Brewers lefty Brent Suter earned first opening-day job with past performance, versatility
Left-hander Brent Suter earned his first opening-day roster spot in the majors because of past performance as well as diligence to his craft.
Brewers lefty Brent Suter earned first opening-day job with past performance, versatility Left-hander Brent Suter earned his first opening-day roster spot in the majors because of past performance as well as diligence to his craft. Check out this story on jsonline.com: https://jsonl.in/2G3Gbpi
Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Published 1:44 p.m. CT March 25, 2018 | Updated 8:29 a.m. CT March 26, 2018
Brewers manager Craig Counsell talks about how Brent Suter has a leg up on other pitchers by being able to start or come out of the bullpen.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Saturday, March 10, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) ORG XMIT: AZMY102(Photo: Associated Press)
PHOENIX – Because he has learned not to take anything for granted, Brent Suter wasn't sure if he was about to get good news or disappointing news when summoned Saturday morning to the office of Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell.
" 'Murph' (bench coach Pat Murphy) called me and said, 'They want to talk to you,' " the 28-year-old left-hander said. "My stomach went into my throat. I didn't know what was going on. It could have been bad news."
It was not bad news, however. Instead, it was fantastic news. Not only was Suter being put on a major-league roster for opening day for the first time in his career, he was inserted into the No. 3 spot in the starting rotation.
To put it mildly, Suter's joy meter surged into the red zone. It was all he could do to avoid springing out of his seat, thrusting both arms high in the air and screaming, "Yes!"
"I tried to hold it in but I started smiling," Suter said. "I was thinking, 'Sweet! Sweet!'
"It's a dream come true. I'm definitely overflowing with gratitude right now. I feel like they're putting a lot of trust in me, which is really humbling. I just hope I can go out there every time and do my job."
Counsell said at the outset of camp that Suter had "a leg up" on other candidates because of his performance as a swingman last season. In 22 outings, including 14 starts as a fill-in for injured pitchers, Suter went 3-2 with a 3.42 earned-run average, showing he could get big-league hitters out despite maxing out with his fastball at 85-86 mph.
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Though Suter will begin the season in the rotation, starting the third game of the opening series in San Diego, he was told that his ability to be a swingman could be utilized again. It never seems to bother the Harvard graduate when shuttled back and forth from starter to reliever, which increases his value to the club.
"They didn't necessarily say I'll be in one role all season," Suter said. "So, it's possible I might be moving around. That's great. All I know is I'm breaking on opening day with the big-league club.
"It's part of what makes me valuable, a little more valuable than some other guys, maybe. That might be why I made the team, because of that versatility. So, I don't mind it at all. In fact, I embrace it."
Counsell, who understandably hates the managerial duty of informing players they didn't make the club, certainly enjoyed giving Suter the joyous news.
"Brent has earned the right to do this for us, with the way he pitched last season," Counsell said. "That's the big thing. He pitched pretty well for us at the end of the year in 2016 as well (3.32 ERA in 14 games).
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"He has earned this; that's how I broke the news to him, really, because he has continued to get outs in the big leagues. He has been consistent at it as well. He's diligent and kind of always thinking about what's next. He's always trying to figure out what he can do better and what's next to take another step."
Growing up in Cincinnati, Suter attended a few Reds opening-day games as a fan. Lining up on the foul line as a major-league player, however, is something entirely different, something he could only dream about as a 31st-round draft pick in 2012.
"It's going to be special," said Suter, who called wife Erin with the news "pretty quick" after exiting Counsell's office.
Suter roomed this spring with rookie right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who also was given the news Saturday morning that he was making his first opening big-league roster. Woodruff also will be in the rotation, though not until a fifth starter is needed in the eighth game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park.
So, what did Suter and Woodruff do that evening to celebrate. Did they get a little crazy?
"No, we just went out to our favorite diner, the Black Bear Diner down in Laveen (Village)," Suter said. "We were staying down there, so we probably went 18 times. I got a pancake and two eggs, basically breakfast (for dinner). He had some tacos."
All of which were eaten through broad smiles.
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