FanPost

The Battle for Center Field

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Unfortunately for Brewers fans, the only opportunity to see Carlos Gomez’s sweet bat flips in person will be during the first homestand of the season, when the Astros come to Milwaukee in early April. In the midst of a disappointing 2015 season, Brewers fans saw Carlos Gomez depart via trade to the Houston Astros prior to the trade deadline.

The center field job is wide open for the Milwaukee Brewers coming into the 2016 season. Gerardo Parra, Shane Peterson, Domingo Santana, and Logan Schafer were among the other players to man the position last season. Parra, who was traded to the Orioles last season, now is with Colorado after signing a deal with them this winter. Logan Schafer, who was granted free agency and signed a minor league deal with Washington, is now competing for a spot on the Nationals roster as a non-roster invitee. Following the Khris Davis trade, Ryan Braun will slide back over to left field while Domingo Santana will shift back over to his natural spot in right.

With all of these changes occurring since the end of last season, the Brewers rebuilding process has left the situation up in the air coming into the 2016 campaign. Here’s a look at the candidates vying for the job this spring:

Shane Peterson

Shane Peterson, the only name on this list to see time in center for the Brewers last season, was acquired by Milwaukee on December 23, 2014. Picked up off of waivers from the Cubs (who had four days prior picked Peterson off waivers from Oakland), Peterson started 20 games for the Brewers in 2015. Peterson also saw playing time in both corner outfield spots (33 games in left field, 9 games in right field) and even started a game at first base. Peterson showed signs of promise in his time with the club, posting a .259/.324/.353 line with the Crew last season. A former second round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2008, Peterson has shown more of a knack for contact than power (.286 career hitter in the minors) with some speed on the base paths (84 steals in 828 minor league games), although he did not successfully swipe any bases in the majors.

Prediction: Peterson was given a chance to showcase his abilities with significant playing time in 2015. However, after being outrighted to Colorado Springs in February, he is no longer on the 40-man roster. Peterson will not make the roster out of spring, but will remain a top option for an injury replacement.

Ramon Flores

Ramon Flores was acquired by the Brewers during the offseason, in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for Luis Sardiñas. Flores, who joined Seattle as part of the trade for Dustin Ackley, spent time in the majors with the Yankees in 2015. He was given limited opportunities in his brief stint with New York, appearing in only 12 games. Spending most of his season in AAA between the two organizations, Flores was able to put up solid numbers. Flores swung a solid bat, posting a slash line of .308/.401/.454 while homering 9 times and driving in 41 runs. Flores has shown patience at the plate in much of his minor league career, and in 2015 he notably drew more walks (50) than strikeouts (49). Flores speed on the base paths is also slightly above average, as he stole double-digit bases in his 2011 and 2012 minor league seasons.

Prediction: Flores has a decent spring showing, and is given the opportunity to begin the season with the big league club. He will not have a prominent role, but will be given the chance to serve as 4th/5th outfielder.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis

Kirk Nieuwenhuis was acquired by the Brewers after being selected off of waivers from the Mets this offseason. Nieuwenhuis spent 10 games with the Angels last season, but the rest of his four year major league career has been with the Mets. Once a top prospect in the organization, Nieuwenhuis has yet to deliver on those high hopes. He has shown flashes of promise throughout his young career, highlighted by a 3 homer game against the Diamondbacks in July. Even with his performance on that particular day, his struggles early on last season were illustrated by his batting average, which only rose to .143 following the game. A career .232/.306/.389 slash line leaves lots of room for improvement for Nieuwenhuis. Nieuwenhuis has shown that he has all five tools, but has yet to turn them into success. An opportunity as an everyday starter may change that this season.

Prediction: "Captain" Kirk is your 2016 Opening Day centerfielder. He will share time in the outfield, but will receive the majority of the playing time early on.

Rymer Liriano

Liriano was acquired by the Brewers via trade back in January. After being DFA’d by the Padres, a deal was worked out between the two clubs to send Liriano to Milwaukee. Liriano got a taste of major league action in 2014, but struggled in 121 plate appearances (.220/.289/.266). He has shown that he has all five tools, with his speed being a notable feature. In 2011, he swiped 66 bases in the minor leagues. Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery which cost the outfielder his 2013 season, Liriano has been praised for his throwing arm. Liriano was once a highly regarded prospect in the Padres organization, being ranked in the top 100 prior to the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He has since lost top prospect status, but the Brewers are hoping to see some of his potential this season.

Prediction: Rymer Liriano, out of minor league options, cracks the roster and is the fourth outfielder on Opening Day.

Keon Broxton

Broxton was acquired from the Pirates along with pitching prospect Trey Supak in an offseason deal for first baseman Jason Rogers. Broxton appeared in seven games for the Pirates last season, but only had two plate appearances. Drafted a second time by the Diamondbacks in 2009 (3rd round), Broxton has displayed a combination of both power and speed in the minors. Splitting time between AA Altoona and AAA Indianapolis in the Pirates organization last year, Broxton hit 10 homers while driving in 68 runs. Broxton also swiped 39 bags and put up a slash of .273/.357/.438.

Prediction: Broxton still has a minor league option available. Although he is an intriguing prospect, he will begin the year in AAA.

Eric Young Jr.

Eric Young Jr.signed a minor league deal with Brewers in January. The speedster has spent time at the major league level with the Rockies, Mets, and Braves. He has logged more innings in left field than any other spot on the field, but also has seen significant time in center and second base. The versatility of the switch hitter could pose an interesting factor in any roster decisions being made.

Prediction: Young Jr. will contend for a fourth outfielder/utility role with the club, but will not make the major league roster out of camp.

Alex Presley

Alex Presley is another candidate for the job who is currently on a minor league deal, signed by the team in December. The former Pirates, Twins, and Astros outfielder is looking for a spot on the major league roster this spring. The thirty year old is a six year MLB veteran. Over those six seasons, Presley hasn’t displayed much power, only homering 23 times while driving in 80. A career slash of .259/.299/.393 won’t open too many eyes, though his bat is passable. Presley’s defense and arm have been characterized as about average. While his speed has been described as above average, it hasn’t produced any significant contributions on the base paths.

Projection: Presley could be in contention for a fourth outfielder spot, but will ultimately fail to make the big league roster.

Brett Phillips and Michael Reed

Brett Phillips, the highly touted prospect acquired from the Astros as part of the Gomez/Fiers trade and Michael Reed, who saw playing time with the Brewers in late September, have already been reassigned to minor league camp. Both are likely in the Brewers future plans, even perhaps later this season. Although Phillips isn’t yet on the 40 man roster, he will most certainly be added in the near future. Reed will most likely get the call up at some point during the season, although whether that is in September or even earlier due to other circumstances is unclear.

Summary

Nieuwenhuis, Flores, and Liriano are all out of minor league options, meaning that the decision is going to be a tough one. Could the Brewers potentially carry 5 outfielders? It remains to be seen, but there are many moves that still need to be made by the end of spring.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis is my pick to man center field on Opening Day. Among the candidates currently on the 40-man roster, he has the most playing time at the Major League level. Flores and Liriano, both have a decent chance to make the roster as well. With Ryan Braun’s health and Domingo Santana’s lack of experience, perhaps it is plausible that the Brewers may carry 5 outfielders on their opening day roster.