APPLETON, Wis. — Back in the day, when Eric Brown Jr. was trying to put together a swing that would be perfect for him, he found the perfect example.
“When I was growing up, my swing kind of like always had a big load, big leg kick,” Brown, the Milwaukee Brewers’ first-round draft pick in 2022 out of Costal Carolina, said Wednesday before the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ first practice of the season at Fox Cities Stadium.
“So Christian Yelich, just kind of a guy that’s always had that his entire career. And so, he kind of gave me the confidence. If he can do it, then I can kind of do it. It was that kind of thing. And so, watching him and watching him develop and into the player he is it kind of gave me confidence.”
MLB Pipeline has described as “unusual” Brown’s swing, but he said no one has ever tried to change things up. But he’s received plenty of advice.
“It’s not necessarily changing the swing,” he said. “It’s more of like, they kind of want to see me get better with my swing. And so, they suggest certain things, and if they work for me, then I take them and add them. And if they don’t, then just kind of understand that.”
The numbers show Brown and his swing are fine and dandy.
Brown, 21, hit .330 (68 for 206) with 19 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 40 runs batted in and 12 stolen bases in 57 games as a junior last season at Costal Carolina. He also homered in his first Spring Training game against the Oakland A’s.
“Twitchy, super athlete,” said Timber Rattlers manager Joe Ayrault. “Good mover. I’m very impressed with his play at shortstop. He can fly on the bases, good instincts, can hit to all fields and hit with power. So, he’s as advertised.”
Which brings us to Brown’s defense. He’ll tell you his glove, not his bat, is his best friend.
“I’d definitely say my glove,” said Brown, who will open the season Friday as the Rattlers’ starting shortstop. “That’s always been my staple. I carry it around with me everywhere I go. And so, that’s my baby.”
Brown said he’s noted current Brewers’ Garrett Mitchell, Brice Turang and Joey Wiemer, all of whom played with the Timber Rattlers in the last couple of years and made the rapid rise to the big club.
“I mean, yes, it kind of gives you the confidence,” he said. “But I mean, talking with those guys (in spring training), they understood the process. And it’s kind of understanding it and enjoying the process. And whether you move quick or whether you move slowly, regardless, the end goal is the same.
“So just understanding that we all want to get to the same place. It doesn’t matter how fast I get there. I’m just going to move at the time that God has kind of set for me.”
Story idea? You can reach Mike Woods at 920-246-6321 or at: michael.t.woods1@charter.com