lackluster 2003 campaign and led the team with 73 appearances. If his recent good-year-followed-by-bad-year pattern holds, the Brewers may try to move him this winter.
B
Matt Wise
Abandoned by Anaheim after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery, Wise used his above-average changeup to give the Brewers some solid innings as a long reliever and spot starter. The fact that he pitched well after long layoffs bodes well for his future as a long guy in the Dave Burba mold.
C
Infielders -- Russell Branyan
Picked up from Class AAA Buffalo in a cash transaction, Branyan lived up to his all-or-nothing reputation by hitting 11 homers and striking out 68 times in 158 at-bats. His defense was much better than expected and he could stick around to press Wes Helms for playing time next season.
C
Craig Counsell
He exceeded defensive expectations but fell into a major hitting slump in the second half and was unable to shake it off. Counsell hit just .205 after the break. The Brewers won't pick up his option but may bring him back to baby-sit the position for prospect J.J. Hardy.
C
Trent Durrington
Endeared himself to coaches with hard-nosed play in spring training, then saw minimal playing time in the big leagues.
I
Keith Ginter
A strong sprint to the finish (eight homers and 23 RBI after Sept. 1) put a happy ending on a rather frustrating season halted by a hand injury. One of the few Brewers hitters to punish left-handed pitching (.32x). His defense was a bit choppy, but his bat will keep him in the plans.
C
Bill Hall
Late-inning heroics led to two memorable victories against Cincinnati in April, but he stayed out of the spotlight after that. His .276 on-base average and inconsistent defense make it hard to project him as anything more than a backup with occasional power.
D+
Wes Helms
He entered the season as the incumbent starter but turned in a brutal season that will force him to fight for playing time - if not a roster spot - next spring. Got off to a horrendous start and failed to recover. A midseason knee injury didn't help matters, but that doesn't excuse his performance. Often looked as if he was trying to punch singles rather than drive the ball with authority. Defensively, he developed a nightmarish case of the "yips" that made even the most routine plays an adventure..
F
Lyle Overbay
He's unquestionably the Brewers' most valuable player. With a salary barely over the minimum, he also was one of the better bargains in baseball. After carrying the offense in the first half, batting .344 with 62 RBI, he trailed off in the second (.245, 25 RBI). He needed a hit in his final at-bat of the season to become the only Brewers regular to surpass the .300 mark. He got it - a crushed double off St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen. He wasn't a standout defensively. He made 11 errors and let balls go past him to the glove side, a trait that was spotlighted when Junior Spivey was injured.
B+
Junior Spivey
One of the more athletic players on the team, Spivey's true value to the team didn't become evident until he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury July 2 in Pittsburgh. The team struggled offensively and defensively without him. While his history of injury is cause for concern, the Brewers virtually have to bring him back until Rickie Weeks is ready for prime time.
B-
Catchers -- Gary Bennett
Offense has never been Bennett's calling card, so it wasn't a huge surprise that he didn't rack up big numbers. He's tough, dependable and worked well with pitchers. He's a solid backup, but Chad Moeller's inability to produce at the plate made his shortcomings stand out more.
D+
Mark Johnson
He spent the last few weeks in the big leagues as a reward for catching a long, frustrating season with Class AAA Indianapolis.
I
Chad Moeller
One of the bigger disappointments of the season was Moeller's inability to capitalize on the opportunity to be a front-line catcher. He hit just .200 against right-handers and .146 with runners in scoring position. He never got on track at the plate, but he worked very well behind it. He made Ben Sheets and Doug Davis very comfortable and no doubt played a role in their success. It's too early to give up on Moeller, but the Brewers would be foolish if they didn't look for an upgrade in the off-season.
D+
Outfielders -- Brady Clark
A consummate pro, Clark draws raves from coaches and scouts who love his work ethic and hustle. He earned raves on a national highlight show for getting involved in an infield rundown because he was hustling. A quality defensive player capable of playing anywhere in the outfield, Clark has offensive skills that are more in line with a centerfielder. He's the perfect fourth outfielder. Asking him to be more would be a stretch.
B-
Geoff Jenkins
The good news is that Jenkins stayed healthy and played in a personal record 157 games. The bad news is that, at a salary of $8 million, he was a non-factor in the middle of the lineup for most of the season. A seven-homer, 24-RBI surge in the final month made his final numbers reasonably respectable, but he did not contribute when the team needed him to end its second-half skid. Twenty of his 27 homers came with the bases empty. He struggled against left-handed pitchers (.215) and lacked patience at the plate in many cases. Jenkins works hard and is a solid defender, but the Brewers need him to take on more of a leadership role.
C
David Krynzel
A fractured foot sidelined him for more than two months, which hurt his development. He showed flashes of potential during a September call-up, particularly on defense, but his swing looked long and he struck out too frequently to be considered ready for a starting job in spring training.
I
Chris Magruder
A switch-hitter with decent speed and the ability to play all three outfield spots, Magruder is a serviceable backup and a good guy to have in Class AAA.
C-
Scott Podsednik
Whether it was a sophomore slump, a media guide cover jinx or a case of getting home-run happy at the plate, Podsednik did not produce the way the Brewers needed and expected him to after a solid rookie season in 2003. Though he led the majors with 70 steals, his .313 on-base percentage and sometimes shaky defense offset the value of his baserunning. He hit .213 at Miller Park, where he hit .302 last year. Podsednik also hit .209 with runners in scoring position after batting .381 in those situations the previous season. He will enter spring training as the starter in center and the leadoff batter but will need to produce to hold on to both jobs.
C-