[BirdWatcher]

While keeping a close eye on the more established Brewers players, the scouting staff has come to the conclusion that this might the year Bobby Erbakan really breaks out at the plate. His two homeruns in today's 5-3 victory against Charlotte, one driven into the rightfield stands and the other pulled over the leftfield fence, did nothing to dispel this notion.

Erbakan, who has been such a wizard defensively at firstbase, began showing signs of increased power last season when he hit a career high 21 homers. But overall his offensive production has lagged behind his perceived talents in that regard. If the scouting staff is correct, that may be changing this year for the soon to be 25-year old budding star.

There is also a perception among Denver scouts that 23-year old rookie Joe McPhillips is starting to turn the corner in terms of plate discipline, which hopefully will soon pay off in better contact rates at the plate. McPhillips is also starting to show signs of increasing power potential and with his already very advanced defensive skills and good speed it appears he could have a long and very successful WPK career ahead of him.

On the other hand, there are some concerns that Harry Lyerly may be in for some reversal of fortune this year as his control seems to be stalling out a bit and his knuckle curve does not appear to be developing to the extent it was once hoped it would. Lyerly calmed fears a bit with a very fine first Spring Training outing, but some doubts about his ability to maintain at the high level he has the past few seasons remain. Still, he is young and the hope it that if he does hit a rough patch in 1972 it will be something the reliant fellow can handle.