Left field: Ryan Braun will see if versatility can help ease Brewers' outfield logjam

Eighth in a position-by-position series on the Milwaukee Brewers entering spring training. Today: Left field.

PHOENIX – Entering his 12th season with the Milwaukee Brewers, Ryan Braun is embarking on a spring training like no other during his career.

“I don’t expect it to be easy by any means. I expect it to be challenging,” Braun said.

After starting in left field for eight of the last 10 seasons, the 34-year-old veteran is going to discover how versatile he can be this spring. Specifically, he is going to see how he looks at first base.

Braun said he ordered new first-base mitts but would have to locate another essential piece of equipment.

“I don’t know if this is R-rated, but in the outfield, not too many guys wear a (protective) cup,” he said. ‘So, I haven’t worn a cup in over 10 years. I’ll have to get one of those before I get super comfortable taking ground balls again.”

BREWERS BY POSITION:Second base | First base |  Center field | Third base |  Catcher |  Bullpen |  Starting pitching 

Manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday he does not expect Braun to see time this season in right field, a position he played in 2014 and '15 to allow weak-armed slugger Khris Davis to play left (Davis then was traded to Oakland). Counsell also said he expected newcomer Christian Yelich, who won a Gold Glove in left field with Miami in 2014, to "primarily" play that position during the season.

Counsell said Yelich also would see action during exhibition season in right field, a position he has not played in the majors. The team's other big outfield acquisition, Lorenzo Cain, will be the No. 1 centerfielder, leaving incumbent rightfielder Domingo Santana to split playing time with Braun and Yelich in the corners. 

"That's the plan right now," Counsell said. "That's something that could change pretty fast but that's the plan right now. ... Ryan will play some first; he'll play left field. Christian will play left field, center field and right field. But you'll see him most in left field. I can't give you number of games for all of this."

To help spread out playing time, the Brewers will see how many starts Braun can make at first base, presumably mostly against left-handed pitchers in place of lefty-hitting Eric Thames.

“I think there’s a lot of different possibilities that could play out,” Braun said. “I’m more comfortable in left. Growing up, I was always on the left side of the diamond. Obviously, the more I play right field, the more comfortable I’d be out there. The second year I played out there, I was more comfortable than the first.

“I’ll do whatever they want me to do. But, again, that comes with the caveat of being good enough defensively for it to make sense. They’re not going to just put me there because I’m a good hitter. I’d have to be good enough, wherever it is, for them to play there."

Braun has been one of the more productive leftfielders in the league over the last decade, but injuries plagued him to varying extents. His main issue in 2017 was a lingering calf strain that was a big factor in limiting his action to 105 games and curbing his production (17 HRs, 52 RBI, .824 OPS).

Braun has three years and $57 million remaining on his contract, but the combination of his pay, health issues and full veto rights makes a trade nearly impossible. So, it’s up to Counsell to figure out the best way to use him in coming years with the expectation that Cain and Yelich will be regulars in the outfield.

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In recent years, Braun has seen little action in the early games of exhibition season, preferring to work into game shape slowly and save his swings for when it counts. But, as soon as he feels he’s ready at first base, he’ll need to test his skills in game competition.

“I haven’t talked too much with ‘Couns’ about the plan yet but as far as getting in a game at an infield position, I’d like to take some ground balls and get comfortable and familiar with the position, and cutoffs and relays and pick-offs and bunt plays and all the things that come into play before I play one of those new positions in a game,” Braun said.

“I feel good right now. First day of spring, everybody’s in the best shape of their life, feeling good and excited to get started. It will be a little different workload this spring than I’m used to, so we’ll play it by ear as we go.”

Counsell has given Braun scheduled days of rest in recent seasons to keep him fresh and at the top of his game, and perhaps those breaks will come more often with Yelich and Cain in the mix, assuming Santana isn’t traded before opening day. Braun turned 34 in November, and even the best of players tend to slow down at that age.

“The facts are the facts,” he said. “As you get into your 30s, it becomes more challenging to stay healthy, to stay on the field, and ultimately when you’re on the field to play close to 100%. As you get older, recovery is the biggest challenge.

“Over a 162-game schedule, you’re going to have a lot of day games after night games, and extra-inning games, and challenging travel arrangements. So, for every player, staying healthy is a challenge, but as you get older that challenge becomes greater and greater. We’ll see how the season plays out.”

Time will tell how this works out, and where Braun best fits in this new lineup puzzle. The fact remains that these are different times for both team and player.

“More than anything, it’s rejuvenating that we’re in a place where we expect to win now, and expect to contend,” Braun said. “The challenge of playing a new position is exciting and a challenge I look forward to.”

BY THE NUMBERS

104 Games played in 2017 by Ryan Braun, his fewest over a full season.

.905 OPS by Braun over 1,458 games in the major leagues.

3 Years remaining on Braun’s contract for $57 million.

.741 OPS by Brewers leftfielders in ’17, ranking 11th in the NL.

72 RBI by Brewers leftfielders last year, 12th in the NL.