The Brewers should seriously be thinking of just benching Bill Hall and playing Russell Branyan full time. Branyan has played in 31 games for the Brewers this season and he is 25 for 95 (.263 avg, 1.018 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 11 homers and 18 RBIs. With Branyan you have to take the good with the bad however as he has whiffed an alarming 33 times already this season. Branyan has more pure power than almost anyone in the majors and I really think he could lead the majors in homers if some team ever let him play full time. But, he no doubt would also set a major league record in whiffs.

The Brewers have signed outfielder Mike Cameron to a 1-year contract with an option for 2010. Cameron will miss the first 25 games of the 2008 season due to a league suspension. Cameron played in 151 games last season for the Padres and he was 138 for 571 (.242 avg, .759 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 21 homers, 78 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Cameron has now played in 1,560 games in his major league career and he is 1,366 of 5,452 (.251 avg, .786 OPS) with 866 runs scored, 216 homers, 786 RBIs and 272 stolen bases. Cameron also brings his often Golden Glove to center field which will be a huge improvement for the Brewers there.

It’s seems like the light has finally went on for Gabe Gross since the All-Star Break. In 29 2nd half games, Gross is 22 for 75 (.293 avg, .914 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 4 homers and 13 RBIs. For the season, Gross has now played in 79 games and he’s hitting .245 (.799 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 7 homers and 20 RBIs. Gross is in a crowded outfield situation in Milwaukee which means his at bats will be sporadic but he is earning some extra playing time right now based on his performance.

You would think that pitchers would adjust to rookie Ryan Braun but he just keeps rolling along. Since the All-Star Break, Braun has played in 39 games and he is 49 for 156 (.314 avg, .987 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 13 homers and 30 RBIs. Braun has to be the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award in the National League right now. He has played in 79 games this season and he is 106 for 319 (.332 avg, 1.021 OPS) with 59 runs scored, 24 homers, 62 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

Prince Fielder has been simply awesome this season for the Brewers as he often seems to be carrying the entire offense. Fielder is hitting .284 with 62 runs scored, 29 homers and 70 RBIs so far this season. Look for Fielder to have a strong 2nd half and make a push for the MVP Award if the Brewers make the playoffs. J.J. Hardy has cooled off lately but he still has strong numbers for the season. He is hitting .280 with 48 runs scored, 18 homers and 54 RBIs so far this season. The Brewers hope Hardy can finish the season strong. Ryan Braun has been awesome as a rookie for the Brewers so far this season as he is hitting .350 with 36 runs scored, 11 homers, 32 RBIs and 8 stolen bases in only 163 atbats. If Braun can keep hitting like he is now in the 2nd half the Brewers will be hard to hold down on the scoreboard. Corey Hart is also having a good season in the outfield as he is hitting .298 with 44 runs scored, 11 homers, 33 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. The Brewers have also gotten outstanding production out of their catchers (Johnny Estrada & Damian Miller) as they have combined to hit .298 with 42 runs scored, 11 homers and 51 RBIs in 366 atbats.