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Last night, the Milwaukee Brewers held a "Town Hall Meeting" for season ticket holders and VIPs. Manager Craig Counsell and new General Manager David Stearns took the stage at Miller Park (Hank could not attend, unfortunately) for about an hour and a half, where they were asked a series of questions about the Brewers and their future. Fans could have submitted their questions via Instagram of Twitter using #InsideTheBrewers, and of course the fans at the actual event got to line up and ask questions, as well. I had a chance to attend the event (which streamed live on Brewers.com) and was tweeting throughout the night, so for those who missed it here are the highlights of last night's town hall:
"Highlight video" focusing an awful lot on Counsell's hire. - KWL #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 29, 2015
Highlight video now showing clips of the #Brewers top prospects interspersed with Stearns quotes about building to the future.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 29, 2015
We've seen two orgs in the WS right now that did an excellent job building from within. -Stearns #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 29, 2015
If you run a franchise intelligently and stick to your plan...then you can get there. - Stearns on small market comparison to Royals
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 29, 2015
In playoff settings, teams that make a lot of contact tend to have a lot of success, especially recently. - Counsell on contact vs. HR guys
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 29, 2015
Stearns: I want teams that score runs. #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 29, 2015
The analytics and stats only work when you combine them with on the field observations. - Stearns
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 29, 2015
It's about blending together of skill sets. - Stearns on roster building and what skill sets he looks for specifically.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 29, 2015
Astros-Brewers trade was an "adrenaline rush" according to Stearns, who obviously was in Houston at the time.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
If #Brewers win WS, Counsell says they'd have a "big party."
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns said the goal now is more "to make one good decision at a time." #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Counsell: Jason (Rogers) has been a 1B his entire life. He played 3B all season in 2014 in AAA...I think defensively, he's a 1B. #Brewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Counsell: Khris (Davis) is an outfielder. He's never really played 1B. He's an outfielder and an offensive threat. #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Counsell: Khris' name will be written in the lineup everyday, that's for sure. #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns clearly values on base percentage. For obvious reasons. #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
It's a slow process to take a player...and try to improve on it (OBP). -Counsell on teaching patience to hitters #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns identified improving defense as an area of importance from front office and coach perspective. #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns says Mark is an "extraordinarily supportive owner" and that they communicate very often. #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns' current office is Counsell's old office on the 4th floor in the front office. Says it wasn't left "well decorated."
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Realistic expectation is that we'll continue down plan we began this year...continue to acquire and develop young talent. -Stearns
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Declined to offer specifics or timeline because he admits "I don't know." #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
We'll go into everyone year open minded about what the ceiling of that group could be. -Stearns
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns says club will evaluate each prospect differently, looking at performance at AA and AAA and if they can handle the big stage.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Goal is to get them as close to major league ready before promoting them to big leagues.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Counsell: best way for players to get better is to learn in the major leagues. Development isn't finished on day 1.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Counsell says best thing for young players to do is "not to look up at the third deck" when they make their debut.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns said he's been graciously welcome in Milwaukee and has had an easy transition. #InsideTheBrewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
"When it's our time...I want us to be ready to capitalize on that opportunity." - Counsell
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns on pitching: highly volatile, "let's get as much pitching as we possibly can."
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
"How they get outs...is less important than the fact that they're getting outs."
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns says upper level depth of minor league pitching is strong. Specifies Jorge Lopez particularly.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Counsell says that success of young guys in Sept leads him to believe better things will continue to come as players mature.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns says he spoke with Braun a week after back surgery, he was already feeling better at that time. Should be ready to go in Feb.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns specifies Gilbert Lara as a SS prospect who could develop into the prototypical power type third baseman.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Counsell looks as coaching staff as pieces of a puzzle, emphasizes helping aid culture, development, and in game decision making.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Putting analytical info from front office into use to help players is important part of coaching jobs, according to Counsell.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Carlos Gomez is the type of player we want to make #Brewers. -Stearns
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
When asked about top prospects, Counsell mentions Hader and Phillips in AFL. Previously spoke of Arcia, obviously promising.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns says Lucroy is one of the best all-around catchers in baseball. "Unique package" behind the plate. Looking for productive yr in 2016
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns said the budget would have to grow a little bit to accommodate a reunion with Zack Greinke. #Brewers
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
"Free agency is not where you want to build your team...it's a way to supplement your team." -Stearns
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Counsell cites Bob Melvin and Jim Leyland as big influences, and he learned a lot from a brief period under Buck Showalter.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns doesn't sound like he'll be calling out players after being asked by a fan about if he'll have a fiery disposition.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
Stearns knows he'll be judged ultimately by the results on the field more than anything else.
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
An 8 year old fan just got to run around the bases as @joe_block feigned an inside the park HR call. I'm jealous.— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015
That's all for the town hall meeting. Thanks for following along with me! - @brewerfan28
— Brew Crew Ball (@BrewCrewBall) October 30, 2015