We all know the Brewers suck this season. So, why keep belaboring that point each week? The Brew Crew Review will try to periodically deal with the few bright spots of an otherwise dismal season. Reliever Luis Vizcaino has provided one of those spots.
"He's been unbelievably consistent," manager Jerry Royster said of his setup man recently. "He goes out and pitches for us almost every day and gets the job done. He has pitched more than one inning when we needed him to do that.
"Our bullpen overall has been a strength for a couple years. This year, it has been strong with some different guys out there. Luis has been at the top of the list."
Vizcaino didn't become a Brewer until right before the end of spring training. GM Dean Taylor dealt lefthander Jose Pena, who had an impressive spring, to Texas for Vizcaino on March 24.
"I still think Jose Pena has a chance to become a pretty good pitcher at this level, but deal has worked out real well for us," Royster said.
Vizcaino had spent parts of the last three seasons with the Oakland A's. He had two stints with the A's in 2001, recording a 2-1 record with one save and a 4.66 ERA in 36 appearances.
The A's were very high on his stuff, especially a wicked breaking ball that still gets batters out on a regular basis. But, Oakland dealt Vizcaino to Texas on March 19. He pitched once for the Rangers and then was dealt again to Milwaukee.
{INSERT_RELATED}"Oakland gave me a chance to pitch. I only pitched once for Texas, so when I heard I was traded to Milwaukee I thought it might be an opportunity to pitch more," Vizcaino said with the help of pitching coach Billy Castro as an interpreter.
Vizcaino got that opportunity almost immediately. A strong arm and maturity are two factors in Vizcaino's development this season.
"My arm has always been healthy," Vizcaino said. "I have no problems pitching every day. My concentration has been better this season. I have been able to focus on the game from the time I come to the ballpark.
"I think part of that is maturity. I also think it is because I have had the chance to pitch more. You learn by going on the mound day after day."
Vizcaino's work ethic and willingness to learn have impressed Castro, who works with him regularly in the bullpen.
"He has a great arm and doesn't have problems pitching just about every day, but he has made the progress this season mostly because he has worked hard and is very willing to learn," Castro said.
"Luis is shy and quiet. We tease him in the bullpen that he has to stop talking so much. He and I do talk out there though. He asks very specific questions at times."
Vizcaino, who is one of a long line of major league ballplayers from the Dominican Republic, said." baseball is in the blood" of many Dominican boys now. "It is a natural thing for us to do," he said. "We play baseball for fun and also to help our families if we can sign a professional contract."
Many observers feel Vizcaino has "closer's stuff." When Mike De Jean struggled for a couple games, he did take over the role briefly. Could he some day assume that role with the Brewers?
"Right now, I accept any role they want to give me," Vizcaino said. "I just want to get the ball to pitch and help the team. I would like to be a closer some day, but right now I just want to keep getting better at what I do now."
(This section of BCR was adapted from a longer feature in the current edition of Leadoff Magazine, the program at Miller Park.)
Rotten in the Big Apple
If you think Glendon Rusch, Lenny Harris and the now-departed Alex Ochoa haven't produced much for the Brewers, consider Jeromy Burnitz and Jeff D'Amico, who were sent away for those players.
Burnitz was hitting .206 as of Wednesday night, with 11 homers and 36 RBI. He looked bad while failing in three at-bats against Rusch, a lefthanded pitcher. D'Amico, who started Wednesday night, was 5-9 with a 5.09 ERA. Big Daddy gave up six runs in 5.1 innings Wednesday.
Darrell Porter
I was saddened to read about the death of former Brewers' catcher Darrell Porter. Darrell became one of the early Brewers' heroes, prompting signs of "Hit the Barrel, Darrell" in the bleachers of County Stadium.
It turns out Darrell was hitting more than one barrel, but he licked a drinking and drugs problem to continue his major league career. Porter was only 50.
Players of the Week
Vizcaino and Valerio De Los Santos, the Dominican relievers, have allowed a combined two runs in over 32 innings of pitching. Batters are hitting under .180 against the two relievers. Both have contributed to a bullpen, which is the strength of the team.
Plays of the Week
On successive plays Wednesday night, Jeffrey Hammonds and Alex Sanchez came up with fine plays. Hammonds played Mike Piazza's shot off the right field wall, threw to Jose Hernandez, who seemed to nail Piazza going back to the bag. But, Piazza was called safe.
On the next play, Sanchez made a shoestring catch of Mo Vaughn's line drive to center. Rusch got out of the inning without a run.
Goat of the Week
Ruben Quevedo gets the dishonor for continuing to be inconsistent. He gave up six runs in five innings in the final game of a road series against the Marlins.
Gregg Hoffmann writes The Brew Crew Review weekly during the baseball season. Look also for his new column, On the Pack, through the football season.
