Brewers officials still uncertain about this year's first-baseman



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Brewers officials still aren't sure who will serve as the first-baseman this season. The Milwaukee Brewers rolled a seven last season. Seven different players took a crack at playing first base -- none of whom have really made a good first impression.

When the Crew was thumping a few years ago, Prince Fielder played every game at first base, but he left as a free agent, and when long-time Brewers player Corey Hart didn't re-sign this winter, the talent hunt was on.

"Just the availability of players at first base was not something that's -- it's not the kind of talent that's going to replace a Prince Fielder," Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin said.

So, opportunity is knocking hard this spring.

Lyle Overbay was Fielder's predecessor with the club, and now, at age 37 -- he's back in the Brewers camp and hoping to make it back to Milwaukee as a platoon player.

"I think it's familiar. I think Rickie Weeks is the only guy that was here when I was here, but a lot of the front office and some of the staff has been there, so it's always good to come back here," Overbay said.

"I like the National League. I was excited to get back over to the National League. I've been in the American League for awhile, and just want to get back to some cities I haven't been to in awhile," Mark Reynolds said.

Wherever he's played in his career, Reyolds has been a big home run hitter, as well as a big strikeout guy.

"It is what it is. I mean, people view it the way they want to view it. Obviously, I've tried to cut down on them and become more of a complete player, but I've been working on a few things in the cages and hopefully I make a little more consistent contact and be a little more consistent hitter," Reynolds said.

Was that Juan Francisco talking? He hit 13 homers in just 89 games for Ron Roenicke last year, but struck out on average more than once a game, and showed his inexperience on the field.

"Francisco, we got a good look at him last year. With you guys, it may not be as much of a discussion as it is with us. I don't have who I think exactly is going to be there. We've talked about it obviously quite a bit, because we've got too many guys," Roenicke said.

That's particularly true if Hunter Morris is included in the discussion. Two years ago, he was the organization's prize prospect, but he spun his wheels last year in Triple-A and never even sniffed the big leagues.

"If they're going to send me down, I want it to be a tough decision and that's all I can ask for. If it works out that I'm playing every day come the first week of April in Milwaukee, then I'll certainly be happy to do it," Morris said.

The Brewers will just be happy if the production at the position is more in line with Major League norms -- whoever that comes from.