This article takes a look at how the Milwaukee Brewers did
in the 1999 season relative to preseason expectations. For an
overview of the approach used in this review, and a definition
of some of the key terms and statistics, please see the overview
page called 1999 Team-by-Team Performance
Reviews.
Capsule Summary
Projected Actual
Runs for 711 815
Runs allowed 818 886
Run Margin -107 -71
Wins 70 74
Pythagorean wins 70 74
Placement 6th 5th
Behind breakout seasons from outfielders Geoff Jenkins and
Jeromy Burnitz and a stellar performance by catcher Dave Nilsson,
the offense of the Brewers outperformed expectations, making the
Brewers a legitimate .500 team if their pitching had followed
suit. It was not to be as the pitching ended up being a hodgepodge
of youngsters and fill-ins for the six pitchers who were placed
on the disabled list. Opening day starter Rafael Roque was ineffective
and was later put in the bullpen. Number two starter Scott Karl
also had troubles, leaving the Brewers without a solid starter
upon which to rely.
The offense went through a style change as former manager Phil
Garner inexplicably abandoned the running game that made up such
a large aspect of his offensive scheme in years past. Centerfielder
Marquis Grissom was the only player to steal as many as 10 bases.
The station-to-station approach hurt the Brewers as they left
1276 men on base, the most in the majors.
Key Position Players
The 1999 Brewers were comprised of their star player, Jeff
Cirillo, and seven guys who had surprising seasons. On the downside,
Sean Berry, who was acquired to play first base, had one of his
worst seasons ever. Middle infielders Fernando Vina and Jose Valentin
both suffered from injuries which allowed Mark Loretta and rookie
Ron Belliard the opportunity to have solid seasons. Marquis Grissom
had a good year (for him) and his outfield mates, Geoff Jenkins
and Jeromy Burnitz established themselves as a future star and
a legitimate power threat, respectively. Catcher Dave Nilsson
had a terrific season in preparation for the 2000 Olympics while
Jeff Cirillo continued his hitting ways.
Dave Nilsson, c, age 29 (as of July 1, 1999)
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 526 143 29 2 17 68 82 2 57 5 84 2 3 .272 .342 .432 .774 78
Prorated Mil 358 97 19 1 11 46 55 1 38 3 57 1 2 .271 .340 .422 .762 51
Actual Mil 343 106 19 1 21 56 62 2 53 6 64 1 2 .309 .400 .554 .954 78
Dave Nilsson is a man on a mission. Entering 1999, he renegotiated
his contract so that he could find a way to play for his native
Australia in the 2000 Olympic games. Nilsson proceeded to have
one of his best seasons ever, making the All-Star team for the
first time. After the season, he signed with a team in Japan,
where the season schedule is more conducive for professionals
to play in the Olympics. A true ambassador of baseball and about
as passionate about the sport as one can be, he is set to achieve
a major milestone in his life.
Bobby Hughes, c, age 28
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 101 23 5 0 4 12 13 1 6 0 22 0 0 .228 .275 .396 .671 11
Prorated Mil 98 22 4 0 3 11 12 0 5 0 21 0 0 .224 .262 .357 .619 9
Actual Mil 101 26 2 0 3 10 8 0 5 0 28 0 0 .257 .292 .366 .659 10
Hughes was the primary backup to Nilsson in 1999. The Brewers
do not believe he is capable of being a starter and have acquired
Henry Blanco and Tyler Houston to work behind the plate in 2000.
Robinson Cancel, c, age 23
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Actual Mil 44 8 2 0 0 5 5 1 2 0 12 0 0 .182 .234 .227 .461 3
Cancel has moved right up the ranks of the Brewers organization
despite never playing more than half a season at any level. There
is no consistency to his performance over the years and he is
nothing special offensively or defensively. With the addition
if a couple of veteran catchers and based on his drab performance
in 1999, he may finally spend a full year at AAA.
Sean Berry, 1b, age 33
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 526 148 34 1 19 71 89 11 44 3 82 6 6 .281 .345 .458 .803 82
Prorated Mil 250 70 16 0 9 33 42 5 20 1 38 2 2 .280 .342 .452 .794 38
Actual Mil 259 59 11 1 2 26 23 3 17 0 50 0 0 .228 .281 .301 .582 22
In 1998, Berry had one of his finest seasons ever, hitting
.314 for the Astros, leading the Brewers to pick him up to be
their first baseman in 1999. By the All-Star break, Berry was
mostly riding the bench and being used as a pinch hitter. Berry
has been bitten by the injury bug so many times during his career,
he looks like a chew toy. 1999 was no exception. Hamstring injuries
bothered him during the early part of the year. With his age and
history, Berry's career is nearing an end.
Brian Banks, 1b/c, age 28
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 76 19 4 0 3 10 12 0 8 0 17 2 1 .250 .318 .421 .739 10
Prorated Mil 222 55 11 0 8 29 35 0 23 0 49 5 2 .248 .316 .405 .721 30
Actual Mil 219 53 7 1 5 34 22 0 25 5 59 6 1 .242 .317 .352 .669 26
Banks has been a catcher for most of his career, being called
up and used as a reserve when one of the major league catchers
became hurt. 1999 had him filling in in a different fashion. With
Sean Berry failing to hit, the Brewers put him at first base in
an effort to get some production. He was an adequate stopgap for
a while but ended up not doing much better than Berry.
Kevin Barker, 1b, age 23
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 70 16 3 0 3 7 9 0 4 0 14 0 0 .229 .267 .400 .667 7
Prorated Mil 118 27 5 0 5 11 15 0 6 0 23 0 0 .229 .266 .398 .664 12
Actual Mil 117 33 3 0 3 13 23 0 9 1 19 1 0 .282 .331 .385 .715 16
When all else failed, the Brewers tried prospect Kevin Barker
at first base. Barker is very similar to the Diamondbacks Travis
Lee in appearance and performance but is better defensively. He
will be given a shot at the full time role in 2000.
Fernando Vina, 2b, age 30
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 590 169 30 9 5 84 41 19 40 2 44 16 12 .286 .350 .393 .743 82
Prorated Mil 159 45 8 2 1 22 11 5 10 0 11 4 3 .283 .345 .377 .722 21
Actual Mil 154 41 7 0 1 17 16 4 14 0 6 5 2 .266 .339 .331 .670 19
The injury prone Vina made two visits to the disabled list
in 1999 for leg problems. There was concern late in the season
over whether his injuries would affect his speed. That concern
was not great enough for the Cardinals, who traded for him over
the winter to be their everyday second baseman, something Vina
has only been able to achieve twice in his seven years in the
majors.
Ron Belliard, 2b, age 24
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 66 16 3 0 1 11 7 1 7 0 10 3 1 .242 .320 .333 .653 7
Prorated Mil 467 113 21 0 7 77 49 7 49 0 70 21 7 .242 .319 .332 .651 51
Actual Mil 457 135 29 4 8 60 58 0 64 0 59 4 5 .295 .379 .429 .808 74
Originally destined for a year of seasoning at AAA, Belliard
was called up to the Brewers when Vina was hurt. Belliard has
demonstrated good patience and strike zone judgement at the plate
in the minors and applied those skills well in the big leagues,
drawing more walks than strikeouts, an unheard of accomplishment
among today's rookies. Belliard has good speed but Brewers managers
were unusually reluctant to steal in 1999. Belliard should provide
20 or more steals a season on a regular basis.
Jeff Cirillo, 3b, age 29
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 563 171 36 2 12 82 68 7 63 1 79 5 4 .304 .379 .439 .818 93
Prorated Mil 613 186 39 2 13 89 74 7 68 1 86 5 4 .303 .378 .437 .815 100
Actual Mil 607 198 35 1 15 98 88 5 75 4 83 7 4 .326 .401 .461 .862 115
Coming out of spring training, Cirillo and Burnitz were the
only position players the Brewers could count on for an above-average
season. Both delivered, with Cirillo posting career bests in batting
average, home runs, and RBI. The career .300 hitter was dealt
to Colorado in January.
Mark Loretta, ss/1b, age 27
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 339 100 17 2 4 43 39 4 33 1 41 5 4 .295 .360 .392 .752 47
Prorated Mil 584 172 29 3 6 74 67 6 56 1 70 8 6 .295 .358 .385 .743 80
Actual Mil 587 170 34 5 5 93 67 10 52 1 59 4 1 .290 .354 .390 .744 83
A utility player by default, the Brewers have never been able
to find a place for Loretta in the infield, always opting for
someone else over him as a starter and then using him to fill
in as needed. Loretta is a good contact hitter and is valuable
from an offensive standpoint if he can be played at a middle infield
position. The majority of his playing time in 1999 was split between
first, where he lacks the power to be an everyday player, and
shortstop. He should be the full-time shortstop in 2000 with Valentin
gone.
Jose Valentin, ss, age 29
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 407 93 21 1 14 55 49 1 46 6 101 11 6 .229 .306 .388 .695 51
Prorated Mil 276 63 14 0 9 37 33 0 31 4 68 7 4 .228 .304 .377 .681 33
Actual Mil 256 58 9 5 10 45 38 2 48 7 52 3 2 .227 .347 .418 .765 41
Valentin tore a thumb ligament at the start of the season,
keeping him out for almost half the year. A switch-hitter, Valentin's
power comes mostly from the left side. He was traded to the White
Sox, where he will battle Mike Caruso for the starting shortstop
job.
Lou Collier, ss, age 25
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 67 16 2 1 0 7 6 1 5 1 11 1 1 .239 .297 .299 .596 6
Prorated Mil 135 32 4 2 0 14 12 2 10 2 22 2 2 .237 .295 .296 .592 11
Actual Mil 135 35 9 0 2 18 21 0 14 0 32 3 2 .259 .325 .370 .695 17
Once considered the fastest player in the Pirates organization
at a time when Tony Womack played for them, Collier has not been
able to utilize his speed for major league success. He has only
a handful of career stolen bases, does not stretch hits for extra
bases very often, and doesn't bunt for hits much either. He does
field pretty well and can play several positions. With Loretta
taking an everyday spot, Collier may be the utility guy in 2000.
Geoff Jenkins, lf, age 24
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 535 125 24 6 15 67 77 7 37 6 123 1 2 .234 .291 .385 .676 58
Prorated Mil 453 106 20 5 12 56 65 5 31 5 104 0 1 .234 .290 .380 .669 48
Actual Mil 447 140 43 3 21 70 82 7 35 7 87 5 1 .313 .371 .564 .935 92
1999 was the type of season expected from Geoff Jenkins all
along. The former first rounder was drafted because of his incredible
hitting ability. He only showed flashes of that ability in his
four years in the minors and a stint with the Brewers in 1998.
Jenkins thumped right handers, slugging over .600, putting him
with the league's top power hitters. Gone unnoticed has been his
fielding. Jenkins has a strong arm for a leftfielder and gets
a good jump on balls in the outfield. A future All-Star.
Alex Ochoa, lf, age 27
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 84 22 5 1 1 12 9 0 5 0 10 1 1 .262 .303 .381 .684 9
Prorated Mil 310 81 18 3 3 44 33 0 18 0 36 3 3 .261 .302 .368 .670 33
Actual Mil 277 83 16 3 8 47 40 5 45 2 43 6 4 .300 .404 .466 .870 55
Ochoa received spot starts throughout the season in left and
rightfield. He is quietly developing into a good hitter. His 45
walks were two fewer than he had in his first 300 major league
games combined. Ochoa is a good fielder with a cannon arm. He
was dealt to his fifth organization, Cincinnati, during the winter.
Marquis Grissom, cf, age 32
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 564 153 27 4 12 68 62 4 32 2 82 17 10 .271 .312 .397 .710 68
Prorated Mil 612 166 29 4 13 73 67 4 34 2 89 18 10 .271 .311 .395 .707 73
Actual Mil 603 161 27 1 20 92 83 0 49 4 109 24 6 .267 .320 .415 .734 81
1999 was a little renaissance for Marquis Grissom. His career
had been on an obvious downslide but last year provided a bit
of stabilization, if not improvement. It was easily his best season
since 1996. Nevertheless, among centerfielders with more than
500 plate appearances, only one other player (Darren Lewis) had
a lower OPS. And Grissom's range in center field isn't what it
used to be, so he doesn't make up for his weak bat with defense.
Jeromy Burnitz, rf, age 30
AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI HP W IW K SB CS AVG OBP SPC OPS RC
Projection Mil 536 131 30 0 29 82 98 5 67 7 138 10 6 .244 .332 .463 .794 84
Prorated Mil 506 123 28 0 27 77 92 4 63 6 130 9 5 .243 .330 .458 .788 78
Actual Mil 467 126 33 2 33 87 103 16 91 7 124 7 3 .270 .402 .561 .963 111
Burnitz was a little closer to the plate when he batted this
year and the results were outstanding. He set personal standards
in OBP, SLG, walks, and hit by pitch and would have bettered some
more marks had he not missed a month with a broken hand sustained
when he was hit by a pitch. Burnitz is a player who should benefit
from new hitting coach Rod Carew's presence as he is an aggressive,
yet patient hitter. He is also a good right fielder with a strong
arm.
Key Pitchers
When the pitching staff wasn't looking like a hospital ward,
it was looking like a who's who of pitchers who once were something.
Jim Abbott, Hideo Nomo, Jason Bere, and Rocky Coppinger all made
appearances in a Brewers uniform. The Brewers had to bring in
somebody to do the job because they had half a dozen pitchers
on the disabled list during 1999. In addition, the fellow expected
to be the ace, Rafael Roque, was terrible and found himself in
the minors and then in the bullpen. Closer Bob Wickman, while
erratic, performed solidly, and young pitchers Steve Woodard and
Kyle Peterson gave hope for the future.
Scott Karl, starter, age 27 (as of July 1, 1999)
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 4.55 32 32 10 12 0 194 209 21 62 118 .278 .765
Prorated Mil 4.55 34 34 11 13 0 206 222 22 66 126 .278 .765
Actual Mil 4.78 33 33 11 11 0 198 246 21 69 74 .312 .824
A nibbler, Karl succeeds by keeping the ball away from the
center of the plate. His repertoire is about average, as are his
results. He was fortunate to keep his ERA under 5.00, as opposing
batters reached him for a .312 average, his control was good but
not outstanding, and he suffered a major dropoff in strikeouts.
He'll be in Colorado next season, and his numbers could be very
scary there unless he's somehow not affected as adversely as most
pitchers by pitching at altitude.
Steve Woodard, starter, age 24
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 3.97 32 32 11 11 0 202 200 22 39 169 .259 .724
Prorated Mil 3.97 31 31 11 11 0 194 193 21 38 163 .259 .724
Actual Mil 4.52 31 29 11 8 0 185 219 23 36 119 .294 .792
Woodard's second full season in the majors wasn't too bad.
He showed up in the spring forty pounds lighter and was virtually
unstoppable in mid-season, going 7-0 with a 2.34 ERA in June and
July. He cracked a bone in his wrist in late July, and that put
him on the disabled list for part of August and September. His
record during those months was 0-3 with a 7.34 ERA. Woodard has
a higher ceiling than most of the Brewers pitchers and will likely
develop into a solid major league starter.
Hideo Nomo, starter, age 30
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projected NYN 4.06 32 32 11 11 0 184 166 22 95 201 .241 .739
Prorated Mil 4.06 31 31 11 11 0 177 159 21 91 193 .241 .739
Actual Mil 4.54 28 28 12 8 0 176 173 27 78 161 .256 .774
It wasn't until May that Nomo was able to find a major league
team for which to pitch. The Mets dumped him, then the Cubs picked
him up and then let him go after four starts in the minors. Nomo
isn't fooling batters anymore and his numbers reflect that. His
strikeout totals have declined every year since he debuted in
1995. He set career highs in home runs allowed and hits per nine
innings. The Brewers waived him at seasons end.
Bill Pulsipher, starter, age 25
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 5.18 32 32 8 13 0 175 189 19 76 122 .278 .789
Prorated Mil 5.18 17 17 4 7 0 91 98 10 39 63 .278 .789
Actual Mil 5.98 19 16 5 6 0 87 100 19 36 42 .287 .849
Pulsipher missed the first half of the season with a bad back.
On his return he had no zip on his pitches and was hit pretty
hard. With Milwaukee's pitching staff by committee, he may find
a role in 2000, but at best it will be in long relief.
Cal Eldred, starter, age 31
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 5.16 14 14 4 5 0 75 83 9 33 51 .281 .804
Prorated Mil 5.16 16 16 5 6 0 88 97 11 39 60 .281 .804
Actual Mil 7.79 20 15 2 8 0 82 101 19 46 60 .297 .918
The former number one draft pick has had a history of injury
problems and 1999 was no exception. Eldred had elbow surgery in
1998 and although he missed the early part of the 1999 season,
he rushed back from rehab and perhaps returned too soon. A forearm
strain knocked him out for a few more weeks and an injured pectoral
muscle ended his season in September. This winter, he was traded
to the White Sox for Jamie Navarro in an exchange of problem pitchers.
Jim Abbott, starter, age 31
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 5.78 32 32 8 14 0 182 222 19 92 103 .306 .842
Prorated Mil 5.78 15 15 4 7 0 86 105 9 44 49 .306 .842
Actual Mil 6.91 20 15 2 8 0 82 110 14 42 37 .317 .889
Abbott had a fantastic spring training which caused the Brewers
to think that the Jim Abbott of old had somehow recaptured his
form of yesteryear. It was not to be and one has to think that
there will not be any more opportunities for him.
Kyle Peterson, starter, age 23
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Actual Mil 4.56 17 12 4 7 0 77 87 3 25 34 .285 .721
Milwaukee has had him on the fast track since he was drafted.
Peterson joined the Brewers in July after just 46 minor league
games. Peterson keeps the ball down well and was able to do so
against major league competition. Potentially a future star.
Jason Bere, starter, age 28
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Cin 5.09 32 32 9 11 0 168 173 23 99 125 .266 .805
Prorated Cin 5.09 9 9 3 3 0 48 50 7 28 36 .266 .805
Actual Cin 6.85 12 10 3 0 0 43 56 6 40 28 .326 .979
Prorated Mil 5.09 4 4 1 1 0 22 23 3 13 17 .266 .805
Actual Mil 4.63 5 4 2 0 0 23 23 3 10 19 .256 .727
Prorated Tot 5.09 13 13 4 5 0 70 73 10 42 52 .266 .805
Actual Tot 6.08 17 14 5 0 0 67 79 9 50 47 .302 .895
Another pitcher with a history of arm troubles, Bere's elbow
gave him trouble while he was with the Reds. He was placed on
the disabled list but was released after he was activated. The
Brewers picked him up and let him rehab a bit at AAA. When Eldred
went down in September, Bere finished the year in the rotation.
His Milwaukee numbers, while limited, reflected his expected performance
pretty well. If his arm can hold up, he will be a valuable pitcher
in Milwaukee's rotation.
Jeff D'Amico, starter, age 23
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 4.34 3 3 1 1 0 19 17 3 5 14 .243 .713
Prorated Mil 4.34 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 .243 .713
Actual Mil 0.00 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 .250 .500
Probably the most celebrated inning pitched by a Brewer in
1999 came on October 2nd. On this date, Jeff D'Amico pitched for
the first time in the majors since September 1997. The former
bright prospect has been plagued by shoulder problems during his
career and the one inning marked the culmination of years of surgery
and rehabilitation. Still only 24 years of age, the Brewers have
their fingers crossed that D'Amico will be ready to pitch in 2000.
Rafael Roque, long relief- starter, age 27
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 5.50 13 13 3 5 0 69 78 11 34 54 .289 .845
Prorated Mil 5.50 16 16 4 6 0 85 97 14 42 67 .289 .845
Actual Mil 5.34 43 9 1 6 1 84 96 16 42 66 .286 .842
The opening day starter, Roque never found his stride going
0-5 with a 6.00 ERA as a starter. He was demoted to AAA and returned
later where he pitched from the bullpen. He pitched to form in
relief and may end up there in 2000.
Dave Weathers, long relief, age 29
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 5.70 34 4 3 5 0 73 94 6 27 59 .318 .836
Prorated Mil 5.70 43 5 4 6 0 91 118 8 34 74 .318 .836
Actual Mil 4.65 63 0 7 4 2 93 102 14 38 74 .279 .805
Weathers 1999 was as unpredictable as…well…the weather.
There were games where Weathers could go out there and work a
few innings without giving up anything while other nights he couldn't
get anybody out and was done after a couple of batters. One of
the more erratic relievers out there.
Valerio de los Santos, long relief, age 23
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 4.54 23 0 2 2 0 40 43 5 15 29 .277 .788
Prorated Mil 4.54 6 0 0 0 0 10 11 1 4 7 .277 .788
Actual Mil 6.48 7 0 0 1 0 8 12 1 7 5 .343 .979
One of a handful of talented young pitchers the Brewers have,
De Los Santos joined the Milwaukee pitcher injury parade by having
surgery to repair a bulging disk in his back. He may be given
an opportunity in long relief in 2000.
Chad Fox, long relief, age 28
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 4.14 53 0 4 4 0 72 74 7 36 79 .268 .757
Prorated Mil 4.14 6 0 0 0 0 8 8 1 4 9 .268 .757
Actual Mil 10.80 6 0 0 0 0 7 11 1 4 12 .355 1.025
Another pitcher expected to play a role for the 1999 team,
Fox lost his season to an elbow injury.
Mike Myers, lefty specialist, age 30
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 4.46 70 0 4 4 1 71 73 10 32 68 .268 .785
Prorated Mil 4.46 40 0 2 2 1 40 41 6 18 39 .268 .785
Actual Mil 5.23 71 0 2 1 0 41 46 7 13 35 .291 .831
If opposing managers would cooperate and let Mike Myers face
only left-handed batters, he might be considered a top reliever.
Myers held lefties to a .188 average in 1999. Those pesky hitters
from the right side walloped him for a .397 average and a .641
slugging percentage.
Eric Plunk, setup man, age 35
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 3.91 70 0 5 5 2 97 91 12 42 105 .249 .738
Prorated Mil 3.91 56 0 4 4 2 78 73 10 34 85 .249 .738
Actual Mil 5.02 68 0 4 4 0 75 71 15 43 63 .251 .849
Plunk is starting to show his age. His 5.14 walks per nine
innings was his highest since 1990. His 1.79 home runs per nine
innings was his highest mark ever. And he struck out less than
one batter an inning for the first time since 1992. He also faced
more batters in relief than he ever had before in a season, a
fact that may have accounted for a poor second-half performance.
Rocky Coppinger, setup man, age 25
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Bal 5.40 9 0 1 1 0 18 18 3 9 14 .257 .766
Prorated Bal 5.40 12 0 1 1 0 24 23 4 12 18 .257 .766
Actual Bal 8.31 11 2 0 1 0 22 25 8 19 17 .294 1.019
Prorated Mil 5.40 18 0 2 2 0 37 36 6 18 28 .257 .766
Actual Mil 3.68 29 0 5 3 0 37 35 5 23 39 .250 .747
Prorated Tot 5.40 30 0 3 3 0 61 60 10 30 46 .257 .766
Actual Tot 5.40 40 2 5 4 0 58 60 13 42 56 .267 .850
Great things were always expected from Coppinger when he was
in Baltimore. He hit the majors at age 22 and was to be in the
rotation from there on. He tried to pitch through an elbow injury
that ended up taking out most of his 1998 season. After that,
pitching coach Ray Miller started harping on Coppinger about his
weight. In 1999, he became the forgotten member of the Orioles
staff, making mostly mopup appearances. Milwaukee traded for him
and put him in the setup role. In new surroundings, Coppinger
settled in and pitched admirably. He should reprise his new setup
position in 2000.
Bob Wickman, closer, age 30
Tm ERA G GS W L S INN H HR BB K AVG OPS
Projection Mil 3.45 70 0 4 6 31 73 73 6 32 66 .264 .715
Prorated Mil 3.45 74 0 4 6 33 77 77 6 34 69 .264 .715
Actual Mil 3.39 71 0 3 8 37 74 75 6 38 60 .262 .725
If you look at Wickman's performance compared to his projected
numbers, you might think, wow, what a consistent guy. If you compared
his 1999 .725 OPS to his five year average OPS of .718, you'd
start thinking that you could expect the same thing from him in
2000. But if you look at the underlying situational numbers, you
might have to think again.
First, the righthanded Wickman held lefties to a .197 average
with a .283 slugging percentage while righthanders batted .314
and slugged .447. Before the All-Star break, Wickman didn't give
up many hits, but when he did, they were for extra bases. Wickman
limited hitters to a .225 average in the first half with a .377
slugging percentage, but things were reversed in the second half,
when he gave up enough singles to yield a high .304 average and
a modest .370 slugging average. So while the overall trend continued,
the underlying volatility was great.
[TT: He was quite volatile in 1998 as well. His ERA was 1.80
before the break and 6.68 after. Amazingly, those half seasons
combined to produce a full season that was right in line with
expectations.]
Outlook
The Brewers of 2000 are so new, they still have that new team
smell about them. The changes started on the management side with
a new general manager, manager, coaches, and farm director. The
pitching staff has been totally revamped. Gone are Hideo Nomo,
Scott Karl, Cal Eldred, Mike Myers, and Eric Plunk. Newcomers
Jamie Navarro, John Snyder, Jamey Wright, Jimmy Haynes, Curt Leskanic,
and Juan Acevedo will vie for spots in the rotation.
The starting lineup will also be greatly changed in 2000. Star
Jeff Cirillo was traded and the Brewers will try to make do at
third with Jose Hernandez. With the departure of Dave Nilsson,
catcher could well be a problem area, with Henry Blanco and Tyler
Houston the leading candidates for that position.
The Brewers were impressed enough with the performances of
Ron Belliard and Mark Loretta to deal away their predecessors,
Fernando Vina and Jose Valentin. Geoff Jenkins and Jeromy Burnitz
will attempt to solidify their status as star players.
The Brewers of 1999 did pretty well considering the health
problems and the dismissal of their manager in mid-season. They
were never in contention, yet quite a few players showed promise.
With the new faces and some developing youngsters in Kevin Barker,
Kyle Peterson, Wright, and Belliard, plus a new stadium in 2001,
the future looks brighter than it did a year ago.
Projections and text: Copyright © 2000.
Diamond Mind, Inc. All rights reserved.
Actual 1999 statistics: Copyright © 1999. STATS, Inc. All
right reserved.
