The Milwaukee Brewers fell hard to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday evening.  The 9-5 loss negates almost any possible momentum gained in the series victories against the Giants and Mets. 

Why?

The pitching staff looked bad.  Really bad. 

Seth McClung is proving what many of us have been thinking -- he belongs nowhere near the starting rotation.  His aggressive style and flexibility as a reliever makes him extremely valuable in that role.  It also allows him to focus on locating his fastball without worrying about setting up hitters for the second or third time through the batting order.  Seth becomes strictly a two-pitch pitcher, which is undeniably a good thing.  Look what happens when Seth tries to mix his pitches.

Seth actually tossed a couple good sliders, but did not work the corners of the plate well at all. 

The McClung Experiment in the starting rotation should be over.  Promote Chris Smith to the rotation.  Call up Chase Wright.  Give Carlos Villanueva a shot in the rotation.  Obviously, I am being quite overdramatic about promoting just anyone, but the point is that almost any option the Brewers have should be an upgrade over McClung.

This is not to say that McClung is not effective over multiple innings.  It is merely saying that McClung is not effective more than once through a batting order.  The starting rotation is not his comfort zone and not where he most benefits the Brewers. 

Look at the statisitics.  The first time through a batting order, McClung holds opposing hitters to a .249 average.  The second time through, their batting average jumps to .271 with a .376 on-base percentage.  As a starter, the big right-hander owns a 5.71 ERA.  As a reliever, that ERA drops to 4.65.  Both of those ERAs are a bit high, as they include his struggles with the Tampa Bay Rays, but the overall trend is clear.  Seth McClung is a relief pitcher, not a starting pitcher.

What does that leave for Milwaukee?

It leaves four starting pitchers and a gaping hole for the fifth spot.  Keep in mind that Mike Burns is no sure thing for the #4 slot either.  Doug Melvin will be working the phones intensely over the next couple of weeks, but it seems that the Brewers GM wishes to wait a couple more weeks before making a deal.  I just hope someone more exciting than Doug Davis comes along.

The Milwaukee Brewers have officially signed OF Jose Pena and RHP Jean Capellan to minor-league deals that featured rather large bonuses.

Pena received a $400K bonus, which is significantly less than what had been reported earlier this week.  Pena reportedly reminds scouts of Jermaine Dye, which is obviously a positive make-up.

"He's a great 'make-up' kid," Seid said. "He's someone who looks you in the eye and takes instruction well. Overall, the package is good in terms of ability, power, athleticism and make-up." 

Capellan is a lesser-known prospect, but Bruce Seid and the scouting department seem to be rather excited about the kid.  He is a 17-year old right-hander who has been clocked up to 92-93 MPH and has a very sharp breaking ball.  

"He has an aggressive mound presence," Seid said. "I liked what I saw from him. He wasn't considered a top-tier prospect, but to our organization he's got potential to do something from a pitching standpoint."

It is interesting that a 17-year old kid who throws 90+ MPH is not considered a top-tier prospect.  Most young pitchers with the velocity at least require a six-figure bonus, but Adam McCalvy writes that it is only a five-figure bonus.  I hate to be skeptical of a young man who has not thrown a professional pitch in his life, but I am guessing that he has serious command issues.  Still, a live-arm on the cheap is a big victory for the Brewers in the Dominican Republic.

Jose Pena is the treasure of this year's international crop for the Brewers.  Do not expect Bruce Seid to land any higher profile guys in the next month, which is fine.  From all accounts I have read, Pena appears to be quite the steal for Milwaukee -- especially for the price.

Both Capellan and Pena will begin their professional career at the new Brewers facility in the Dominican Republic.  We had heard rumblings that the Brewers were discussing the possiblity of opening a new facility in the DR, and the organization quietly co-opted a facility with the Baltimore Orioles this season.

This is great news for the Brewers' organization.  The young international prospects in the Arizona League have not been flourishing as the organization had hoped, so it was time for a new strategy.  A new facility (I wonder if the talks with Salomon Torres helped speed this up) should increase Milwaukee's visibility to the Latin American prospects, which could lead to more high-profile Dominican prospects.  This may not seem like much, but the organization could benefit greatly from this move in several years.

After utilizing yesterday morning to complete The Breen Top 40, let's get back to the links.

Major League News

Ryan Braun bluntly reminds us that the Brewers are in rather good shape, sitting atop the NL Central after an extremely rough month of June.  We can discuss how the Brewers needed to win Wednesday's game against the New York Mets all we want, but the fact is that Milwaukee is in first place.  The Brewers only need to win enough games to stay in first place.  Every other win is simply gravy.  Sure, having a multiple-game lead going into the final month of the season is beneficial, but I will take a first-place team any day of the week.

Adam McCalvy talked to Doug Melvin, who says that Milwaukee has several obstacles standing in its way of making an impact trade this summer.  First and foremost, the Brewers simply do not match up well with the majority of teams in the league.  Most squads are looking for impact pitching in return, and the Brewers obviously do not have that to spare.  Secondly, where are the impact players?  Doug Davis is not an impact arm.  Jarrod Washburn is not an impact arm.  Cliff Lee is likely not available.  Erik Bedard is too much of an injury risk.  Jake Peavy is down with an injury.  Who does Milwaukee target down the stretch?  

Unfortunately, I see Doug Melvin overpaying for Doug Davis near the deadline by giving up a Top 10 prospect.  His 4.40 FIP is nothing for which I wish to pay a hefty price.

Brandon Backe became available over the past week, but Doug Melvin said the Brewers chose to pass on the eight-year vet due to health problems.  I'm sure the 5.23 career ERA also had something to do with it.  Still, the squad should check in on every available option.  The worst that could happen is that Milwaukee decides to pass.

In perhaps the most surprising development of the 2009 season, the Milwaukee Brewers currently lead the league in base on balls.  To think that the young, free-swinging Brewers could mature so much in one year is astounding.  A large reason the team is taking more walks as a whole is the improved plate discipline from Ryan Braun, who is seven walks shy of matching his 2008 walk total.  Prince Fielder is also on pace to draw more than 100 walks this season.  Having Craig Counsell's patient bat in the lineup every day also helps the OBP stats.

Baseball Crank reflects a bit on the Brewers' season thus far and notes that Mike Cameron has become a respected veteran -- although an underperforming one.  I completely disagree.  Mike Cameron plays perhaps the best center field in all of baseball and has not posted an OPS+ under 100 (which is league-average) since 1998.  The low batting average and high strikeout rate may turn off the average fan, but there are much more effective ways of evaluating production than those statistics.  For example, his batting average is .240 thus far in 2009, but his OBP is .352.  Which number is the true litmus test of a player?

FanGraphs has fallen in love with the cutter of Mark DiFelice.  This article focuses on the difference between Mariano Rivera's cutter and that of Mark DiFelice.  After a fair amount of analysis, Dave Allen determines that DiFelice has the more effective cutter against right-handed hitters, but Rivera's ability to locate the cutter on the inside and outside part of the plate against lefties leads to more effectiveness against southpaws.  That is why DiFelice must further develop his changeup this offseason, as that is his money-pitch against lefties.

Radio over at The Junkball Blues has yet another series preview of the upcoming Cubs series.  Seth McClung goes up against Ryan Dempster in what could be a very difficult evening for Brewers hitters.

Minor League News

Courtesy of Brew Crew Ball, we have some scouting video of Jose Pena, a Dominican Republic outfield prospect who the Brewers are reportedly signing for an undetermined amount.  Pena is a 6-foot-3 16-year old who has plus-power from the right side of the dish.  The young man also has a plus-arm and a plus-makeup, as he supposedly has a good head on his shoulders.  Via Baseball America:

"He's grown bigger and stronger," said one scout. "He's the kind of guy who you might get out the first time, but he adjusts and finds a way to figure it out."

For those of you that are concerned about the Brewers spending $1MM+ on an international signee who could have falsified his age, there is very little doubt that Jose Pena is actually 16-years old.  He just finished his exams at school and still appears young and wiry.  He will report to Arizona to play with the Baby Brewers in the Arizona League.

Three Sounds' players have been chosen to the Pacific Coast League All-Star Game.  Alcides Escobar, Brendan Katin, and R.J. Swindle have all been selected to represent the Nashville Sounds on July 15th.  The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.  Be sure to check in to see Escobar and Swindle's 55 MPH curveball.

As I posted yesterday, Adam McCalvy has the latest 2009 Draft signings.  Highlights include outfielder Khristopher Davis, who could be one of the sleepers from Milwaukee's draft class, and outfielder Demetrius McKelvie, who Milwaukee managed to court away from a football and baseball scholarship to Marshall University.

Jonathan Mayo answers some fan questions and says Mat Gamel has more potential than St. Louis Cardinals' prospect Brett Wallace.  Mayo also states that he believes Gamel will stick at third base.  I have not seen Brett Wallace play, so I cannot comment on the first part of the answer.  As far as Gamel sticking at third, I have to agree.  He has made a couple bad plays for the Brewers at the hot corner, but he has shown the capability to stick at third in the majors -- especially with his plus-arm.

Brew Crew Ball has a nice interview with right-hander Evan Anundsen.  He discusses his success this season and how he developed such an effective sinker in Helena.  For those of you wondering about his velocity, his sinker sits in the mid-80s range.  His four-seamer can get up to the 88-90 MPH range.

Project Prospect has their new Top 50 rankings out and has Mat Gamel as the highest-rated Brewer at #13.  Brett Lawrie checks in at #45, and interestingly enough, Alcides Escobar does not crack the Top 50.  What's more is that Alcides does not even make the Honorable Mentions.  That seems a bit odd.

Other Baseball News

Much has been made of the Pirates' demotion of Ian Snell to Triple-A Indianapolis.  It turns out that Snell has been battling severe depression, which has been a common theme throughout the 2009 season.  Perhaps this is a turning point for Major League Baseball and the recognition of depression as a major player in today's game.  With all the pressure placed on such young kids, early failure to live up to expectations can easily drive a player into doubt and depression.  Joey Votto, Khalil Green, and Dontrelle Willis have also been connected to depression this season.  Best of luck to Ian and his ongoing battle.

FanGraphs profiles perhaps the most productive platoon in the game today, and both players are former Brewers.  Gabe Gross and Gabe Kapler have combined for a total of +2.3 wins this season.  The articles notes that those numbers would rank Gabe and Gabe as the 5th best right fielder all of Major League Baseball if they could be counted as one player.

Cleveland Indians' prospect Jose Osoria has been caught for falsifying his name and age.  Osoria, actually Wally Bryan, signed for $575,000 last season and is actually 20, not 17-years old.  Osoria/Bryan has not been suspended by Major Leauge Baseball and will remain in the Indians' minor league system.

Brandon Webb has opted against season-ending shoulder surgery in hopes of returning to pitch this September.  That makes little sense to me, as the D'Backs have little chance of competing this year.  Webb should simply undergo surgery and arrive in camp next season completely healthy.  That is, unless the surgery carries monumental risk -- which it does not appear to.

Grady Sizemore will undergo surgery on his inflammed left elbow after the season.  Sizemore was predicted to be one of the front-runners for the AL MVP, but has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness this season.  Do not forget about him for your 2010 fantasy draft, however, as he will be severely undervalued by the "what have you done for me lately" mentality of most players.

Mike Aviles will also undergo elbow surgery, but the Royals' infielder will not be able to wait until the end of the season.  Aviles will undergo Tommy John surgery and be sidelined for the rest of the season.

The Chicago Cubs acquired Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies in their search for offense.  It is unclear who the Cubs will give the Rockies in return.

The All-Star Game rosters have been expanded to 33 players a piece.  This is obviously a beneficial move, as it will give teams more pitching options if the game does go into extra innings.  It does mean, however, that a couple pitchers who make the squad will not be able to pitch.

Official BC-sanctioned Music Video of the Day

Jason Mraz -- No Stopping Us

Nashville Sounds (45-35), -- GB

LHP Lindsay Gulin:  (W, 4-4) 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR -- 4.74 ERA
RF Brendan Katin:  4-4, 2B, HR (18), RBI, 2 R -- .283 AVG
3B Adam Heether:  2-4, HR (8), RBI, 2 R, K -- .331 AVG
LF Drew Anderson:  2-4, 3B, RBI, R, K -- .182 AVG

Huntsville Stars (6-4), -- GB

RHP Mark Holliman:  (W, 7-2) 5.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K -- 4.23 ERA
LHP Zach Braddock:  2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA
RHP Rob Wooten:  0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K -- 0.00 ERA
RHP Robert Hinton:  (S, 10) 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K -- 3.16 ERA
LF Chuck Caufield:  1-3, RBI -- .265 AVG
C Jonathan Lucroy:  0-0, 4 BB, R -- .254 AVG

Brevard County Manatees (3-2), 3.0 GB

Games postponed due to rain.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (4-2), -- GB

LHP Evan Frederickson:  4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR -- 4.63 ERA
RHP Wily Peralta:  (W, 3-1) 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K -- 3.41 ERA
2B Brett Lawrie:  2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 BB, SB (13), R -- .269 AVG
1B Corey Kemp:  1-3, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, R, K -- .292 AVG
CF Peter Fatse:  1-4, RBI, BB, SB (1), 2 K -- .250 AVG

Helena Brewers (5-4), 1.0 GB

RHP Andre Lamontagne:  4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K -- 1.35 AVG
RHP Adrian Rosario:  (W, 1-1) 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K -- 2.25 AVG
2B Mike Brownstein:  3-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB (2), 2 R -- .600 AVG
RF Scott Krieger:  2-5, HR (5), 3 RBI, BB, SB (1), R, K -- .316 AVG
DH Hitaniel Arias:  2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R, 2 K -- .240 AVG

AZL Brewers (4-5), 1.5 GB

RHP Blakeney Billings:  (L, 0-2) 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 7 K -- 5.73 ERA
RHP Stosh Wawrzasek:  2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K -- 1.29 ERA
CF Lorenzo Cain:  3-4, RBI, R -- .667 AVG
LF Erik Komatsu:  1-2, 1B -- .222 AVG
C Jonathan Requena:  1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R -- .333 AVG

Via Adam McCalvy:

The Brewers have signed three additional players from the 2009 First Year Player Draft as well as two non-drafted players.
 
7th Round - Khris Davis- 6/26 - Assigned to Helena
 
8th Round - Chad Stang - 6/26 - Assigned to Helena
 
25th Round - Demetrius McKelvie - 6/25 - Assigned to Arizona
 
Post Draft - Andrew Sauter - 6/22 - Assigned to Arizona [Followed up on this one and I am told that Sauter is a right-handed pitcher from the University of Texas-Arlington.]

The Brewers have also signed RHP Andrew Dunn. Dunn recently completed his senior season at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.  He was not selected in the 2009 First Year Player Draft.
 
A total of 26 players have been signed from the 2009 draft, plus four non-drafted players.

Jorge Arangure says the Brewers have agreed to terms with OF Jose Alberto Pena:

BREAKING: DR OF Jose Alberto Peña will sign with the #Brewers. Bonus amount coming info coming...