Luis Jimenez Claimed On Waivers from Angels

Sep 24, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Luis Jimenez (13) celebrates with designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) after Pujols hit a sacrifice fly to bat in Jimenez against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Brewers are hoping that Doug Melvin’s preternatural ability to buy low pays off with their claim of Luis Jimenez on waivers from the Angels.

The 26-year-old Jimenez has been an impressive minor league player but has only gotten limited action with the Angels over the last two seasons, totally 151 plate appearances over 51 games and sporting a .242/.276/371 slash line.

As was noted by FanGraphs, Jimenez was the Angels’ 12^th best prospect going into the 2012 season, but his age has moved him out of the rankings.

In 117 games in AAA this season he slashed .286/.321/.505 with 21 home runs and had 12 stolen bases for good measure. His 15% strike out rate in AAA is actually low for a slugger with his power, but his 4.8% walk rate is also a little low.

As I mentioned, at 26 Jimenez isn’t a prospect any more. He’ll almost certainly get an invite to spring training and could be both a bench option behind Aramis Ramirez and a potential replacement for Ramirez if he and the Brewers don’t pick up his options.

Jimenez can be looked as a cheaper, younger, Mark Reynolds. He doesn’t strike out as much as Reynolds, but his low-ish OBP means that if he’s thrust into a starting role for any reason other than injury, Doug Melvin will have been derelict in his duties this off season.