Milwaukee Brewers News Clips Friday, January 8, 2016

Journal Sentinel  The ’ top prospects by position  What the Brewers starting lineup would look like if opening day were tomorrow

Fox Sports Wisconsin  to MLB? Brewers work out hopeful

CBS 58  Brewers 10-Pack Goes on Sale Friday

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/the-milwaukee-brewers-top-prospects-by-position-b99647931z1- 364586871.html The Milwaukee Brewers’ top prospects by position

By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel January 7, 2016

Beat writer Tom Haudricourt assesses the Brewers' top minor-league prospects at each position.

1B: TBD – There is no obvious of the future in the farm system at this point. Some player at another position likely will be moved there at some point if one isn't acquired from the outside.

2B: Yadiel Rivera – He is a fabulous defensive , but that is not his future in the majors. Rivera has shown he can play second base well enough to stay there.

SS: Orlando Arcia – One of the top prospects in the minor leagues, Arcia is an exciting player to watch, both offensively and defensively.

3B: Gilbert Lara – Currently playing shortstop, Lara likely will be moved to third base at some point as the teenager continues to grow and mature. He projects to have the pop at the plate to play there.

C: TBD – This is by far one of the weakest positions in the Brewers' system, which is why they've been in no hurry to trade Jonathan Lucroy.

LF: – He played mostly in center last year after coming to the majors, but the young slugger profiles more as a corner .

CF: Brett Phillips – He is not far from the majors, but 2015 first-round pick Trent Clark is a dynamic center fielder as well, so the Brewers might have to move one to a corner spot at some point.

RF: Clint Coulter – Coulter is the more advanced player at this stage, but 2015 fourth-rounder Demi Orimoloye has tremendous skills and is one to watch further down the road.

SP: Jorge Lopez, Josh Hader, Devin Williams, Cody Ponce, Kodi Medeiros, Zach Davies. There are many promising arms en route to Milwaukee.

RP: Ariel Pena, Damien Magnifico, Yhonathan Barrios, Jacob Barnes, Zack Jones.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/what-the-brewers-starting-lineup-would-look-like-if-opening-day-were- tomorrow-b99647430z1-364593341.html What the Brewers starting lineup would look like if opening day were tomorrow

By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel January 7, 2016

With the signing of first baseman Chris Carter on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Brewers now have at least one player for every position for the 2016 season.

That does not mean many, or any, will be at those spots when the 2017 season rolls around, much less the following year. Such is the nature of rebuilding, when placeholders must be found to man positions until the top prospects are ready to play in the majors.

To use the Academy Awards as an example, when Harrison Ford excuses himself to use the bathroom, the show's producers have someone sit in his seat so it won't be empty during the broadcast. That doesn't mean the seat- warmer will be getting a script for the next "Star Wars" sequel.

For those who have lost track of the oodles of player moves made since the Brewers began shipping off veterans last July, here's a look at how the starting lineup probably would shake out if opening day were tomorrow (not the projected ):

1B: Chris Carter

2B: Scooter Gennett

SS:

3B: Will Middlebrooks

C: Jonathan Lucroy

LF: Khris Davis

CF: Kirk Nieuwenhuis

RF: Ryan Braun

Some of those positions will be in flux once begins. Garin Cecchini, a waiver claim from Boston, will see action in camp at third base, as will , acquired from Houston. Keon Broxton, a minor-league prospect acquired from Pittsburgh, will get his chance in center field, and nonroster invitee Jr. could be in that mix as well.

There also is no guarantee all of the projected starters today will still be wearing Brewers uniforms on the first day of camp. General manager David Stearns already has done considerable wheeling and dealing and is open to all offers that come his way.

Teams looking for an offensive outfielder have inquired about Davis. Should the right offer come along, the Brewers could move Davis and plug in promising young slugger Domingo Santana — who currently has no obvious starting job — and move forward with him in left field. Otherwise, Santana will have to fill in at all three outfield spots, losing at-bats.

Truth be told, the Brewers would not hesitate to move Braun and his five-year, $105 million contract extension that kicks in next year if a sensible offer surfaced. The baggage accumulated in recent years with his PED scandal and health issues, as well as significant no-trade protection in his contract, make a trade unlikely at this point, however. Teams continue to inquire about Lucroy, but he remains a Brewer because for every reason Stearns has for trading him, there's a reason to keep him. Things might be different if there were a highly regarded catching prospect in the farm system, but one doesn't exist at present.

At some point in the not-so-distant future, the Brewers will have to figure out what to do with Segura. No one disputes that Orlando Arcia is the shortstop the Brewers will build around, leaving them to deal Segura at some point or perhaps move him to second base, which would mean trading Gennett.

Decisions such as that do not have to be made today. But rules require the Brewers to field a team in 2016, which is why Stearns has collected as many candidates as possible over the winter. If any prove they should be included in plans beyond next season, such as outfielder Ramon Flores or Rule 5 pick Colin Walsh, a , all the better.

Many players the Brewers plan to build around, such as Arcia, centerfielder Brett Phillips, and Jorge Lopez and Josh Hader, played last season at Class AA Biloxi. That means they'll likely need more seasoning at Class AAA Colorado Springs in 2016, necessitating the acquisition of placeholders until their arrival.

"We are comfortable that we have players to compete at every position," said Stearns. "We have been trying to build as much depth as possible and will continue to look to do so. We're going to continue to work hard to make improvements and upgrades for our roster."

Thus, the rebuilding process continues. Some moves Stearns has made, such as acquiring three teenage pitchers from Seattle for first baseman Adam Lind, are looking far down the road. Others, such as picking up Nieuwenhuis and Carter, are ensuring there will be enough experienced players to field a team for 2016.

At this point, the starting pitching remains unchanged from the end of last season, meaning the rotation for '16 projects to be Matt Garza, Wily Peralta, Jimmy Nelson, Taylor Jungmann and Zach Davies. But that will not be the starting rotation once the rebuilding process is completed, rest assured. By then, Brewers fans will be more familiar with the likes of Lopez, Hader, Cody Ponce, Devin Williams and Kodi Medeiros.

This is the position the Brewers put themselves in by using the patch-job formula of roster construction in the past in an effort to remain competitive every year. It finally came time to blow it up, and Stearns and manager have been charged with putting it all back together.

It takes time to pull it off, and you can count on the names continuing to change in your Miller Park game programs. It's going to be an interesting journey.

http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/milwaukee-brewers-kieran-powell-cricket-work-out-baseball-hopeful- 010716 Cricket to MLB? Brewers work out baseball hopeful Cricket player Kieran Powell wants to play baseball and has already intrigued several clubs, including the Milwaukee Brewers.

By FOX Sports Wisconsin January 7, 2016

If NFL teams can look to Australian Rules Football and rugby players to fill their rosters, why can't teams do the same? Cricket player Kieran Powell certainly hopes that's the case, and he's already intrigued several clubs, including the Milwaukee Brewers.

Powell played in West Indes and reportedly thought of as potential , but had a contract dispute which led him to sitting out after just one match in 2014.

Now, Powell has no desire to return to cricket, instead focusing on baseball. He has been working out with the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and will have an open workout Jan. 13.

Powell, who bats left-handed, posted a picture of him on his Facebook page taking swings in a batting cage with the caption: "Privileged to be in the presence of my top mentors from the , and Milwaukee Brewers #MLB"

IMG director of baseball Dan Simonds said Powell has already worked out with the Brewers.

"Hitting-wise he's starting to show some real power swinging the bat, driving the ball from gap to gap," Simonds said. "Those are things they're (the scouts) going to be looking for. They're going to be watching his skill set. At the end of the day that's what's going to sell these guys.

"Scouts are just going to be looking to see what that athleticism is like and is it going to translate. It's worth a shot, right? Because he's a very good athlete and he's had success as a cricketer."

There's obviously no guarantee the Brewers or anyone else will sign Powell, and making the majors right off the bat seems the longest of shots. Powell is 25, which also makes his quest a little more difficult. Nevertheless, he's giving it a full-go.

"Some of the greatest athletes of our time are known for being two-sport athletes. From Deion Sanders to Bo Jackson, to, most recently, Jimmy Graham and Jarryd Hayne, these guys have set the bar for how you can successfully play two different sports," Powell said. "Cricket will always be my first love, but I am ready to prove to the MLB that my skills and ability will be a great fit to any team."

For a rebuilding team like the Brewers who could be in need of some publicity, Powell might just be worth a shot.

http://www.cbs58.com/story/30917176/brewers-10-pack-goes-on-sale-friday Brewers 10-Pack Goes on Sale Friday

By Justin Thompson-Gee, CBS 58 January 8, 2016

The calendar has turned to 2016 and Opening Day is within sight. Fans can secure their tickets to Opening Day for FREE with a Brewers 10-Pack, which goes on sale Friday at 10:00 AM. There are six enticing plans to choose from, including the popular Fan’s Choice Plan which returns for 2016. All plans feature 10 home games, plus Opening Day or any other game of the fan’s choice as their FREE 11th game.

In addition to tickets to Opening Day, each of the six plans offer a unique experience. The Weekend Plan features a total of five giveaway dates, including three All-Kid giveaway items - the Jonathan Lucroy Replica Jersey on May 15 vs. San Diego, the Bernie Paint-Your-Own Bobble on May 29 vs. Cincinnati and the Lucroy Chest Protector on August 28 vs. Pittsburgh. This plan also features two All-Fan giveaways, including the Barking BobbleHank on June 12 against the New York Mets and the Bob Uecker Talking Alarm Clock on July 10 against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals.

The Premier Plan includes contests against all four division rivals (with two games against both the Cubs and Cardinals), a matchup against AL West opponent on April 9 and a Saturday matchup vs. the defending NL champion Mets. The plan also includes tickets to the Ryan Braun All-Fan Bobble giveaway on May 1 against Miami.

The Friday Plan includes a string of six Free-Shirt Friday giveaways starting with the June 10 matchup against the Mets and ending on August 26 when the Brewers host the .

The popular Fan’s Choice Plan returns for the 2016 season and provides the ultimate flexibility for fans to select 10 games that fit their schedule from a list of 50 Brewers regular season home games. Fans can choose from several Interleague matchups, a variety of weekday and weekend games, All-Fan giveaway dates, Free-Shirt Fridays and more.

Packages start at $160 per seat in the Terrace Reserved ($16 per game) and can also be purchased in the Terrace Box for $250 ($25 per game), Loge Outfield Box for $340 ($34 per game), Club Outfield Box for $420 ($42 per game, no wait staff), Loge Infield Box for $420 ($42 per game), Field Outfield Box for $420 ($42 per game) and Loge Diamond Box for $500 ($50 per game).

Brewers 10-Packs offer several additional benefits, including guaranteed seat location (excluding the Fan’s Choice Plan), a personal account representative and priority access to postseason tickets. In addition, 10-Pack Ticket Plans offer great savings on ticket prices. In 2015, 10-Pack holders saved up to 35% off the demand-based individual game price. Each 10-Pack account will also receive three exchange vouchers that can be used to exchange unused tickets for another game.

Fans interested in purchasing 10-Packs are encouraged to call (414) 902-HITS (4487) or visit Brewers.com/10packs for more information. A complete list of all six 10-Pack packages is available online at Brewers.com/10packs

Additionally, fans can share in the excitement of counting down to Brewers Opening Day by following the Brewers on social media, and can enter to win a pair of 10-Packs, tickets to Opening Day and roundtrip airfare on Southwest Airlines—by posting their creative countdown photos on Twitter and/or Instagram using the hashtag #SeeUApril4. For additional information please visit brewers.com/countdown.sa