Recently traded Brewers outfielder gets new big-league opportunity with Phillies

My fellow Steward Berroa truthers: Our time has come. The one-time Milwaukee Brewer has flourished enough in Triple-A to receive a major-league opportunity with his new team, getting the call-up to Philadelphia to join a torrid Phillies squad.

In all seriousness, Berroa has earned this, hitting .250/.361/.400 (104 wRC+) with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs after being traded back in April. Despite his strong defense and elite speed, the Brewers (who just love players with that profile) needed to clear roster space for top prospect Cooper Pratt and his $50 million extension, hence why he was sent to the Phillies for cash.

His flaws, though obvious, shouldn't preclude him from getting sparse playing time on an old and defensively deficient National League contender.

Steward Berroa's return to big leagues is an impressive feat after Brewers let him go

Berroa's tenure on the Brewers was unremarkable -- it only lasted two games, after all. Perhaps the most notable thing about it was the original acquisition itself, when Milwaukee figuratively walked across the stadium and handed the Dodgers cash in exchange for the outfielder while playing each other.

In just 120 MLB innings, Berroa has been worth +3 Outs Above Average and +5 Defensive Runs Saved in the outfield, which should obviously be a huge boon to a Phillies team ranked 23rd in both of those categories this year (for reference, Brewers outfielders rank 11th and 10th, respectively). He's also responsible for seven career steals in nine attempts and should add some youthful juice to the Phillies' plodding on the basepaths.

Of course, those skills weren't good enough to help him hold down a job with the Brewers, which doesn't portend a particularly bright future in Philly. He's a career .167/.314/.190 (60 wRC+) hitter, owner of just one extra-base hit in 51 trips to the plate. Because of that, he's been rather difficult to justify getting on the field.

Still, he represents at least a potential upgrade over Otto Kemp, who has simply played his way out of the big leagues this year. He probably won't see a ton of playing time while competing with Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford, and Adolis Garcia in the outfield (not to mention utility man Edmundo Sosa), but the fact that he's made his third team in three years is impressive on its own.

For any Brewers fans hoping to catch a glimpse of old No. 35, you won't have to wait long; the Phillies will be visiting Milwaukee from June 12-14.

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