:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42566030/453870608.0.jpg)
Darnell Coles was named as the new hitting coach for the Brewers.
Two weeks ago, the Brewers announced that Ron Roenicke would return and that hitting coach Johnny Narron and first base coach Garth Iorg would not. They started a search for new coaches soon after that, and we now know who one of them will be. Yesterday, the Brewers announced that Darnell Coles will take over the position. Coles had been with the Brewers from 2010-2013 in the minor leagues at Double-A Huntsville. The Tigers hired him last season to be their assistant hitting coach, and now he will return to the Brewers organization. They are hoping familiarity with the hitters will help him work with them, and that some of the success the Tigers saw in their offense will carry over.
Jonathan Lucroy and Gerardo Parra were named Gold Glove finalists.
Yesterday afternoon, Rawlings announced their Gold Glove finalists for each position in each league. Two Brewers made the lists at their respective positions. Jonathan Lucroy was named as one of the finalists at catcher, and Gerardo Parra was also named as a finalist in right field. Lucroy's nomination is not much of a surprise, as he has been regarded as the best catcher in the National League this season. He will compete against Russell Martin and Yadier Molina for the title, who have combined to win the last seven awards at the position. Meanwhile, Parra's competition will be Jason Heyward and Giancarlo Stanton, and both are superstars at the position. The one notable snub this year is Carlos Gomez, who won the award in center field last year but was not a finalist this year. Instead, Billy Hamilton, Juan Lagares, and Denard Span were named for center field. There is an argument that Gomez wasn't as good defensively this year, but there is one candidate on that list that wasn't as good as Gomez. We will find out who wins the award at each position on November 4.
Cram Session
MVBrewers
- With 52% of the vote, Kyle Lohse took the #4 spot in our MVBrewers series, and we ran a profile of Lohse yesterday.
- You have less than 2 hours to vote for #5, and it is the closest race yet. Yovani Gallardo and Francisco Rodriguez are tied at the time of this writing, with Mike Fiers only three votes behind.
- How well do you remember last year's MVBrewers series? Kyle has a test for your knowledge with yesterday's Thursday Thinker.
Other Stories from BCB
- Continuing in his series of reviewing preseason projections, Jordan looks at the catcher & first base positions, what they were projected to do and what they actually did.
- Who would you sign to play first base? Derek breaks down the different options that the Brewers have.
Other Notes
- Adam LaRoche talk has been building, and with the start of free agency getting closer, it won't be much longer until the contract talks behind. Sam Clancy of Call to the Pen has the five most likely destinations for the first baseman. (I'll save you some clicks, list from fifth to first: Tigers, Marlins, Brewers, Mariners, Pirates)
- Building success in a small market is a tough thing to do. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel looks at how tough it is to build a team in a small market by looking at the Brewers challenges in building their team.
- Could five-man infields be a new defensive shift that is regularly employed? Ryan P. Morrison of Beyond the Box Score analyzes how a five-man infield could help a team.
- Nicholas Zettel of Reviewing the Brew looks back at the last week and a half in the different winter leagues.
- The Brewers will be in Cleveland on August 25 next season, but Miller Park will be getting some use. Caitlin Moyer reports that One Direction will play a show at Miller Park on August 25.
- NotGraphs is in its final days, and its last posts could be up right now. Head over to NotGraphs while you can and enjoy some of their stories.
Postseason Update
This Weekend's Games
- World Series Game 3 - Friday @ 7:00 pm, FOX
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie) @ Giants (Tim Hudson) - World Series Game 4 - Saturday @ 7:00 pm, FOX
Royals (Jason Vargas) @ Giants (Ryan Vogelsong) - World Series Game 5 - Sunday @ 7:00 pm, FOX
Royals (James Shields) @ Giants (Madison Bumgarner)
News & Notes
- Bill Berg of Reviewing the Brew recaps Game 2 of the World Series, focusing on how the former Brewers did in the game.
- Tim Lincecum had an MRI on his back after Game 2 and it came back negative. He is expected to be available for Game 3 tonight.
- Pablo Sandoval will be a free agent once the World Series is done, but the Giants still want to re-sign him. Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports that the Giants will extend a qualifying offer to Sandoval.
- AT&T Park has a lot of quirks to it, some that are not easy to learn. The Royals are doing their best to learn them, and spent their workout day observing how different balls bounced in different areas of the park. They also may start Jarrod Dyson over Nori Aoki for these games since Dyson is the better defender.
- Meanwhile, the shift to an NL park means the Royals will lose a good hitter in their lineup. Dick Kaegel of MLB.com reports that Billy Butler will be out of the starting lineup and limited to pinch-hitting duty for the three games in San Francisco.
- TV Ratings for the World Series rebounded a little in Game 2. More impressive were the local TV ratings in Kansas City, where the Royals are beating the Chiefs in TV ratings.