The Milwaukee Brewers are reshaping their franchise with an injection of youth and prospects.
Every Thursday for the rest of the season, FOX Sports Wisconsin will take a closer look at some specific young players -- as well as noting others who might be stepping up -- measuring, highlighting and evaluating their progress. Please note the glossary of advanced stats at the bottom of the story.
This is the 15th edition of the Young Brewers Tracker.
IN THE MAJORS
Zach Davies (age 23)
Last week: 1 game (1 start), 1-0, 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K, .143 OBA, .217 OBP, .190 SLG, 0.789 WHIP
Season: 17 games (17 starts), 7-4, 3.64 ERA, 99 IP, 1.182 WHIP, 8.3 H/9, 1.1 HR/9, 2.4 BB/9, 7.3 K/9, .247 OBA, .301 OBP, .401 SLG, 116 ERA+, 4.01 FIP, 1.6 WAR
Notable: Davies allowed three hits against the Cubs in his last start. In his 17 starts this season (through Wednesday), he has given up three or fewer hits in a game five times and has also allowed four hits once. In Davies' last nine starts, he has allowed two or fewer runs seven times.
Ramon Flores (age 23)
Last week: 5 games, 13 PA, 1 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, .091 BA, .231 OBP, .091 SLG, .322 OPS, -4 sOPS+, .100 BAbip
Season: 89 games, 262 PA, .211 BA, .293 OBP, .260 SLG, .553 OPS, 8 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 17 R, 17 RBI, 3 SB, 26 BB, 54 K, .267 BAbip, 50 OPS+, -1.0 WAR.
Notable: It has been a struggle for Flores this season, but especially at home. Through Wednesday's games, he is batting just 159/260/186 at Miller Park this season.
Domingo Santana (age 23)
Last week: n/a
Season: 40 games, 150 PA, .234 BA, .347 OBP, .391 SLG, .737 OPS, 8 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 19 R, 13 RBI, 0 SB, 21 BB, 52 K, 98 OPS+, .361 BAbip, -0.5 WAR.
Notable: Placed on the disabled list June 9 due to right elbow soreness. Was expected to begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Wisconsin this week but had a setback.
Jonathan Villar (age 25)
Last week: 6 games, 24 PA, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 2b, 1 3b, 1 HR, 2 SB, 2 BB, 7 K, .227 BA, .292 OBP, .545 SLG, .837 OPS, 128 sOPS+, .286 BAbip
Season: 96 games, 420 PA, .297 BA, .379 OBP, .437 SLG, .816 OPS, 23 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 51 R, 38 RBI, 36 SB, 49 BB, 109 K, 118 OPS+, .400 BAbip, 2.4 WAR.
Notable: Four of his five hits last week were for extra bases. Villar is on pace to become the eighth Brewers shortstop to have a slugging percentage of .400 or better. The others: Bill Hall (twice), Dale Sveum, J.J. Hardy (twice), Jean Segura, Jose Hernandez (twice), Jose Valentin (twice) and Robin Yount (six times).
DOWN ON THE FARM
Orlando Arcia (age 21/Triple-A)
Last week: 6 games, 24 AB, 6 H, 2 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 1 BB, 7 K, .250 BA.
Season: 95 games, 386 AB, .267 BA, .321 OBP, .399 SLG, .720 OPS, 18 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, 57 R, 47 RBI, 14 SB, 29 BB, 75 K.
Notable: Many figured Arcia would be in the majors before he turned 22. There's still time, but not much. His birthday is Aug. 4. Arcia's slugging percentage dipped under .400 for the first time since July 8.
Season: 29 games, 105 AB, .219 BA, .354 OBP, .400 SLG, .754 OPS, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 14 R, 10 RBI, 1 SB, 22 BB, 33 K.
Notable: Activated from the disabled list on July 25. Had been placed on the DL on June 26 with a hamstring injury.
Isan Diaz (age 20/Single-A)
Last week: 6 games, 20 AB, 10 H, 3 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 6 R, 8 RBI, 3 SB, 5 BB, 7 K, .500 BA.
Season: 99 games, 377 AB, .268 BA, .350 OBP, .477 SLG, .827 OPS, 26 2B, 4 3B, 15 HR, 49 R, 62 RBI, 3 SB, 46 BB, 106 K.
Notable: Had a nine-game hit streak ended July 27 (but still batted .500 on the week). Had three-hit games July 21 and July 23. In the latter, hit a triple and two home runs (including a walk-off) and drove in six runs. Since the Single-A All-Star Game, Diaz is hitting 341/431/699 in 32 games.
Lucas Erceg (age 21/Single-A)
Last week: 6 games, 23 AB, 9 H, 1 2B, 2 3B, 1 R, 6 RBI, 1 SB, 1 BB, 6 K, .391 BA.
Season: 7 games, 29 AB, .414 BA, .419 OBP, .586 SLG, 1.006 OPS, 1 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 2 R, 6 RBI, 1 SB, 1 BB, 6 K.
Notable: Erceg has a hit in six of his seven games since being promoted to Wisconsin, including four multiple-hit games. The one thing he's had more trouble with is steals. Erceg was 8 of 9 on stolen-base attempts at Helena but is just 1 of 4 at Wisconsin.
Josh Hader (age 22/Triple-A)
Last week: 1 game (1 start), 0-0, 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Season (Double-A): 11 games (11 starts), 2-1, 0.95 ERA, 57 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 38 H, 1 HR, 19 BB, 73 K, .194 OBA.
Season (Triple-A): 7 games (7 starts), 0-3, 6.42 ERA, 33 2/3 IP, 1.66 WHIP, 36 H, 3 HR, 20 BB, 40 K, .281 OBA.
Notable: Hader had his best home start (of his four) since being assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs. In his previous two home starts, Hader allowed 13 runs on 16 hits in seven innings.
Gilbert Lara (age 18/Rookie)
Last week: 4 games, 13 AB, 1 H, 2 R, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 1 BB, 4 K, .077 BA.
Season: 30 games, 116 AB, .198 BA, .266 OBP, .259 SLG, .524 OPS, 4 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 12 R, 9 RBI, 2 SB, 9 BB, 33 K.
Notable: After getting his batting average as high as .222 last week, Lara is back under .200 for the first time since July 15.
Jorge Lopez (age 23/Double-A)
Last week: n/a
Season (Triple-A): 17 games (16 starts), 1-7, 6.81 ERA, 79 1/3 IP, 1.97 WHIP, 101 H, 5 HR, 55 BB, 66 K, .312 OBA
Notable: Lopez was moved down to Double-A Biloxi on July 25. He hasn't pitched since July 17.
Jacob Nottingham (age 21/Double-A)
Last week: 4 games, 15 AB, 3 H, 1 2B, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 BB, 5 K, .200 BA.
Season: 85 games, 314 AB, .236 BA, .301 OBP, .334 SLG, .635 OPS, 10 2B, 0 3B, 7 HR, 36 R, 26 RBI, 5 SB, 24 BB, 97 K.
Notable: Went 2 for 4 on July 22, his first multiple-hit game since July 13 and his fourth of the month.
Brett Phillips (Age 22/Double-A)
Last week: 6 games, 24 AB, 5 H, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 2 BB, 8 K, .208 BA.
Season: 89 games, 324 AB, .225 BA, .320 OBP, .410 SLG, .730 OPS, 14 2B, 5 3B, 12 HR, 46 R, 47 RBI, 7 SB, 43 BB, 119 K.
Notable: Hit a home run on July 22, his first since June 27, a 21-game drought. In that same game, Phillips broke an 0 for 32 skid.
Corey Ray (age 21/Single-A)
Last week: 6 games, 25 AB, 4 H, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 SB, 1 BB, 8 K, .160 BA.
Season: 22 games, 97 AB, .227 BA, .260 OBP, .278 SLG, .538 OPS, 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 8 R, 7 RBI, 3 SB, 4 BB, 21 K.
Notable: Had the first three-hit game of his career on July 27.
Michael Reed (age 23/Triple-A)
Last week: 6 games, 25 AB, 8 H, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 2 BB, 7 K, .320 BA
Season: 90 games, 314 AB, .245 BA, .363 OBP, .338 SLG, .700 OPS, 15 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 51 R, 34 RBI, 18 SB, 55 BB, 97 K.
Notable: Has a six-game hitting streak, including two-hit games on July 21 and July 25.
Wendell Rijo (age 20/Single-A)
Last week: 5 games, 19 AB, 3 H, 2 R, 0 RBI, 1 SB, 4 BB, 3 K, .158 BA
Season (Brewers only): 15 games, 64 AB, .188 BA, .246 OBP, .219 SLG, .465 OPS, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 6 R, 5 RBI, 2 SB, 4 BB, 3 K.
Notable: Had a two-hit game on July 24 and has walked in four of his last five games.
Others: Colorado Spring OF Kyle Wren is batting .425 with 7 RBI, 7 BB and 5 SB over his last 10 games. . . . 3B Garrett Cooper (6th round, 2013) promoted from Biloxi to Colorado Springs. He was hitting 299/350/419 in Double-A. . . . Biloxi RHP Stephen Kohlscheen has a 2.19 ERA, .212 OBA, 1.03 WHIP and 48 K in 37 IP. Over his last 10 games he has a 1.86 ERA and 17 K in 9 2/3 IP. . . . In his last four starts, Biloxi RHP Brandon Woodruff (11th round, 2014) has allowed one run on 14 hits over 23 2/3 IP with 32 K. . . . 3B Dustin Dumuth (5th round, 2014) was promoted from Brevard County to Biloxi. He was batting 287/358/404 in Single-A. . . . C Ghelfi moved up from Wisconsin to Brevard County. He was hitting 326/387/439 with the Timber Rattlers. . . . Helena 3B Ronnie Gideon (23rd round, 2016) is batting .303 over his last 10 games. . . . Helena OF Demi Orimoloye (4th round, 2015) is tied for second in the league with 13 SB. . . . Recently promoted from the Arizona Brewers, RHP Aaron Myers has pitched a scoreless 4 2/3 IP with 1H, 0 BB and 7 K. . . . RHP Colton Cross (31st round, 2015), RHP Jordan Desquin (36th round, 2015) and RHP Nash Walters (3rd round, 2015) were named Pioneer League All-Stars.
A glossary of some of the advanced statistics used:
OPS: On base percentage + slugging percentage
OPS+: OPS compared to league average of 100, adjusted to the player's ballpark
sOPS+: OPS for the split (in our case the last 7 days) compared to the league's split OPS (100 being average).
BAbip: Batting average on balls in play.
WHIP: Walks plus hits divided by innings pitched.
ERA+: ERA compared to league average of 100, adjusted to the player's ballpark
FIP: Fielding Independent Pitching. Measures a pitcher's effectiveness at presenting home runs, walks and hit by pitches while causing strikeouts. The MLB average FIP is the same as the MLB average ERA.
WAR: Wins Above Replacement value. Represents the number of wins the player added to the team above what a replacement player would add (we are using WAR from baseball-reference.com).
Statistics courtesy baseball-reference.com and milb.com
Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns
