The Brewers introduced this morning that they’ve chosen the contract of infielder/outfielder Isaac Collins. In corresponding strikes, outfielder Brewer Hicklen was optioned to Triple-A and outfielder Christian Yelich was transferred to the 60-day injured record.
Collins, 27, was a ninth-round decide by the Rockies again in 2019 and has but to make his main league debut. The Brewers plucked him from Colorado within the minor league section of the 2022 Rule 5 Draft, and he’s spent the previous two seasons within the higher ranges of Milwaukee’s minor league system. He’s carried out nicely in his first full season at Triple-A this 12 months, with a .273/.386/.475 slash line in 500 journeys to the plate. He’s supplemented that stable manufacturing on the plate with spectacular baserunning (24 steals in 29 makes an attempt) and the flexibility to play second base, third base, and all around the outfield.
He’ll now get the chance to show himself on the huge league degree with the Brewers because the common season winds down. Milwaukee has little to fret about by way of making the playoffs, as their ten-game lead over the Cubs and Cardinals is all however insurmountable at this level, although the membership nonetheless does have one thing to play for as they’re three video games again of each the Phillies and Dodgers for a bye via the Wild Card spherical of the playoffs. Even so, the Brewers’ cushion within the NL Central race and September’s expanded 28-man rosters supplies the membership with a possibility to get potential future contributors publicity on the huge league degree whereas additionally shoring up their general depth.
Making means for Collins on the membership’s roster is Hicklen. The 28-year-old outfielder had a short cup of espresso with the Royals within the majors again in 2022 however his time with the Brewers this 12 months has been his second foray into main league motion. Hicklen’s .247/.364/.484 slash line on the Triple-A degree isn’t too dissimilar from that of Collins, and his barely much less priceless offense is kind of outweighed by a unbelievable 42-for-47 file on the basepaths this 12 months at Triple-A. That stated, changing Hicklen on the roster with Collins presents the Brewers the chance to roster a hitter with the same skillset who can again up the infield alongside Andruw Monasterio in addition to filling in across the outfield when needed.
As for Yelich, his placement on the 60-day IL is hardly a shock given the truth that his season got here to an finish when he underwent again surgical procedure final month. The 32-year-old loved his greatest offensive season in years when wholesome sufficient to take the sector this 12 months, slashing .315/.406/.504 in 73 video games whereas stealing 21 bases in 22 makes an attempt. He’s at present anticipated to be able to return to the center of the membership’s lineup in time for the 2025 season.
