Milwaukee Brewers: Minor League free agents to consider

While the Milwaukee Brewers are trying to find the winning formula this offseason at the MLB level, there are MiLB free agents to look at as well.

There is a pretty large list, and the whole thing can be found on Baseball America. The Milwaukee Brewers have lost 19 farm players in total to free agency. Some may come back, but some will venture off to other teams. And that is true around the league. This is a chance to capitalize on some good talent and add depth.

The list is 572 players in total, so they aren’t all winners. It is hard to get through them all. But there are certainly some intriguing names to be on the open market.

Oswaldo Arcia

First up is the outfield playing brother of the Milwaukee Brewers shortstop. Oswaldo played in Triple A for Arizona last season. The 26 year old holds a .235 career batting average through several stints in the MLB. However, last season in the minors he hit .326 with 24 homers from the left side of the plate. He could be great depth for the farm.

Kevin Comer

This right handed pitcher played in Triple A for the Astros last season. He was a compensation pick back in 2011 who has yet to crack to MLB. Last season he posted a 3.68 ERA in relief. Comer also showed excellent command walking only 28 batters, while striking out 74. This is a guy who could see the Brewer bullpen straight out of Spring Training.

Jumbo Diaz

Diaz also ended the year with Houston’s Triple A program. But he started in a big league uniform. He did not play well at the MLB level. However, this is a guy who throws hard. He could be a great addition to the bullpen. Especially after posting a 2.92 ERA in Fresno and looking to be back to his talented form. Just as he was with the Reds a few years ago.

Ike Davis

Remember the guy who used to play first base for the Mets, the dropped off the face of the Earth? Well, he is rebranding himself as a pitcher at 30 years old. It is early in the process, he spent his time in Rookie ball for the Dodgers system. However, Davis looked promising. He struck out six batters through 5.2 innings without giving up any runs.

Colten Brewer

The fourth round pick back in 2011 dominated the ranks of Double A for the Yankees in 2017. Throwing from the right side, he 11 games in 13 tries with an ERA of 1.31. In addition he registered only 11 walks with 43 strikeouts. At 25, Brewer may still need some growth, but he looks very promising.

Diego Goris

In 2017, Goris played 125 games in Triple A for Padres organization. He is a third baseman, and he can hit. Last season ended with a .285 mark and 11 homers. While his walk rate leaves something to be desired, he does not strikeout all that much. He can be backup, or an insurance plan for the breakout Travis Shaw. At this point, he is a solid depth piece for any organization.

Dylan Unsworth

This South African righty played the majority of the year in Double A. However, he did appear in Triple A as well for the Seattle Mariners. Over the whole season he posted a 3.30 ERA with nine wins on the year. Unsworth has been a starter throughout the MiLB, and could be a solid rotation arm as early as 2018. At 25, he still has time to grow if needed.

Nelson Ward

He has yet to exceed Double A. However, he provides some interesting tools. A 12th rounder back in 2014, Ward could be great depth at the second base position for the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2017 he hit .265 and stole eight bases. In a more full season the year before, he flashed his wheels with 31 steals. If the strikeout numbers can come down, here is no reason this 25 year old couldn’t produce in the MLB, if not only with his legs.

Edwin Espinal

Next: Rotation or Bullpen for Josh Hader?

Espinal is only 23 years old. At 6’2″ 250 pounds, this first baseman tore it up in Triple A last year. In part of a season, he hit .323. No homeruns, but he did have 15 in Double A in 2017. What is great about him is that he does not strike out a ton. That makes him valuable, especially as an option if Jesus Aguilar and Eric Thames struggle.