Why Brewers' $50 million Cooper Pratt gamble has paid off

The Milwaukee Brewers are one win away from the NLCS for the second consecutive season. 

They need to win one of the next three games against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS. 

Jackson Chourio was the hero in Game 2, lining a two-run walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth against Mason Miller. 

Milwaukee's lineup features players who can impact the game in different ways, including shortstop Cooper Pratt. 

The 22-year-old has just one hit in seven postseason at-bats, but the Brewers should be very excited about the potential of the youngster. 

"The Brewers signed Pratt to an eight-year, $50.75 million extension in April, and he made his MLB debut on June 16, pushing incumbent shortstop Joey Ortiz to third base," Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote. 

"He hit .321/.380/.407 over his final 25 games to close out the regular season, and his glove was as advertised at shortstop," he added. 

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Pratt also stole 19 bases in 22 attempts during the regular season. Across a 162-game season, he would be on pace for 42 steals. 

Combine that with his ability to play stellar defense at shortstop, and the Brewers got a bargain with his extension. 

He may not be Milwaukee's best player, at least not right now. 

But Pratt fits the mold of how the Brewers want to play, and his speed and defense could help the NL Central club win its first World Series title. 

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