Multiple-choice tests for Walsh

Versatility may keep him in big leagues

Though considered primarily a second baseman when the Brewers selected him in the Rule 5 draft from Oakland’s organization, Colin Walsh is not a stranger to third base and left field.

Accordingly, it was not a complete shock when Walsh’s major-league debut Monday came in left field during a double-switch in the eighth inning. Walsh did not play an inning in left field during spring camp in Arizona but did appear there Saturday in an exhibition game in Biloxi against the Brewers’ Class AA affiliate.

“That wasn’t expected,” manager Craig Counsell said of using Walsh to replace Ryan Braun in the doubleswitch.

“I don’t think it’s something we anticipate a lot but he has played left field as a professional. I anticipate it in situations like that. We had used both (extra) outfielders already. Hopefully, those situations don’t happen a lot.”

During his six years in the minors, Walsh played in 341 games at second base, 85 in left and 63 at third, and that versatility will be important if he is to stick with the Brewers all season, a prerequisite for keeping Rule 5 picks.

“I played all three positions in the minors but mostly second base last year (at Class AA Midland),” said Walsh, who took grounders at third during an early workout Tuesday. “It has been awhile since I played left or third a lot. So I’m just trying to get comfortable there again.

“I think one of the reasons I got picked by a National League team is because if you’re going to come off the bench, you have to be able to play multiple positions. Hopefully, I will do well and get some more playing time.”

Walsh’s parents came in from San Diego and his brother from Washington, D.C., to see him play his first game in the majors. He struck the ball hard in his only at-bat but lined out to short.

“That’s the way it goes,” he said. “I’m sure some of them will fall in.”

Brewers Hall of Famer once played an inning as catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. No, really he did.

When discussion turned Tuesday to Brewers coach Jason Lane hitting a pinch-hit home run in the exhibition game in Biloxi, Counsell said he got the idea from watching Yount, then a coach with Arizona, play an inning behind the plate during an in-season exhibition game in South Bend, Ind., against the team’s Class A affiliate.

“He was about 50 years old (actually late 40s) and he caught an inning,” said Counsell, who played for the Diamondbacks then. “He put on the catcher’s gear and he caught an inning. He has always said it was one of the most fun things he has ever done. He had a blast doing it.

“This was during the season. This was an in-season exhibition game. But he caught. The pitcher was another whole story. But you can imagine going there during the season, it’s not ideal for a major-league team to be doing that on your off-day.”

In other words, there was some grousing among the players, which stopped when Yount volunteered to catch.

“After Robin did it, there was no more griping,” said Counsell.

Which brings us back to Lane’s home run against the Shuckers, which came against Biloxi left-hander Stephen Peterson. Counsell was asked what was said in the dugout upon Lane’s return.

“Well, he got the silent treatment, so not much was said,” Counsell said with a laugh. “It has to be like that, doesn’t it?

“He did have another atbat coming up and I passed over him. I didn’t think his day could get any better. I thought we should stop there.”