The saddest part of Jeffress suspension last year was that it was clear he was starting to harness his incredible gifts.

His first three starts not surprisingly were yo-yo a decent 5 inning 10K (w/1 BB and 4 H) start sandwiched between two absolutely hideous outings of 2.2 (he did have 5Ks but 4BBs to go with 6 hits and 5 ERs) and an even worse 4.2 inning start (11 hits and 9 ERs /he again had 7Ks and this time only 1BB)... those starts are going to skew his stats for the rest of the season in Brevard County.

In his last two starts he has gone deep into both (7 innings) and has been lights out...

June 1st - 7 innings (2 hits and 1 run/ 6Ks and 2BBs)

Tonight - 7 scoreless innings (4 hits/ 8Ks and 1BB)

 
After tonight he has pitched 26.1 innings (despite two absolutely horrible starts given up 27 hits with 9 BBs and 36 Ks... his ERA & WHIP are going to be unrepresentative of how he pitching right now for a while... 3 or 4 more starts like the last two and it might time to move him to Huntsville and let him finish up in AA before shutting him down for the year.)

 

Shutting him down?

How about a September callup? They might package him later to go someone who can help us now...

He pitched 86 innings last year, and if they increase by 30 IP, that would take him to 116.  Maybe they would push him to 125-ish, then by the time he's 22-23 years-old, he'd be ready for 180 innings. 

Jeffress has the best arm in the system, he should be the last guy the Brewers look to move in a trade.  With all the position players in the minors if the Brewers make a move it should be from a area of strength not from an area they are looking to improve...IMO

ghostdog_on_the_beach:

I don't know how many innings the Brewers have scheduled for him this season but I doubt he will have any left over for a September callup. However I have to admit he might be Major League ready a lot sooner then I ever thought he would.

Wait a minute, you think he might be ready sooner than you thought because he put together 2 good starts in A ball? How about we wait until he has 1 good year where he doesn't get suspended. Then we can start figuring out a time frame for him. 

matt stairs:

ghostdog_on_the_beach:

I don't know how many innings the Brewers have scheduled for him this season but I doubt he will have any left over for a September callup. However I have to admit he might be Major League ready a lot sooner then I ever thought he would.

Wait a minute, you think he might be ready sooner than you thought because he put together 2 good starts in A ball? How about we wait until he has 1 good year where he doesn't get suspended. Then we can start figuring out a time frame for him. 

Totally agree.  This kid hasn't proven anything yet.  He needs at least 2 more years of seasoning in the minors.  Just don't ruin his arm like we have every other 1st round pitcher we've taken the last 15 years other the Sheets. 

jammin:

matt stairs:

ghostdog_on_the_beach:

I don't know how many innings the Brewers have scheduled for him this season but I doubt he will have any left over for a September callup. However I have to admit he might be Major League ready a lot sooner then I ever thought he would.

Wait a minute, you think he might be ready sooner than you thought because he put together 2 good starts in A ball? How about we wait until he has 1 good year where he doesn't get suspended. Then we can start figuring out a time frame for him. 

 

 

Totally agree.  This kid hasn't proven anything yet.  He needs at least 2 more years of seasoning in the minors.  Just don't ruin his arm like we have every other 1st round pitcher we've taken the last 15 years other the Sheets. 

ghostdog_on_the_beach:

 First, He has done more then put two good games together. He was pitching very well before the season ended last year, second any optimism around is followed by a post from the world is made of sh** brigade around here. I know he might not make it. However, it takes zero ability to post negative comment after comment about every prospect but (of course Gamel and LaPorta) and every player but Braun, the manager and owner. Me are close to challenging the Phillies for the most self-loathing group in the league. Mets and Yankees sites are more optimistic then this one. I swear it is like sitting at the Goth lunch table in high school, is there anything you guys feel optimistic about concerning the Brewers.

I've made several optimistic posts about prospects, and the Brewers. As for my comments towards Jeffress, I'm sticking by them. The guy hasn't put together a solid year where he hasn't been suspended. He's failed what, 4 drug tests? He struggled his 1st year, pitched better his second, but still hasn't even thrown 150 total innings in his career. So I don't think it was out of line to say he needs to put together a decent year w/o a suspension before we figure a time frame for him. I'm happy he's pitching better, but if you can't see why I would question him, then I don't know what else to say. As much as you're sick of negative posts, I'm sick of people wanting to rush our prospects through the system.

matt stairs:

ghostdog_on_the_beach:

 First, He has done more then put two good games together. He was pitching very well before the season ended last year, second any optimism around is followed by a post from the world is made of sh** brigade around here. I know he might not make it. However, it takes zero ability to post negative comment after comment about every prospect but (of course Gamel and LaPorta) and every player but Braun, the manager and owner. Me are close to challenging the Phillies for the most self-loathing group in the league. Mets and Yankees sites are more optimistic then this one. I swear it is like sitting at the Goth lunch table in high school, is there anything you guys feel optimistic about concerning the Brewers.

 

I've made several optimistic posts about prospects, and the Brewers. As for my comments towards Jeffress, I'm sticking by them. The guy hasn't put together a solid year where he hasn't been suspended. He's failed what, 4 drug tests? He struggled his 1st year, pitched better his second, but still hasn't even thrown 150 total innings in his career. So I don't think it was out of line to say he needs to put together a decent year w/o a suspension before we figure a time frame for him. I'm happy he's pitching better, but if you can't see why I would question him, then I don't know what else to say. As much as you're sick of negative posts, I'm sick of people wanting to rush our prospects through the system.

Good and I stick to mine.

matt stairs:

He's failed what, 4 drug tests?

I could care less if my knock-out prospect likes to unwind with 15-20 bong hits after every game, practice, team meeting, night of sleep, etc.  

And I certainly don't think it's something to get suspended over, its not like it helps him recover from injuries or give him 2-3 mph on his fastball.

All in all, I think other than the games he missed, the drug tests are a non-issue.  Can you blame him, there's not much to do in those single-A cities. 

niled5860:

 

I could care less if my knock-out prospect likes to unwind with 15-20 bong hits after every game, practice, team meeting, night of sleep, etc.  

 

And I certainly don't think it's something to get suspended over, its not like it helps him recover from injuries or give him 2-3 mph on his fastball.

 

All in all, I think other than the games he missed, the drug tests are a non-issue.  Can you blame him, there's not much to do in those single-A cities. 

Whether or not he should be suspended for it isn't the debate. If he fails another test he gets suspended for a year. that's why it is relevant. Regardless of the reason it's a big deal when a top prospect misses a full year. 

matt stairs:

Whether or not he should be suspended for it isn't the debate. If he fails another test he gets suspended for a year. that's why it is relevant. Regardless of the reason it's a big deal when a top prospect misses a full year.

I found a pretty good report on Jeffress. Love the stuff, worried about the fact the wheels tend to come off in starts. Here it is.