[Lefty Noob]

Looks like Brewers rookie 3B Ryan Braun is going to start the season in the minors. He was sent down after yesterday's game vs. Chicago, despite hitting his fifth homer of spring training, because of shaky defense. As the AP reports, "On his way out, Braun showcased the same tools that defined his spring: good bat, shaky defense. He hit a three-run homer as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning, then committed his fourth throwing error in the seventh... Braun's five homers came in four Cactus League games -- and he made a throwing error in each one." How soon till we see this kid in the big leagues again?

[Lefty Noob]

Good article on Braun by Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan, who writes, "Braun has thrust himself to the forefront of the National League Rookie of the Year contenders." He also says Braun compares favorably to Albert Pujols in his rookie year. "Braun's first 50 games stack up quite well with Pujols': a .338 batting average to Pujols' .357, a 1.044 OPS to Pujols' 1.104, 15 homers and 42 RBIs to Pujols' 16 and 51." So, is Braun Rookie of the Year material?

Five and Fly: Braun has inside track on ROY - MLB Experts Blog - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

[Lefty Noob]

More good news for Braun. According to the Associated Press, "Braun, who also won the National League Player of the Month, took his second consecutive NL Rookie of the Month award on Thursday - becoming the first player to garner both honors in the same month... The 23-year-old Braun hit .345 with 11 homers, 25 RBI, 18 runs, three doubles and four steals in July. He highlighted his performance with four three-hit games and two multi-homer contests."

Best rookie AND player of the month? Wow. This kid's pretty good, ain't he?