Crew hoping Prince develops as super utility man

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers sent 25-year-old Josh Prince back to Triple-A Nashville earlier this week, where the club hopes he develops into the next Jerry Hairston Jr., the Dodgers super utility man who can play shortstop, center field and all points in-between.

Before his demotion, Prince had an opportunity to meet Hairston last week at Dodger Stadium.

"There wasn't a chance to say much, especially not knowing him all that well," Prince said. "So I kind of said hello, stayed back and left it at that. It was really good to meet him, though."

Prince was drafted as a shortstop, moved to center field last season and was approached by the Brewers this spring about the idea of playing all over for Triple-A Nashville.

He was promoted to the Majors when third baseman Aramis Ramirez went down with a knee injury, but was seldom used. The Brewers figured Prince was better served playing regularly in the Minor Leagues.

"It was great the way they made me feel like a teammate here," Prince said. "It just made me feel like I was meant to be here. … I love to play the game and I love to be in the field, so it's exciting [to head back to play in Nashville], but there's no better place to be than the big leagues.

"They want me to play everywhere and get better at every position, so I can get back up here and do that."