Brewers’ Tyler Black Turns The Page On Injury-Plagued 2022

Third baseman Tyler Black has turned the page on his injury-plagued 2022 season.

The 33rd overall pick in 2021 out of Wright State, Black was expected to speed through the system as an advanced college bat. But a broken left scapula suffered trying to make a diving catch in center field at High-A Wisconsin limited him to 64 games a year ago.

Then, Black broke his left thumb sliding into second base, an injury that ended his stint in the Arizona Fall League two weeks prematurely.

“Health will be big for Tyler. And being able to get a full season of at-bats and playing time will be important,” said Tom Flanagan, the Brewers’ vice president of player operations and baseball administration.

“He plays so hard, and unfortunately suffered a couple serious injuries last year that limited the number of reps that he was able to get.”

The 22-year-old Black opened this season with Double-A Biloxi by reaching base in his first 15 games. He also led the Shuckers with five home runs while batting .266/.461/.531 and 13 stolen bases in 14 tries.

“Tyler is very strong and has good raw power,” Flanagan said of the lefthanded-hitting Canadian. “Plus, he works hard and takes pride in his knowledge of the zone. That allows him to have some really good at-bats and see more strikes. I could see more power coming for Tyler.”

Black had also logged 18 walks against 14 strikeouts, and plate discipline is a hallmark. His career minor league on-base percentage was .421 through 109 games.

While Black is projected as more of a natural second baseman in the majors, the Brewers have already tried him in center and this year are taking a good look at him at third, where they haven’t developed an impact prospect in many years.

“Tyler has very good versatility and can play a lot of different positions, but we feel really good about him at third base and want to give him a lot of time there this year,” Flanagan said. “It’s more to do with where we see him having a chance to play meaningful time in the future.”

MICROBREWS

— A month into the season, center fielder Joey Wiemer and second baseman Brice Turang have become everyday players in Milwaukee. Their speed and defense have been noticeable on a team that needed upgrades in both areas. Wiemer had been playing right but was shifted to center after Garrett Mitchell tore the labrum in his shoulder on a slide in Seattle in mid April and had season-ending surgery.

— Triple-A Nashville outfielder Sal Frelick might well have gotten the call to replace Mitchell, but in a stroke of bad luck and timing, he tore a ligament in his left thumb in a baserunning mishap of his own and is expected to miss six to eight weeks as a result.

— Shortstop Eric Brown Jr., drafted 27th overall last year, was off to a slow start for High-A Wisconsin. He hit .137/.267/.157 through 14 games. He was also plunked in the helmet by a pitch but fortunately didn’t sustain any major damage.

“It’s still so early that guys are still trying to find a routine that works for them,” Flanagan said. “Eric will settle in at Wisconsin. He has a ton of talent, and early on guys are battling the weather a bit and may press at times. He is working hard.”