Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training Roundup: February 22

Here’s what has been going on in Brewers camp over the last few days.

• As part of their renewal deal with the city of Maryvale, the Brewers agreed to finance renovations to the ballpark, with some help kicked in from the city. Today, the Brewers revealed their plans to renovate their spring training facility. The project, which could cost up to $75 million (around 80% of which will be covered by the Brewers), is expected to be mostly complete for spring training 2019. (Tim Dillard then followed up with his version of the renderings of the ballpark.)
• We are getting more of an idea about how the playing time will be divided during the upcoming season. Craig Counsell confirmed that Ryan Braun will spend his time working in left field and at first base, while Christian Yelich will be working primarily in left field, but also get some time in center and right field.
• Two prospects who could see some time with the Brewers this year are Freddy Peralta and Corbin Burnes. Both could get called up if there is a need around the middle of the season.
• On the injury side, it’s good news for Nathan Kirby and Phil Bickford, who have been cleared for full activity in spring training. Devin Williams and Daniel Missaki are also making good progress in their recoveries from Tommy John surgery.
• The first full team meeting took place on Tuesday, with both manager Craig Counsell and GM David Stearns talking to the players. Both of them had a common theme to their talks: being connected to the other players.
• Team owner Mark Attanasio also spoke to the players on Tuesday, and it’s one of the moments each year that he looks forward to the most. Of course, as an owner, he has to be careful about walking the line between being a fan and running a buisness.
• Of course, there’s generally many excited feelings about seeing fellow teammates again in spring, as Tim Dillard demonstrates.
• Spring training also means that plenty of kids are in the clubhouse. That generally means that if there’s something you don’t want touched, you shouldn’t leave it out where the kids can get to it.
• Our position-by-position preview of the Brewers in 2018 continued with a look at the situations at catcher and first base.
• On the minor league side, the Brewers signed infielder Jake Hager to a minor-league contract.
• On Monday night, a few of the Brewers players went to the WWE Monday Night Raw show at the US Airways Center. After the show, they got to meet some of the wrestlers, and Braun Strowman helped the Brewers deliver a message to MLB.
• In former Brewers news, Carlos Gomez has a new team, as he has signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
• To finish off today, here’s a story about MLB coming together after the events that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 14 students and 3 faculty members were killed in a shooting on February 14. All 30 MLB teams will wear baseball caps of the school during their first spring training game this weekend as a show of support following the shooting. The caps will then be signed and auctioned off to raise money for the Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund.