Here at Brew Crew Ball, normally our game recaps provide a play-by-play (or, at least the important plays) of the game that we’re recapping. Since today’s Spring Breakout is an exhibition game, more of an excuse to showcase prospects than a game that really counts for anything, I thought I’d do this recap a bit differently. Here are some of the prospects that stood out in today’s 9-8 loss to the Athletics:
Burke, who played first base tonight, had the Brewers’ only two-hit performance in today’s game. Both hits were singles, starting with an RBI single in the first to score Luis Peña and give Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. Burke also stole third base twice en route to a three-steal performance. He played out of his mind once being promoted to Double-A (.300/.377/.579 with 11 HRs in just 140 at-bats); if he can sustain anything close to that level of performance next season, it might not be long before he’s in a major league clubhouse.
The good: Made only had one hit in three at-bats, but his hit — a 112.7-mph line drive double off of A’s No. 2 prospect Jamie Arnold — was the second-hardest hit ball of the day. The bad: he did have two throwing errors, one of which cost the Brewers a run. Not much more to say about Made, who continues to impress in one way or another nearly every time he’s on the field. He’s Milwaukee’s No. 1 prospect for a reason.
Bitonti’s power has never been in question; he hit 19 home runs last year in Single-A. He ended the season still in Single-A because, despite all his power, he strikes out too much. Bitonti did strike out once in his two at-bats, but the other at-bat ended in a monstrous home run that came off the bat at 115.7 mph. With all the other talented corner infielders in the Brewers’ system, he has been somewhat overlooked. Today’s home run is a reminder that if he can cut down on the strikeouts, his power could be a true difference maker someday.
Other position players who had hits included Andrew Fischer, Brady Ebel, and Daniel Dickinson, all 2025 draft picks. Ebel’s hit, a double to left field, tied the game at 7-7 for the Brewers in the eighth inning. Fischer’s been flashing all spring between the World Baseball Classic and spring training, and tonight was no exception — smoking a 111.3-mph double down the right field line to score Ebel and give the Brewers an 8-7 lead.
Luis Peña got the Brewers on the board in the first with his only hit of the contest:
The pitching staff was a bit less impressive today, as Ethan Dorchies and Wande Torres were the only pitchers who didn’t allow a run. Starter Tyson Hardin allowed four hits and three runs in two innings, walking two and striking out one. The Brewers put up four runs before he was pulled, so Hardin exited the game with the lead. His replacement, Brett Wichrowski, gave up three runs while recording just two outs, though one of the three runs was unearned due to a Made throwing error. The winning run for the Athletics was scored on a Darrien Miller passed ball in the bottom of the eighth, as pitcher Mark Manfredi had already allowed three hits and walked a batter during the frame.
I’d also be remiss not to mention that Josh Adamczewski made a nice leaping catch on the warning track to end the fourth inning. Adamczewski was listed as an infielder and mainly played middle infield last season, but the Brewers have a logjam of prospects (Made, Peña, Cooper Pratt, Jett Williams) that play shortstop and/or second base. Because of this, the Brewers are giving Adamczewski reps in the outfield to get his bat in the lineup. Seeing him do stuff like this defensively is a great sign: