Phillips learns from Yelich, Cain in camp
PHOENIX – When the Milwaukee Brewers acquired outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain over the offseason, the chances of prospect Brett Phillips making the big-league roster this spring plummeted dramatically.
But, true to his upbeat and positive nature, Phillips has done no moping or pouting in camp. Instead, he wisely has tried to pick the brains of Yelich and Cain for tips on what made them star performers, offensively and defensively.
“We do have a lot of outfielders,” Phillips said. “But that brings out the competitiveness and the best in each player.
“Just learning from those guys and being a sponge has been awesome. They are impressive. It’s the same as watching (Ryan) Braun, just the way they go about their business and routines. It’s very helpful for me to watch them. I feel like I have three Brauns that I can look up to and gain knowledge from, which is great for my career.
“They are great guys. Christian actually took me out to eat the other night.
So, they’re going out of the way to make me feel part of the group.”
Phillips, 23, had a big 2017 season at Class AAA Colorado Springs, batting .305 with 23 doubles, 10 triples, 19 home runs and 78 RBI in 105 games. He had four different stints with the Brewers, including the month of September when he made contributions, offensively and defensively, while playing in the thick of the playoff race.
Over 37 games with the Brewers, Phillips batted .276 with four home runs and 12 runs batted in, with a .351 onbase percentage. That showing put him in position to win a job this spring but things changed with the additions of Yelich and Cain.
“I’m not worried about it,” Phillips insisted. “Everybody can see the depth chart. It is what it is.
“For me, it’s just a matter of being a good person and working hard. It will play out for me in whatever way. If I start out in Triple-A, that’s fine. It’s your own process. As much as you come together as a team, you have your individual process you go through as a team so you can help the team win in the future.
“That’s what I’m doing. Nothing changes. I’m still 23. I’ve got to continue to trust the process. Yes, I’d like to be in the big leagues, but if it’s not time, it’s not time.”
Manager Craig Counsell understands that the added depth in camp affects several players, including Phillips, and not necessarily in a positive way in terms of current employment.
Of Phillips’ willingness to learn from Cain and Yelich, Counsell said, “I compliment Brett on that because he understands they can add something to his game. He gets that, even though the position he has been put in isn’t great for him. He knows ‘these are guys who can add to my game.’ ”