A bit of news coming in late this morning on the minor league front, as sources have indicated that Brewers' supplemental 2012 first-round draft pick and now former low-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers outfielder Mitch Haniger has been promoted to the Brevard County Manatees, Milwaukee's advanced-A affiliate.
Rumor of the transaction had been floating around late last night. However, the news was made official by the Manatees' Twitter page at 11 a.m. this morning.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>2012 Supplemental First Round selection Mitch Haniger has been added to the Brevard County roster from Wisconsin.</p>— Manatees Baseball (@BCManatees) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCManatees/status/337599000901451776">May 23, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Haniger, 22, was ranked as the organization's No. 10 overall prospect by MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo prior to the season, despite the fact that his inaugural campaign in the system was cut short by a PCL tear in his right leg last July.
The news of Haniger's promotion had been anticipated for quite some time. Over 41 games with Wisconsin this season, Haniger posted a slash line of .297/.399/.510 with 19 extra base hits, including five home runs, seven stolen bases and 25 walks to just 24 strikeouts in 178 plate appearances. Given his success at the plate, it seemed only a matter of time before the Santa Clara, Calif. native made his first jump up Milwaukee's minor league ladder.
"I don't see why he can't be an everyday player in the big leagues and have a significant impact," Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson said of Haniger earlier in the season. "He's going to be a gap-to-gap guy and he'll steal a couple bases...and his arm is his biggest strength right now. I don't think he's a 40 home run guy, but I think he'll hit 20 to 25 home runs (per season)."
Other news: Manatees infielder Adrian Williams has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to May 21.