News

Brewers Sign Ernie Camacho

December 19

Looking to bolster their beleaguered bullpen, the Brewers announced today the signing of 27-year-old free agent right handed pitcher Ernie Camacho. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Drafted in the first round by Oakland in 1976, Camacho fought to climb past Triple-A Ogden in the A’s system before making a brief five-game appearance with Oakland in 1980. In April of 1981, Camacho was sent to the Pirates in a trade for pitcher Bob Owchinko. After a pedestrian year in which Camacho compiled a 2-3 record and 4.74 ERA with Triple-A Portland and 4.98 ERA in seven appearances with the Pirates, he was dealt with Vance Law to the White Sox for Ross Baumgarten and Butch Edge. The reliever pitched seven games for Triple-A Edmonton in 1982 before the Orioles picked him up. In all, Ernie pitched 37.1 innings this season between those two systems, logging an 0-1 record and 2.65 ERA.

Camacho may have had a long journey, but his recent success may be evidence that he is ready to contribute in the big leagues. He will compete in spring training for a job in a bullpen that struggled last season and could use another dependable arm.

What do you think, is Camacho a solid addition?

Down on the Farm

December 9

Is the next Paul Molitor waiting in the Brewers system?

The Brewers may have swung trades to nab stars like Rollie Fingers, Pete Vuckovich, Ted Simmons, Cecil Cooper and Ben Oglivie, but others such as Robin Yount and Paul Molitor are homegrown. This team does have a strong nucleus, but some of the veterans are getting up there in years.

On Opening Day of 1985, the average age of the current starting lineup will be 33. The average age of the team’s current best pitchers will be 36. As a result, the Brewers will need to have some prospects develop into stars over the next few years to remain at a high level.

“As long as you don’t let it [age] get too big on you, you’re all right,” said Brewers general manager Harry Dalton. But if you do stand pat, get lulled by your success, you’re going to get hurt. We won’t plan to make any wholesale changes in our ballclub at the winter meetings in Hawaii, but in the back of my mind will be the fact we have some players getting up in years.”

To be blunt, there isn’t much talent immediately ready for 1983, but the deeper you look the more talent you will find. As a result, the Brewers are built to rely on their current team now and will have the next crop of stars rising up during the coming two to three years.

Let’s take a look at each level, including quotes from an unnamed scout.

Vancouver Canadians (AAA)

If you are looking for a good back-up catcher, this is where you start. The Brewers have two solid prospects at the position in Bill Schroeder and Steve Lake. Of course, the Brewers already have three catching capable players on the big league roster, but the depth could be a source of a potential trade.

The scout thinks that Schroeder “could be a good second catcher” and that Lake has a “hell of an arm.” But neither are projected to be the starting catcher if Ted Simmons’ career submarines.

Bob Skube may be the player most likely to make an impact in 1983. He has a “better than average arm, he’s a better than average runner and a fair hitter.” That could be exactly what the Brewers need in the outfield, even as a backup.

Unfortunately, there is not much immediate help in the pitching ranks. We’ve already seen Chuck Porter and Doug Jones. The scout says that Jones is “below average in most of his pitches,” and due to his age he “has to make it now or else.” Porter has “good velocity but spotty control.”

Pacific Coast League (AAA)

North Division
Tm	Aff	W	L	W-L%	GB
Tacoma Tigers	OAK	84	59	.587	—
Spokane Indians	ANA	78	65	.545	6
Vancouver Canadians	MIL	72	72	.500	12.5
Edmonton Trappers	CHW	70	74	.486	14.5
Portland Beavers	PIT	65	79	.451	19.5

Top Hitting Prospects
Name	Age	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
Bill Schroeder	23	425	66	113	22	77	2	.266
Larry Rush	25	477	58	125	13	70	14	.262
Doug Loman	24	411	57	106	14	64	10	.258
Bob Skube	24	433	55	121	13	61	13	.279

Top Pitching Prospects
Name	Age	W	L	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO
Rich Olsen	25	5	5	3.56	101.0	101	54	52
Chuck Porter	27	8	12	3.98	183.1	196	59	102
Michael Anderson	29	5	5	3.29	101.1	92	64	61
Doug Jones	25	5	8	2.97	106.0	109	31	60

El Paso Diablos (AA)

It’s easy to get excited about offensive stats of the Diablos while being concerned about the stats of the pitchers, but the truth in their respective abilities aren’t accurately reflected by statistics. “You should take about 20 points off every batting average,” said the scout, “and a run and a half off every earned run average. So with that in mind…

There is some excellent offensive talent in El Paso, though they may be a couple of years from reaching Milwaukee. Randy Ready, a 22-year-old third baseman, led the Texas League in batting at a staggering .375 clip while smacking 20 homers and driving in 99. Ready is athletic and the Brewers will either be forced to make room for him or shift the rising star to the outfield.
Scout on Ready: “Can’t see him not hitting .300 wherever he plays.”

Ready may be one of the most polished prospects in the Brewers’ system, but outfielder Dion James may have the most upside. At only 19 years old, James was the youngest player in the Texas League in 1982. He projects to have above average speed and power with the ability to hit for average.
Scout on James: “He has it all.”

Bob Gibson and Jamie Cocanower are a bit old at 25 to be in AA, but they also may be primed to make the leap to the big club at some point in 1983 if the Brewers need immediate pitching help.
Scout on Gibson: “He throws 89-92 consistently.”

Texas League (AA)

West Division
Tm	Aff	W	L	W-L%	GB
El Paso Diablos	MIL	76	60	.559	—
Midland Cubs	CHC	67	66	.504	7.5
San Antonio Dodgers	LAD	68	68	.500	8
Amarillo Gold Sox	SDP	61	74	.452	14.5

Top Hitting Prospects
Name	Age	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
Randy Ready	22	475	122	178	20	99	13	.375
Dion James	19	422	103	136	9	72	16	.322
Steven Michael	25	435	92	150	19	89	9	.345
Bill Foley	25	415	76	128	23	106	0	.308

Top Pitching Prospects
Name	Age	W	L	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO
Bob Gibson	25	6	2	2.17	66.1	55	39	66
Jaime Cocanower	25	3	1	3.32	62.1	73	30	29
Daniel Burns	23	10	4	3.78	116.2	128	29	63
Andy Beene	25	8	2	4.15	80.1	73	51	62

Beloit Brewers (A)

There is a nice mixture of exciting, young hitting and pitching in Beloit. Bill Wegman, a rising young hurler, and Jim Paciorek, a versatile player who is the brother of White Sox first baseman Tom Paciorek, may be the most likely to see time on the Brewers. Paciorek’s progress has been slow, however, though he made a leap in 1982. Wegman projects as a top of the rotation starter, though he may be three or four years away.

Midwest League (A)

Central Division
Tm	Aff	W	L	W-L%	GB
Springfield Cardinals	STL	83	53	.610	—
Beloit Brewers	MIL	71	68	.511	13.5
Clinton Giants	SFG	63	75	.457	21
Danville Suns	CAL	57	80	.416	26.5

Top Hitting Prospects
Name	Age	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
Jim Paciorek	22	312	38	101	4	37	6	.324
Ty Van Burkleo	18	412	61	99	22	65	5	.240
Butch Kirby	20	415	54	92	0	37	45	.222
Collin Tanabe	23	365	49	102	10	51	6	.279

Top Pitching Prospects
Name	Age	W	L	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO
Bill Wegman	19	12	6	2.81	179.2	176	38	129
Bryan Clutterbuck	22	13	6	3.63	173.2	165	56	138
Rob Derksen	22	3	3	1.79	55.1	39	16	48
Wendell Walker	21	8	6	3.28	123.1	114	56	89

Stockton Ports (A)

Scott Roberts may be the best pitching prospect in the Brewers’ organization. He has a plus fastball that should be able to get out hitters at the big league level.
Scout on Roberts: “He needs to use his fastball more because he can overpower a game.”

Speed and defense are the name of the game in Stockton, and Ernie Riles and Mike Felder personify that. Riles is a flashy shortstop and Felder is likely the fastest player in the California League — if not all of baseball. Felder, who stole 92 bases in 1982, could add another dimension for the Brewers on the base paths, though his bat still needs to develop.

Tim Crews projects as a middle of the rotation starter or solid arm out of the bullpen.

California League (A)

North Division
Tm	Aff	W	L	W-L%	GB
Modesto A’s	OAK	94	46	.671	—
Stockton Ports	MIL	81	57	.587	12
Reno Padres	SDP	70	68	.507	23
Redwood Pioneers	ANA	65	75	.464	29
Lodi Dodgers	LAD	58	82	.414	36

Top Hitting Prospects
Name	Age	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
Ernie Riles	21	447	60	128	2	56	21	.286
Mike Felder	20	524	102	138	7	47	92	.263
Carlos Ponce	23	489	59	140	6	79	17	.286
Juan Castillo	20	483	60	130	0	42	36	.269

Top Pitching Prospects
Name	Age	W	L	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO
Tim Crews	21	10	4	3.37	139.0	151	28	83
Raymond Gallo	23	6	2	1.81	44.2	37	22	39
Brian Mignano	22	1	4	2.89	28.0	21	13	14
Scott Roberts	22	14	6	2.53	174.1	151	41	137

Pikeville Brewers (Rookie)

Experts were enamored with the Brewers 1982 draft, and several draftees already put up solid numbers. Sveum is yet another solid, young shortstop who projects to have power, while Billy Jo Robidoux may be the power hitting first baseman the Brewers need when Cecil Cooper passes his prime (though he is playing third base for now).

The best pitching overall in the Brewers system may in fact be in Pikeville. Sure, they likely won’t see the big stage for at least three more years, but Bosio, Crim and Aldrich may be a fixture in the Brewers rotation for years to come.

Appalachian League (Rookie)

North Division
Tm	Aff	W	L	W-L%	GB
Bluefield Orioles	BAL	47	22	.681	—
Paintsville Yankees	NYY	43	27	.614	4.5
Pulaski Braves	ATL	36	33	.522	11
Pikeville Brewers	MIL	25	42	.373	21

Top Hitting Prospects
Name	Age	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG
Dale Sveum	18	223	29	52	2	21	6	.233
Billy Jo Robidoux	18	167	28	48	0	13	2	.287
Edgar Diaz	18	24	4	2	0	0	0	.083
Dewey James	21	213	38	56	6	27	22	.263

Top Pitching Prospects
Name	Age	W	L	ERA	IP	H	BB	SO
Chris Bosio	19	3	2	4.91	51.1	60	17	53
Chuck Crim	20	4	6	2.56	77.1	62	18	76
Jay Aldrich	21	1	2	4.19	53.2	44	28	37
Hipolito Pena	18	0	2	4.64	21.1	23	16	23

Brewers Re-Sign McClure

December 6

The Milwaukee Brewers announced today that they have signed free agent Bob McClure to a four year, $1.95 Million contract. The deal includes $150,000 in bonuses, a $100,000 buyout and an option for a fifth year.

McClure, who became a free agent on November 10, was considered a hot commodity and was seven different teams in the re-entry draft. The offer from the Brewers was rumored to be lower than that of the A’s, who some thought had signed McClure a couple of weeks ago.

“It’s very hard to leave a contending team to go someplace else where you don’t know what’s going to happen,” said McClure. “And there are other things. For one thing, the support these fans showed for us last year — especially after the strike — was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. These fans love this club. I wouldn’t want to come back here and get booed by 40,000 or 50,000 people.”

Did McClure receive any pressure from teammates to re-sign with the Brewers? It’s not clear if he was joking, but McClure says Robin Yount taunted him the past few days from outside of his window.

“He stood there swinging a bat,” said McClure. “He was trying to show me what it would be like having to pitch against those guys next year. Heck, I wouldn’t want to pitch against these guys. I might be dumb, but I’m no fool.”

McClure has been a Brewer since a 1977 trade with the Kansas City Royals. Prior to 1982, the 30-year-old hurler was used almost exclusively out of the bullpen. But the Brewers had trouble finding stability in the back-end of their rotation early on last season, so McClure got to see action as a starter in 26 games. He was signed to be a starter, but his flexibility is also an attractive asset.

Signing McClure guarantees he will be a Brewer through the 1986 season, when he will turn 34. Since it is unclear whether he has a spot in a rotation that has only two spots open (Mike Caldwell, Don Sutton and Cy Young award winner Pete Vuckovich anchor the first three spots), should the Brewers have made such a commitment to a pitcher who may be used primarily out of the bullpen for four years?

You tell us.

Ripken Wins AL ROY

November 24

Cal Ripken, Jr. has been announced as the runaway winner of the American League Rookie of the Year Award by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Ripken, who received 24 of 28 possible first place votes, hit .264 with 28 homers and 93 RBI. The voters undoubtedly considered factors other than offensive numbers since Minnesota’s Kent Hrbek (.301, 23 homers, 92 RBI) was equally as impressive with the bat.

This is a point that did not go unnoticed by ornery Twins owner Calvin Griffith who called the result “an out-and-out travesty.”

Griffith said that he thinks Ripken is a good player, but “by no stretch of the imagination is he the all-around baseball player that Hrbek is.”

The voters disagreed. And, really… The stats did as well.

Ripken’s Orioles team was more involved in the pennant race, though they lost the division to the Brewers on the final day. And Ripken is also a shortstop, which is a much more demanding position than first base, which is Hrbek’s position.

What do you think? Did the award go to the right player?

Player – Tm	Pts	1st	AVG	HR	RBI	W	ERA	SV
Cal Ripken, BAL	132	24	.264	28	93
Kent Hrbek, MIN	90	4	.301	23	92
Wade Boggs, BOS	10	0	.349	5	44
Ed Vande Berg, SEA	9	0		0	0	9	2.37	5
Gary Gaetti, MIN	4	0	.230	25	84
D Hostetler, TEX	3	0	.232	22	67
Von Hayes, CLE	2	0	.250	14	82
Jesse Barfield, TOR	1	0	.246	18	58

Sax Wins NL ROY

November 22

Steve Sax of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America, edging out Pittsburgh’s Johnny Ray by six points.

It’s become an award reserved only for members of the Dodgers, who have now won in four consecutive seasons. Other members of the Dodgers Rookie of the Year Club include Rick Sutcliffe (1979), Steve Howe (1980) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981). So, which new member of the Dodgers will win in 1983? Mike Marshall?

Sax squeaked by with only nine of a possible 24 first place votes. Five different players received first place votes with Ray (six), Willie McGee of the Cardinals (five), Chili Davis of the Giants (five) and Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs (one) receiving the other votes.

The honor is, however, not unanimously recognized. Ray has been named Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News, with Sax taking second.

Player – Tm	Pts	1st	AVG	HR	RBI	W	ERA	SV
Steve Sax, LAD	63	9	.282	4	47
Johnny Ray, PIT	57	6	.281	7	63
Willie McGee, STL	39	5	.296	4	56
Chili Davis, SFG	32	3	.261	19	76
Luis DeLeon, SDP	10	0	.091	0	0	9	2.03	15
R Sandberg, CHC	9	1	.271	7	54
S Bedrosian, ATL	4	0	.038	0	0	8	2.42	11
Dave LaPoint, STL	1	0	.053	0	1	9	3.42	0
Eric Show, SDP	1	0	.146	0	0	10	2.64	3

Murphy Wins NL MVP

November 17

The votes are in from the Baseball Writers Association of America, and Dale Murphy of the Atlanta Braves has been named the National League’s Most Valuable Player for the 1982 season.

The announcement isn’t particularly surprising, given that Murphy received 14 of 24 possible first place votes. Murphy, 26, had the best season in his young career, batting .281 with 36 homers and 109 RBI. Murphy becomes the first Braves player to win MVP since Hank Aaron in 1957 when the Braves played in Milwaukee.

“I think it was more a tribute to how our team did,” said a humble Murphy, “our team doing that well is really the reason I was being considered.”

Cardinal outfielder Lonnie Smith finished a bit closer than many speculated, getting 218 votes to Murphy’s 283. The results may have been even closer had two first place votes not gone to closer Bruce Sutter, Lonnie Smith’s teammate.

What do you think? Did the award go to the right player?

Player – Tm	Pts	1st	AVG	HR	RBI	W	ERA	SV
Dale Murphy, ATL	283	14	.281	36	109
Lonnie Smith, STL	218	8	.307	8	69
P. Guerrero, LAD	175	0	.304	32	100
Al Oliver, MON	175	0	.331	22	109
Bruce Sutter, STL	134	2	.125	0	1	9	2.90	36
Mike Schmidt, PHI	54	0	.280	35	87
Jack Clark, SFG	53	0	.274	27	103
Greg Minton, SFG	44	0	.176	0	1	10	1.83	30
Steve Carlton, PHI	41	0	.218	2	8	23	3.10	0
Bill Buckner, CHC	38	0	.306	15	105
Bill Madlock, PIT	37	0	.319	19	95
Gary Carter, MON	35	0	.293	29	97
Ozzie Smith, STL	25	0	.248	2	43
G. Hendrick, STL	20	0	.282	19	104
T. Kennedy, SDP	20	0	.295	21	97
Joe Morgan, SFG	17	0	.289	14	61
K. Hernandez, STL	12	0	.299	7	94
J. Thompson, PIT	12	0	.284	31	101
J. Andujar, STL	6	0	.158	0	4	15	2.47	0
Gene Garber, ATL	6	0	.133	0	0	8	2.34	30
A. Dawson, MON	3	0	.301	23	83
F. Valenzuela, LAD	3	0	.168	1	9	19	2.87	0
C. Chambliss, ATL	2	0	.270	20	86
Gary Matthews, PHI	2	0	.281	19	83
Ray Knight, HOU	1	0	.294	6	70