Stephen Vogt Archives • The Game Haus

March 7, 2018 by Jeremy Bhandari

2018 MLB preview: Milwaukee Brewers

2017: 86-76 (second place in NL Central)

Last Postseason Appearance: 2011

Last World Series Title: NEVER WON A WORLD SERIES TITLE

2017 Recap

After winning just 68 games in 2015, and 73 the following season, the Brewers finished 10 games above .500 in 2017. Unfortunately, Milwaukee’s 86 wins was not good enough for a postseason berth, as they finished one game shy of clinching a spot in the NL Wild Card Game.

Milwaukee led the NL in steals, and finished eighth in the MLB in home runs. Sadly, all this pop and speed did not translate to too many runs. The Brewers ranked 20^th in runs, and also struck out more than any team in the NL.

Domingo Santana joined Mike Trout and Paul Goldschmidt as the only three players to hit 30 home runs, steal 15 bags, and post an OBP better than .370. (Reviewing The Brew)

In his first season with Milwaukee, Travis Shaw led the team in hits, doubles, and RBIs (101). He also hit a career-high 31 home runs. Eric Thames, who hadn’t played in the MLB since 2012, also hit 31 home runs, including 11 in April. Thames, who spent time in the KBO League, led the Brewers in SLG at .518.

Obviously Thames’ production was a bit of a surprise, but no one expected Domingo Santana to join Mike Trout and Paul Goldschmidt as the only three players to hit 30 home runs, steal 15 bags, and post an OBP better than .370.

Milwaukee’s pitching is really what carried them to their solid regular season. They finished ninth in the MLB in ERA and pitching WAR. Their bullpen led the NL in saves, and finished 7^th overall for reliever WAR. Leading the charger was Jimmy Nelson and Chase Anderson.

Nelson, who underwent shoulder surgery in September, went 12-6 with a 3.49 ERA over 175.1 innings of work. He also struck out 199 batters, and finished with the 10^th best K/9 ratio. In 2016, Nelson led the league with 86 walks issued. A year later, he walked just 48 batters. This change was the main reason he finished ninth in Cy Young Voting.

Chase Anderson missed nearly two months last season because of oblique injury, but, when healthy, he was lights out. He finished the season with a 12-4 record, a 2.74 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP over 141.1 innings.

2018: Around the Diamond

Although they didn’t score too many runs, and ultimately finished 22nd in hits, help is on the way. This offseason, the Brewers traded for Christian Yelich, and signed Lorenzo Cain to a five-year, $80M deal. In 2017, Yelich ranked 10th in times on base, hit 18 home runs, 36 doubles, and drove in 81 runs.

As a member of the Royals, Cain hit .300 with 15 home runs, 26 steals, and a career-high .363 OBP in 2017. He also walked 54 times, which was 17 more than his previous high. Cain is a huge upgrade in centerfield for Milwaukee, a team that finished 26th in WAR for CF in 2017. Yelich, Cain, and Santana have a chance to be baseball’s best outfield core in 2018. That is, if Santana is not traded by Opening Day.

Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich, two monster moves for Milwaukee. (Getty Images)

The additions to the outfield means a position change for Ryan Braun, who has been getting reps at first base. Braun, who ranks third all-time in the Brewers franchise for WAR, hit .268 with 17 home runs and 12 steals in 2017. He battled calf and wrist injuries all season, which limited his games to 104, but Braun is still a very solid hitter. His BABIP was under .300 for the first time in his career, so he is bound to get that average up, and he clearly still has plenty of power. Braun’s transition to first means less playing time for Thames, who will serve as the DH in inter-league play, but most likely come off the bench for the majority of the season.

Calling the game behind the plate will again be Manny Pina, who led the team with a .279 batting average, and finished 10th in defensive WAR. Stephen Vogt, who was selected off waivers by Milwaukee last June, will be splitting time with Pina.

In 2016, second basemen Jonathan Villar slashed .285/.369/.457 and hit 19 home runs with 62 steals. A year later, he was a totally different player, hitting just .241 with 11 home runs and 23 steals. His walk rate went from 11.6 percent to 6.9 percent. If Villar can be just 70 percent of what he was in 2016, this offense could be dangerous.

The left side of the infield will remain the same. Orlando Arcia will hold down short, while Shaw will man the hot corner. Arcia, in his age-22 season, hit 15 home runs with 14 steals in 2017. He is still incredibly young, and could blossom into something special.

On the Bump

With Nelson possibly out until June, the Brewers have at least two spots up for grabs in the starting rotation. The three locks are Chase Anderson, Zach Davies, who won 17 games last year, and Jhoulys Chacin, who pitched for the Padres last season. Over 100.1 innings, Chacin posted a 1.79 ERA at Petco Park, which is fantastic, but keep in mind, San Diego’s ballpark ranked 29^th in runs allowed. It is a pitcher friendly park, and when Chacin went on the road, he had a 6.53 ERA.

Competing for the final two spots will be Brandon Woodruff, Brent Suter, Yovani Gallardo, Junior Guerra, Aaron Wilkerson, and Wade Miley, who was flat out abysmal last year, Suter, being the only lefty in the group, has a good shot to make this rotation.

Corey Knebel, who had 39 saves last season, will remain in the closer role. Milwaukee also has Jacob Barnes, Matt Albers, and Josh Hader who will all play pivotal roles in making sure this bullpen continues to produce.

The Future

Even though they traded away Lewis Brinson in the Christian Yelich trade, Milwaukee still has a solid farm system. They have three players on MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospect’s list: Keston Hiura (No.56), RHP Corbin Burnes (No. 69), and Woodruff (No. 96), who, like mentioned earlier, has a shot to make the MLB club this season.

Hiura, a second basemen, was tremendous in 42 games between R/A. He slashed .371/.422/.611 with four home runs and seven triples. He will be a high-average hitter, who shows occasional pop. The 2017 first round pick, Hiura will put up Omar Infante type numbers once he reaches the MLB.

Burnes, Milwaukee’s top pitching prospect, posted a 1.67 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 26 starts between A+/AA. Burnes is expected to reach the MLB in 2019. Keep in mind, Milwaukee also has Brett Phillips, the 23-year-old outfielder who had a .351 OBP in his 37 games with the Brewers last year. While he may not see too much playing time, Phillips could be special down the road.

2018 Prediction: 88-74

The additions of Yelich and Cain make this a playoff team. They finished 11th in run differential last year, and that was with some weak spots in the lineup. This offense is deep, and, even though Nelson will miss the start of the season, this team will be playing in the NL Wild Card Game.

Featured image by MLB.com

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May 1, 2017June 3, 2017 by Avery Seltzer

Fantasy Baseball 2017: Weekly Update (April 23rd – April 29th)

In week four of our fantasy baseball 2017 update, we will continue to notify owners about which players are hot, or cold, and whether they will continue to trend in that direction. The previous weekly updates can be found at thegamehaus.com/fantasy.

Who’s Hot

Trea Turner, Shortstop, Washington Nationals

14 for 33 with 13 runs scored, two home runs, 11 RBI, and one stolen base.

Trea Turner has a bright future, but what is his ceiling? (Courtesy of Federal Baseball)

Turner is off to a torrid pace after recovering from a hamstring injury that landed him on the 10-day disabled list. The 23-year-old is currently batting .333 with 14 runs scored, two home runs, 13 RBI, and four stolen bases in only 14 games. His elite production can not only be attributed to his innate athletic ability, but also to the Nationals star studded lineup, as teammates Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, and Daniel Murphy are all top three in National League RBI totals.

The first-round pick in 2014 is a massive part of Washington’s future, and according to manager Dusty Baker, looks like “Ricky Henderson”, as he has an incredible combination of power and speed. He has 16 home runs and 39 stolen bases in only 428 major-league plate appearances. The potential to be a top 10 fantasy player is real for Turner, who will be a staple atop the Nationals’ order for the next decade.

Ivan Nova, Starting Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates

2-0, allowing one earned run on seven hits and one walk, with 14 strikeouts, in 16 innings pitched.

Nova came over to Pittsburgh from the New York Yankees in 2016. Prior to becoming a Pirate, he had a career 4.41 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 729 innings pitched. After joining Pittsburgh, Nova managed to decline his ERA to 2.50 and WHIP to 0.97 in 100 2/3 innings. The Pirates coaching staff, more specifically pitching coach Ray Searage, are famous for turning average pitchers into All-Stars, as average arms like A.J. Burnett, Zach Duke, Kevin Correia, and Jeff Locke found their way to All-Stars games while in the Pirates uniform.

The 30-year-old is coming off a “Greg Maddux” performance, which is a baseball term used to describe a complete game shutout consisting of 99 pitches or less. Nova has gotten off to an incredible start in 2017, sporting a 1.50 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. He will continue to find success, as his next start is at home against the struggling Cincinnati Reds.

Matt Kemp is healthy and ready to make an impact in 2017. (Courtesy of MLB Trade Rumors)

Matt Kemp, Outfielder, Atlanta Braves

8 for 23 with five runs scored, four home runs, and 11 RBI.

Kemp has finally returned after being placed on the 10-day DL with a right hamstring strain on April 11^th. He has been a consistent producer of 89 RBI or more since 2014, and looks to continue that trend this season. Kemp, along with Freddie Freeman, will be high-level producers as they anchor the Braves lineup.

Since 2014, the 32-year-old has a .273 batting average, 246 runs scored, 83 home runs, and 297 RBI in 472 games. Kemp’s hot start in 2017 will continue as long as he can stay on the field. He has played over 150 games in each of the last three seasons, so injury concerns should not be too disconcerting either.

Luis Severino, Starting Pitcher, New York Yankees

1-0, allowing zero earned runs on three hits and two walks, with six strikeouts, in seven innings pitched.

Severino started 11 games in 2016, resulting in an atrocious 5.83 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 71 innings pitched. After being demoted to AAA, he started 13 games and finished the year with a 3.36 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, putting him back on track, as he had a career minor-league ERA of 2.51 and WHIP of 1.06.

In 2017, the 23-year-old broke spring training with the Yankees, and hasn’t looked back. He is currently 2-1, allowing only nine earned runs, with 33 strikeouts, in 27 innings pitched. Severino had similar success in 2015, and looks to be the long-term answer for a questionable Yankees rotation.

Ryan Zimmerman, First Baseman, Washington Nationals

Ryan Zimmerman is off to a torrid start in 2017 (Alex Brandon/AP Photo).

12 for 24 with nine runs scored, six home runs, and 13 RBI.

Zimmerman, a three time MVP candidate, two-time Silver Slugger, and runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year, is on pace to have the best season of his career. The 32-year-old has a league-leading .410 batting average, 34 hits, 11 home runs, and 27 RBI.

He has completely healed from his 2016 wrist injury, which may be the first time he is fully healthy since 2013. The sky is the limit for Zimmerman, who is batting behind former MVP Bryce Harper, and All-Star Daniel Murphy.

Who’s Cold

Jason Kipnis, Second Baseman, Cleveland Indians

3 for 20 with one run scored, zero home runs, and zero RBI.

Kipnis has finally returned from an early-April rehab assignment, which was extended until late-April after he was hit by a pitch. He has been off to a slow start, as he only has four hits in his first 27 at-bats.

The 30-year-old has been a stable producer at the top half of the Indians order for years, and should pick things up sooner than later. He is a career .271 hitter, who had set a career high in home runs just a year ago, with 23. Do not give up on Kipnis, as he is a proven producer in one of the league’s top lineups.

Tyler Anderson, Starting Pitcher, Colorado Rockies

Tyler Anderson is a young stud off to a rough start in 2017. (Courtesy of Purple Row)

0-0, allowing 10 earned runs on 13 hits and four walks, with seven strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings pitched.

Anderson has struggled in all six of his starts so far in 2017, although I believe it is too early to give up on the 27-year-old. He has a career minor-league ERA of 2.38, WHIP of 1.10, and K/9 of 7.4. Clearly the potential is there, but his early struggles have caused owners to drop him at alarming rates.

The first-round pick in 2011 has faced the Dodgers twice, the Nationals, Giants, Brewers, and Diamondbacks so far in 2017. Four of these five teams have top 12 scoring offenses, while three of them are ranked one, two, and three consecutively. Anderson will find success in 2017 as he battles lesser talented lineups and adjusts to his first full big-league season.

Chris Davis, First Baseman, Baltimore Orioles

3 for 19 with two runs scored, zero home runs, and one RBI.

The two-time league leader in home runs has gotten off to a cold start in 2017. He has only three home runs and five RBI in 22 games played. Davis, as a career .238 hitter, often has hot and cold streaks, so his lack of production should not be too worrisome.

The 31-year-old has hit a total of 200 home runs in 765 games over the last five seasons, which makes him one of a handful of 40 home run potential players in Major League Baseball.

Adam Conley, Starting Pitcher, Miami Marlins

0-1, allowing nine earned runs on five hits and three walks, with two strikeouts, in 1 2/3 innings pitched.

Can Conely improve his ratios enough to become fantasy relevant in 2017? (Courtesy of ESPN.com)

Conley, someone who I was very high on entering 2017, has gotten off to a shaky start. He is currently 1-2, after allowing 15 earned runs, with 16 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched.

The 26-year-old has a minor-league career ERA of 3.52, which earned him the right of 25 major league starts in 2016, where he managed to have a sub-four ERA, with 124 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings pitched.

The strikeout potential is there, although his control remains an issue, as he has a career K/9 of 8.1 and WHIP of 1.37. Conley makes his next start on Wednesday in Tampa Bay, where he should get back on track after pitching only 1 1/3 innings against the Pirates in his last start.

Stephen Vogt, Catcher, Oakland Athletics

3 for 19 with zero runs scored, zero home runs, and zero RBI.

Vogt, a career .253 hitter, is off to a horrendous start in 2017, batting .210 with only one home run and three RBI. The Athletics catcher has seen the majority share of playing time over the last two seasons, as he has played in at least 135 games each year.

The 32-year-old has been an important piece of Oakland’s lineup, as he has mustered up 33 home runs and 130 RBI in his last 291 games. As long as Vogt is healthy, he should continue to see the majority of starts behind the plate in 2017.

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February 20, 2017June 3, 2017 by Avery Seltzer

Crying Tiers of Joy: 2017 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings

The catcher position is arguably the toughest and most important position on the diamond. Not only is catcher the most demanding position physically, but mentally as well. Catchers must know everything about everyone at all times.

The most important responsibilities of a catcher are on the defensive side of the ball. They need to block, pick, receive, call pitches and throw out runners, among other things. The importance of defense commonly results in catchers being worse offensively than other positions.

In fantasy terms, the catcher can be compared to the tight end in football. The tight end position is focused on blocking as much as it is receiving, resulting in them having a lower average fantasy value than other skill positions.

The top 25 catchers have been grouped into five tiers. The top and bottom catcher in each tier have been profiled below.

Exceptions include Matt Wieters, who is still an unsigned free agent and Wilson Ramos, who is recovering from a torn ACL, and should return to the Tampa Bay Rays as a designated hitter at some point in May.

Honorable mentions include: Jorge Alfaro (PHI), Nick Hundley (SF), Miguel Montero (CHC), Roberto Perez (CLE), Jeff Bandy (MIL), Tucker Barnhart (CIN), Carlos Ruiz (SEA), Tom Murphy (COL), and Tyler Flowers (ATL).

Tier 1

Buster Posey could retire right now and be inducted into the Hall of Fame. (Courtesy of MLBtraderumors.com)

Catchers in this tier are elite fantasy options. They will play every day, whether it is behind the plate or at first base, and have offered consistently great offensive value in the past.

1. Buster Posey SF

2. Jonathan Lucroy TEX

Buster Posey has been the standard of excellence at catcher for the past five seasons. The former MVP is coming off of his worst career season (disregarding his 2011 campaign). An off year for Posey included batting .288 with 14 home runs and 80 RBIs. He managed to be top-15 MVP finalist, win his first Gold Glove and was named an All-Star for the fourth time.

The 29-year-old will remain the three-hole hitter for the always competitive San Francisco Giants, and should be selected as the first catcher off the board in 2017.

A two time All-Star, Jonathan Lucroy, will play his first full season for the Texas Rangers in 2017. He projects to bat sixth in a deep Rangers lineup that features young stud stars Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara, as well as veterans Carlos Gomez, Adrain Beltre, Shin-Soo Choo and recently acquired Mike Napoli.

Lucroy led the league in doubles while finishing fourth in MVP voting in 2014. His 2015 season was cut short to a broken toe and concussion. In 2016, Lucroy rebounded, reaching career high in home runs, walks and slugging percentage. After being traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Rangers in 2016, He managed to mash 11 home runs in 47 games. Lucroy is guaranteed to be a top catcher in 2017.

Tier 2

Gary Sanchez is no longer the future of the New York Yankees, but rather the present. (Courtesy of NJ.com)

This tier consists of catchers who will play nearly every day, hit in the heart of the order, and offer great offensive value.

3. Gary Sanchez NYY

4. Willson Contreras CHC

5. Yasmani Grandal LAD

Everybody remembers Gary Sanchez for hitting 20 home runs in 53 games in 2016, but they forget that he batted .225 in September and October. Sanchez has huge upside as he will bat third for a sneaky talented Yankees lineup featuring veteran speedsters Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner.

With the 24-year-old batting third, Sanchez is in a prime spot to rack up RBIs if he can continue to put the bat on the ball. The Sanchise should not be overlooked because of his great opportunity in 2017.

Yasmani Grandal had his best career year in 2016, finishing 22^nd in MVP voting. He hit 27 bombs while slashing .228/.339/.477 in 126 games. The Dodger’s everyday catcher will bat fifth behind Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Corey Seager, which will give him ample RBI opportunities.

Grandal will be a great fantasy asset in 2017.

Tier 3

Russell Martin’s continued success is remarkable at 34-years-old. (Courtesy of www.whatproswear.com)

Catchers in this tier offer above average fantasy value as they will play nearly every day, hit in productive spots in the order, and have proven their worth in the past.

6. Russell Martin

7. Brian McCann

8. Salvador Perez

9. Yadier Molina

10. Wellington Castillo

11. Stephen Vogt

Russell Martin, the MLB’s journey man, has found success everywhere he goes. He has reached the 20 home run, 60 run, 70 RBI plateau in his last two consecutive seasons. The 34-year-old will be entering his 12^th season as the everyday catcher and six hitter of the Toronto Blue Jays.

He will have the same opportunity he has had in the past two seasons to be a key contributor in the Blue Jays offense.

Stephen Vogt has finished his second consecutive season of 500 plate appearances and over a .250 average. He has hit a total of 32 home runs in his last two seasons, suggesting that he has above average power for a catcher. The 32-year-old will be the Oakland Athletics primary catcher and two-hitter in 2017, which will give him plenty of opportunities to produce runs.

The two-time All-Star will continue to have the chance to shine as a key part of the Athletics roster.

Tier 4

Where does Evan Gattis fit into the Houston Astros puzzle? (Courtesy of The Houston Chronicle)

Players in this tier will come at a cheap price, but will provide above average value.

12. Evan Gattis

13. J.T. Realmuto

14. Mike Zunino

15. Austin Hedges

16. Francisco Cervelli

17. Derek Norris

Evan Gattis, the former janitor, has managed to amass 20 or more home runs in all four of his MLB seasons while averaging only 122 games per season. Gattis will play a utility role for the Houston Astros in 2017, who have signed Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann this offseason.

Gattis will find time behind home plate when veteran McCann’s legs need a rest, at designated hitter when Beltran starts in the outfield or is out of the lineup, and at first base when Yulieski Gurriel sits or struggles.

The 30-year-old has too much talent to not be in the lineup, and will be a cheap source of power in the middle or late rounds of your draft.

Derek Norris, who batted .186 in 2016, was traded to the Washington Nationals in December of 2016 for a minor-league pitcher. He will hold the primary catchers position relinquishing the occasional at bat to Jose Lobaton. The 28-year-old will bat at the bottom of a loaded Nationals lineup, giving him more RBI opportunities than the average eight hitter. A lot of people forget that Derek Norris batted .250 in 2015, and .270 in 2014, showing that he has the potential to be a valuable fantasy asset for a cheap price.

Tier 5

Travis d’Arnaud looks forward to a healthy 2017. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

These catchers all offer average levels of production but will be playing in platoon roles, so playing time may be staggered until injuries or performance dictate otherwise.

18. Travis d’Arnaud

19. Sandy Leon

20. Devin Mesoraco

21. Yan Gomes

22. Cameron Rupp

23. Tony Wolters

24. James McCann

25. Jason Castro

Travis d’Arnaud will be the primary catcher for the New York Mets, occasionally relinquishing at-bats to backups Rene Rivera and Kevin Plawecki. Although he has only totaled 100 games played once in his career (108 games played in 2014), he is healthy and confident heading into 2017.

The Mets have also hired Glenn Sherlock as their new third base coach and catching instructor which will help d’Arnaud maintain his confidence behind the plate and at the dish. He offers average value for low cost, as he is commonly going undrafted.

Jason Castro, also going undrafted, will be the starting catcher for the Minnesota Twins after signing a three year, $24.5 million contract. He will bat at the bottom of a young Twins lineup that is sure to produce its fair share of runs in 2017. Castro batted .210 with 11 home runs in 2016, although it was only four seasons ago when the 29-year-old was an All-Star who batted .270 with 18 home runs. Castro is a good sleeper for deep or two catcher leagues.

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