The Brewers have selected the contract of outfielder Garrett Mitchell and placed outfielder Jonathan Davis on the 10-day IL with a right elbow effusion, the team announced. It will be the first taste of the majors for Mitchell, a former UCLA star and Milwaukee’s first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2020 amateur draft. Alex Jackson was transferred to the 60-day injured list in a 40-man roster move.
Mitchell has spent much of his season at the Double-A level this season, hitting .277/.353/.428 over 187 plate appearances. This earned him a promotion to Triple-A for the first time, with Mitchell responding by delivering even more offense (.343/.435/.466) in 85 PA. Unfortunately, Mitchell also missed about two months on the injured list due to an oblique strain, but he has made up for lost time with his strong Triple-A performance and now on the verge of his MLB debut.
A leg injury also limited Mitchell’s first pro season to 64 minor league games (roughly split between high-A and Double-A ball) in 2021, so simply staying healthy has been a bit of an issue for the 23-year-old. His lack of hitting progress was also some concern, as scouting reports for both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline indicated that Mitchell hit too many grounders and didn’t exhibit enough power. To this end, Mitchell’s offensive numbers could be fueled more by some excellent batted-ball luck — a .378 BABIP at Double-A and a .444 BABIP at Triple-A.
However, Mitchell also has the elite speed that lends itself to high BABIP numbers. Both Pipeline and BA give him 80-grade speed, and between those wheels and an excellent glove and throwing arm, Mitchell’s defense already seems more than Major League-caliber. This is good news for a Milwaukee team that has been looking for a regular center fielder, and with Tyrone Taylor also exhibiting some good glovework, the Brewers could use Mitchell and Taylor in a lefty/righty platoon that could at least solidify things defensively up the middle.
Mitchell over Frelick, huh? Well, they’re playing out the string anyway…
I’m happy either way. Any of the young outfielders we have in AAA. I was kinda shocked we didn’t bring up Ruiz whom was up for the Padres before the trade
You are right!
Ruiz doesn’t fit the Counsell image of a ballplayer. There’s an unspoken, but obvious mindset with the Brewers. All one needs to do is look at this team in comparison to seven, or eight years ago.
At least they got a “W” last night. Of course, home run dependent.
They did get a couple singles, walks, and even bunted (again!) that led to a couple of the HR not being the usual solo shots. I’m really curious why all the sudden over the past couple weeks they’re legitimately trying to bunt occasionally.
Going into the season I thought he’d be called up by the All-Star break.
I really hope the brewers break camp next spring with Frelick in center, Turang at 3rd or short with Ruiz battling it out with Mitchell in left. We have too many young players in AAA
i was surprised about that too, frelick has been on an absolute tear at AAA… i wonder if they see Frelick as more of a LF option than center, in which we could see the Brewers break camp next season with Yeli (or Hiura) being everyday DH… Turang i expect will get a look at 2nd as I doubt the Brewers will pick up Wong’s option
I highly doubt you’ll see hiura next year unless they have him as the primary DH he’s a defensive liability
Yeah, why keep a Gold Glove type defender who’s also better offensively than several on the team. Wong is misused at the bottom of the order and should be batting first or second. Yes, I know he’s been in a terrible slump recently.
I think Wong & McCutchen should be brought back next year for numerous reasons other than numbers. But, I also know they’re both likely gone in ’23 based on the Counsell/Stearns regime history.
Wong isn’t the player he was a few years ago. Defensively he’s slipped a bit, but is still a better option at 2B than say Hiura (just about anyone at any position where Hiura has played is a better option..). Offensively is where he’s fallen off more noticeably. May have something to do with the team approach of HR or bust, but he’s been bipolar streaky this year. If he would/could get back to his old approach another year isn’t a bad idea.
Cutch maybe should be more of a bench player than regular DH/OF guy. He’s been really hot and cold as well. Could really say that about the whole lineup.
Next poster who calls them the ‘Trashtros’ or refers to the ‘cheating’ in any way, there’s gonna be a problem. Don’t do it
Damn this non-functional Mute button on the iPhone.
To OTB: Could you please show a sense of Humor if possible. God Bless You!
It’s about time the Brewers did something to try and inject some life into their offense. While Mitchell does not bring much in the power-hitting department, he has excellent on base skills, can steal bases and has managed a career OPS of over .800 in the minors. Mitchell projects to be a solid lead off hitter or potentially a #2 hitter in the majors. Let’s see what the kid can do against major league pitching. It can’t be much worse than what they are currently trotting out there these days.
So Milwaukee is still in the wildcard hunt and decide to bring up a rookie to see if he can generate a spark. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers are all but eliminated from the playoff race and they decide to bring up Dallas Keuchel over one of their rookie pitchers. No wonder one of these teams has been a regular playoff participant while the other has struggled to get close to .500.
There will be an emergency meeting with the front office, Counsell, all coaches and Mark A in the next hour, to figure out how they mistakenly called up an actual prospect, rather than the Pablo Reyes or Mark Mathias types that generally get the call up.
So correct!
Trashtros…Flippin cheaters should have their pennant yanked
Frelick is well better than Mitchell TBH
Trade Frelick for a bullpen…