June 1st Development Update, pt. 2
As has long been true, the outfield picture for the Brewers remains largely quite optimistic but also extremely crowded.
It's a good problem to have but a challenge nevertheless.
Although there are indications that veteran Ryan Rodgers defensive skills are declining slightly, he remains a gifted fielder and a dynamic hitter. There are no signs that he is losing any luster on his super-stardom. Joe McPhillips, on the IL until later in the season, continues to rise in the estimation of our scouting staff, who see him as the next super-star in the Brewers firmament.
Fellow youngster Josh Schaeffer, in spite of the questions about his work habits, also continues to rise. And, in fact, Schaeffer is doing quite well in a Brewers uniform this season and is thought to be earning a larger role.
Pat Rondeau is seen as unlikely to maintain that over .400 batting average of his- not that this is really news- but still profiles as an above average big league outfielder with superb defensive skills and top of the line speed.
So that's four above average to superior outfielders currently on the major league roster or the IL. That's not even to mention Andrew Kennedy, who is perhaps the purest hitter on the team not named Ryan Rodgers, and whose defensive numbers in both left field and first base this season are quite respectable, even if not gold glove level.
So what to do with John Flores, currently down at AAA after having spent a few stints with the Brewers this year. Flores doesn't look like a star, but he is a solid big league level player with the potential for plus power, which is something the Brewers desperately need more of.
And what about the man some think of as the Brewers top prospect, Jorge Gonzalez. Gonzalez is starting to adjust to AA and is beginning to put up decent numbers there after tearing up single A for the first month and a half of the season. He has the potential to be a plus contact hitter with above average gap power and fine defense. The big question, other than some concerns about his character, is whether he will develop the power that he seems to have the potential for. Should he do so he could be a very attractive player in the future. At just 20 years old he has plenty of time to develop into a big league starter, and even possibly a star.
And the reality is that the system has several young outfielders just a notch below this group, players who could well be starting outfielders on a weaker WPK team, or at the very least could be valuable 4th or 5th outfielders. But chances are that most of them will need to be in another organization to get the opportunity they deserve.
(Further away from the big leagues but also intriguing is the progress of Val Guzman, the center fielder who was the Brewers supplemental 1st round pick in 1972- 34th overall. Guzman, only 19 years old, still has a lot of development he needs to make and is slated to play in short season A ball this season, but he profiles as being a plus defender with great speed, above average contact ability, and most compelling, perhaps the best power potential in the organization. With his strong work ethic and adaptable nature, Brewers management is optimistic that he will eventually become a valuable big league outfielder.)