The Brewers will call up outfielder Trent Grisham in time for tomorrow’s game against the Athletics, Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell told reporters (including MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy). Earlier today, ESPN.com’s Jeff Passan tweeted that the move was likely. Grisham isn’t currently on the 40-man roster, so an accommodating move will have to be made before he hits the field.
Grisham, who went by “Trent Clark” when he was drafted 15th overall in 2015, received some top-100 prospect list attention prior to the 2016 season. From 2016-2018, however, Grisham showed some decent on-base numbers but was overall lacking at the plate.
Still, the Brewers kept promoting him through the system, and Grisham finally made his big breakthrough this season. After an .875 OPS over 283 Double-A plate appearances earned him another step up the ladder, Grisham tore up Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .381/.471/.776 slash line over 158 PA. (This included a stunning game on Tuesday that included hitting for the cycle and adding a second home run for good measure.)
While playing in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League undoubtedly contributed to his Triple-A explosion, MLB Pipeline’s profile of Grisham cites a preseason change to his batting stance that has clearly paid major dividends. The 22-year-old is now set to make his big league debut, and between his quality baserunning, ability to play all three outfield positions, and improved bat, Grisham becomes an intriguing part-time asset for the Brewers.
Now that Jesus Aguilar has been traded to the Rays, Ryan Braun could potentially see some time at first base as a platoon partner with one of Milwaukee’s two left-handed hitting first base options (Travis Shaw and Eric Thames). This could open up some outfield playing time for Grisham, though the Brewers also have another left-handed hitting outfielder in Ben Gamel.
