The Brewers announced that outfielder David Dahl has been released from his minor league contract. The 28-year-old heads back to free agency in search of another opportunity elsewhere.
Selected by the Rockies with the #10 overall pick a decade ago, Dahl developed into one of the sport’s top prospects. He reached the majors in 2016 and hit at an above-average level (even after accounting for Coors Field) for his first few seasons. Various injuries limited him to 239 MLB games through the end of the 2019 campaign, but the lefty-swinging Dahl compiled a strong .297/.346/.521 line when he was healthy enough to take the field.
That seemed to position him as a key piece of Colorado’s long-term future, but the Rox made the surprising decision to cut bait after the 2020 season. Dahl had a woeful 24-game stretch and missed extended chunks of action with back and shoulder injuries that year. The Colorado front office nevertheless came under some fire for not retaining him for an arbitration salary that would’ve still been fairly modest.
The Rangers signed Dahl that offseason, buying low on a $2.7MM guarantee. Texas hoped they’d unearth a long-term outfield contributor, but he instead continued to scuffle. Dahl hit only .210/.247/.322 across 220 plate appearances, seeing his power numbers take a dramatic step back. Texas released him last August, and Milwaukee brought him aboard on a multi-year minor league deal last summer.
Dahl has spent the past year with the Brewers’ top affiliate in Nashville. He’s shown well at the dish, hitting .327/.375/.536 in 31 games down the stretch last season. He’s had another quality performance this year, posting a .294/.357/.468 mark with nine round-trippers in 280 trips to the plate. Milwaukee has Christian Yelich and Hunter Renfroe as their primary corner outfielders, leaving them without a clear path to at-bats for Dahl in the outfield. Center field has been a problem area, but Dahl has played almost exclusively in right field with Nashville.
Milwaukee could’ve given him a look at designated hitter, but they’ve stuck with righty-hitting veteran Andrew McCutchen in that role. Instead, the Brewers will let Dahl search for other opportunities. Between his prospect pedigree, strong minor league performance and history of big league success, he shouldn’t have much problem latching on somewhere else on a minor league pact.
Now this warrants a “welcome to…” JPB or KBO.
I pray the royals pick him up. Our outfield is about to be gutted and we have very few OF prospects worth giving playing time to. Basically a re-run of the Benintendi buy-low with ample opportunity for playing time and likely chance to get traded to a contender if he shows well
He’s going overseas.
Sadly, one of the better personnel decisions made by the Rox in the past 5 years. Count me as one of the ones that thought they were idiots at the time.
Another 900 k Drury by the Reds. Bring him in Uncle Bob…flip next summer! Who’s next!
would love him on Seattle’s bench instead of upton
Uncle Bob will take Upton once we trade Phony Pham in a few weeks.
Would love him on Toronto’s bench instead of Zimmer.
Angels need to send Marsh down to find his stroke again. Probably not going to bring up Adell quite yet so the Angels might be interested in Dahl to play left field, at least for a little while.
Would get plenty of Playing time on the A’s.
If Matt Carpenter can rejuvenate his career in the Bronx, why can’t David Dahl?
Carpenter’s turn around is shocking
Sounds like the Brewers should have at least given him a 60-100 at bat look in the majors before cutting him. I mean, why did they pick him up in the first place? The minors outcome couldn’t have realistically gone better. His production had to be all they hoped for. So for them to then release him, doesn’t really make much sense to me.
Considering they’ve been using Yelich regularly as the DH, Renfroe’s 2 IL trips, Taylor currently out, Davis not showing much of anything at the plate, and the horrible performance and ultimate DFA of Cain, there seems to have been plenty of opportunity to give him a look.
They’ve been using both Hiura (LF) & Peterson (RF) in games recently. I don’t get it either. What’s worse is they’ll probably trade a prospect or 2 for a rental of a similar type player..who will only crack the lineup once a week and hit .190
I agree with you! He is better defensively then many of our current OF! Worse OF in MLB! Good news, will get better by this weekend, I HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An outfield of Mazara, Dahl and Grisham coming to SD. 3 elite prospects that couldn’t quite put it together.
I still don’t get why we’re always mixing our outfielders, but Grisham somehow keeps getting a pass. How has he not been benched or demoted already? Batting .190 last time I checked and an absolute hole in the lineup that we can’t afford. Would rather roll the dice on Dahl.
SD needs to go bigger instead of picking up cast offs. They should trade the prospects to get a Benintendi/Laureano/Mancini type legitimate starting OF, not another reclamation project
I assume MIL is making room to track top CF prospect Sal Frelick who was polished when drafted.
White Sox should be all over this.
Yes, this fits all the Reinsdorf/Hahn criteria;
Lefty – Check
Hits for “Power” – Check
Was once a desirable player by all – Check
Cheap – Check
Plays a position that they already have a log Jam at- Check
Despite sounding sarcastic, the Sox desperately need someone that can hit righties. And can get on base. They also need literally anyone to be able to work a count past the 1st pitch
You may a lot of good points! Listening to 670 sounds like the station is blaming Old Tony for your downfall.
Enough David Dahl whatever happened to Barbi Dahl?
Barbi, unfortunately, fell victim to distant cousin Luv’s influence, and was last seen in a strip club outside of Indianapolis. Terrible.
She is too old for Professional wrestling, Let alone BB!
Based on his history, the most relevant stat is he’s remained healthy enough to get 280 PAs this season. He’ll get a shot with some MLB team.
I was thinking the very same thing. You almost want to knock wood after posting that because the story of David Dahl has always been that just as he begins to set the world on fire a series of injuries is triggered, and he misses a big chunk of time. Then he has to work his way back into the lineup, and the cycle starts all over again.
Did they even try to trade him? Been killing it in the minors this year. Not a yankees fan, but I fully expect them to sign him unless I’m missing something. They may not need to make a move for an OF at the deadline if he hits well.
Would like to see the Braves sign him. He’s a Birmingham boy.
I could see the Giants trying to pull him in.
Mr. Dahl, Dave Dombrowski on Line 1!
Yes, please. Anything to get rid of Odubel.
Stuck with Andrew McCutchen at DH?
I mean honestly it’s not like they struck gold there. Does anyone really believe the FO is bringing Cutch back next year?
Not the worst minor league numbers this season. He should find a home quickly
He can rejoin KSTP Television in Minneapolis/St Paul as their Weatherman..
Giants need a right handed hitting outfielder. It’s worth a roll of the dice ?
Uh, Dahl is a lefty.
Farhan is on Line 2