Milwaukee Brewers: Nottingham up, Pina injured?

The Milwaukee Brewers have recalled Jacob Nottingham after Manny Pina came up with an injury. How long will the team be without Pina, and is this Nottingham’s chance at a share of the catching duties?

Catcher Manny Pina has been relegated to a backup role the 2019 season, but he’s likely to stay out of the lineup completely for the next week or so. Pina was diagnosed with a mild concussion, and Jacob Nottingham has been recalled to the Majors while Pina is hurting.

How productive has Pina been this year?

With the signing of Yasmani Grandal in the off season, it was assumed that Pina would take a back seat for most of the year. That’s been the case as Pina has only racked up 164 plate appearances in 71 games this year.

Pina owns a .230/.305/.419 slash line this year. He’s bashed seven homers and driven in 22 runs. However, he has a 1.0 WAR this year despite his minimal contributions at the plate. Pina has played solid defense when he’s been behind the dish, and that’s keeping his wins above replacement in positive territory.

How about Nottingham in Triple-A?

Nottingham slashed .231/.313/.355 in 83 games for the San Antonio Missions in Triple-A this year. He homered five times, drove in 40 runs, and stole six bases for the Missions.

The Milwaukee Brewers called him in May for about 11 days when Pina was hurt then. He did manage to hit his first Major League home run this year.

Will Nottingham actually play?

He’ll see the field on occasion and possibly pick up a pinch hit or two. Journeyman catcher David Freitas is also on the roster, and is clearly ahead of Nottingham on the depth chart. Freitas enjoyed a solid season in Triple-A, and was the reason that Nottingham only appeared in 83 games.

Judging by the fact that Freitas was called up on September 1st, and Nottingham only got the call after a member of the 25-man roster was hurt indicates how the Milwaukee Brewers feel about Nottingham.

It feels like he’s been on top-30 prospect lists forever, but he’s only been with the team since 2016, and he’s only in his age-24 season. He still has two options remaining, and will likely stick around the Milwaukee Brewers organization at least until those are used up. He’s shown that he has skills, but has yet to receive an extended look in a starting role. There may be an opportunity next year if Grandal, a pending free agent, can sign a long term deal elsewhere.