Notes: Counsell considering moving slump-ridden Jonathan Villar from leadoff spot

On the basis of his strong 2016 season as the Brewers leadoff hitter, Jonathan Villar has been given a long leash by manager Craig Counsell this year despite a significant falloff in production.

It would appear that leash is getting shorter.

Villar was out of the starting lineup Saturday and when he returns, Counsell said it probably would be in a lower spot in the batting order.

“We’re not at the start of the season anymore,” Counsell said. “We’re past the start of the season. He hasn’t gotten on track, certainly to the level he was at last year.

“He’s still going to be in there. If anything, I’m kind of throwing around in my mind maybe moving him down in the lineup for a little stretch here and see if we can get him going in a different place in the lineup.”

In his first shot at being an everyday player last year, Villar gave Counsell no reason to drop him from the No. 1 spot in the lineup. He batted .285 with a .369 on-base percentage and 38 doubles, 19 home runs, 63 RBI and 62 stolen bases, most in the majors.

Villar, who reportedly turned down overtures for a $20 million contract extension in spring training, has not been the same player in 2017. Through 48 games, he is batting .213 with a .285 OBP, seven doubles, five homers, 24 RBI and 12 stolen bases.

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“It’s an important spot in the lineup, and it’s the guy that hits the most,” Counsell said of the leadoff spot. “Johnny did it last year about as well as you can have someone do it, and really checked every single box you’d want from a guy in that spot in the lineup, like very few players in baseball can do. Like maybe no other players can do.

“He is the guy that we want up there in that spot because he can do so many things to help you win. But the biggest thing is we’ve got to get on base in that spot. That’s No. 1 because you have the guys hitting behind you that you want with men on base. That’s how you score runs.”

The switch-hitting Villar has been particularly woeful from the right side, hitting .151 with a .250 OBP. Last season, he hit .309 with an impressive .385 OBP.

“There’s certainly time for that to change,” Counsell said. “Historically, he’s been so good from the right side. That’s been his better side to hit from. I really think that right-handed he’ll get it going.

“Left-handed is the spot he’s doing better this year but there’s a lot of ground balls. He’s just trying to get that rhythm and get on base, which he did very, very well last year.”

Martinez signs: The Brewers made official what became known earlier – the signing of international prospect Ernesto Martinez, Jr., an outfielder/first baseman. Martinez, 17, played youth baseball for Cuba in 2014 before leaving for France, where his father played professionally.

An impressive 6 foot 6 and 231 pounds, the left-handed hitting Martinez worked out with the Brewers on Friday before the game against Arizona. He has been training in the Dominican Republic since last fall.

Martinez signed for a reported $800,000, about $85,000 less than the No. 15 bonus slot the Brewers received from Baltimore in the earlier trade for reliever Damien Magnifico.

Assistant GM Matt Arnold, who took the lead in the signing, said owner Mark Attanasio and GM David Stearns have a strong commitment to international scouting.

“Ernesto comes from a baseball family and understands the challenges ahead,” Arnold said. “He is a very smart player and plans to work very hard to reach his goal of becoming a major league player.”

Counsell, who saw Martinez work out, said,  "It's adding another young, athletic player to the system. The more, the better. He's very impressive physically. And, for a young kid, he's got a good head on his shoulders. He's personable; has some English already down, which is impressive for a young man from Cuba. He's excited to go get his career started."