Results tagged ‘ Arizona Fall League ’
Inside the Brewers Winter Development Program at Maryvale Baseball Park
The Brewers have committed to making sure that its facilities at Maryvale Baseball Park are available for Brewers Major League and Minor League players 365 days a year. Special Assistant to the General Manager/Director of Player Development/Training Center Reid Nichols and Assistant Director – Player Development/Training Center Tony Diggs do a fantastic job of maintaining and operating the facility year-round.
As a part of that commitment, the team scheduled a number of sessions and invite players to come in to work on training and conditioning for the upcoming season through structured programs. These groups are different from the group of players out here for the Arizona Fall League. It isn’t so much focused on baseball activity at this point as it is players working on conditioning and how to train their bodies the right way and support their health as they compete as professional athletes.
Nichols and Diggs direct the Winter Development Program with the aid of the rest of the Player Development staff. Frank Neville and Kenny Patterson make sure players receive proper medical care. Jeff Mester designs and implements the strength and conditioning plan. Matt Kerls ensures the video is rolling and players can analyze their development on video.
On Wednesday, I spent a day at the complex and followed around nine Brewers Minor Leaguers who were participating in this two-week session. Follow along with the day of activities.
8:30 a.m. – Staff Meeting
Nichols and Diggs led a staff meeting that set the tone for the day. They review the schedule of events and staff members went around the room to discuss their role in Wednesday’s activities.
Reid Nichols and Tony Diggs address the Training Center Staff at the start of the day.
9:15 a.m. – Dynamic Warm Up
The players start arriving around 8:30 a.m. and the pitchers and position players are split up to warm up. The video below shows the pitchers warming up with the ladder run under Mester’s direction just to get the blood flowing and stretch out the muscles.
9:40 a.m. – Pitchers Bunting/Upper Body Lift
The pitchers stayed outside in the batting cages and divided into two groups for some bunting practice.
The first group (as seen in the video below) practiced bunting tennis balls out of a pitching machine. Now why would professional baseball players take pitches of tennis balls? It is all to train the eyes. “Crosshairs” mark some of the balls while others have “Os” and still others with nothing. Players were only to hit those with “crosshairs.” It was more of an eye training exercise than one of fundamentals.
Players tried to hit only the balls with the "crosshairs" (the one on the left) and let the other ones go.
Another group practiced bunting from real baseballs out of a pitching machine. There was another catch here. Some balls were smaller “training balls.” Again, this required the players to train their eyes as the smaller balls were much more difficult to hit.
The smaller ball in my hand compared to the regular sized baseball.
While the pitchers were outside, the position players were working with members of the strength staff on a general upper body workout circuit.
Khris Davis
Other days, players work on speed with hill workouts, or sometimes lower body workouts or workouts that focus on a players core. The key to this all is that they are doing something different every day and most days they don’t even pick up a baseball, bat or glove.
12:00 p.m. – Spin Class
At 11:20 a.m., the group got in vans and drove about 15 minutes west to Lifetime Fitness in Goodyear. This all-in-one fitness center has it all and players often come here to take specialized classes. Today, it would be a yoga and spin class. Amy, our instructor, took us on a high-intensity 30-minute ride. I had never taken a spin class before, but heard a lot about them. It was very intense, high-energy workout, but a good change of pace and a very good workout. My legs were a little wobbly when we the class ended and I shot the video while I was spinning along with the class.
12:30 p.m. – Yoga
It is kind of hard to go from the fast-paced spin workout into yoga, but it was a good way to relax and end the day. Amy brought the group through a 30-minute yoga session that calmed the body while at the same time focused on strength and balance of the core which is important especially to baseball players. One might think it is a little strange to see a group of baseball players doing a yoga class, but the techniques of balance, flexibility and focus are beneficial all athletes.
This is just a sample of the type of day players will have in this session. Yesterday, players in the program were going to take part in Skype interviews with a nutritionist who will talk to players one-on-one about eating the proper foods and fueling their bodies for competition. Some nights feature organized events as well such as dinners, group outings or even community service projects to promote camaraderie among the teammates.
Thanks to Brewers players Khris Davis, Drew Gagnon, Sean Halton, Cody Hawn, Kyle Heckathorn, Jimmy Nelson, Nick Ramirez, Chad Thompson and Will West for letting me tag along for the day. Fans should know these guys were all working hard on their dream of one day playing at Miller Park for the Milwaukee Brewers.
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
Hard Work and Hustle Compliment Kentrail Davis’ Superior Athleticism
Scouts often talk about the “power/speed” combination in baseball prospects. It’s the combination of the ability to do things like hit home runs while at the same time, excel at things like stealing bases. A Brewers prospect that fits that mold is Kentrail Davis.
Davis is solid athlete with plenty of ability and a lot of potential to be a future Milwaukee Brewers All-Star in the outfield. He spent the 2011 season—his second professional season—with Class-A Brevard County and hit .245 with eight home runs and 46 RBI. He led the team with 33 stolen bases and 76 runs scored.
Kentrail Davis
“My first year (2010), I missed a lot of time with injuries and that was a little frustrating,” said Davis. “It was good to get back this year and play 132 games. I was proud of that. I feel like I have a lot to improve on when it comes to my game, but it was still a good year for me.”
The 39th overall selection by the Brewers in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Tennessee, Davis joined the organization as a decorated college athlete and highly touted prospect. Entering the 2011 season, Davis ranks as the fifth-best prospect according to Baseball America. The opportunity to play here in Arizona playing with other top prospects in the Fall League excites Davis.
Kentrail Davis
“For me, it is an honor to be here,” said the 23-year old. “Obviously, the Brewers believe in me and believe in what I can do. I am very happy to have this chance to show everyone a little more of what I can do. It is a good opportunity for me to show the organization that I can hit good pitching and play with the best.”
Davis is 5-9 and weighs 195 pounds; he uses his athleticism and speed at the plate, on the base paths and in the outfield.
“I just go out there and play,” said Davis. “If it is hitting, or stealing a bag, or running a ball down in the outfield, I use that athleticism and my ability to prove I can play.”
He said he follows the Brewers as much as possible throughout the season and knows the what the organization and the fans expect from its players.
“I’m just a player that goes out there and gives my best every day,” said Davis. “I bring a lot of energy and play hard—I think that is what the Brewers are looking for. I run out every play down the baseline and one thing the organization told me when they drafted me is that they love that I play the game hard. I just try to stay by that rule.”
Hard work, hustle and raw talent are three things that will certainly help Davis’ dream of making the Big Leagues a reality.
THURSDAY WRAP UP
Score: Peoria 2, Phoenix 2 (7 inning game due to shortage of available pitchers)
Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees
Brewers In the Box Score: Scooter Gennett went 1-for-3, and ended the Arizona Fall League with a .411 batting average, good for second overall in the league.
Fall Fodder
- Today was the last game for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League, the team ended with a 16-19 record.
- The championship game will be Saturday between Salt River and Surprise. The game will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com beginning at 2 p.m. CT. Arizona Fall League representatives will announce the Stenson Award on Satruday, a sportsmanship award of which Zelous Wheeler is a nominee.
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
Logan Schafer MRI Update
On Tuesday, Logan Schafer told me that he would be leaving the Arizona Fall League two days early to undergo a precautionary MRI on his right wrist. Today, Brewers Executive Vice President – General Manager Gord Ash reported that the MRI did not show any damage and the need for follow-up and further testing is not necessary. Dr. Don Sheridan reviewed the MRI here in Phoenix.
The outfielder played in 21 games this Fall and hit .302 (29-for-96) with two home runs and 16 RBI. He also led the team with five stolen bases. Schafer said he continues to feel good and not have any issues. He also said he will take around three weeks off before beginning his preparation for 2012 and is looking forward to Spring Training.
Logan Schafer
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
Brewers Schafer Reflects on 2011, Looks Forward to 2012
I talked to Logan Schafer today and I reminded him that we talked about a year ago while he was here playing at the Arizona Fall League. He had a number of frustrating injuries during the 2010 season, injuries that only allowed him to play seven games that year. It was extremely frustrating especially coming off a 2009 season that saw him earn Brewers Minor League Player of the Year honors and named a Florida State League All-Star.
He used the 2010 Fall League as a stepping stone for what the Brewers outfield prospect hoped would be a promising 2011.
“It was definitely a year of ups and downs for me personally,” said Schafer.
He was extended an invitation to Major League Spring Training only to have another freak injury. On March 15 at Scottsdale Stadium, Schafer was on first base and broke his thumb trying to break up a double play. It was another injury and another setback for Schafer.
“It was tough getting hurt again at Spring Training, breaking my thumb on another freak injury,” Schafer said. “It was something I couldn’t really avoid, trying to break up a double play. That put me on the DL for a good month and a half and I came back in the middle of May and after rehab started in Double-A and then worked my way up to Triple-A.”
Schafer’s stat line from the 2011 season reads like a tour around the entire Brewers system, nine games at Class-A Brevard County, 50 games at Double-A Huntsville, 40 games at Triple-A Nashville and, a September call-up to the Big League Club and two games with the Brewers. He made his Major League debut on September 2 as a pinch runner and scored the first run of a three-run seventh inning that started a Brewers comeback win in Houston.
“I was very lucky to have the opportunity to get called up in September and join a championship caliber team for that month,” Schafer said. “I really enjoyed seeing them work; it was a great first taste of the Big Leagues.”
Logan Schafer
After a year of battling back and getting his swing to where he knew it could be, Schafer hit .302 in Double-A and .331 in Triple-A. In September he found himself in the middle of the Brewers chase for a National League Pennant.
“It was exactly what I had dreamed about,” said the 25-year-old lefty. “Every game, every inning, every at bat, every pitch mattered. It really was special to be a part of that. Those guys really knew how to keep it loose, that clubhouse was unbelievable and very open. Everyone could talk to each other freely. It was a lot of great personalities on that Brewers team that meshed together well and it was really interesting to see how they handled their business every day, how they focused and prepared for games every single day while at the same time staying loose.”
It was reported today that one of those personalities, free agent outfielder Mark Kotsay, would be signing with the San Diego Padres. When told of the news, and a possible opportunity with an open roster spot, Schafer was excited.
“I had a lot of fun with Kotsay, he really taught me a lot and was really good to me. I’m very happy for him,” Schafer said. “As for me, I’m just playing the game, I’m ready to go and hopefully make the most of the opportunities that are given to me.
If I go in to Spring Training with the mindset of just playing hard and staying focused, I know good things will happen. I have had a couple of ups and down with injuries, but when I’m healthy and ready to play, I’m focused and ready to come to work.”
Tomorrow, Schafer will leave the Arizona Fall League to undergo a precautionary MRI on his wrist to make sure everything is healed properly as he closes out his 2011 season.
“Really, I feel great. My body feels great. I missed a week out here with some inflammation and I was just letting that calm down a bit and got back to playing again and now I feel great. Coming to the end of November here, it is good to know that my body has held up pretty well. It has been a pretty long year for me, but I feel great.”
Today, Schafer went 3-for-5 with a double and RBI and is hitting .302 with two home runs and 16 RBI this Fall.
“Obviously, I didn’t get to play every day in September and that is why it was great to come out here again,” Schafer said. “Every game mattered in September and I understood that I couldn’t play all the time, but it is great to be here and get some more at bats before the year ends. I feel like I have my swing back and I have been hitting well, it is good to have that back.”
Schafer said following his time here in Arizona, he will take about two weeks off to rest before getting back to his regular weight routine and agility workouts.
“You can just go in there and let things happen and play the game and play hard. I don’t make decisions; I just play and play hard. Come Spring Training, I’ll be excited to go out there, get hits and make pitchers want me out there in the outfield.”
–
TUESDAY WRAP UP
Score: Peoria 11, Mesa 9
Weather: Sunny, 71 degrees
Tomorrow: Peoria at Scottsdale, 7:35 p.m. CT
Brewers In the Box Score: Scooter Gennett led off the game with a double, he finished the day 3-for-5….. Logan Schafer had a fantastic bunt for a hit in the third inning but was later called out on a close call attempting to steal second base, Schafer added a double in the 6th and finished the day 3-for-5…..Zelous Wheeler played first base for just the second time during the Fall League and had a RBI triple in the 6th that scored Schafer, he finished 1-4…..Casey Medlen came in to pitch a perfect 7th inning and recorded one strikeout.
On the Other Team: A prospect in the Twins organization, outfielder Aaron Hicks went 4-for-5 for Mesa.
Arizona Fall League Brewers History Note: Former Brewers C Mike Matheny, who was recently named manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, played in the Fall League as a Brewers Prospect in 1993.
Scooter Gennett
Casey Medlen
Zelous Wheeler
Fall Fodder
- Gennett entered the day with a .432 batting average, good for second in the AFL, after today’s game, his average is .434, just .003 points below his fellow Peoria teammate and Padres prospect Jedd Gyorko (.437).
- It was announced today that Wheeler was named one of six nominees for the AFL Stenson Sportsmanship Award. The manager and coaching staff from each team were asked to nominate one player for the award and the winner will be announced prior to the start of Saturday’s AFL Championship Game (2 p.m. CT on MLB.com and MLB Network). The award was named in memory of Dernell Stenson, the late Cinicnnati Reds prospect who was killed in 2003 in Arizona during the AFL season. The award is presented annually to the Fall League player who best exemplifies unselfishness, hard work and leadership.
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
Arizona Fall League Set to Wrap Up This Week
Tomorrow, I will be in Arizona for three days to write about the final three days of the Arizona Fall League. The Arizona Fall League is celebrating its 20th season of showcasing some of the top up-and-coming prospects from every MLB team. Some of the participants might be players fans know about while others will soon become household names.
A number of the Brewers current stars were seasoned in the Arizona Fall League. Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, Nyjer Morgan and Rickie Weeks have all participated in the Arizona Fall League. Even Brewers Manager Ron Roenicke has participated in the Arizona Fall League, once as a manager in the league.
There are six teams in the league that are formed with prospects from all 30 Major League teams. Those prospects are selected by team general managers and are given the opportunity to perform for baseball scouts, general managers and farm directors from every MLB team. The teams are just wrapping up a seven-week, 38-game season and the Brewers have had scouts watching the league throughout the season. Doug Melvin and Gord Ash also have both spent time in Arizona talking to scouts and players as a part of their preparation for the 2012 season.
The nine Brewers players participating in the Arizona Fall League are members of the Peoria Javelinas. That team is made up of players from the Brewers, Cardinals, Mariners, Mets and Padres and they play their home games at Peoria Stadium, the Spring Training home of the Mariners and Padres. Entering today, the team has a 13-19 record and is in second-place in the West Division. Here is some information on the Brewers players participating in the league:
Jed Bradley
JED BRADLEY – LHP
The 15th overall selection by the Brewers in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, Bradley did not pitch professionally this season. He attended Georgia Tech University and signed with the Brewers on the signing deadline, August 15. Entering today, Bradley has made four appearances/one start in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 0-0 record with a 6.35 ERA and five strikeouts.
Kentrail Davis
KENTRAIL DAVIS – OF
Davis was selected in the supplemental first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft after attending the University of Tennessee. Davis spent the 2011 season with Double-A Brevard County where he hit .245 with eight home runs and 46 RBI. So far in the Arizona Fall League, Davis is hitting .324 with one home run and nine RBI in 20 games. He enjoyed a 12-game hitting streak that ended on Friday (he walked four times that game).
Scooter Gennett
SCOOTER GENNETT – INF
Gennett has been a solid hitter in his first two professional seasons and is currently second in hitting in the Arizona Fall League with a .419 batting average. A 16th round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Gennett spent the 2011 season with Class-A Brevard County where he was a Florida State League All-Star. He hit .300 with nine home runs and 51 RBI this season for the Manatees. Gennett entered the 2011 season rated as the fourth-best prospect in the Brewers’ organization by Baseball America.
Brandon Kintzler
BRANDON KINTZLER – RHP
Kintzler spent some time with the Brewers this season, appearing in nine games before his season was cut short with surgery on his right forearm on July 26. Another benefit of the Fall League is that players like Kintzler can use it to aid in rehabilitation. Kintzler has only pitched 2.2 innings so far this Fall as he prepares for the 2012 season.
Daniel Meadows
DANIEL MEADOWS – LHP
Meadows was selected by the Brewers in the 49th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft and worked his way through the Brewers minor league system all the way up to Triple-A Nashville this year where he finished the year with a 0-2 record and 4.04 ERA in 20 games. Meadows earned the promotion thanks to an All-Star first half of 2011 with Double-A Huntsville where he went 6-2 with a 1.51 ERA in 21 relief appearances. With the Stars this season, Meadows held opponents to a .192 batting average. So far this Fall, Meadows has made nine relief appearances and is 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA.
CASEY MEDLEN – RHP
Medlen was a third round selection of the Brewers in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft and split his first professional season between Rookie Arizona and Class-A Wisconsin. Between the two stops, Medlen was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA in 22 appearances. He recorded 44 strikeouts in 34.2 innings pitched. This Fall, Medlen is 1-2 with a 6.35 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched.
Cody Scarpetta
CODY SCARPETTA – RHP
Scarpetta spent the entire 2011 season with Huntsvile where he went 9-5 with a 3.85 ERA in 23 starts. He was an 11th round selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft and is currently 0-3 with a 19.64 ERA in five Fall appearances. Scarpetta is a native of Rockford, Ill. and his father pitched in the Brewers organization.
Logan Schafer
LOGAN SCHAFER – OF
Schafer spent September with the Brewers and made his Major League debut on September 2. He was a third-round pick by the Brewers in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft and was named the Brewers Minor League Player of the Year in 2009. He missed most of the 2010 season with injury and played in the Fall League last year while recovering. So far this year, Schafer is hitting .291 with two home runs and 15 RBI.
Zelous Wheeler
ZELOUS WHEELER – INF
Wheeler split the season between Huntsville and Nashville and combined to hit .272 with nine home runs and 38 RBI. He was selected in the 19th round by the Brewers in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. He was a South Atlantic League All-Star in 2008 and a Florida State League All-Star in 2009.
I will have updates and features on players throughout the week this week. If you have any questions or ideas, please let me know and I will try get your questions answered!
For more information on the Arizona Fall League click this link: Arizona Fall League.
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
There’s No Offseason For…John Steinmiller
Since the season ended, I get asked probably every other day, “So now what do you do?”
People ask me if I get the winter off, or do I work three hours a day, or if I come in four days a week—I have probably heard it all in seven years. Truth is, yes, things slow down a bit when compared to the regular season, but no, I do not get the entire winter off. I am able to take some more time off here and there, but by no means does that mean we have the winter off.
Cait started this series two before the 2010 season to give inside look at what goes on in the Brewers Front Office during the offseason. We realized that in interviewing others to see what their offseason is like; we never really talked about how we spend our offseason. Cait will tell you about her offseason later, I will fill you in on what goes on in Media Relations now. There is much truth to Cait’s title of “There’s No Offseason For…”
There are a number of important projects that the Media Relations Department works on during the offseason. The most important thing that the Media Relations Department does is make sure that the Brewers stay on the minds of fans throughout the year–no matter if we are on the field or off the field. There are obviously not games going on so baseball might not be on the minds of all of our fans, but our goal is to have people talking and thinking about Brewers baseball as much as possible.
So, after catching my breath following an enjoyable Postseason run, here are some of the main projects that I work on during the offseason:
“The” Media Guide – This is probably our biggest project and the one that takes the most time. At around 350 pages, the Brewers Media Guide is full with Brewers history, facts, news and other information. Myself, Mike Vassallo and Ken Spindler chip away at the project throughout the winter. I love the stats and especially the historical information contained in Media Guides, I grew up reading them and still love reading them.
We would like to have the completed books in hand by the first Spring Training game, so we work with a set of dates that allows us to reach that goal (proud to say that we are early every year, even with some snowstorm shipping delays!). It is a pretty big project as the media guide contains a lot of numbers and statistical information that must be 100% correct. It is quite the process, organizing, resizing and configuring photos; sorting, crunching and updating numbers and most importantly, designing the cover.
The Arizona Fall League – Last year I went down to the Arizona Fall League to write about some of our prospects for the blog. I will be going again this year next week to do the same. Stay tuned for some reports from the last week of the Arizona Fall League in Phoenix.
Brewers On Deck – Perhaps our biggest offseason event, Brewers On Deck—scheduled for Sunday, January 29 2012 at the Frontier Airlines Center in Downtown Milwaukee—is another huge offseason project that involves pretty much every department of the front office. The event requires a lot of planning and I work on a couple of different areas. I put together the Brewers Museum exhibit and work on promotion of the event through social media and traditional media. We also schedule press conferences and other media availability during the event. It is an event that fans look forward to every year and we are all excited to get going on the 2012 event.
The Winter Meetings – The Winter Meetings are an annual MLB event that encompasses a number of things. For one, it is where the Baseball Operations departments from all 30 MLB teams gather to strategize what they need for the upcoming season. Team representatives talk with other team representatives on trades and free agents meet with prospective teams.
As a PR staff, we are there to help the media with any player moves that might involve the Brewers. MLB also hosts a series of PR meetings that include sessions on what is going on in the industry. The Winter Meetings are held during the first week of December and this year will be in Dallas.
Spring Training – Spring Training signifies the end of the “offseason,” but is still part of the preparation process for the upcoming season. We bring our entire operation to Phoenix for about eight weeks where we prepare for the upcoming season with photo shoots, preview interviews, commercial shoots and, well yes, some baseball.
While there are other things that come up during the offseason, those are some of the main projects that I work on during the months without baseball. The games are one of my favorite things about my job, but the anticipation of the upcoming season is something I enjoy as well. Looking at this list, I think I have to get back to work. Until next time…
–JOHN
johnandcait@brewers.com
Maryvale Baseball Park – It’s Just Not For Spring Training Anymore
Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix is the Spring Training home of the Brewers. Most fans know the Major League and Minor League players travel there to work out and prepare for the upcoming season, but don’t know about what–if anything–goes on there before and after Spring Training. Over the past couple of years, Maryvale has transformed into a year-round facility where players from all levels come to train, condition and rehab from injuries.
From February through March, players are there for Spring Training. April through May, some participate in extended Spring Training. June through August, players participate in the Arizona Rookie League. September and October is instructional league. While all the while, players are in and out for rehab assignments and training.
November through January might seem like the only period that the future stars of the organization have some time to relax, however, Maryvale is still buzzing during that time with players participating in the Winter Development Program.
“We really are working on creating that complete player,” said Reid Nichols, Brewers Special Assistant to the General Manager and Director of Player Development/Training Center. “This program is really about setting a foundation for the rest of their careers. It is just a way to give them a good base, get them stronger, faster and smarter.”
The Cone Drill on “The Hill” at the Maryvale Baseball Complex. Uphill, both ways!
Currently in its fifth year, the Brewers Winter Development Program is aimed at having players prepare for the upcoming season in a structured environment. It is open to any player in the Brewers development system and some players receive a scholarship to participate. It is mostly made up of younger players from the Brewers system and is open to all who want to participate. Anywhere from 35 – 55 players participate.
The program is broken up into three sessions. The first two sessions are two weeks long and focus mostly on conditioning. With the players just coming off a long professional season, this part of the program was developed to give players a bit of a mental break following the season.
“This is still intense training,” Nichols said. “But it isn’t the baseball mental grind they are used to during the season. We try and take baseball out of the equation and focus on the conditioning to give players that break. We still try and do everything with a little bit of competition to keep the intensity up.”
A typical day during the first session of camp includes general conditioning workouts, speed training, vision training and lifting. Players also travel in vans to the local Lifetime Fitness Center where they participate in weekly spin, pilates, yoga and water aerobics classes.
Players participate in a yoga class as a part of the Winter Development Program.
“It is nice to switch things up a little bit and get them off the complex,” said Tony Diggs, Assistant Director – Player Development/Training Center who organizes the schedule of the program. “Those classes give them a pretty good core routine. It is good for them to see the different ways they can condition their bodies.”
Ultimate Frisbee is a group favorite during the winter program and bowling nights are also a part of the schedule.
“We light to keep the atmosphere light, while at the same time, make sure they are getting their work in,” said Diggs. “We also like to emphasize camaraderie and teamwork among the players as they will all be coming up together in the organization and building a future together. The bowling tournament can get pretty competitive!”
Nichols added that the camaraderie between players is one thing, but it also helps with staff.
“It is good to get to know the players on a personal note and for them to get to know us,” Nichols said. “We want to have that relationship with the players and vice versa because it is important to develop that bond of trust with the players.”
As a part of the program, players also work on off the field life skills that come along with being a professional baseball player. The team participates in community service activities and has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs, Children’s Hospital, Phoenix-area food banks and, most recently, the Special Olympics.
Sean Halton (right) at a recent Special Olympics event of which that the Brewers Winter Development Program participated.
“These players need to be prepared for this type of thing as they will be doing community service and giving back at every professional level,” Diggs said.
Players even traveled to a fine-dining restaurant in the Phoenix-area and took etiquette lessons from restaurant staff.
“We really don’t want to take things for granted, especially with some of the younger guys,” Nichols said. “A lot of these guys will being going to many nice dinners throughout their careers with agents and other business people. It just comes back to our goal of creating a complete player.”
In the past, sessions on financial planning, English classes (for Spanish-speaking players) and Spanish classes (for English-speaking players) have been offered to players.
Currently, they are in between the first and second sessions, with the second session beginning on November 28. Following the Holiday season and with the start of the third session, Diggs notices the numbers grow in the workouts.
“We being to focus more on baseball in the third session,” Diggs said. “This will take them right into Spring Training. The conditioning that they learned in the first two sessions is continued with the third session, but the focus now turns to baseball and more traditional baseball-related drills.”
Brewers outfielder Corey Hart, pitcher Mitch Stetter and, while a member of the Brewers, shortstop J.J. Hardy all have been regular participants in the third phase of the program. All three are residents of the Phoenix-area and use the program to prepare for Spring Training. Current Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain is a graduate of the full Winter Development Program.
The Winter Development Program is a part of the organization’s overall goal of making Maryvale Baseball Park a place where the younger players in the organization can go to build a foundation for their future and the future of the Brewers.
“We tell our players that we are open for business here at Maryvale anytime,” said Nichols. “We want our players to utilize what we have to offer them because it will make them better players.”
–JOHN
Hunter Morris Adjusts To Position Change in AFL
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About a year ago at this time, Hunter Morris was going through fall conditioning at Auburn University preparing for his junior season. Fast forward to today and the infielder enters today hitting .286 (14-for-49) in the Arizona Fall League with one home run and 10 RBI.
“It’s been busy year,” Morris said. “It seems like I have been all over. We (Auburn) had a pretty good year. It was a nice way to leave Auburn.”
Morris plays third base during a recent Arizona Fall League game.
Auburn did have a very successful 2010 season, reaching the NCAA Regional and finishing with a 43-21 record and a SEC West Division Championship. Morris gathered a number of personal accolades including SEC Player of the Year and First Team All-America. He established an Auburn single-season record with 23 home runs in 2010 and hit .386 with 76 RBI.
Selected by the Brewers in the fourth round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft with the 129th overall pick, Morris wanted to get right in the fold with the organization and quickly signed.
”I signed right away which was what I was hoping for,” Morris said. “I was fortunate to go to Wisconsin and start in the Midwest league. I made it there for about half of the season that is still a long season there.”
After signing, Morris played 71 games with the Timber Rattlers of the Class-A Midwest League. He hit .251 with nine home runs and 44 RBI. Morris now finds himself playing for the Surprise Rafters in the AFL as a late addition, replacing Brett Lawrie.
“To go straight from that (Wisconsin) with a couple of days off right into instructional league and then the Fall League here, that’s a lot!” Morris said. “Add that with changing positions and trying to make the transition from first base to third base, it has been a long year, but it’s been well worth it. I am very happy about everything and I feel like I’m making a good transition to professional baseball.”
Near the end of Wisconsin’s season, Brewers Roving Infield Instructor Garth Iorg talked to Morris about possibly switching positions from first base to third base in hopes of getting him more playing time and becoming a more versatile player.
“It was a much easier transition than I thought it would be,” Morris said. “There is always work to be done and always room to improve and I want to continue to get better, but to me, it didn’t feel like it was the first time I had played third base since high school. It went a lot smoother than I thought. To be honest, I am more comfortable at third base than first base. It will be great to have both (first base and third base) as options moving forward and will only help me out. I have about four gloves in my locker just in case!”
Morris is one of only six players selected in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft to be participating in the AFL. He joins OF Bryce Harper (1st overall, Washington), INF Zack Cox (25th overall, St. Louis), RHP Chance Ruffin (48th overall, Detroit), LHP Sammy Solis (51st overall, Washington) and RHP Jordan Swagerty (75th overall, St. Louis). Morris’ numbers prove that he fits with the caliber of players in the AFL.
“It is a good experience for him,” said Surprise Rafters manager Mike Guerrero. “He has shown a lot of ability and he has shown that he belongs here. We have given him a bit of a challenge in switching his position from first base to learning to play third but he has shown the ability to make the switch work. He has a lot of promise, a good swing and great bat speed–very fundamentally sound at the plate. Probably the best thing is that he has shown unbelievable work ethic and is definitely taking advantage of this opportunity.”
Morris is humbled by the opportunity to play in the AFL this early in his professional career, but also sees it as a tool to improve.
“I’m very blessed to have made it to this point,” Morris said. “Being here in the Fall League is a huge step in my professional career. There are guys who have been in the game four, five six years who have never had this opportunity. To come here and play and step right in and for the Brewers to give me that confidence to play at this level this early in my career is an honor.”
A native of Huntsville, Ala., there is a possibility that Morris would play for Guerrero and his hometown team, the Huntsville Stars this season.
“I want to make sure that I keep my body in shape and where it needs to be coming back to Spring Training,” Morris said. “There are times during the offseason you can let yourself go, and I need to make sure that I don’t put myself in that position. Coming from the SEC, a strong baseball conference and being a college guy, there is always that chance I can move fast through the organization. It is my job to come out and perform and be ready for the 2011 season at home in Huntsville or wherever they see the best fit for me.”
Notes: I’m back in Milwaukee after my week in Arizona and I will continue to post a couple of stories the rest of the week. Please keep your questions coming in for Brewers Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin for a Q&A with him later this week……If you want to follow today’s Surprise Rafters game, follow this link…..I would also like to say “you’re welcome” to everyone in Milwaukee for bringing some of the mild fall weather and sunshine home with me from Phoenix. We will see how long it lasts!…..I don’t know if any readers follow any of the official Brewers twitter feeds (@Brewercom, @Bernie_Brewer, @BrewersHistory, @BrewersCF), but last Friday, Brewers RHP John Axford officially joined Twitter. You can follow him as well: @JohnAxford59.
–JOHN
Jeffress Wows the Crowd At AFL Rising Stars Game
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The fifth annual Arizona Fall League Rising Stars was played last night at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz. The Brewers had three representatives in the game. OF Caleb Gindl, who started in left field and batted second and RHP Jeremy Jeffress will pitch out of the bullpen for the West squad. Mike Guerrero, who is managing the Surprise Rafters and is the manager of Double-A Huntsville, managed the West team.
After the West tied the game at 2-2 in the third, neither team scored until a walk off home run by Leslie Anderson.
The home run dazzled the crowd, but it was Jeffress who drew what were perhaps the loudest cheers of the night. The crowd rose to its feet and cheered his final pitch of the inning to strike out Brandon Laird that read 101 mph on the stadium scoreboard. Earlier in the at bat, the scoreboard read 99 and “00″ for 100.
Jeffress pitches during last night’s AFL Rising Stars game in Surprise, Ariz.
“I don’t know if I had ever received an ovation like that,” said Jeffress. “The home run was a bigger deal than me hitting 100 tonight. That won us the game which is the most important thing. I was just trying to get the outs, hit my spots and I really let it go. I guess it’s the All-Star game and everyone is watching, so why not?”
Jeffress pitched one inning, struck out two, walked one and allowed one hit. Gindl finished the night 0-for-4.
Gindl at bat in last night’s AFL Rising Stars Game in Surprise, Ariz.
A showcase game that features the top talent here in Arizona, 4,749 fans and scouts from every Major League team were in attendance. The game was broadcast on the MLB Network and on mlb.com.
Guerrero was excited for the opportunity to manage the West team.
“It is exciting to be here with all these future stars,” said Guerrero. “This is such a special league and to be a part of this game is an honor. It was nice to see Jeremy show everyone what he has. He has a bright future in the Brewers organization.”
Gindl is currently hitting .298 (14-for-47) with two home runs and six RBI in 13 games. He also has four doubles and one triple in Fall League play. Jeffress has allowed only one earned run in 9.1 innings pitched in Fall League play this year. His 0.96 ERA ranks fourth among pitchers in the AFL. Today was a scheduled off day for the AFL.
The teams were selected by scouting and minor-league directors from every Major League organization, in consultation with Fall League Director Steve Cobb and his staff. Twenty-eight of the 50 players who appeared in last year’s Rising Stars Game played in the Major Leagues in 2010.
I’m currently at Sky Harbor International Airport about to board my flight back to Milwaukee. I’m trying to soak in the last couple minutes of sunshine before returning to Milwaukee and the beginning of winter. I have a couple of stories I will continue to post throughout the week regarding the Arizona Fall League. Also, please continue to send us your questions for Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin regarding the Brewers Minor League system. I can’t wait until I return to Phoenix for Spring Training!
–JOHN
Schafer Looks To Regain Health After Frustrating 2010 Season
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The other day, I wrote about Brewers RHP Brandon Kintzler’s “dream season.” While there are plenty of those stories here at the Arizona Fall League of players finally making their dreams come true, there are also some stories of frustration and broken dreams. Such is the case with Brewers outfield prospect Logan Schafer.
The lefty missed nearly the entire 2010 season with a slew of injuries, one just seemed to pile on to another. In fact, he played his only seven games of the season with a broken foot.
“I had the most frustrating year of my life this year,” Schafer said. “It was definitely tough on me physically and also mentally. Physical pain is something everyone can go through, but the mental pain is really tough. There were times during the year when I asked myself if I would ever be completely healthy again.”
Schafer started with a groin injury that sidelined him for much of Spring Training. In extended Spring Training in Arizona, he fouled a ball off his right foot, but still reported to Brevard County and played seven games on what turned out to be a fractured foot. At that same time, he found out his groin problem turned out to be a hernia that would require surgery.
“It was tough especially since I had three different injuries and they occurred at different times,” Schafer said. “They just kind of piled on to each other. I had a couple of times where I thought I would get on the field and, boom, something else happened.”
For the rest of the summer following his June surgery and right into the Fall League, Schafer reported to Maryvale Baseball Park to rehab with Brewers Minor League physical therapist Kenny Patterson and Brewers Minor League strength and conditioning coordinator Jeff Mester.
“When I came to terms of missing a year,” Schafer said. “I redirected my focus to getting healthy for the Fall League and then winter ball and hopefully being ready to go for next Spring Training. I want to be ready to prove I am worth of making it to the Big Leagues next year.”
Schafer was coming off a stellar 2009 season where he was named the Brewers Minor League player of the year. That season, he won the Florida State League batting title with a .313 batting average. That earned him an invite to Major League Spring Training in 2010, however, the groin injury was suffered just days prior to reporting to Major League camp.
Although Schafer has played in only three games (he is also in today’s starting lineup, playing in centerfield) during the fall, he is trying to work himself back into game shape after months of rehab.
“Being able to get back to playing actual games and get healthy is unbelievable,” Schafer said. “I felt like I was coming to the field everyday (for rehab) and something was missing. Coming out here and seeing this talent is something that I can take different things away from everyday. It is a lot of fun being here in the clubhouse and dugout with them. It is great to be on the field again.”
Schafer and Guerrero talk at third base during a recent Arizona Fall League game.
Entering today’s game, Schafer is hitting .500 (6-for-12) with one RBI. Huntsville Stars and Surprise Rafters manager Mike Guerrero said the key for him at this point is getting healthy and getting some at bats against the solid pitching in the Arizona Fall Leauge.
“For Logan, we are looking to get him back in a routine and back on a track that he was on,” said Guerrero. “When he is completely healthy, we know what he can do. Our prime thing is to get him at bats and when his opportunity comes, we want him to make the best of that opportunity. He is a talented guy and has great ability. It is too bad that he missed so much of the season because of his injuries, but I think he is on the way back and is going to have another great year next season.”
Schafer, a California-native, said that he has been in Arizona for nearly the entire year. He spent two weeks with Brevard County and two weeks home in Los Gatos, Calif. following his surgery. He mentioned the possibility of playing winter ball to continue his recovery and ensure he reports to camp in tip top shape.
“Hopefully I find out about winter ball in the next week or two,” Schafer said. “If I don’t end up going, I don’t think it would be a bad thing to get back to 100% healthy and continue to get my legs stronger. I’m still a little sore, but it is nice to play, I wish I could play a little more to get back into it, but I’m enjoying my time and feel like I’m getting healthier and healthier every day.”
A 2008 third round selection by the Brewers in the First-Year Player Draft, Schafer had early success in his professional career and is not going to let the frustrations of 2010 hinder his development.
”I’m going to just do my best to work at getting to where I need to be and I feel like that is in the Big Leagues sometime in 2011,” Schafer said. “Everything I do and all the work I put in is all for the goal of getting there and winning games. I really want to get and stay healthy and prove that I can do what I can do. I feel that as long as I stay healthy and get there, people will know what kind of player I am and that I’m able to compete on that level.”
John and Cait
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