Earlier this week the Brewers announced their first round of roster cuts, trimming the camp from 59 to 49 players. With a little under another week's worth of games having been played, Milwaukee made their second series of roster cuts earlier this morning. Through a series of tweets, the club announced that they had made the following eight cuts:
RHP Zach Davies
(2/3 options remaining)
Davies is Milwaukee's most polished pitching prospect and has performed quite well this spring, allowing four runs in 10 innings pitched with a 9:2 K/BB ratio. He would've likely had the inside track on the club's fifth starter slot before the late acquisition of Chase Anderson from Arizona. For now though, he'll begin the season in Colorado Springs but is likely the club's 'sixth starter' if the need arises.
INF Garin Cecchini
(0/3 options remaining)
A post-hype prospect acquired on the cheap from the Red Sox over the winter, Cecchini struggled greatly last season in AAA with a .583 OPS and 69 wRC+. He didn't fare all that much better this spring, posting a .200/.278/.400 line in 15 at-bats. He'll probably get a shot to play third base in Milwaukee sometime this season, but for now he'll continue working the kinks out in the minors.
1B Andy Wilkins
(1/3 options remaining)
Wilkins has bounced around plenty over the past few seasons, though with limited first base depth in Milwaukee Wilkins may have a chance at sticking around for awhile. He was a top performer this spring, slugging a herculean .368/.429/.797 with two home runs in 19 at-bats. He has shown 30 home run power in the minors and if the inconsistent Chris Carter flops this year, Wilkins could finally get an extended chance in the big leagues.
RHP Junior Guerra
(1/3 options remaining)
Guerra was the first player acquired this past offseason by Slingin' Stearns and in my opinion, it's inevitable that he'll get his shot to breakout in a swingman role for the Brewers this season. He struggled a bit this spring though, allowing five runs in 5.2 innings. The fact that he has minor league options remaining worked against him with a crowded bullpen picture, so for now he'll bide his time in Colorado Springs and continue to give lesser hitters nightmares with his devastating splitter.
RHP Hiram Burgos
(minor league deal)
After struggling with injuries from 2013-14, the Brewers gave Burgos a make-good minor league deal last season which basically amounted to an extended rehab assignment. He started in high-A and eventually made it all the way back to Colorado Springs, where he posted a 3.35 ERA across 15 starts. Burgos was re-signed this past winter and he allowed three runs in 4.1 innings pitched this spring and will serve as minor league depth behind the Brewers' bevy of advanced pitching prospects.
RHP Daniel Tillman
(minor league deal)
Tillman is a veteran minor leaguer who was drafted by the Angels in 2010 and has spent the last two seasons as a member of the Dodgers organization. The 27 year old was signed to a minor league by Milwaukee this past winter and he pitched three scoreless innings this spring. He's never pitched above AA so he should be considered more of a depth piece at this point.
C Adam Weisenburger
(minor league deal)
A 34th round draft pick way back in 2011, Weisenburger continues to chug along with his minor league career on the strength of his sterling defensive reputation. The 27 year old backstop posted a solid .356 OBP for AA Biloxi last season and collected one hit in seven at-bats this spring. He is nice depth to have and should be in the mix for playing time behind the plate in Colorado Springs this year.
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With the above mentioned cuts, the Brewers are left with 41 players remaining in camp. Milwaukee will face off against the Angels this afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium at 3:10 PM CST.
Statistics courtesy of Brewers.com