Milwaukee Brewers Call-Up OF Michael Reed

After the Milwaukee Brewers lost both Keon Broxton (fractured wrist, 6-8 weeks) and Kirk Nieuwenhuis (abdominal strain, at least next two games and possibly more) to injury earlier in yesterday’s game, the club has recalled outfield Michael Reed from AAA Colorado Springs, who have been dormant since their season finished up last week. Adam McCalvy first reported that Reed was potentially on the way to Milwaukee.

Reed makes more sense to bring to the big leagues at this time over other potential candidates Lewis Brinson and Kyle Wren. Reed was already on the 40 man roster while Wren is not, and Reed’s service time is seemingly less of a concern than Brinson’s, who will hopefully become a franchise cornerstone sometime in the not-so-distant future.

Reed never otherwise impressed enough this season to warrant a shot at the big leagues, posting a roughly league-average .248/.366/.365 slash (102 wRC+) with 8 home runs and 20 steals in 492 plate appearances in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He played all three outfield spots this season and spent the most time in center field (42 starts). Despite a need for outfield help at several turns throughout the year, this will be Reed’s first shot at the majors in 2016 and he may well wind up getting most of the regular playing time in center field. He’ll have the next 14 games to finish out the year and make a strong impression, but if he flops he could find himself lost in the shuffle with a some difficult 40 man roster decisions looming this winter.

Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs