Ryan Braun 2012 Stats as of Today | Will He Be MVP of the National League?

It sure looks like Ryan Braun will make that 20-20 mark onceagain.  He’s just one stolen base away from the magic number.  I suppose that there is nothing magical to being fast on your feet.  Hitting a minimum of 20 home runs is something more akin to magic.  We have over a month of baseball to be played and Braun just might hit 35 homers for the season.  Will he have the same number of stolen bases?  That’s harder to predict. 

Since his wobbly start in 2012, Braun is batting .304, with 29 home runs.  He’s one of the bright spots on the Brewers offense.  He’s already been hit by twice as many pitches this year as compared to the entire 2011 season.  Basically, most of his numbers are close to how he performed last season, save for stolen bases, and on base percentage.  It’s tough to beat .397 in that department, but he’s darn close.

Braun Draws More Intentional Walks Compared to Past Seasons

One thing that has changed for Bran is the number of intentional walks.  Without Fielder to threaten opponents, teams have chosen to walk Braun nine times so far this season.  That’s compared to a whopping total of two last year.  When the next batter is not much of threat, you take the shot at walking Braun. 

As always, Braun is nearly error free on defense.  You don’t expect much when it comes to errors from the outfielders, and Braun has just one to his name as of today.  He may not get the MVP title in 2012, but his numbers once again prove that he’s one of the best in baseball. 

Prince Fielder All Star Game MVP

Prince Fielder may be heading to where the money will take him, has ingrained himself into the Brewers' history books. Not even the famed Robin Yount nor Paul Molitor were able to achieve a Ted Williams All-Star Most Valuable Player Award. The six year veteran of the team was also the first ever Brewer to hit an All-Star Game homer; and what a homer it was.

The swing that earned him the crystal bat came in a tense fourth. For the first three innings the game had been all defense. Only one American League run made the difference in a 1-0 game. Boos were accompanying Fielder on his way to the plate with two runners on. What followed was a remarkable turn-around of the game and of the crowds jeers. The Brewers star slammed a three-run homer over the left field fence. Rangers lefty C.J. Wilson was stunned and the home crowed was in awe. It took a few moments before the eruption of applause began in Fielders honor. The NL side stacked on two more runs before the end of the game to win their second consecutive All-Star Game. They are hoping to mimic the AL's 13 year undefeated streak that was ended in the 2010 NL win.

Prince Fielder Hit's First All Star Home Run for Brewers

It's been way too long, but Prince Fielder hit the first home run for a Milwaukee Brewer in an All Star game. He slapped that homer in the fourth inning, and it sailed over the left field wall. It's as if these great things are all coming in his final season.

Fielder came out hot, right from the start of the season. There was no April slump for him this time. He really hasn't had a bad month so far in 2011. In 92 games, he has hit a total of 22 home runs, and only 58 strikeouts. It's looking good for Prince as the season rolls along. Where will he play next year? For now, let's just focus on his work here in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Brewers Coaching Staff Takes Shape

As the new coach takes over for the Milwaukee Brewers, the question of who stays and who goes is starting come together. Dale Sveum is said to be staying on with the Brew Crew, so below is the current list of who is coming and who is going at Miller Park.

Milwaukee Brewers Managers On The Way Out

Willie Randolf, Bench Coach

Rick Peterson, Pitching Coach

Milwaukee Brewers Managers On The Way In

Jerry Narron, New Bench Coach

Rick Kranitz, New Pitching Coach

Jeremy Shelby, yet to be named Coach

Yes, most of these guys have a connection to the Orioles. We will see if this new staff can get the Brewers above .500, and into playoff contention in their first year. They have to, because we will most likely lose Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks to free agency in 2012. Get a couple of hot pitchers, and this team will rise to playoff level. Is that stating the obvious. Yes, I think it is.

Milwaukee Brewers At Miller Park Lose All Three VS Phillies

The Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park have been struggling. They lost three in a row, VS the Phillies. I realize that Philadelphia is a great team but to get swept at home is not cool. Why didn't Ken Macha just use up the bullpen in an effort to pick up a win on Saturday? The team had a chance that night, but Ken was thinking too much about Sunday.

Rickie Weeks is Mr. Hot and Cold. Right now, he's Mr. Cold. I think Rickie is having trouble seeing the ball right now. Perhaps he's got to get back to basics. Learn to love the ball Rickie, and hits will follow.

Corey Hart doesn't want to take a walk. You won't see that guy at the plate with a 2-2 count on the jumbo tron. He's just swinging away. Meanwhile, Macha is thinking way too far ahead. Sometimes you have to do what it takes and use up the pitching staff. We're going down in flames here Kenny.

If I'm going to spread a bit of blame, let's talk about Ryan Braun. He went 2-12 on this home stand. Yes, he was hit by a pitch last week. I'm sure that hurts. He's gutsy to stay with it, and get in there to play against the Phillies. But Ryan, if you need some time to heal, take a seat. The pitching staff will probably blow any lead you help create. You might as well let that elbow ge back into shape. Prince Fielder didn't do much better, going 3-12, but he hit two home runs in the series. In his past ten games he bat .350. That's great, but Prince had only four RBI's in those ten games. Guess who's not getting on base?