[BirdWatcher]

Infielders: If there is a breakout prospect in the minor leagues for the Brewers in 1972, it is probably second baseman David Bennett. Although currently on the IL with a fractured thumb, Bennett has put up great offensive numbers at single A Bainbridge, including hitting 30 doubles and 14 HR's in 490 plate appearances. He is a gifted defender at second and while he isn't yet a polished base-runner, he does have natural plus speed and some base-stealing ability. Should Jonathan Koch not turn into the solid starter management thinks he will, Bennett could certainly challenge him for the position in the next few years.
Shortstop Kevin Flieder, the Brewers first round draft pick in last year's amateur draft, is considered one of the Brewers top prospects (not already in the WPK). Flieder put up consistently solid numbers at both single A Bainbridge and AA Nashville this season. Nothing spectacular, but steady development. He is an extremely gifted defender and has the potential to be an acceptable hitter at the big league level. He is also speedy and a polished base-runner and base-stealer. The very intelligent Flieder is likely aware that his chances of taking over shortstop for the Brewers anytime in the near future- what with Chad Brown having established himself as one of the best overall players at the position in the league and having signed a long-term contract extension- are slim. With his defensive skills he could certainly transition to second or third base as well but the reality is that he might just end up being very valuable trade bait.
The Brewers have a number of first base prospects who have at least moderate big league potential but they are all trapped behind Bobby Erbakan and it's hard to say whether any of them will ever be likely to put on Brewers purple. (Trade bait, again?)
Second-base, even after Koch and Bennett, is an area of great strength for the Brewers organization. From the AA defensive specialist Joe Willemse (most likely to become the next Oscar Vargas, more defensive backup than starter) to the suprising class A surprise Fabricio Lafet, a hard working sparkplug of a player putting up excellent numbers in 1972, to short season A ball Jersey City's 19-year old Tim Leinen, who has plus speed, potential plus plate approach with decent contact skills, and above average defensive skills, potential big league second baseman are numerous.
Third base likely belongs to Mike Foster for the foreseeable future, but if something unforeseen occurs, long-time prospect Jose Careaga still waits in the wings, continuing to perform very well at AAA Chester.
Shortstop is a relatively weak position after Chad Brown and Kevin Flieder. But that's probably not a problem.


Outfield: The top outfield prospect, according to the Brewers scouting staff, is right fielder Josh Schaeffer. Schaeffer has spent much of 1972 on the Injured List, recovering from torn ankle ligaments much of the summer and now getting ready to return from a short bout of knee tendinitis. When he has played he has put up decent offensive numbers, displaying, as expected, a world class eye at the plate. Schaeffer is fast, an above average defender with a strong arm, and could be an acceptable big league hitter. There are doubts though about his level of motivation.
19-year old Jorge Gonzalez got off to a tough start this season at single A Bainbridge but has progressed as the season has gone along. He has a long way to go still before he is fully developed, but he has the ceiling of a plus hitter with a good power/speed combination and plus defense in left field. He may never get there, but the potential is intriguing.
At 20 years old, Marty Hodge found himself spending a second season at short season A Jersey City, and he put up offensive numbers pretty consistent with his 1971 season. He's likely bound for 4th outfielder status at best, but he's a hard worker, a smart guy, a good character all around. With his strong arm and solid overall defensive skills, and with his plate approach which projects to be above average and the potential to become at least an above average power hitter, given time Hodge could still eventually find himself playing right in a Brewers uniform.