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Alec Asher’s stay on Milwaukee’s 40 man roster proved to be a short one. The Brewers claimed the right-hander on waivers from the Dodgers just two days ago and he hadn’t even appeared in a game yet for the org, but today he finds himself back in DFA limbo after the club announced another player acquisition:
INF Tyler Saladino has been acquired from the White Sox in exchange for cash. He has been optioned to Triple-A @skysox. RHP Alec Asher has been designated for assignment. The 40-man roster remains at capacity. pic.twitter.com/0oIapqyC4w
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 20, 2018
Saladino, who turns 29 this summer, began his career as a 7th round draft pick by the White Sox back in 2010. He made his big league debut in 2015 and has spent significant time in the big leagues in each of the last three seasons, taking 250+ trips to the plate from 2015-2017. Those appearances haven’t exactly been productive, however, as the right-handed hitter owns a meager .231/.281/.330 slash across 863 plate appearances with 12 home runs and 24 stolen bases.
Saladino’s value lies in his defensive versatility, and he’s appeared at every position except catcher at least once in the major leagues. He was primarily a shortstop coming up through the minors but also has extensive experience at second base and third base. Saladino made Chicago’s Opening Day roster this season but had garnered only nine plate appearances to this point, collecting two hits. In 547 minor league games and over 2,300 plate appearances, Saladino is a .262/.352/.397 hitter with 42 long balls and 111 stolen bags.
Saladino was obviously no longer in the plans for the rebuilding White Sox, who let him go despite the fact that he had a minor league option remaining. He will take the spot vacated by Asher on Milwaukee’s 40 man roster, but will report to AAA Colorado Springs to begin his time within the organization. Saladino will join Mauricio Dubon, Shane Opitz, Nate Orf, and Andres Blanco as part of the contingent of upper-level infield depth. It’s worth noting that so far, Milwaukee ranks #27 in baseball with a cumulative 59 wRC+ out of their group of second baseman, so it stands to reason that they could look to their minor league reserves at some point this year. Saladino could factor into that equation, assuming he lasts on the 40 man roster.
Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference