ROCHESTER, Mich. – Avoiding arbitration by signing a one-year, $1.4M contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on December 1, 2022, infielder and Oakland Golden Grizzlies alum Mike Brosseau is off to a torrid Spring Training start in 2023, slashing .474/.565/1.211 through his first eight exhibition games.

Good for an eye-popping on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.776, six of Brosseau's hits have gone for extra-bases and he paces the club with four home runs and 10 RBI in Cactus League play.

Homering in consecutive games on two different occasions this spring, he has tallied at least one knock in three-straight games dating to March 10, including two three-hit showings, and is hitting .700 (7-10) over this span.

Making his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on June 23, 2019 and acquired by Milwaukee in a November 2021 trade, Brosseau was worth 0.6 bWAR in his first season with the Brewers in 2022, posting a slash line of .255/.344/.418, mostly in a platoon role against left-handed pitching.

In 212 career games and 569 plate appearances over parts of four big league seasons, the Munster, Indiana native has put together a line of .248/.320/.432 with 26 doubles, 22 home runs, 69 RBI and seven stolen bases in seven attempts, good for 3.6 bWAR.

Versatile enough to handle playing first, second or third base, Brosseau will likely fill a utility role for ninth-year manager Craig Counsell and Milwaukee in 2023 and figures to compete with Owen Miller, Rowdy Tellez, Luis Urias and Luke Voit for at-bats.

Inducted into the Oakland University Hollie L. Lepley Hall of Honor in 2022, Brosseau starred at shortstop for the Golden Grizzlies from 2013-16, twice earning First Team All-Horizon League honors and ranking in the top-five in school history in both total bases and hits.

Taking place at historic Wrigley Field, approximately only 35 miles northwest of Brosseau's hometown, the Brewers are scheduled to begin their 2023 regular season on Thursday, March 30 against the National League Central Division rival Chicago Cubs at 2:20 p.m.

As a side note, today, March 15, is Brosseau's 29^th birthday. Happy birthday, Mike!


Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports