Better Know A Brewer: Ryan ‘Scooter’ Gennett

Ah, but you already knew him, didn’t you?

Yes, Scooter Gennett, the newly called-up second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers has long been the heir-apparent to any and all hopes, dreams, and aspirations we can throw at our beloved Brew City Ballclub for the better part of two years.

The move today slightly shocked those of us who pretend to be in the know (read: me) as we had pegged Gennett to come up to the Show later in the season. But, desperate times and all.

So, without further ado, here’s the skinny on the kid called Scooter, our newest Milwaukee Brewer.

Here’s Scooter laying out for a ball in the Futures Game in 2012. The Future is here, folks. (Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)

Scooter Gennett is currently the sixth-highest ranking prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system. He’s a second baseman by trade – and a diminutive one at that – standing 5’10” and weighing 180 pounds, according to the team.

The 23 year-old prospect has quickly climbed the ranks of Milwaukee’s Minor League organization, and is leaving the Triple-A Nashville Sounds with a line of .297/.342/.376 in 50 games. He has a career batting average in the minors of .300, which is far more than enough to make fans and front office folks alike drool at the thought of him in the Brewers Blue.

He projects for little or no power, deciding instead to rely on gap hits and line drives that are more suited to his swing. He isn’t as disciplined as many would probably like – he’s not going to draw a ton of walks or gut through long at-bats. He’s the type of player who identifies what he wants out of an at-bat (which is a hit, apparently) and he generally gets what he’s after.

Defensively there are some questions surrounding his arm strength and accuracy, as well as his lateral movement – all reasons why he transitioned to second after some time as a shortstop. But his instincts – so say the scouts – and his drive win the day.

Scooter Gennett wants to be a big-time ballplayer, and for people with the raw gifts like Scooter, we all really hope that will be enough. Sometimes it just is.

To be clear: this is likely not a replacement of Rickie Weeks. Gennett offers a solid, dependable back-up to Rickie when he’s needed, and can be effective coming off the bench to pinch-hit or as part of a double switch. He will likely get a start here and there, but I sincerely doubt the team is going to rush the Scooter Era to fruition in the near future.

He has the potential to make a difference on a Big League ball club, but everyday is not in the cards for Scooter in 2013.

It’s worth noting, because Brewers fans are likely in for a growing pain or two as Scooter transitions to Major League life. But, if you see the potential so many other scouts and Brewers fans already have, you won’t mind growing up with him.