Brewer Daily News for October 16th, 2013: Maldonado gives back, Haniger awarded

Hello again everyone and welcome to the Wednesday morning edition of Brewer Daily News. Recently, Milwaukee Brewers’ back-up catcher Martin Maldonado gave back to the community in his native country of Puerto Rico. Secondly, Brewers’ prospect Mitch Haniger was named as the Arizona Fall League’s ‘Player of the Week’.

Martin Maldonado started the event after a suggestion from his mother. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Maldonado, 27, gave back to the community of Naguabo, Puerto Rico, where he grew up as a child. Two years ago, Maldonado created an event called the “Three Kings Day” in which he gave gifts to children and held a carnival, an event he now hosts annually.

"“I grew up in a poor community, you know?” Maldonado said. “But my mom always found a way to give good toys…now I have a chance to give back to my community, to make some kids smile. I feel good today.” – via Brewers.com"

Yadier Molina, the catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, chipped in a monetary contribution for the event. This season, Maldonado played in 67 games and hit .164 with four home runs ans 22 RBIs as he backed up Jonathan Lucroy.

In the second bit of news this morning, yesterday Mitch Haniger, 22, was named as the ‘Player of the Week’ for the first week of the Arizona Fall League (October 8-15). Haniger was drafted by the Brew Crew back in 2012 with one of their three compensation picks after Prince Fielder signed with the Detroit Tigers.

During the first game of the league, Haniger hit a grand slam and went 2-for-4. Since then, Haniger has been pretty active with the bat, becoming one of the Surprise Saguaros’ best hitters behind the Baltimore Orioles’ Michael Ohlman.

This season in Advanced-A with the Brevard County Mantees, Haniger hit .250/.323/.396 in 88 games with six homers, 43 RBIs and scored 52 runs. Haniger is one of the Brewers’ top outfield prospects and could work his way into Double-A Hunstville in 2014.