In an effort to earn more playing time in 2024, Milwaukee Brewers' outfielder Sal Frelick is learning to play the infield.
Per Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic:'
As a rookie last season, Frelick rated as an above-average defender in both right and center fields. But this spring, he’s also preparing to play second base and third. If he proves capable in the infield, the implications for both his future and the Brewers’ could be profound.
“I want to be a baseball player before I’m an outfielder or an infielder,” Frelick said. “I just want to be a true ballplayer.”
Frelick, a Massachusetts native, worked out this offseason with former Boston Red Sox' infielder Dustin Pedroia.
The report says that Frelick will still play outfield but notes that the Brewers have Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins and Joey Wiemer as outfield options, so the versatility of Frelick could certainly be a good thing. It could also help keep him on the roster. We learned on Friday that the San Diego Padres have inquired about trading for him.
The 23-year-old was a first round pick of the Brewers in the 2021 draft out of Boston College and made his major league debut last season.
In 57 games, he hit .246 with three homers, 24 RBI and seven stolen bases.
The Brewers won the National League Central in 2023 but are going through an interesting transition right now. They've lost manager Craig Counsell to the division-rival Cubs and seen Adrian Houser, Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff exit the roster in various ways this offseason.
They did sign veteran Rhys Hoskins to a two-year deal and also inked Chourio to a long-term extension.
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