PITTSBURGH -- Barely a month after signing his first professional contract, Brewers second round Draft pick Lucas Erceg has earned a promotion.
The third baseman is moving from Rookie-level Helena to Class A Wisconsin, where he will join a roster that already features a top third-base prospect in Jake Gatewood. After breaking into the pro ranks as a shortstop, Gatewood is in his first full season at the hot corner, and Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan said the team has a plan in place to keep both players in the starting lineup full-time.
"It's a tribute to Jake's athleticism that we will be able to make it work," Flanagan said.
In 26 games at Helena, Erceg hit .400/.452/.552, with eight doubles, two home runs and eight stolen bases in 115 plate appearances. The Brewers drafted him 46th overall and signed him for a $1.15 million bonus.
Gatewood, 20, was the 41st overall pick in 2014 Draft. He is hitting .244/.264/.385 at Wisconsin, with 20 doubles, 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 371 plate appearances. All 88 of his starts so far have come at third base. Gatewood currently ranks 23rd on MLBPipeline.com's list of the top Brewers prospects, which will soon be updated with 2016 Draft picks.