First-rounder Mitchell opens eyes in Brewers’ camp
PHOENIX – What Garrett Mitchell is doing is not normal. You don’t just show up in big-league spring camp and start belting out hits without having played even one game professionally.
Nothing has been normal for the major-league draft class of 2020, however. They were plucked from the amateur ranks during the middle of the coronavirus pandemic with no minor leagues in which to begin their careers. Hurry up and wait became their theme.
No big deal for Mitchell, a 22-year-old centerfielder taken out of UCLA by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round of what became a shortened five-round draft. In his first week of Cactus League action, he has gone 3 for 6 with a walk, two runs scored and two runs batted in.
And, oh yeah, all three hits for the left-handed-hitting Mitchell came off left-handed pitchers, normally increasing the degree of difficulty.
“This is just the start for him,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Saturday morning. “The first time he puts on a uniform in front of fans, he’s playing in major-league spring training games. He participated in instructional league, but this is really his first experience, and even this is a little different.
“For anybody, especially guys like him, it’s a learning experience. Being
around the older players, learning their routines, listening. Having your eyes open and your ears open and picking up what you can, then just going out and enjoying it and having fun playing.
“A lot of guys had their summers wiped out because there was no baseball, so just being back in a uniform and running around on the field brings a lot of joy.”
Which is exactly the way Mitchell has looked at this remarkable experience. When first told he would be coming to spring training for a mini-camp with other minor-leaguers, most of whom already had gotten their pro careers going, the native Californian had no idea what to expect.
“When I first came in, I didn't have too many expectations,” Mitchell said. “It was just to learn and understand what was going on; be able to pick the minds of the big-leaguers. But, as time has gone on, I've just tried to stay ready to play every single day.
“I'm usually going in with the second rotation. So, anywhere from the fourth to sixth inning, I'll come in. The biggest thing is just staying prepared any way I can.”
As for that immediate success against lefties, Mitchell said, “I try to stay simple. Stay in the (strike) zone and try to use the middle of the field in that situation. I try to keep my front shoulder closed and not to pull off.
“For me, I see lefties really well. Statistically in my career, I've seen them pretty well.”
Mitchell knew when he got drafted there would be no rookie ball, usually the next step for neophyte pros. The Brewers took some younger prospects to their alternate training site in Appleton but chose not to bring Mitchell, so he enjoyed some unforeseen time at home.
“I got to spend a lot of time with friends and family, when I usually wouldn't be able to in a normal year. So, that was cool,” he said. “My dad is a physical fitness trainer and message therapist, so I had a gym I was able to use whenever I wanted. I definitely took advantage of that and tried to stay as best prepared as I could.”
When Mitchell finally was able to suit up in the Brewers' fall instructional league camp, he was slowed by a sore quadriceps and was able to play in only a few games toward the end. Buzzard's luck, for sure, but the upbeat, positive Mitchell did not view it through that prism.
“The biggest thing I was dealing with was just trying to stay in baseball shape,” he said. “I wasn't really injured. It was just getting back in the swing of things. It was nice to get back on the field, even for a short period of time.
“I was able to get a lot of answers to questions and feel what my body was experiencing. I found out what I needed to do to get my body ready to play every day. I spent a lot of time here (at the training facility) during the offseason. I feel healthy now and good to go fullsteam ahead.”
Then came the unexpected invitation to spring camp and the chance to play with and against big-leaguers. And, beyond that, the opportunity to talk to bigleaguers in the clubhouse every day.
How much better could it get for a young centerfielder than to be able to pick the brain of veteran Lorenzo Cain, a longtime star at that position? And, any day now, another Gold Glover centerfielder will join the group when newly signed Jackie Bradley Jr., reports to camp.
“Those are two guys who've played this game a long time and have a lot of knowledge, and have played in really big situations. They've both won a World Series,” Mitchell said. “I get to soak up as much as I can, ask as many questions as I can. Jackie Bradley went to college and then pro ball, so he went my route. Lorenzo went younger, so it's just cool to be able to ask those guys questions about experiences in their careers.
“I get to watch these guys play, soak up things like a sponge. I'm fortunate because I don't know if this is how it works for everyone. These guys are here for a reason, so to be able to spend time with them and ask questions about what they went like, especially early in their career, is just awesome. I can't say enough about these guys spending time with us.
“You don't just take it with a grain of salt. Everything they say means something. You try to apply it any way you can. This is a business and a lot is going on, so it's exciting to be able to pick their brains.”
The one thing Mitchell doesn't think much about anymore is his Type 1 diabetes. He considers it merely a part of every-day life rather than an impediment to playing baseball at a high level, including an outstanding career at UCLA.
“I get up, I test (his blood sugar level), I eat my food. It's the same routine," he said. "You don't really spend too much time thinking about. People are going to have their opinions and say it stops me from doing things but that's not my concern.
“I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. I just go about my business every day. You could ask probably anyone here and they'd say they don't even know.”
If Mitchell were not a diabetic, however, he probably would not be wearing a Brewers uniform this spring. He was projected to go early in the first round of the '20 draft but slipped to the 20th spot, where Milwaukee happily called out his name.
Asked if he felt he slipped down draft boards because he's a diabetic, Mitchell said, “I would say yes. I can't speak for other teams; I don't really know. But if you look at that day, there are cameras at my house, projected early first round, all that stuff. You hear all the analysts talking about the diabetes and that's why teams were passing on me.
“It was probably true but that wasn't my concern. I fell to the team that wanted me and has high expectations, just like I do myself. There's nothing better than that. Why would you want to go to a team that's worried and concerned? You want to go to somebody who trust and believes in what you do. That's why I have confidence when I got out there and play.
"I just try to soak up the moments and take everything as it comes. You can't control what's happening. But what I can control is how I go about my business and staying ready to play. That's what I focus on the most. 2020 was a horrible year for everyone. Just being able to be here at the complex and train and play and continue to learn has meant so much."
Ears open, eyes open, mouth shut is always the preferred for young players in their first bigleague camp. But it also helps to have a skill set such as Mitchell possesses – good speed, strong arm, excellent defensive instincts, bat-to-ball prowess and perhaps even some budding pop down the road.
“He's a talented player,” Counsell said. “I think that's pretty obvious. He's a left-handed hitting center fielder who runs well and he's known for his defense. He brings a lot to the table. There's a lot of places he can add strengths.
“I think that's what's exciting right now. There doesn't look to be a spot in his game that he doesn't add strength. That's exciting. There's a lot of good things there that he can do to help you win a game.”