Milwaukee, WI

Brice Turang Finally Playing To Milwaukee Brewers’ Original Forecast

Published

6 months ago

May 20, 2024

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.

MILWAUKEE: Brice Turang is dunked by teammates after a 10-0 win over the New York Mets at American … [+] Family Field on April 3, 2023. Turang went 2-for-3 with a grand slam homer in his fourth big-league game and first at home. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

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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).

PITTSBURGH: William Contreras celebrates his three-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates at … [+] PNC Park on July 2, 2023. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Getty Images

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?

CLEVELAND: Second baseman Andres Gimenez snares a ball hit by George Springer of the Toronto Blue … [+] Jays at Progressive Field on Aug. 9, 2023. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Getty Images

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.

NEW YORK: Jim Gantner dislays Gumby-like qualities as he stretches before a game against the New … [+] York Yankees on May 23, 1992 at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by J Giamundo/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)

Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images

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.

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Milwaukee, WI

What are the road conditions in and around Milwaukee Thursday morning?

Published

3 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

What are the road conditions in and around Milwaukee Thursday morning?

As Milwaukee sees its first snowfall of the season Thursday morning, you should brace for some tricky road conditions on your morning commute.

Two to four inches of wet, heavy snow is possible in the Milwaukee area, making for a “messy morning commute,” the National Weather Service Milwaukee wrote on X. Motorists should drive slowly and with caution throughout the morning, NWS said.

Here’s what to plan ahead for if you’re commuting in Milwaukee on Thursday.

What are the road conditions in and around Milwaukee this morning?

As of 8:15 a.m. Thursday, all of Milwaukee and its surrounding areas — including Interstates 41, 43 and 94 — were seeing “slippery stretches,” according to 511 Wisconsin. Several highways are also seeing one or more lanes blocked due to crashes or stalled vehicles.

If you’re traveling on I-94 this morning, NWS wrote on X that conditions south of the I-94 corridor, especially between Milwaukee and Madison, would “quickly deteriorate” as snow continues.

In affected areas, drivers should plan for slushy snow accumulation and low visibility on the roads, NWS said.

Accidents reported in Milwaukee on Thursday morning

As of 8:15 a.m. Thursday, several crashes or incidents have been reported in Milwaukee that could affect traffic, 511 Wisconsin reported:

7:49 a.m. – I-794 West 1.3 miles beyond the ramp from Carferry Road. The center lane is blocked due to a crash.
7:44 a.m. – I-43 South at ramp from Wisconsin Avenue. The left shoulder is blocked due to a crash.
7:50 a.m. – Ramp from I-94 East to I-43/94 South. Shoulders are closed due to a disabled vehicle.
7:51 a.m. – I-794 West at Michigan Street. The right shoulder is blocked due to a disabled vehicle.
7:52 a.m. – I-43 South at I-794 East. The center lane is blocked due to a crash.
7:57 a.m. – I-43/94 North at Ramp from 6th and Mineral Street. The center lane is blocked due to a disabled vehicle.

Accidents reported in Milwaukee suburbs on Thursday morning

7:15 a.m. – Disabled vehicle on ramp from Burleigh Street to I-41/US 45 North.
7:22 a.m. – I-94 West 1.3 miles beyond the ramp from Highway 100. The right shoulder is blocked due to a crash.
7:23 a.m. – I-43 North at Hampton Avenue East. The left shoulder is blocked due to a crash.
7:37 a.m. – I-94 West at ramp from Moreland Boulevard East. The right shoulder is blocked due to a crash.
7:42 a.m. – Highway 38 South at Air Cargo Way (by the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport). The right lane is closed due to a crash.
7:52 a.m. – I-41/894 South 0.3 miles beyond the ramp from National Avenue. The right shoulder is blocked due to a disabled vehicle.
7:54 a.m. – Ramp from I-94 West to I-41/US 45 North. The right shoulder is blocked due to a disabled vehicle.
8:05 a.m. – I-41/US 45 North at North Avenue. The 3 right lanes are blocked due to a disabled vehicle.

To look up road conditions on your morning commute, check out 511 Wisconsin’s live map.

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Milwaukee, WI

Family: Missing Milwaukee girl found safe, gas station taped off

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Family: Missing Milwaukee girl found safe, gas station taped off

Winter Weather Advisory

from THU 6:00 AM CST until THU 12:00 PM CST, Racine County, Sheboygan County, Dodge County, Ozaukee County, Washington County, Milwaukee County, Fond Du Lac County, Jefferson County, Waukesha County, Kenosha County, Walworth County

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Milwaukee, WI

Mother of Riverwest hit-and-run victim looking for accountability

Published

18 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Mother of Riverwest hit-and-run victim looking for accountability

MILWAUKEE — Monday night was terrifying for Ashley Kirkwood. She received a call from her daughter that no parent ever wants to hear.

Kennedy Kirkwood, 16, was crossing Locust on Holton in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood when she was hit by a black SUV turning onto Locust.

The car slowed down but then drove off without checking on Kennedy. The teenager was left alone, injured, and in the rain.

“It’s just heartbreaking that we’ve become a culture of, ‘Okay, we’re just going to leave a person like that,’” Kirkwood said.

Brendyn Jones/TMJ4

Ashley spoke with TMJ4 about the incident, saying watching the video was difficult for her.

“As parents, that’s something you always worry about,” Kirkwood told TMJ4.

Watch: Mother of Riverwest hit-and-run victim looking for accountability

Family speaks out after 16-year-old injured in hit-and-run near Holton and Locust

She works on the other side of the city and couldn’t be there immediately, so she turned to social media.

Kirkwood posted about the incident on the Riverwest Facebook page.

“Thankfully, within minutes, Riverwest responded,” Kirkwood said. “Over 100 comments, and they were right out here.”

Helpful neighbors stayed with Kennedy until authorities arrived to take her to Children’s Hospital. Kirkwood said she’s grateful to the Riverwest community for their support.

Kennedy is safe at home, but now Kirkwood is looking for answers.

She told TMJ4 she spoke to authorities the night of the incident and called them back after obtaining video of the accident. As of Wednesday afternoon, she had not heard back from police about any updates on the incident.

“I understand that she wasn’t injured to the point where it’s something we’re seeing every day, but we need to take this seriously, and people need to be held accountable,” Kirkwood said.

Kirkwood plans to reach out to Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and Mayor Cavalier Johnson about the situation.

Milwaukee police say they are looking for the driver of a black SUV. Anyone with information is urged to call authorities at (414) 935-7252.

Kirkwood told TMJ4 she understands things happen, but choosing to leave the scene is unacceptable.

“This was a human being, and we left her out in the rain after running her over,” Kirkwood said.

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