Consistency key in Milwaukee infield

Shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Rickie Weeks are aiming to put two good halves together, Bill Hall hopes to finally find a home at third base and first sacker Prince Fielder simply wants to pick up where he left off.

Milwaukee's infield exudes talent, so it's a matter of settling in and consistently performing. A big part of that will be how Hall responds to returning to the infield after a year of playing center.

Hall posted a career season after filling in for an injured Hardy in 2006, ripping 35 homers and knocking in 85 runs. However, learning a new position and spending time on the disabled list saw those numbers spiral to 14 and 63, respectively.

Although he previously played mainly at shortstop and second base, Hall has experience at and should adapt to a full-time job at the hot corner. Offensively is where he needs to make progress. He hit .254 but struck out 128 times last season, his fourth in a row with more than 100 whiffs. His playing time down the stretch dwindled because of it as he has averaged a strikeout every 3.7 at-bats in the big leagues.

Hardy and Weeks want to string together six good months as the double-play combination, something that should improve defensively as long as the latter continues the progress he made last year.

Hardy made the National League All-Star squad because of 18 homers and 54 RBIs, but then he slumped with a .231 average, three homers and 14 RBIs during July and August before a strong September to finish at .277, 26 and 80.

Weeks got off to a horrendous start, partly because he still was recovering from a right wrist injury. He spent time on the DL and later was sent to Nashville when he couldn't find his stroke. Weeks then tore up opposing pitchers, recording a .442 on-base percentage the final two months and belting nine HRs in September. He finished at .235 with 16 dingers and a .374 OBP, but he struck out 116 times, something that needs improving as the team's lead-off hitter.

Fielder, at 23, became the youngest player in major league history to reach the 50-homer plateau, adding 119 RBIs, an All-Star appearance and a .395 OBP. He also must become better with the glove, but he's adaquate enough that his offensive prowess far outweighs any shortcomings. He also batted .288 after flirting with .300 for a good portion of the year.

Craig Counsell is the top reserve, hitting only .220 but posting a .323 OBP. Counsell can fill in anywhere and committed two errors in 122 games.

Joe Dillon carried a big stick, batting .342 with 26 hits in 76 trips and registering a .390 OBP. He can fill in everywhere except shortstop if needed and saw action in the outfield.

Abraham Nunez was brought in on a minor-league deal and could be in the mix depending on injuries and whether the team keeps an extra outfielder. The switch-hitter has a .242 career average in 11 seasons with Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Philadelphia.