Lawrie on fast track

GRAND CHUTE - Timber Rattlers second baseman Brett Lawrie is very determined to make it to the big leagues sooner rather than later.

He didn't hesitate when asked if he'll stay with the Brewers low Class A team for the entire season.

"I hope not," Lawrie said. "It's my first season so who knows if they'll take their time with me or what. I don't want to be here for the full season. That's why I'm playing every day and working hard."

Going into Monday, the 19-year old Lawrie led the Rattlers with 25 hits, a .573 slugging percentage, three home runs and four triples.

Lawrie also leads the team with five errors. The Brewers drafted him as a catcher and a third baseman a year ago, but Lawrie made the switch to second base because he thinks that's his fastest way to reach the big leagues

Brewers travelling field coordinator Charlie Greene has seen struggling middle infielders before.

"That's the thing about A ball," Green said. "I know Derek Jeter made 60 errors at Greensboro. Young infielders are always going to make errors. Hopefully they learn from it."

awrie's athletic ability and his intangible capacity keep him on the fast track to Miller Park.

"Everything's easy for him to pick up," said Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom. "That's not the case for a lot of these guys. Some of these guys need a lot of repetitions. He's the one guy you tell him one time and he makes the adjustment and adds it to his game."

The Brewers 2008 first round draft pick got a taste of playing at Miller Park last month when the Rattlers played the Peoria Chiefs.

But for now he'll have to deal with playing at Fox Cities Stadium