The Brewers announced on Thursday that they’ve signed infielder Eric Sogard, left-hander Andy Oliver and right-hander Hiram Burgos to minor league contracts with invites to Major League Spring Training.
[Related: Updated Milwaukee Brewers Depth Chart]
Sogard, 30, comes with the most big league experience of the bunch. The longtime Athletics infielder missed the 2016 season due to knee surgery but was a staple in the Oakland infield from 2013-15, during which time he batted .247/.305/.315. Suffice it to say, Sogard isn’t known for his bat, but he’s an excellent defensive second baseman that is also capable of playing both shortstop and third base. Sogard also brings some speed to the table, as he swiped 27 bases over those three years despite a limited role. Fangraphs rated his baserunning in both 2014 and 2015 to be especially valuable. The Brewers figure to have an infield consisting of Eric Thames (first base), Jonathan Villar (second base), Orlando Arcia (shortstop) and Travis Shaw (third base) on most days, but Sogard offers more defensive versatility than Scooter Gennett, who currently projects as a reserve in Milwaukee, so perhaps he could push Gennett for a roster spot this spring.
Oliver, 29, was once one of the top-regarded arms in the Tigers’ farm system, but it’s been five full seasons since he pitched at the Major League level. He turned in a very solid season with the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate in 2016, however, pitching to a 3.43 ERA with 84 strikeouts against 36 walks in 86 2/3 innings of work between the Norfolk rotation and bullpen. The 14 starts he logged in 2016 were the most he’s made since 2013 (as a member of the Pirates organization), and the bullpen seemingly provides a better path back to the Majors in Milwaukee than the rotation, where the Brewers have seven rotation options on the 40-man roster (Junior Guerra, Matt Garza, Chase Anderson, Zach Davies, Wily Peralta, Jimmy Nelson and the newly signed Tommy Milone).
Burgos, also 29, is actually a re-signing, as he’s spent his entire professional career with the Brewers since they made him their sixth-round pick back in 2009. The Puerto Rican right-hander was dominant in the minors in 2012 and made his MLB debut with the Brewers a season later in 2013, but shoulder troubles have derailed his once fairly promising career. He’s topped 140 innings in each of the past two Triple-A campaigns, though, pitching to an even 4.00 ERA with respectable strikeout and walk rates. He could be a depth option for Milwaukee this year in the event that injuries and/or trade create some vacancies on the pitching staff.
Gennett is better than Sogard, in their careers over 162 games Sogard is a 1.3 WAR while Gennett is 1.8.
But Sogard can play other positions besides second so it gives them a better utility option than a guy that just plays second.
Why is there always a brother who fails?
Oswaldo and Orlando
Gavin and Gerrin Cicchini
The weaver brothers (ish)
Bryce and His brother Harper
Life works in circles
My fave is Robin Yount’s brother, Larry Yount, who is the only player to be an official game but never record a stat, as he blew his arm out warming up before the game. Behold his marvelous baseball-reference page!
baseball-reference.com/players/y/yountla01.shtml
That’s not always the way it goes, but alot of the time that’s true going back to the like of the Conseco’s,Drews,Vladimir and his brother ,the Niekro’s wasn’t bad the Ripken’s were ok but awfully hard to live up to what Cal did,Joe Carter’s brother Larry is in the softball hall of fame
Cal and Billy Ripken!
Colby and Cory Rasmus fit that bill. If Tyson Ross comes back strong though him and Joe might be able to be outliers to that theory
Look at the Phillies over the years. Vince DiMaggio, Frank Torre, Ken Brett, Juan Bell, Mike Maddux (not necessarily a failure but he wasn’t Greg), Jeremy Giambi. They even signed Marcus Giles at one point.
Then you have cousins in Manny and Hanley Ramirez
Tommie and Hank Aaron…Ken and George Brett…
But how will the face of MLB deal with Matt Garza – hater of Sogard’s wife?
Probably how he deals with everything, by playing baseball horrendously but being a “fan favorite” because he wears glasses and looks like he belongs in IT, not on a diamond.
Thats cool he looks like that, but the guy can’t hit to save his life and his defense is massively overrated. He’s a classic AAAA guy. Brewers shouldn’t let him sniff the big league team, but he’s fine as org depth in case their entire infield gets hurt or something.
Why does Garza hate Sogard’s wife? Were they together?
Twitter war when Garza ranted about Sogard bunting in a game.
Was he a staple in their infield or did he have limited time? which is is?
Both, his bat was so bad they hated playing him, but his defense was so good they couldn’t not play him.