Milwaukee Brewers: Other teams trash have been our treasures
By Ben Hertel
The Milwaukee Brewers are in first place and have been playing fantastic baseball. Without David Stearn’s under the radar pickups, who knows where the Brewers would be?
The Milwaukee Brewers just finished up a four-game series in San Diego with a 3-1 record. No Ryan Braun or Eric Thames, and even a Travis Shaw absence, but no problem.
When most teams lose their top three players, they struggle. However, the Brewers have done quite the opposite. They have played well without their stars.
Why is that? Well, the Milwaukee Brewers have found some absolute diamonds in the rough. The MVP of the last six games is without a doubt, Eric Sogard. He’s 10 for 17, with two home runs and seven RBIS.
Sogard has completely rejuvenated his career after a major knee injury kept him off the field in 2016. He’s given the Brewers time at third base, second base, and shortstop. He’s probably taken Nick Franklin‘s roster spot once Brauny returns to the lineup.
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Sogard’s impact has only been felt in six games, but the other “scrap heap” additions have been carrying the Crew this season.
Manny Pina the 29-year-old rookie, and trade addition Jett Bandy have put up Lucroy numbers together this season. The Brewers have not missed a beat without the all-star catcher.
Jesus Aguilar has done an outstanding job as a waiver wire addition this season.
He’s batting .282 on the season with three home runs, and 12 RBIS, along with some clutch hits against the Mets and Cardinals.
Aguilar also gives the Brewers a chance to be flexible with Eric Thames. They can play him at first and rest Thames, or they can move Thames to the outfield and play Aguilar at first.
In a more long-term view, Keon Broxton has committed more to this team than any other “scrap heap” addition. In the past few years, has there been a more lopsided trade than the Keon Broxton/ Trey Supak for Jason Rodgers trade?
Jason Rodgers is sitting at AAA, while Supak is dealing in the minor leagues, and Keon Broxton, a once-floundering third round pick, is turning into an above average centerfielder.
In Broxton, the Brewers get speed, great defense, and some decent offense. This year he’s batting .258 with four dingers and 12RBI. He started 2017 slowly but has come around pretty nicely.
Broxton is also a 2017 version of Tony Plush. He’s a fan favorite, who’s always smiling and enjoying himself on the field.
Other Stearns specials include the 2016 Ace himself, Junior Guerra. Hopefully, Guerra gets it rolling once he returns to the rotation next week. Paolo Espino, who makes his first career start with the Crew this week, also has the potential to come in and make a huge impact with this 2017 team.
Finally, how about the Eric Thames find? Thames has been so amazing, it’s hard to believe he was a “scrap heap” addition. The dude raked in Korea and was a highly rated prospect in his Pre-Korea MLB days. It’s hard to believe it took an MLB team this long to give him another chance.
Without Stearns giving finding these guys and giving them a second or third chance, the Brewers are not in the position they are in now. Here’s to hoping that Stearns stays hot on the waiver wire.