Speedy outfield prospect Wren acquired from Braves
MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers added to the most prospect-rich area of their organization by adding another outfielder Friday, acquiring speedster Kyle Wren from the Braves for right-hander Zach Quintana in a swap of Minor Leaguers who are not on the teams' 40-man rosters.
Wren is the son of former Braves general manager Frank Wren and the nephew of former Braves scout Jeff Wren, who were both dismissed by Atlanta nearly two months ago. The Brewers had received positive reports on Kyle Wren so they checked on the 23-year-old's availability following Atlanta's front-office moves, and talks intensified in recent weeks.
"He doesn't have a lot of power, but he has speed and he can play the outfield," general manager Doug Melvin said. "We're probably going to have some good outfielders in Double-A."
A left-handed hitter, Wren was ranked No. 17 on MLB.com's list of Top 20 Braves prospects. He was an eighth-round Draft pick in 2013 out of Georgia Tech who advanced all the way from Rookie ball to the Double-A level in his first two professional seasons by hitting .304 with a .362 on-base percentage and 81 stolen bases in his first 185 regular-season games. He played 12 more games over the past month in the prospect-rich Arizona Fall League.
Wren has played almost exclusively in center field during his pro career, and he joins a deep crop of Brewers prospects. Four of the top nine players on MLB.com's ranking of Brewers prospects are outfielders, including center fielder Tyrone Taylor, Milwaukee's consensus top prospect since right-hander Jimmy Nelson's ascension to the Major Leagues. Also in the Top 20 are 2014 Draft pick Monte Harrison (No. 5) and co-2012 first-round Draft picks Clint Coulter (No. 7) and Victor Roache (No. 9). Taylor and Coulter also played in the AFL this year, with Coulter working on a conversion from catcher to right field. Wren's arrival comes four months after the Brewers traded away another Top 20 outfield prospect, Mitch Hanniger, for veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra.
Quintana, 20, was Milwaukee's third-round pick in the 2012 Draft, and he is 11-13 with a 6.15 ERA and 1.35 strikeouts-to-walks ratio in his first three professional seasons. He is coming off a season at Class A Wisconsin in which he posted a career-best 5.70 ERA in 25 games, 16 of them starts.
"Young pitcher, good arm," Melvin said. "He just hasn't found it yet. He'll get that opportunity."
Melvin was still in Arizona on Friday after a week at the General Managers Meetings. As usual, the event featured few major moves, mostly providing a venue to lay groundwork for future deals, perhaps at the Winter Meetings next month in San Diego.
With their trade earlier this month with the Blue Jays for first baseman Adam Lind, the Brewers have a set roster other than the usual bullpen adjustments. But club officials remain open-minded about more moves if it means improving the team, and Melvin said he met with about a dozen GMs this week to discuss a variety of trade possibilities.
He did not meet with any of the representatives for top free agents, and cast some shade on the idea that the Brewers could stealthily pursue a top starting pitcher this winter, as some have suggested.
"I would say we already have six starting pitchers," Melvin said, likely referring to Yovani Gallardo, Kyle Lohse, Matt Garza, Wily Peralta, Mike Fiers and Nelson.
Scouting report on Wren:
The Braves selected Wren, the son of then general manager Frank Wren, in the eighth round of the 2013 Draft. He quickly acclimated to the Minor Leagues and reached Double-A in his first full professional season. Wren's best tool is his speed, which he uses well on the basepaths and in the outfield. His 81 stolen bases in 185 games over the last two years rank second among all Braves minor leaguers. His line-drive swing produces minimal power, but understands his role as a top-of-the-order hitter and has good on-base skills. He's an aggressive hitter and isn't afraid to use a drag bunt to get on base. His speed makes him a good fit in center field, though he is capable of playing anywhere in the outfield.
-- Teddy Cahill