Milwaukee Brewers Should Give Kyle Wren a Shot in Center

One of the biggest question marks heading into next year is the center field position. After dealing Carlos Gomez and Gerrardo Parra this past July, the Brewers still have plenty of intriguing candidates in the outfield with Khris Davis, Ryan Braun and Domingo Santana, but none are true center fielders.

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Currently Shane Peterson is getting a shot to play center and Logan Schafer is getting yet another chance, but neither of these players look like an option for the future. Even Santana will get chances to play there, but he is a true corner outfielder. With no one taking over the reigns at the position, the Brewers should give Colorado Springs Sky Sox center fielder, Kyle Wren a shot this September.

The Brewers acquired Wren via trade this past November. In his time in the minor leagues, the former Georgia Tech outfielder showed strong speed on the bases and a patient eye at the plate. He not only was able to hit for a solid average, but also draw walks and steal a ton of bases. He finished the 2014 season with 46 steals playing at two levels.

Though he moved on to higher levels this season splitting time between AA Biloxi and AAA Colorado Springs, Wren has continued to be successful. During his time in Biloxi, Wren showed his patience at the plate as the team’s leadoff hitter as he batted .300 with a .370 OBP while stealing 20 bases (which put him among league leaders at the time). While he hasn’t hit for as high of average so far in Colorado Springs, Wren has continued to flash speed on the bases and put the ball in play.

With several outfielders projected ahead of Wren in the system, (he is currently ranked as the team’s 23rd best prospect according to MLB.com) he may not be the future long term answer in center, but he has all the tools to remain on the roster as fourth outfielder and a bench option in the future. He works the count, can steal a base and play above average defense, all of which can be very valuable in years to come in the organization.

Yes Wren is young and raw, but considering what the Brewers currently have at the position, it is worth a shot. Schafer has been given plenty of chances and failed each time and while Peterson has had some success, he does not appear to have a big future with the team.With the team headed nowhere, it is worth giving Wren a chance to prove he is ready at the next level.

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