Zerpa impresses Murphy in triumphant Classic performance

PHOENIX – The least well-known of the four Brewers players who made it to Tuesday’s thrilling final of the World Baseball Classic was the one who most impressed Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy.

Murphy knows all about Team USA second baseman Brice Turang and Venezuela catcher William Contreras and outfielder Jackson Chourio. But he’s still getting a feel for left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa, who put on a show for Venezuela in the WBC.

Zerpa, acquired from the Royals in a December trade for infielder Isaac Collins and reliever Nick Mears, pitched in six of Venezuela’s seven games, tying countryman Andrés Machado for the tournament high in appearances. Zerpa didn’t allow a run in 5 1/3 innings, including a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in the seventh frame of the 3-2 victory over the Americans in the finals while protecting a two-run lead. In all, he struck out eight while scattering three hits and two walks.

His WBC usage was higher than the Brewers would have drawn up, but they did have one of their coaches, Major League field coordinator Nestor Corredor, on Venezuela’s staff to make sure everyone was on the same page.

“He was so good,” Murphy said. “Whether we approved it or not, because he was efficient, we feel pretty good about it. … That was probably the most exciting thing for me.”

Murphy was also pleased to see Turang, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, get his due on an international stage. Ditto for Chourio. He would have liked for Contreras to log more innings at catcher, but understands that Royals catcher Salvador Perez, who caught the final, is a legendary figure in Venezuela.

The players were en route to Phoenix on Wednesday, and Murphy said they would get right back to work for the Brewers. He hinted that Contreras would catch Brandon Woodruff’s scheduled start on Thursday night against the Rangers.

“I mean, they need to play,” Murphy said. “Their plate appearances versus everyone else’s is rather low.”

The Brewers keep a log of Spring Training plate appearances that includes Cactus League games, World Baseball Classic games and live at-bats in simulated games. Sal Frelick, for context, was atop Murphy’s list as of Wednesday with 87 plate appearances.

Turang had 40, Contreras had 38 and Chourio had 35.

“It’s going to be a big letdown when they get back,” Murphy joked. “But they understand what they get paid to do.”

Go time for Mitchell

Expect to see a lot of outfielder Garrett Mitchell in the box scores in the remaining days of camp as the Brewers make a final decision about his availability for Opening Day. Mitchell is coming off season-ending surgery last July 1 to repair his left shoulder.

“Basically if we feel like Mitchell doesn’t have the ABs or isn't ready to go back-to-back or play every day, then maybe we make a different decision there,” Murphy said. “But we all would know who that is. I mean, that would be pretty easy.”

It would be whomever of Blake Perkins or Brandon Lockridge isn’t already on the roster as a backup outfielder. Lockridge is having a power-packed spring, including a grand slam for his fourth Cactus League homer on Monday against the Dodgers.

Other than that last outfield spot, the Brewers’ roster is largely set on the position player side. Gary Sánchez is locked in as the backup catcher, David Hamilton as the backup infielder and Jake Bauers will split time at first base and the outfield as needed.

Last call

• The Brewers released renderings on Wednesday for the UW Credit Union Plaza, a new gameday entertainment space coming to the plaza outside American Family Field with a beer garden and Wisconsin-themed mini golf. The space is set to open in June.
• Teams across the Cactus League are moving their games to the nighttime on Thursday and Friday because of extreme heat in the forecast, but Friday’s Spring Breakout game between Brewers and Mariners prospects remains scheduled for 2 p.m. local time/4 p.m. CT because the game is airing live on MLB Network.
• Sunday will provide a test of the Brewers’ organizational depth. The team charter is scheduled to lift off around noon local time that day, bound for Milwaukee and a pair of exhibition games against the Reds at American Family Field. At the same time, the Brewers need to field a team for their Cactus League finale against the Cubs at Sloan Park at 12:05 p.m. MST, and the Brewers’ Spring Breakout roster plays the A’s at Hohokam Stadium at 1:05 p.m. MST.