What We Learned: Brewers start spring with split squad sweep

Yesterday’s Results

Brewers 2, Cubs 1

Chase Anderson make his Brewers spring debut with a two scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Jonathan Villar hit a leadoff triple and Colin Walsh drove him in on a sacrifice fly. Jonathan Lucroy drove in the other run for the Brewers.

Brewers 8, Giants 7

Zach Davies pitched a scoreless inning in his first start of the spring. Michael Reed, Shane Peterson, and Chris Carter each drove in multiple runs in the game. Adrian Houser and Tyler Cravy each also had scoreless innings in the game.

Links from BCB

• The countdown to Opening Day is at 31 days. Today's post focuses on 31-year old GM David Stearns.
• The Brewers are going to hold a press conference today in regards to the recent controversy around Hank the Ballpark Pup. Travis discusses what all of this so far has meant.
• Over in the FanPosts, tdgbp asks for everyone to come up with their own jokes to try to get Brett Phillips laughing.

Other Brewers News and Notes

• Yesterday's starters, Chase Anderson and Zach Davies, have both managed to get to this point in their careers thanks to the development of a changeup. Adam McCalvy of Brewers.com spoke with the two on how that pitch has helped them develop as pitchers.
• Jimmy Nelson is working hard to prepare for the season, and has always need a hard worker regardless of what he is doing. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel looks at how Nelson's work ethic will benefit him this year.
• The initial "rotation" has been set by Craig Counsell, and Adam McCalvy notes that Wily Peralta would appear to have the inside track for the Opening Day start. Following Peralta would be Jimmy Nelson, Matt Garza, Taylor Jungmann, and Chase Anderson. McCalvy also notes that Scooter Gennett's spring debut has been delayed due to shoulder soreness.
• Jacob Barnes is in big league camp for the first time, and though he probably won't be on the Brewers roster to start the season, he is preparing for the season like he will be. Tom Haudricourt writes that Barnes is taking his lessons from camp and hopes to get better because of them.
• Kirk Nieuwenhuis is trying to get a spot on the Brewers roster this spring, and has a lot of competition for an outfield spot. Ryan Romano of BP Milwaukee looks at what Nieuwenhuis would bring to the team if he made it out of spring training.
• It's hard to define a player's peak, but there are quantitative ways to help figure it out. Julien Assouline of BP Milwaukee looks at the careers of some of the greatest Brewers to find out when they hit the peaks of their careers.
• The rebuild is underway for the Brewers, but players aren't trying to think about it too much. Jerry Cransick of ESPN looks at the Brewers rebuilding process and how the team is handling it.
• Big League Stew has a preview of the season for the Brewers, though doesn't give much of a reason to be hopeful for them this year.
• Sam Peterson of Miller Park Prospects breaks down the depth at catcher in the Brewers system.

Around Baseball

• MLB is partnering with Snapchat for a Snapchat Day on March 11. All teams will be given a special bat for Snapchat for players to use as their games that day go on.
• Dodgers starting pitcher Brett Anderson will be out three to five months following back surgery.
• The Padres signed LHP Matt Thornton and LHP Christian Friedrich to minor-league contracts.
• Tigers outfielder Cameron Maybin will miss four to six weeks with a broken wrist.

Today's Action

The Brewers play their first full-squad game this afternoon against the Mariners. First pitch is at 2:05 pm.