Schafer out to prove he belongs

MILWAUKEE -- Outfielder Logan Schafer has had his fair share of opportunities to prove himself to the Brewers. After the club dealt away Carlos Gomez and Gerardo Parra, Schafer finds himself back in the big leagues and with another chance to try and do the same.

Schafer, a third-round pick by the Brewers in the 2008 Draft, was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday. Schafer started the season on the Opening Day roster, but he was optioned Colorado Springs on May 5 to make room for second baseman Scooter Gennett. Schafer will likely see time in center field, splitting the starts in some capacity with Shane Peterson.

"I don't think there is a defined role right now for a lot of us," Schafer said before Saturday's game against the Cubs. "I think it's going to be a bit of a carousel. See what you can off the bench, see what you can do when you're starting, and all facets of the game."

Schafer has experienced both being a starter and providing spot duty in the past with the Brewers. After making his Major League debut in 2011, he filled in as an everyday player for the suspended Ryan Braun in 2013. Schafer slashed .211/.279/.322 in 134 games. The following year provided inconsistent starts in 65 games played, stepping in at all three outfield positions.

It was a similar story for Schafer during his short stint with Milwaukee to begin this season. He was predominately used as a pinch-hitter, ultimately posting a .176 batting average in 34 at-bats. But Schafer, known for his outfield defense, hopes to change that this time around.

"I haven't really proven much with the bat and it's disappointing to me, and the I'm sure the organization as well," Schafer said. "But they've stayed with me to this point and they've shown great faith in me. It's time I reward them with some good play and show what I can do in two months."

The Brewers are entering an experimental phase to end their 2015 season after the multiple trades over the past month to restock their farm system. There are opportunities to be had at specific positions, and Schafer recognizes there's one for him, too.

"They've got questions on a bunch of [players] in here," Schafer said. "Some of us have succeeded, some of us haven't and some need to prove what we can do. I'm definitely in that category. I know I can play unbelievable defense in center. [I have to] get my bat going. I know I can hit."

Does Schafer sees this current chance to prove himself as potentially his last?

"I don't look at it that way," he said. "This game is fragile when it comes to the business side. If you wrap your head around that and think about that too often, it takes away from your game. My thought process right now is that I get to play baseball today and do what I can to prove my worth, not only to this organization, but the game of baseball."