[BirdWatcher]

Moving around the infield, let's look at firstbase.
Veteran A.J. White is expected to play more at first this year than his customary thirdbase partially due to the acquisition of Steve Cutrer but also due to the aging White's rapidly deteriorating defensive skills. White had a great year at the plate in 1966 and finished with the top OBP in the MGL (3rd in all of the WPK). And he still has a very strong throwing arm. But he is basically a statue at third at this point and while he will also be a defensive liability at first it is hoped that his bat is still potent enough to merit a good deal of playing time.
Young Erik Shelton will split time with White at first and provides a much better defensive alternative plus a decent bat.
But really they are both just keeping the position warm for the Brewers top prospect, Bobby Erbakan. There are some who feel that Erbakan has been rushed up the ladder too quickly (he is expected to start at AAA Chester this coming season) but others who point out that his numbers have, if anything, just gotten better as he has moved up and that his competitive nature led him to have very low morale while playing for the weak single A Bainbridge team and the horrendous AA Nashville squad. It is hoped that playing for AAA Chester, the reigning AAA champs, will make him much happier and that he will develop even more quickly in that environment and under a solid hitting coach and very good manager.

The thought is that in the next 3-5 years Erbakan will not only emerge as the starting firstbaseman for the Brewers but also as one of the best players on the team and even as a star in the league.