Attanasio thanks fans for support
He’s pleased with rebuilding effort
Milwaukee Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio is pleased with the progress of his team’s large-scale rebuilding plan and grateful for the support of fans patiently waiting for a return to playoff mode.
Attanasio says so in a letter addressed to Brewers fans sent out just after midnight Sunday morning and also appearing on Page 13A of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In the letter, Attanasio thanks fans for their “unwavering support” and says putting 2.3 million fans in the seats of Miller Park in 2016 during an acknowledged rebuilding process proves they are “the best fans in professional sports.”
The 2016 season was the first under general manager David Stearns, who was hired to oversee a roster strip-down begun by predecessor Doug Melvin as well as the rebuilding of both the big-league club and farm system.
“Under the leadership of general manager David Stearns, manager Craig Counsell and the entire baseball operations department, we are seeing some real progress,” said Attanasio, whose club was 73-89 last season after winning 68 games in 2015.
Attanasio noted that roughly 60% of the 40man roster has turned over since Stearns came aboard after the 2015 season. Beyond that, the stockpiling of highly regarded prospects has transformed the Brewers' farm system from one of the lowest-ranked among the 30 organizations to one at or near the top.
The Brewers currently have eight of majorleague baseball’s top 100 prospects as rated by Baseball America, and that doesn’t include shortstop Orlando Arcia, the organization's former top prospect promoted to the big leagues last August.
“We recognize that there is much work still to be done, but I am pleased with the development we saw this year at all levels of the organization,” Attanasio said. “This off-season, we will continue to pursue the same strategy of consistently developing young impact players who can excel at the style of play that Craig has established.”
Attanasio, who stripped the Brewers payroll from more than $100 million in 2015 to less than $60 million last season in the early stages of the rebuild, said the team is “investing heavily in scouting and player development through advanced technology, talent evaluation and analytics.”
Attanasio said the Brewers “remain committed to acquiring top talent through the amateur draft, the international market, trades and free agency.” Off the field, he pointed to the massive project underway to overhaul the food and beverage program at Miller Park before the 2017 season, done at the club’s expense.
“This is the single largest club project in terms of scope and investment in the history of Miller Park,” he said.
Attanasio noted the Brewers are one of only nine major-league clubs to draw at least 2.3 million fans in every season since 2006.
“We appreciate your support as we continue toward our goal of bringing the World Series back to Milwaukee. Go Brewers!” Attanasio said in finishing his letter to the fans.