Milwaukee, WI
Brice Turang Finally Playing To Milwaukee Brewers’ Original Forecast
Brice Turang is having the time of his life. So are the Milwaukee Brewers thus far thanks in large part to their 24-year-old second baseman.
Pat Murphy, in his first season as Brewers manager, saw it coming. Few others did.
“I think this kid’s gonna make a quantum leap,” Murphy said on March 12 in the Brewers’ spring-training camp. “I think he’ll establish himself as an everyday player. I’m really confident.”
For five years, Turang did not show much offense. He was a good defensive player and baserunner with potential, highly touted as a first-round pick out of high school in 2018. He got a $3,411,100 signing bonus at age 18. He climbed steadily if not spectacularly through the minors, hitting .270 with only 26 homers in 434 games.
He became a Brewers starter a year ago. There wasn’t much fanfare – Turang didn’t warrant it. He hit a measly .218 in 137 games with a paltry .585 OPS (.285 on-base percentage + .300 slugging percentage). That ranked 495th in the majors.
Today, he ranks 11th in batting average (.314), 29th in on-base percentage (.369) and has a downright giddy .800 OPS, 41st overall. That’s better than such noted stars as Fernando Tatis Jr., Jose Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Pete Alonso, Nolan Arenado and a few hundred other players.
That is a big reason why the Brewers lead the National League Central Division with a 27-19 record. The Brew Crew is barreling along despite trading away ace pitcher Corbin Burnes, star closer Devin Williams being sidelined since mid-March with a back injury and slugging outfielder Christian Yelich limited to 20 games by a bad back. First baseman Rhys Hoskins, outfielder Joey Wiemer and pitchers DL Hall, Wade Miley and Jakob Junis are now on the injured list, too.
Short Stroke, Big Results
Turang’s turnaround was pointed out statistically by Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. He found that tracking data lists Turang with the second-shortest swing in the game to two-time defending batting champion Luis Arraez.
“Short and direct, that’s what I’m trying to be every swing I take,” Turang told Hogg. “Short to it, long through it.”
That generally means making more contact at the expense of the long ball. Yet Turang already has 12 doubles, three more in 94 fewer games than he had as a rookie.
Other Young Brewers On The Rise
Turang is one of five Brewers in the regular lineup 26 or younger. The elder statesman of the group at 26, catcher William Contreras, is carrying the club. He’s third in the majors in batting (.341), tied for third in runs (40), tied for fifth in RBI (37) and seventh in OPS (.955).
His output is not as surprising. He has a .285 average and 52 homers in 340 career games for the Atlanta Braves and Brewers.
Third baseman Joey Ortiz, acquired with Hall in the deal that sent Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles, is batting .292 with 5 homers.
Jackson Chourio, the 20-year-old uber-prospect outfielder, is starting to find his way. He is batting .275 in May after a rough first 27 games in the majors when he batted only .206 with 34 strikeouts. He has only seven strikeouts in 15 games this month. He has 5 homers and a .226 average overall.
Left fielder Sal Frelick is hitting .250 but has six stolen bases. The Brewers rank third overall with 61 steals (in 71 tries), led by Turang. He’s 18-for-18.
Milwaukee ranks third in batting average, runs, RBI and fourth in homers.
Another Leap Two Years Ago
Andres Gimenez had similar numbers to Turang in the New York Mets’ farm system. Also like Turang, the native of Venezuela wowed everybody with his defense and baserunning. The question was, would he hit?
He batted .263 in 49 games after being called up in 2021, then was traded to Cleveland. Big expectations turned into big disappointment. He hit only .218 in 2021 with exceptional defense and 11 steals without being caught.
In 2022, Gimenez became an all-star at age 23. He won a gold glove, batted .297, had 17 homers, 69 RBI and went 20-for-23 in steal attempts.
Gumby Turned Out Well
For 17 years, Brewers fans enjoyed watching another contact-hitting second baseman. Jim Gantner batted .274 with only 74 homers in 1,801 games for Milwaukee from 1976 thru 1992. He didn’t claim a regular role until his fifth season when he hit .282 in 1980.
Turang has more natural athleticism than Ganter, nicknamed Gumby by teammate Gorman Thomas for the sometimes awkward but likeable cartoon character.
Gantner never won a gold glove or made an all-star team. He did hit .333 in the franchise’s only appearance in The World Series – a seven-game loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982. Yet he was highly respected as the “Brew Crew Glue” that helped solidify the team for years.
Turang’s sudden improvement has him on track to surpass Gantner, though it is doubtful he’ll ever reach the status Hall of Famers Robin Yount and Paul Molitor achieved in Milwaukee.
He already has big-league bragging rights in the family, however. His father Brian hit .222 with 9 steals in 78 games for the Seattle Mariners. Dad’s numbers over eight years in the Mariners’ minors, 1989-96: .274, 45 homers, 103 steals in 673 games.
The Brewers knew the name. They had picked dad in the 20th round out of high school, but he went off to college and then was picked and signed by Seattle. They took Brice with the 21st overall pick 31 years later. It’s paying off now.
Milwaukee, WI
Montas declines mutual option with Milwaukee for 2025. Brewers turn down team option on Rea
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee’s starting rotation could have a new look next season with right-handers Frankie Montas and Colin Rea heading into free agency.
The Brewers announced Monday that Montas had declined his part of a $20 million mutual option for 2025. The Brewers turned down the $5.5 million club option on Rea’s contract.
Montas receives a $2 million buyout and Rea gets a $1 million buyout.
In other moves Monday, right-hander Kevin Herget was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets, and left-hander Rob Zastryzny was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. First baseman Jake Bauers and right-hander Bryse Wilson cleared waivers and were sent outright to Triple-A Nashville.
Montas, 31, had a combined 7-11 record with a 4.84 ERA and 148 strikeouts over 150 2/3 innings in 30 starts for the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers this season. He was 3-3 with a 4.55 ERA in 11 starts for the Brewers, who acquired him just before the trade deadline.
Rea, 34, was 12-6 with a 4.28 ERA this season in 32 appearances, including 27 starts. He struck out 135 in 167 2/3 innings. Rea had an 8.31 ERA in September and was left off the Brewers’ NL Wild Card Series roster.
Herget, 33, had no record with one save and a 1.59 ERA in seven appearances with Milwaukee this year. He was 5-1 with four saves and a 2.27 ERA in 38 relief outings with Triple-A Nashville.
Zastryzny, 32, was 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in nine appearances with Milwaukee. He pitched in 30 games with Nashville and went 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA.
The 29-year-old Bauers batted .199 with a .301 on-base percentage, 12 homers and 43 RBIs in 116 games this season. He also hit a seventh-inning homer that broke a scoreless tie in the decisive Game 3 of the Wild Card Series with the New York Mets, who rallied in the ninth to win 4-2.
Wilson, who turns 27 on Dec. 20, went 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 34 appearances, including nine starts.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Milwaukee, WI
Vatican announces replacement for Archbishop of Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Jeffrey S. Grob will succeed former Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki in 2025, the Vatican announced on Monday.
Listecki signed his letter of resignation in March of this year on his 75th birthday. Bishops must retire at the age of 75 due to laws governing the Catholic Church. The Vatican also announced they accepted the resignation.
Listecki had been Archbishop of Milwaukee for 14 years.
Now, those shoes will be filled by someone new.
Grob, who was born in Madison, Wisconsin, has served as the bishop of Abora and auxiliary of Chicago since Sept. 2020.
But he joined the archdiocese of Chicago long before that. He was ordained a priest there in 1992 and held many roles, including assistant chancellor, judge of the Court of Appeal of the Ecclesiastical Province of Chicago and more.
Prior to going to Chicago, Grob studied in Madison at Holy Name High School Seminary. Later in life, he earned a religious studies degree from Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Afterwards, he earned a Master of Divinity from Mundelein Seminary.
Milwaukee, WI
Trump supporters hopeful after final Team Trump rally in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — A packed crowd gathered at The Factory on Barclay Sunday night as Team Trump made a last-minute push to mobilize voters in battleground Wisconsin.
With less than 48 hours until polls close, the event featured high-profile speakers including former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, professional race car driver Danica Patrick, and former ESPN anchor Sage Steele.
The speakers urged attendees to make their voices heard in the upcoming election, adding that it’s not too late to vote.
“These are the closing arguments — this is it,” Gabbard told the crowd.
Many attendees, like Abby Lindsay from Cudahy, braved the rain to participate.
“I’m really excited to hear them speak. For this to be the one I make, I’m super excited —cold but excited,” she smiled.
Lindsay and others said the chance to hear from the Women for Trump drew them to Sunday’s rally.
“They’re incredibly inspiring and bright and show an incredible dynamic to the conservative movement,” Tony Gavic said.
Gavic is a small business owner from Whitefish Bay who believes Trump is the best choice for America’s future. He told TMJ4 that Sunday’s rally had a very focused energy.
Team Trump women rally supporters at The Factory on Barclay
“It’s the passion. You see, the people align with what he means for the country,” said Purnima Nath of Milwaukee, highlighting issues like immigration and education.
As the event wrapped, attendees like Wendy Cooper from Thiensville expressed their optimism moving into election day.
“I’m feeling very, very hopeful,” Cooper smiled.
With just two days until election night, Gabbard emphasized the significance of Wisconsin in the election to TMJ4 News.
“The fact we are here tonight shows how important this state is to President Trump and this campaign,” Gabbard explained. “Reaching out to voters who have not made up their minds yet is a priority.”
Next, opposing vice presidential candidates Republican J.D. Vance and Democrat Tim Walz are expected to stop in Wisconsin on Monday, the day before the election.
Vance will rally voters in LaCrosse at 9:30 am. Walz will make three Wisconsin campaign stops in La Cross, Stevens Point, and Milwaukee at 6:00 p.m.
Find out where to vote, what’s on your ballot, and much more on TMJ4’s elections page here.
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