“Time will tell if fifth-hitter Bill Hall will produce in the role of protecting Fielder and Braun. If not, Hart would do well in that role.”

For years we’ve heard about the homegrown Milwaukee Brewers, a bunch of guys drafted and brought up through the minor leagues together.

Infielders Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun drew the bulk of the attention. Bill Hall and Tony Gwynn Jr. (based on name alone) garnered more attention on the periphery as well.

But no player plays all five phases of the game – contact hitting, hitting for power, running the bases, defense and throwing – better than Corey Hart. Hart has long spent his career as the unheralded and often forgotten man of the group, but his tough mentality, combined with smooth athleticism and wiry 6-foot-6 frame, has made him a fan favorite. (The fact that he walks up to home plate into Rodney Atkins and Craig Morgan probably doesn’t hurt, either, in Wisconsin.)

Selected in the 11th round by Milwaukee in the 2000 Amateur Draft, Hart is in his third full season in the big leagues with the Brewers. After spending much of 2006 on the bench, manager Ned Yost used Hart last season in several different roles, including lead-off hitter and down-to-platoon outfielder.

Despite being undeservingly presented the opportunity by Yost to play every single day, Hart batted .295 in 2007 and became only the fifth Brewer ever to record 20 or more home runs and stolen bases in a single season.

Now in the sixth spot in the order, Hart is playing right field every day, regardless of who is the opposing starting pitcher. His .304 average on the young season is a primary reason the Brewers are off to a quick start.

Time will tell if fifth-hitter Bill Hall will produce in the role of protecting Fielder and Braun. If not, Hart would do well in that role.

A year ago, the Brewers bashed a club-record 231 home runs. But in the end it was not enough, as Milwaukee finished two games behind Chicago. You win with pitching, but you also win with players like Hart who can do it all.

Braun and Fielder will put up their eye-popping numbers, but it’s guys like Hart who make the difference.

Yost and Brewers fans should be thrilled to have him.

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