Meet Brett Lawrie

Lisa Winston of milb.com has this story on a potential future Rattler.

Brewers willing to wait for Lawrie
Catching prospect gained international experience in Beijing

Maryvale is a far cry from Langley, British Columbia, and an even farther cry from Beijing. But Milwaukee Brewers prospect Brett Lawrie has enjoyed all three stops -- and more -- in his summer travels.

The Brewers' No. 1 pick in the June Draft out of high school, Lawrie held off signing until Aug. 5, the day before he left the country to join Team Canada. And when he put his name on the dotted line, it was with the understanding that he wouldn't report for a few more weeks.

The highest drafted Canadian position player ever at 16th overall and only the sixth Canadian first-rounder in history, Lawrie was considered one of the most gifted all-around high school hitters in the Draft.

With a quick bat and plus power, he's still something of a raw talent, as you might expect, but with a huge upside.

There is a bit about the trip to Beijing for the Olympics along with his sister Danielle. She was a member of the Canadian Olympic Softball Team.

Then:

Primarily a catcher, he's also seen time at second base, third base and the outfield. But when you have a player like Lawrie at such a premium position, the traditional wisdom is to keep him there until he plays his way out of it. And the Brewers' player development brain trust is nothing if not wise.

"He wants to catch and will get that opportunity, and then they'll make the decision where he ultimately plays," said Jack Zduriencik, the Brewers vice president and special assistant to the GM in player personnel matters. "But the catching position will get a real good go-round."

At instructional league in Maryvale, Lawrie is working closely with catching instructor Charlie Greene.

"Charlie does a great job with catchers and they're working on all the basics, all the fundamentals," Zduriencik said, "footwork, working with pitchers and just about anything a kid walking into pro ball would be introduced to at a little different level. Baby steps."

Will one of those baby steps be to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in 2009?