With restored vision, Wilken sets sights high in '25

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PHOENIX -- Brock Wilken sees better things ahead in 2025.

It helps that he can see, period.

Wilken, the 18th overall pick in the 2023 Draft and the No. 18 Brewers prospect per MLB Pipeline, blandly called it ¡°an incident¡± during a conversation ahead of Sunday¡¯s Spring Breakout game. It was actually a serious scare last year at the start of his first full season as a professional. Wilken was hit by a pitch in the face on April 11 at Double-A Biloxi and underwent surgery for multiple facial fractures, narrowly avoiding something much worse. Doctors told Wilken he was a millimeter away from needing reconstructive surgery on his orbital bone.

He was back playing at Biloxi on May 7, but he noticed trouble with his vision that was reflected in his performance, as he slumped to a .199/.312/.363 slash line and 133 strikeouts in 471 Double-A plate appearances. After a similarly tough stint in the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost at-bats, Wilken got to work on restoring his sight.

¡°I did a lot of eye therapy and rehab in the offseason,¡± Wilken said. ¡°My eyes were working in the 50th percentile in depth perception. My left eye was severely damaged, and the muscle that basically holds your eye in place was not strong enough. So basically, my eye could converge inward when I would try to focus on an object.¡±

An object like an approaching baseball, for example.

¡°There were a lot of things that were not right,¡± Wilken said. ¡°Then mentally, it was a grind. Trying to be in the box like, ¡®Oh gosh, am I going to get hit again?¡¯ It was a lingering thought.

¡°I think that has gone away, which is really nice. I took off the [protective] cage [on his batting helmet] in the Fall League and I have no cage on all spring. Mentally and physically, I feel great. My eyes are going really well. I think I¡¯m ready to go out there and start the year.¡±

It took a lot of work to get to this point. Wilken reported five days a week for vision rehab from Dec. 9-Feb. 7 before traveling to Phoenix on Feb. 8 to take part in the Brewers¡¯ spring minicamp for Minor Leaguers. A minor back tweak sidelined him for 4-5 days early on, but since then he¡¯s been healthy. He walked, singled and scored while manning third base in the latter innings of the Brewers¡¯ Spring Breakout showcase against the Reds.

Wilken expects to head back to Biloxi to begin the season and said he envisions being in the big leagues by year¡¯s end. It¡¯s the sort of confidence he would have had trouble conjuring for much of last season.

¡°I¡¯m so ready,¡± Wilken said. ¡°It¡¯s a fresh start, almost. Turn the page on last year and get going for a fresh, full year.¡±

¡®A survivor and warrior for me'

Mother knows best, as Brewers outfield prospect Yophery Rodriguez can testify.

His mother, Mary Santana, is a baseball fan and breast cancer survivor who not only taught him about perseverance, but directed him to develop his English skills in advance of a career in professional baseball.

¡°I would say it was a miracle sent from God because I never went to school for English,¡± said Rodriguez (Brewers No. 7). ¡°My mother always told me that I have to learn English because I¡¯m going to need it when I¡¯m playing stateside. She told me to watch movies with subtitles, and listen to music in English so my brain is going to learn.¡±

His favorite movie was ¡°Rookie of the Year,¡± though Rodriguez is also partial to superhero movies like Spider-Man. He rounded out his education by listening to American music, and picked up more English from playing video games like MLB The Show and focusing on the commentary.

That study has paid off. While other players from Minor League camp keep a low profile, Rodriguez made the most of his time with the Major Leaguers, asking questions and soaking up advice every chance he got. Outfielder Sal Frelick was particularly friendly, Rodriguez said.

¡°He talked to me every time that I¡¯m here," Rodriguez said. ¡°He always told me to be watching the defense, what they do. Watch the pitcher to learn his tendencies and be a better baserunner. How to get better on my approach. And every time I come over, to enjoy it and do my thing.¡±

He¡¯s been enjoying it even more lately. His mother has visited him in Phoenix this spring.

¡°She prepared me for baseball and for life. Thank God she is here,¡± Rodriguez said. ¡°I enjoy every day that I am with her because she is a survivor and a warrior for me.¡±