Brewers optimistic at winter fan festival

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Even Ryan Braun is anxious to see how Milwaukee’s youthful group of potential starting pitchers shakes out.

The Brewers held their annual fan festival Sunday, and Braun says he is looking forward to representing the United States in the World Baseball Classic. He also wants to see how Mike Fiers, Wily Peralta and Mark Rogers perform with a chance to make the rotation.

Braun anchors a lineup that returns almost completely intact after leading the National League in home runs, RBIs, runs, stolen bases and extra-base hits — quite the impressive feat for the first season since Prince Fielder signed with Detroit.