I alluded earlier to the most recent development reports from our scouting staff, led by head scout Nick Meskill.
Let's look a bit more closely at some of the highlights now.
As one would expect some young pitchers are seen as developing in a promising direction while some veterans are seen as giving indications of declining skills. Left handed reliever Jeremy Walker was given his first opportunity at the big league level this September and it was really more an opportunity for him to spend some time in the Brewers dugout and rubbing shoulders with more experienced players. He pitched in 3 games and for only 1 full inning pitched altogether and was not very good. But he's considered a durable pitcher, he projects to be great at inducing groundballs (extreme groundballer), has great movement, stuff that is developing towards excellence, and throws a fantastic curveball which he compliments with an above average sinker. Control is still an issue, but as a live-armed lefty he will be given every opportunity to earn a spot in the bullpen in 1973. Eric Johnson, who started 2 games for the Brewers at the end of the season, and wasn't bad at all, increasingly looks like he should be a very good control pitcher. Like Walker his curveball is his best pitch and he also induces groundballs. His stuff is mediocre and his movement poor, but Johnson is smart (if not terribly motivated) and still has a chance to earn a back-end of the rotation role.
Two other younger pitchers appear to moving in opposite directions. At the beginning of this season Justin Peacock looked like most likely of the Brewers stable of AAA starters with some WPK potential to actually become a 5th starter in the rotation. He spent much of this season back in AAA and then suffered an injury in early September from which he is still recovering. And his stock has fallen just a bit. Meanwhile, Steve LaCoste, who has been the captain of the AAA club for a few seasons now, and he is seen as rising a bit in the estimation of the scouting staff, essentially putting him in a virtual tie with Peacock in terms of potential to succeed at the WPK level. Neither, though, are premium prospects.
A few position players get good grades. Not a big thing, but the perception is that Mike Foster's HR power has developed to a bit above average and this raises his current perceived value. Josh Schaeffer, who as we know tore it up in his short stint with the Brewers this late season, is on the verge of being a valuable starter in the WPK per the scouting staff, who see his contact and power potential being a bit greater than earlier thought.
20-year old reliever Antonio Nieves, a Mexican scouting discovery signed in 1968, has serious control issues. But if he can make just a bit of improvement in that area, his potential is actually quite good. He has a reputation of being a very smart and hard working young man, so who's betting against him? And while Joe Willemse doesn't have a high ceiling, it is starting to look like he might be ready to step into a utility role as early as mid-season 1973.
He had a great season, as we've already established, but the scouting staff seems to have soured on David Bennett. Now don't get me wrong, they still see him as a big league worthy second baseman but no longer a possible star, he profiles now more as a second division starter. Similarly, 19-year old center fielder Jorge Gonzalez seems to have taken a step backwards and the feeling is that his well above average power potential projection made earlier might have been a bit unrealistic. Gonzalez is still quite young, has good contact potential and is a plus defender, so there is still time for him to develop into a star. At the very least, he certainly looks like he has the tools to have a role in the bigs.
And probably the biggest winner in the latest development report is 18-year old starting pitcher Yunus Wiseman. Don't get me wrong, Wiseman is still a long shot for any meaningful big league role. But he's very young, he's a hard worker, profiles as durable, and he's an extreme groundballer who has now added a sinker to his repertoire. Only time will tell, but at least he's moved from being a 16th round afterthought to being someone who will get a bit of attention from management, just in case.