It’s a great time to be a Brewers fan and it’s also a great time to be a young player in the Brewers’ organization.

For the first time in years, Milwaukee has a young team and a pipeline of developing talent that can be employed in Miller Park or used in trades to acquire needed veteran players.

Young players like Brett Phillips, Lewis Brinson, Josh Hader, Brandon Woodruff and Brett Suter stepped in when called upon and contributed to an already young club last season, providing both sparks and support. Other young players like Garrett Cooper and Ryan Cordell were traded for veteran pitchers.

Several of these players recently participated in the Arizona Fall League. 

Since its inception in 1992, the Arizona Fall League (AFL) has been considered the finishing school for the top young talent in the game. Each organization sends six to eight players and a coach or trainer for six weeks of no-frills baseball.

This year’s Brewers were joined by players and coaches from the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Marlins and Orioles on the Salt River Rafters. The Rafters were led by manager J.R. House of Arizona, pitching coach Jeremy Powell of the Marlins and hitting coaches Ryan Minor of Baltimore and Brent Del Chiaro from the Brewers.

The selection process of who to send isn’t easy and it varies from team to team.

"We call it more of an honor to have the opportunity to play there because the spots are at a premium," said Brewers Farm Director Tom Flanagan. "Probably a dozen guys are worthy of going this year and can use it. These guys are fortunate to get selected, but they’ve earned it. It’s not like we’re giving them anything."

Each season is different, as the makeup and demographics of the players changes.

Unlike past seasons, there was an abundance of 19- and 20-year-old ballplayers. There were also fewer first-round picks and MLBPipeline.com top-100 prospects among the six teams.

The Brewers were one of only five teams to send multiple first round picks, with Corey Ray and Jake Gatewood, and only Ray (No. 58) was ranked among the top 100. Each of the four position players the Brewers sent were among the top 30 within the organization.

Three of the five Brewers pitchers on the Rafters have strong ties to the Big-12 conference, which made for some interesting bets.

Starting pitcher Adrian Houser had committed to play at the University of Oklahoma before he signed with the Astros. The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher was acquired by the Brewers in the 2015 trade that sent Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers to Houston. He’s the only AFL Brewer with big-league experience (two games in 2015).

In 110 games, 89 of which were starts, Houser is 21-31 with a 4.21 ERA. He spent most of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but made it back to pitch 17.2 innings in Arizona and Wisconsin. He looked good in four AFL starts going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA, 11 strikeouts and two walks in 10.2 innings.

"Our pitch count for him is still monitored," said Rafter pitching coach Jeremy Powell. "He definitely has a power arm, a heavy fastball, good breaking ball and a feel for a changeup. This experience is getting him back and lining him up so he can compete and get a full season next year."

Colorado catcher Dom Nunez agreed. "Houser has heavy everything, sink heavy, curveball, fastball-he has a special arm for sure," he said.

Added Flanagan, "Who knows, he may start the year in AA. You never know with how he feels – this year could be a big one where he gets some innings under his belt."

Right-handed pitcher Jon Perrin, a 24-year old native of Olathe, Kansas, came to Arizona hoping to build on an impressive 2017 regular season at AA Biloxi.

Selected by the Brewers in the 27th round of the 2015 draft from Oklahoma State, Perrin has moved through the system quickly. This past year he split time between the rotation and bullpen, going 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 105.1 innings at AA Biloxi.

When asked to assess his career to date, Perrin said, "I think I’ve had a lot of success being a lower round pick, drafted in the 27th round as a senior in college. I don’t think anybody expected me to move as quickly as I did. I’m proud of myself now, but I know this league is a great opportunity and a huge honor to be selected. I’m hoping to use this opportunity to leapfrog myself into big-league camp and make the major leagues as soon as possible."

Due to an abundance of starters and some injuries on the Biloxi roster, Perrin piggybacked with another starting pitcher. A starter most of his career, he adapted to the different role.

"I’m a big routine guy, so being able to start is always nice, but coming out of the bullpen allows me to show the organization my flexibility," he said. "We’ve had guys be able to do that, like (Brent) Suter, who was able to make it to the big leagues because he could take the ball whenever he’s needed and get outs. Hopefully, I can fit that model as well."

Whether players see themselves as role models or not, it’s clear that others are paying attention to what they say and do.

Perrin began the AFL season in the Salt River pen, going 2-0 with a 3.68 ERA in six appearances. When Houser’s season ended, he took over his spot in the rotation and had an uncharacteristic 0-1 record and 5.63 ERA in three starts that totaled eight innings.

Rafter manager J.R. House said, "We faced Jon in the season. He’s a sinker-slider guy that throws strikes, gets lots of ground balls and those guys pitch a long time."

Aside from a very strong competitive nature, Perrin has many interests outside of the game. He follows politics and the financial markets, and several teammates consult him in money matters.

The third member of the staff with Big-12 ties is closer Nate Griep. Selected by the Brewers in the eighth round of the 2015 draft out of Kansas State, Griep has been a very successful closer since making the move during rookie ball after a couple rough innings.

Nicknamed the "Grim Grieper" and possessing a bobblehead with that likeness, he said, "People always say that I’m pretty relaxed off the field, but once I stand on the top of the mound it’s a different thing. Nothing really bothers me; kind of just going to hitters, saying I’m better than you and I’m going to get you out."

When asked if he had ever seen the Grim Grieper bobblehead, Brewers teammate Quintin Torres-Costa said, "Yes, when you go to his house, you see bobbles all over the place."

Since taking over the closer’s role, Grieper has gotten batters out. With the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2016 he led the Midwest League in saves with 23. This past season at High-A Carolina, he led the Carolina League with 30 saves.

"Nate will probably pitch at the back end, one or maybe two innings at a time," said Flanagan. "When he’s on the mound he’s all business. He throws a quick pitch and good breaking ball and just doesn’t give in. When the game is on the line, he’s done the job for us."

Save for two awful innings, he was pretty sharp, allowing only one earned run in 9.2 innings. Unfortunately, they count all of the innings and runs, and in two innings he allowed six earned runs and eight hits. As a result, he left Arizona with a 5.40 ERA and one save.

Torres-Costa, the lone left-hander among the Brewers contingent, is another jewel from the 2015 draft. Taken in the 35th round out of the University of Hawaii, the 23-year old entered the AFL having pitched the most innings in 2017, with 66.

He split the season between High-A Carolina and AA Biloxi, posting a 9-6 record, 4.23 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 32 walks in 41 appearances.

"I think he’s put himself on the map this year," Flanagan said. "He came out in Carolina, and his velo and everything he brings to the park every day from the left side is a pretty interesting mix. He hasn’t been on many prospect lists.

"He gets way over there on the first base side of the rubber and he’s got a low arm slot. I don’t think left-handed hitters get good swings at all and righties swing over his pitches at times."

Pitching coach Jeremy Powell said, "Torres-Costa gives you a different look – a left-hander, cross-body, pretty hard angle to hit from and presents a different look out of the pen."

Scott Squier of the Marlins and Rafters played collegiately with Torres-Costa at Hawaii and had this to offer to Brewer fans: "When he came in as a freshman, my sophomore year, he was a stud throwing 95, 96 from the left side. He’s a great teammate, and now that we are teammates again, we talk over different situations and stuff, even though his delivery is funkier than mine."

When asked what Brewer fans can expect from Torres-Costa, Squier said, "They’re going to get a guy that loves to compete every time out there, and he’s always been great with the fans."

Like his Brewers mound mates, Torres-Costa’s AFL experience was marred by one lousy performance. In 10 relief appearances covering 14 innings, he was 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA and 16 strikeouts. He allowed five hits and three earned runs in 1.2 innings, but followed it up with a two-inning shutout stint.

Jorge Ortega was added to the Salt River roster two weeks after the season started and only made six relief appearances.

The 24-year old right-handed pitcher from Venezuela is the longest tenured Brewer on the team. He was signed by Milwaukee as an undrafted free agent in 2011 at the age of 18.

In 2015 Ortega was a mid-season and post-season all-star in the Florida State League, where he was 9-9 with a 2.41 ERA in 141.2 innings.

He missed all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John surgery, and the AFL experience was his first since pitching for AA Biloxi in 2016.

In 6.1 innings he allowed 13 hits and six earned runs for an 8.53 ERA.

Jake Gatewood was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2014 draft (41st overall) out of Clovis H.S in California, and he’s rated No. 18 among the club’s prospects. One forgets that he is still only 22 because of his size (6-foot-5, 190 pounds) and maturity.

"Even though he played a lot of first base at High-A Carolina, once we moved him up to Biloxi, Jake played exclusively at third – probably about 30 games," Flanagan said.

Gatewood spent the majority of 2017 in Carolina, where he batted .269 with 11 homers, 53 RBI and 132 strikeouts in 111 games. He was named a mid-season all-star and was promoted to Biloxi, where he hit .239 with four homers and nine RBI in 92 at-bats.

"I actually managed against him this year and he wore us out," House said. "He’s a real toolsy player. It’s great to see those things take shape, because a lot of guys get drafted because of tools but never pan out. So when they become functional in a game, it’s pretty impressive."

Like all of the Brewers, Gatewood has a great attitude and should be able to weather most any storm or slump.

"I’ve experienced lots of ups and downs so far and I’m thankful for all of the failures," he said. "It’s made me the person, the man I am today."

He said adapting to not playing everyday was something he was working on, as at-bats are often tough to come by in the fall league.

Despite a strong regular season, Gatewood struggled at the plate in the AFL. In 13 games he batted only .095 with four runs scored and two stolen bases.

"Jacob, he’s a very versatile guy who can play both positions in the infield and shows a lot of pop," Minor said. "I like what he does around the bag at first."

Gatewood was a mid-inning substitution in the Nov. 4 Fall Stars game and was 0-for-1 in his lone plate appearance.

Fellow California native Lucas Erceg’s route to the Brewers was a little less direct. He began his collegiate career at the University of California and then transferred to Menlo College. 

Chris Paul, a Twins prospect and former teammate at Cal had good things to say about Erceg. "He was always a good guy, he was always talented and had great potential – you see that as a high draft pick," Paul said. "It’s fun to watch him play; he could always hit."

When Erceg was drafted by the Brewers in the second round of the 2016 draft, he was the highest NAIA player selected since 2001. He’s ranked the No. 10 prospect in the Brewers organization.

Erceg immediately proved he could hit at the next level. In 2016 he batted .327, splitting time with Helena and Wisconsin of the MWL.

"Lucas has done really well; he obviously caught a lot of attention in camp with a great spring training – he played in a lot of big-league games from the minor-league side," Flanagan said. "Early on in this season, it seemed like he faced a better-than-normal share of lefties in the Carolina League, so for Lucas and Corey, in the short run, it may have been frustrating for those guys.

"As the season went on they made adjustments, especially in Lucas’ case. He really got hot as he faced both lefties and righties."

In 127 games at High-A Carolina, Erceg batted .256 with 15 home runs and a league-leading 81 RBI. That success and some early departures for Milwaukee earned him a brief stint at AAA Colorado Springs, where he went 4-for-10 in three games.

Like most of the Brewers, his brief time in Appleton and proximity to Milwaukee was educational.

"It was awesome, and I lived with a great host family, John and Linda, who were absolute sweethearts," Erceg said. "They took very good care of me. I was staying in the basement with Trent Clark and hung out quite a bit, and you could say we’re best friends."

He’s now much more familiar with the simpler things in life, like brats and cheese curds, although he won’t make a steady diet of the latter.

In 14 AFL games, the 6-3, 200-pound left-handed hitter batted .250 with one homer and five runs batted in.  He hit safely in 10 games and batted .320 (8-25) during a six-game hitting streak.

"I really like him; he’s high-energy and plays the game right," Minor said. "He’s swung the bat really well for us. It’s hard to find a good left-handed bat at third. I’m really impressed with the way he’s handled himself."

At season’s end, Erceg was rated the No. 19 prospect in the fall league.

After a terrific, three-year career at Louisville, outfielder Corey Ray was taken by the Brewers with the fifth overall pick in the 2016 draft. He was one of four Louisville players selected on the first day of the draft.

"I think with Corey, he really had a good reputation for showing up and that he works hard and all that," Flanagan said. "That’s probably one thing that has surpassed our perception coming in; he likes to work.  The day after the season, he was in the cage getting ready for the fall league. He’s going to give you everything that he has, and you forget that this is just his first fall season with us."

In 112 games for High-A Carolina, the 23-year old, left-handed batter hit seven homers, drove in 48 and had a slash line of .238/.310/.368. His 24 stolen bases were tied for seventh-most in the Carolina League. He is currently the No. 58 player, according to MLBPipeline, and the No. 2 prospect in the Brewers’ system.

Ray still lives with his family in Chicago and he looks forward to playing in the same city as fellow Simeon High School graduate Jabari Parker, the Bucks forward. "It’s pretty cool that we go to the same high school and we both go to Milwaukee teams, and it’s not too far. Ironically, I think it’s better that we’re not at home so it won’t be overwhelming," Ray said.

Of his brief career, Ray said, "It’s been a learning process when I think about everything I’ve done, I think about past games and past seasons. I don’t think so much about the batting average or the numbers, but I think about how much I’ve learned and how much better I am because of it."

Former Cardinals college teammate and current Royals pitching prospect Jared Ruxer said, "He came in right away (as a freshman) and had all the confidence. He fit right in and worked his butt off every day and was a great teammate."

Will Smith, a Dodgers prospect and fellow first round selection from Louisville, said, "He’s a special talent and he just needs to get more experience. He’s got all the tools, he just needs to put it together consistently." 

And what of Ray’s off-field talents?

"He thinks he’s a singer, comedian, ladies man; he thinks he’s all that."

In 23 AFL games, Corey batted .231 with one home run and seven runs batted in. After doubling in his first at-bat, he endured an 0-for-24 run, which he then followed up with a 10-for-25 streak.

He was the Eastern team’s designated hitter and batted second in the Fall Stars game. He was 1-for-3 with a walk, two strikeouts, a run scored and two stolen bases, as the East prevailed 4-2.

Ray has a unique ability to ride out the highs and lows of a season.

"Baseball, you have those long oh-fors, but you hit balls hard. You have some good and bad and pretty ugly games and at-bats, but that’s baseball and you can’t control when you get those hits. I would have probably tried to bunt a few times, but I didn’t even know about the slump until you told me."

While not forbidden, most players do not try and bunt for hits in the AFL, as they are trying to have more productive at-bats and show people what they can do offensively.

"Corey gives you a different view," Minor said. "He’s a really athletic hitter, strong for his size with a real handsy swing. He’s got a very bright future ahead of him, great potential and he has a great work ethic."

Even though he might not have been as successful at the plate as he wanted to be, Ray only struck out 19 times and his homer was an opposite-field shot. He doesn’t really chase pitches, but he is still very aggressive and hits tough throws.

Ray has significant upside and ability, but he also is a very mature young man who gives all of his effort.  He plays the game with a passion and serves as an energizer for his teammates, who feed off him.

One of the best stories of the season is the continued success of outfielder Monte Harrison.

The 22-year old Kansas City native was drafted by Milwaukee in the second round of the 2014 draft out of Lee’s Summit West. He was going to play football at the University of Nebraska before the Brewers signed him. Harrison was rated the No. 14 player in the system before the AFL season began.

He doesn’t look back on the football career that may have been, even though he’s suffered two freakish injuries playing baseball. But he seems to have recovered just fine, as evidenced by his breakout 2017 season.

The 6-3, 220-pound right-handed hitter began the year at Wisconsin in the MWL and then was promoted to the Carolina Mudcats of the Carolina League. He hit 21 home runs, drove in 67 runs, stole 27 bases in 31 attempts and had a slash line of .272/.350/.481 over 122 games split between the two leagues.

"When you look, his numbers really stack up in our minor-league system," Flanagan said. "Pure numbers, he probably had better numbers than everybody, which is really a credit to him. He’s missed time through no fault of his own, freaky injuries, a hamate and broken ankle. He came back strong this year, and really from the chute in Wisconsin and to Carolina to get to 500 plate appearances, that was huge for him."

Harrison was on the taxi squad, which means he was limited to playing only twice a week. It’s often difficult for hitters to get into a rhythm on the taxi squad; the plan for him was to get extra work in with Brewers hitting coach Brent Del Chiaro.

"Honestly, I just came to see the competition, the upper-level guys and see where I stand and what I need to do to push myself," Harrison said. "I’m working on little stuff in the cage and critiquing my swing to improve my timing."

In recent AFL history, no member of the taxi squad has made more of a limited opportunity. 

In only 13 games he batted .283 with five homers, 14 RBI, 12 runs scored, five stolen bases in seven tries, a .333 on base percentage and a .604 slugging percentage, which merited a spot on the All-AFL team. His home run rate of one every 10.6 at-bats was tops in the league and his five homers were tied for third.

To cap things off, Harrison was named No. 7 on MLBPipline.com’s Fall League Top 25 prospects list.

While none of these successes guarantee future success in the Major Leagues, each of the players appreciates being in an organization that prizes and promotes young players from within.

Ray summed it up best.

"It’s good because you know the opportunity will be there and to be a part of something that is bigger than you," he said. "The goal is to win a World Series, and we’re put in a position to do that."