Milwaukee Brewers: Tyler Saladino over Eric Sogard?

After a flurry of injuries and transactions, the Milwaukee Brewers bench looks a lot different than it did a week ago. After an injury to Nick Franklin, the Brewers added Tyler Saladino instead of recalling Eric Sogard. Why choose Saladino over Nerd Power?

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Eric Sogard is off to one of the worst starts of his career. In 28 games, Sogard has more RBIs (1) than homers and stolen bases…combined. His OPS sits at .344. That’s OPS, meaning on-base plus slugging percentage. He’s already worth -0.6 WAR. Sogard needs some time in Triple-A to get back on track.

Saladino is a lot better than Sogard, right?

Well, ‘a lot’ is a relative term. Tyler Saladino accrued 0.1 WAR in six games with the Chicago White Sox this year. He’s already 0.7 WAR more valuable than Sogard.

Saladino also did well in Colorado Springs. In 13 games with the Milwaukee Brewers Triple-A affiliate, Saladino has a .295/.392/.432 slash line with a homer and five steals. That’s a perfectly functional baseball player, which is something that Sogard isn’t right now.

Will Sogard return any time soon?

Soon? Again, that’s a relative term. Sogard will probably return to the Milwaukee Brewers once he gets his approach to the plate sorted out. How long that takes depends on him. He could come back in a few weeks, or he may not return until September 1st.

Can Saladino stay at the Major League level?

It’s possible. The Milwaukee Brewers can see what they have in Saladino while Nick Franklin is on the DL. If they catch lightning in a bottle, like they did with Sogard last year, they have a solid contributor on the bench.

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Saladino can also start at all four infield positions and has experience in the outfield. If his bat shows up in the next few weeks, Saladino could work his way into the Milwaukee Brewers rotation at second base. That could pay dividends since Mauricio Dubon is reportedly done for the year.