Milwaukee Brewers Farm Report: Colorado Springs Sky Sox 5/18-24

I’m going to be honest, in the world of small sample sizes, (or SSS) this week in Brewers AAA is a sterling example. One week is already only intended to give you an idea of who’s hot and who’s not, and not to tell you who is good and who isn’t.

But the Sky Sox postponed three games this week, last Monday against Round Rock, then the double-header the following day, including the makeup game for Monday. So we are looking at just a four game sample size, in which the team went 1-3. Keep that in mind.

Who’s Hot

Tyler Cravy is headed in the right direction after a rough start to the season, tossing 6 innings on Friday while allowing just 3 hits and one run, walking 3. Those walks are indicative of some of the problems Cravy has faced with Colorado, as he has held opposing hitters to a .242 batting average, but also given up a .341 OBP.

Similarly, Taylor Jungmann had a strong outing after previously having an ERA north of 7, when he went 7 innings on Saturday, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) with 7 strikeouts while walking 1. This was all with a .412 BABIP, similar to the bad luck he has faced all year (.386).

Nevin Ashley is continuing to dominate AAA pitching, posting a 1.098 OPS in his three starts in the last week. The catcher is now slashing .333/.395/.500 in 114 PA with the club.

Scooter Gennett slashed .313/.389/.500 in his 4 starts with the club so far. Gennett is certainly playing with a chip on his shoulder after being replaced by Hector Gomez and Elian Herrera, and if he can sustain his performance, he could fight his way back into the discussion at the keystone.

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Who’s Not

Matt Long had just 3 hits over 18 AB (.167) in the last week, as a part of his down performance for the last month. He has brought his OPS down to .764 after being well north of .800 as recently as last week.

Tyler Thornburg has backtracked after slowly improving from the end of April to mid-May. In his start yesterday, Thornburg went 4 innings, giving up 4 earned runs while walking 3. That gives the righty a 7.59 ERA over his last two starts.

Drew Gagnon‘s struggles have been even more extreme, working 5 innings while giving up 6 earned runs, walking 3, and hitting a batter. In his blowup start last week  he went just 1 2/3 innings and gave up 5 earned runs, so he is not trending in the right direction for a team already struggling with its starting pitching.

The Sky Sox begin a four game series at the Las Vegas 51s tonight, mercifully away from their home stadium that has been rained out so often. Ron Roenicke’s nephew Josh will get the start against Duane Below, both of whom have oscillated between starting and relieving duties this year.