Brewers call up infield prospect Tyler Black from Class AAA Nashville

Rod and Nancy Black had one day's worth of vacation in Cancun under their belts when their son, Tyler, called on Monday night.

It wasn't just to check in. It was to tell them he was being called up to the major leagues for the first time with the Milwaukee Brewers.

"I was like, 'Hey, pack your bags. Let's go to Milwaukee,' and they were on the first flight this morning," said Black on Tuesday after arriving at American Family Field in advance of the Brewers' interleague matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Black had his contract selected from Nashville, with infielder-outfielder Owen Miller being optioned out and Wade Miley being transferred from the 15- to the 60-day injured list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

"Spirit Airlines. They got there Sunday night," Black continued. "So, a quick one-day trip."

Black, of course, is hoping his stay in Milwaukee will be for the long term as he becomes the organization's latest high-profile prospect to reach the highest level in the game. Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, Joey Wiemer, Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio all have preceded Black, and had varying degrees of success thus far.

The Toronto native, who turns 24 on July 26, arrives on the heels of a terrific start at Class AAA Nashville, where he was batting .303 with five home runs and 18 runs batted in to go along with an OPS of .919 over 25 games.

What's set Black apart has been his terrific ball-strike recognition. In 238 career games in the minors he drew 172 walks compared to 191 strikeouts, helping him log an impressive .412 on-base percentage.

Black wasn't in the lineup Tuesday but found himself in the game in the first inning in place of Gary Sánchez, who injured his hamstring running to first base.

Then in his first plate appearance in the third inning, Black hammered a double to center to the delight of his parents, girlfriend and several other friends who were able to make the game. Black singled in his second at-bat and scored on a three-run homer by Willy Adames.

"It's just a thing of being where your feet are," Black said when asked about carrying over his skill set to the majors. "It's the same game. Pitchers still have to throw it over and plate and I've still got to recognize it and put a good swing on it and swing at good pitches.

"I'm just going to try to keep it as simple as possible. It's the same game I've played my whole life, and nothing changes."

Black has been a fast mover in the minor leagues since being selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB draft (33rd overall) out of Wright State University. He played most of last season at Class AA Biloxi then finished at Nashville, posting a line of .284/18/73/.930 over 123 total games.

Defensively, Black has bounced all over the diamond but has largely settled at first base with the potential to play some third in the future. He also has experience at second base as well as in the outfield.

"I think he's going to play first and DH," manager Pat Murphy said. "We might see (Jake) Bauers in the outfield more. (Black's) a really good athlete. He moves really well left to right. It's just experience that he lacks – kind of a theme for us right now."

Added Black: "I feel comfortable there. In spring training it was my first time being over there consistently, and I definitely had to learn a lot. But the more innings I get over there, the more I see baseballs, the more comfortable I'm going to be."

Black will also add another player capable of causing havoc on the bases; he stole 55 in 67 opportunities last year and was 3 for 4 so far for the Sounds.

"That's our game and I want that to be our game," Murphy said. "He fits right into that."

It was a whirlwind few hours before the game for Black, whose flight from Nashville to Chicago was delayed by an hour and a half. He then rushed to the ballpark, greeted his teammates and pulled on his No. 7 jersey for the first time.

Speaking to reporters after batting practice, Black noted it was the first time his feet had ever touched the field in Milwaukee.

"I got an award (last year) but I don't think I left that dugout railing," he said. "That was my first time out there (on Tuesday). I've had five or six people telling me, 'Soak it in. This is all you've dreamed about.' Walking out there and seeing Turang and Sal and all those guys was really cool."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers calling up infield prospect Tyler Black