The Brewers announced Thursday that they’ve reinstated catcher Jacob Nottingham from the 10-day injured list and designated him for assignment. He’s been on the IL all season to this point following offseason thumb surgery.
Nottingham, 26, was a sixth-round pick by the Astros back in 2013 but has since been traded to the A’s (for Scott Kazmir) and then to Milwaukee (for Khris Davis). He’s appeared in parts of the past three seasons, hitting .203/.306/.432 in 85 trips to the plate. He’s also punched out in 35.6 percent of those plate appearances against a strong 10.6 percent walk rate.
At the time of both trades, Nottingham was a prospect of some note, but he’s never really tapped into enough of his above-average raw power. Scouting reports have long credited him with a strong arm to go along with that power, but they’ve also panned his overall defensive profile behind the dish.
Nottingham is out of minor league options, so Milwaukee either had to put him on the big league roster or designate him for assignment. With Omar Narvaez and Manny Pina both healthy — and Narvaez hitting at a ridiculous .396/.455/.604 pace — the Brewers unsurprisingly opted for the latter. They’ll now have a week to trade Nottingham or attempt to pass him through outright waivers. The latter route would allow them to assign him outright to their alternate site, keeping him in the organization while no longer occupying a 40-man roster spot.
Robin Hood wins again!
Ha!
If Jacob’s nickname isn’t The Sheriff, then I will be very disappointed
It is for the faithful Brewer fans but maybe for some other fans soon. Many Brewer fans were thinking they should have gotten rid of Omar Narvaez this off season with how bad he hit last year but I am guessing they don’t think that after the start of this season.
I was one who suggested it could possibly happen. I’m glad it didn’t come to pass (I will say it wasn’t specifically to open a spot for Nottingham).
The Rays should pick him up to pair with Ryan Sheriff.
And he could sing “I caught the Sheriff…but I did not catch the deputy.
Send him back to merry old England! I don’t care if he’s from California. HE’S GOING BACK TO ENGLAND!
0.7 WAR in 38 G? Send him back to Oakland to replace the terrible Aramis Garcia, ASAP!
I’m sorry Brewers should have kept him on the roster and dfa Vogel.. Then let him play first and catch. Atleast he can play some defensive more then him. Send down Huira . Just my opinion
Brewers’ fans would riot/TP GM David Stearns’ home if Vogelbats was dfa. Solid bat off the bench and backup 1B. Some team would most likely claim him if that happens.
But, he’s not a lefty.
And, he’s also not very good.
Like, at any position and especially with the bat.
Vogel is loved by fans in MKE. That was never going to happen unless he pulls an Jesus Aguilar and doesn’t hit well for a year. (Crap)
So wrong.
Vogelbach has been great.
They should DFA Robertson (even if his D is better than Arcia or Urias, he can’t hit at all).
Christian Bethancourt 2.0 – can’t hit, and his catching skills are below average. Why anyone would pick him up when Jonathan Lucroy is still available is beyond me
He’s kind of the opposite of Christian Bethancourt. Bethancourt was always regarded as a well above average defender.
Erroneous, erroneous on both counts! Jonathan Lucroy is 8 years older than Nottingham and makes twice as much this season. Above average arm strength (threw out roughly 40% of runners in milb), big power with less than 80 MLB ABs compared to 400+ for Bethancourt. Brewers have a handful of catchers in their farm/top 30 prospects, but hopefully Nottingham can clear the waivers as a quality backup C. considering Pina is a Free Agent after this season and Narvaez is a FA after next season.
JobuKnows scouting report on Nottingham is correct as well as his view of the Brewers farm having really nice catching prospects. And while Pina is indeed a FA next season, Narvaez is not, still has an arby year left. Feliciano, their top C prospect should also be ready next season.
one arby year left most likely translates to FA after next season as stated. Unlikely that the small market brew crew will be in a position to sign a 30+ yr old FA catcher if he continues to rake w/adequate D behind the dish. Feliciano should be called up later this season, or beginning of next season, while Payton Henry and the others are likely 2+ years away. As such, losing Nottingham via trade in the next week or claimed by another team could be problematic down the road (god forbid something happens to Narvaez this season or next and/or Pineapple this season).
My bad JobuKnows. I misread. Just not going to be all that upset if the team loses Nottingham. Maile is good defensively and impressed me in ST, and Henry is ready now defensively at least. Narvaez is gone after next season as well. This team is set at C for the next decade.
Which is why they should trade Pina now and give Notts the back up job.
Pina and some of the chaff on the roster could bring in a decent reliever or two to replace Yardley and Lindblom.
“Cheaper” with a “chance” that he improves with years of control.
Actually, that reporter has his information completely wrong.
Notts HAS become excellent behind the dish and was the best on the team last year behind the plate (especially as Burnes personal catcher).
And when he does hit, it’s out of the park and he swings like Gorman.
I’d like to see the Crew pull off a blockbuster.
Trade Pina, Turang, Cain, Robertson, and Garcia.
Call up Notts and give Taylor the starting spot in RF.
Mitchell next year to start in CF.
And get rid of the bums on the pitching staff, like Lindblom, Yardley, and Suter.
Should be able to pull a quality reliever and Trevor Story for that package!!
The reports of his “poor catching skills” are out of date and simply based on lazy reports of reputation. Nottingham has worked his a** off the last few years and has actually become a pretty decent defensive player. He’s never been given a legitimate chance offensively and would not at all be surprised if he was one of the many “late blooming” catchers. I’m hoping he clears waivers and the Brewers are able to keep this guy. Definitely a guy worth taking a chance on…even if it is a year or two down the road.
I’d think he’d be a better back-up then Alex Jackson, but I’ve never seen him play in person. Anyone got any thoughts on the matter?
He swings like Gorman Thomas and he was Burnes’ personal catcher for a reason last year.
The guy may yet become a hitter. His D is now solid to above average.
He’s good.
I’d rather trade Pina to get something for him before he bolts in FA.