PHOENIX -- An elongated offseason of consistent baseball has Ivan De Jesus Jr. prompting Brewers decision makers to reflect on his immediate future with the big league club.
De Jesus, who signed a Minor League deal with Milwaukee in December, played through the Puerto Rican Winter League and then the Caribbean World Series through the offseason to best prepare for the upcoming '17 season.
"That helped me, too, not only the Caribbean Series, but coming into winter ball," De Jesus said. "The year before, I didn't play winter ball. … This year I played the whole year."
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Brewers manager Craig Counsell -- a 16-year big leaguer who played more than 375 games at second, third and shortstop each -- has consistently placed premium on defensive versatility, which is why De Jesus has made a compelling case this spring to earn a 40-man roster spot. He has big league experience at all four infield positions and left field. Counsell said he likes De Jesus most at third base but would be comfortable playing him across the infield.
At the Major League level, De Jesus been hamstrung by his bat -- a career .242/.303/.327 with 130 strikeouts and 41 walks in 495 at-bats -- but this spring he's hitting .405 with a 1.014 OPS, a home run, eight runs scored, six RBIs and six walks to go with three strikeouts in 42 at-bats, including a 6-for-13 stretch his past three games entering Saturday.

Also appealing, Counsell said, is the MLB experience De Jesus brings, which was a factor in signing him and utility infielder Eric Sogard, who also inked a Minor League deal in December. De Jesus, 29, has played in 228 games in parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, Red Sox, and most recently, Reds, with whom he spent the last two seasons.
"I think that's certainly the case. I think his experience, really him and Sogard, their experience has kind of shined through a little bit in this camp," Counsell said. "I think as we've gotten going here, it sticks out in a camp that's not very experienced. ... You understand why they've been big leaguers."
The Brewers remain mum on the bulk of their Opening Day roster plans, and one significant decision remains whether they want to carry seven or eight relievers, which would either open or eliminate an extra bench position.