Erceg gets time in Cactus League
PHOENIX - Lucas Erceg has become upwardly mobile.
By logging five innings in the field and a couple of at-bats in the Milwaukee Brewers’ 5-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday, the third-base prospect became the first member of the team’s 2016 draft class to log some major-league game time.
Yes, it’s only spring training. But it’s also a big step forward for the 21-year-old, second-round pick who was drafted out of NAIA Menlo College a little over nine months ago.
“He was excited, for sure,” said manager Craig Counsell. “It was an exciting day for him and for a couple kids playing in their first major-league spring training games. It’s fun when those guys have success.
“Your first day over here, that’s a big day.”
Erceg replaced starter Travis Shaw at third base in the fifth inning. He popped out in his first at-bat before capping his day with a solid single to right in the ninth. The ball went through the legs of the Texas rightfielder, and Ryan Cordell came around from first to cap the scoring.
“It was an awesome experience,” Erceg said. “I was definitely ready to go. I knew I was coming into the game and not starting, so I just tried to keep myself prepared and when I got my opportunity I just went out there and had some fun.”
Erceg was a fast mover in his first professional season. After signing for a reported $1.15 million as the 46th overall pick, he hit .400 with two home runs and 22 runs batted in while posting a .452 on-base percentage and 1.005 OPS over 26 games for rookie-league Helena.
The Brewers bumped him up to Class A Wisconsin, and he responded by hitting .281 with seven homers and 29 RBI over 42 games while helping the Timber Rattlers to the Midwest League playoffs.
“It was definitely a lot,” Erceg said. “Getting into a lot of things in a small amount of time. I’d like to say I kept my composure really well. I’ve never been one to overthink the game of baseball, no matter what level I’m in.
“Just go out and play baseball no matter where it is, no matter how cold it is, no matter how hot it is. It’s a game that I loved growing up playing and hopefully I have a long career ahead of me.”
Erceg played almost exclusively at third base in 2016 but played at shortstop at Wisconsin on a few occasions after mentioning he’d like to try it. He grew up playing shortstop in San Jose, Calif., and was also a closer in college.
He’s considered the Brewers’ third baseman of the future, but Erceg said he’ll do whatever is asked of him.
It’s expected Erceg will open the season at advanced Class A Carolina, though the Brewers won’t announce assignments until later this spring.
Hart, Burdette honored: The Brewers announced that former Brewers outfielder/first baseman Corey Hart and former Milwaukee Braves pitcher Lew Burdette will be inducted into the team’s Wall of Honor at Miller Park this year.
The Brewers and the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association will induct Burdette on Friday, May 26, when the Brewers play Arizona. Hart will be enshrined on Friday, June 30, when the Brewers play Miami.
By sheer coincidence, Hart was in the Brewers’ camp Tuesday to serve as a guest instructor, a role he hopes to continue in the future. Hart also will work with Brewers’ prospects on the minor-league side this spring.
“We’re trying to figure it out, whether it’s on this side or the other side,” Hart said. “I miss hanging around the guys and seeing guys. I’m open to doing whatever they want.”
Hart said he has been busy coaching son Matthew’s 12-year-old travel team and doing things with his other three children. That makes it tougher to commit to a bigger schedule with the Brewers.
As for his Wall of Honor selection, Hart said, “It’s awesome. I was here for 13 years (minors and majors). I always wanted to be here. This is the family atmosphere I want to be involved with. That makes it special.”
Burdette’s daughter, Ma- ry Lou Burdette-Wieloszynski, said, “We are very appreciative of this honor and would like to thank the Brewers and the Braves Historical Association. My father loved playing in Milwaukee and the encouragement from the fans meant the world to him.”
Burdette, who passed away in 2007, was MVP of the 1957 World Series after going 3-0 with a 0.67 ERA, including shutouts in Games 5 and 7. In 420 games for the Braves, he was 173109 with a 3.53 ERA.
Hart was a two-time allstar and spent nine of his 11 seasons with the Brewers, batting .276 with 154 homers, 508 RBI and 83 stolen bases in 945 games.
The Brewers also announced they will have no 2017 inductees into their Walk of Fame. With 30 ballots cast, 20 votes were needed for election and the closest candidates were Geoff Jenkins and Del Crandall, who had 17 each.
Learning lessons: The Brewers made multiple base-running miscues in each of their first three Cactus League games, including a not-so-memorable third inning Monday when they ran into three outs against the Rangers.
Base-running has been a hot-button topic with Milwaukee fans in recent years – first with Carlos Gomez and most recently with Jonathan Villar, who was even benched for a game for multiple mistakes last season.
“We spent 15 minutes on it today,” Counsell said. “But we address things about the game every day. We take a group of games, and we address positives and negatives. That’s part of it.