Prospect Dubon eyeing history for Honduras
PHOENIX -- The newest of the Brewers' young shortstops would like to add "pioneer" next to the word prospect.Mauricio Dubon, the 22-year-old acquired in a December trade with the Red Sox, is bidding to be the first player born and raised in Honduras to make it to the Major Leagues.
PHOENIX -- The newest of the Brewers' young shortstops would like to add "pioneer" next to the word prospect.
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"It's something interesting and amazing when you get to hear your name as the first one of anything," Dubon said. "Hopefully, I get to be the first one and not the last one."
Dubon is leaning on some of the lessons he learned while acclimating to life in the U.S. during his current move. In December, the Red Sox packaged him with third baseman
Dubon joined MLBPipeline.com's list of the top Brewers prospects at No. 9, and he could move higher when the updated rankings are released next week. Dubon has been getting to know some of his fellow prospects during the club's invitational Minor League minicamp.
"It's like going to a new school," Dubon said. "I've done that before already. I went from Honduras to the States, and now I'm going from the Red Sox to Milwaukee. It's pretty much the same."
The day of the trade, he said, "I got the phone call in the morning. I was shocked. I was happy, because that's better for my future; I don't have
Dubon has become fast friends with another top prospect,
New colors 💪🏽⚾️ #blessed pic.twitter.com/NIjaaXbDAJ
— Mauricio Dubon (@Mauriciodubon10) February 21, 2017
That positional versatility could prove important, since former No. 1 prospect
"Whatever gets me up there," Dubon said, "I'll do it."
Brewers GM David Stearns has not ruled out pushing Dubon to Triple-A in his age-22 season. Last year, at three years below the average age of the Double-A Eastern League, Dubon hit .339/.371/.538 at Portland.
Be smart. Be thoughtful. Be generous 🙏🏽💪🏽❤️⚾️ #blessed pic.twitter.com/WpSA98X5pj
— Mauricio Dubon (@Mauriciodubon10) December 20, 2016
This season will bring another transition for a player who already crossed a continent to chase his baseball dream.
"It was interesting in the beginning. New culture, new environment and everything," Dubon said. "It was a little challenging. I knew English a little bit, but not as good as I know it now. It was missing my family more than anything else.
"I knew I had a great chance, a great opportunity to be here. Now I'm taking advantage of this."
Adam McCalvy has covered the Brewers for MLB.com since 2001. Follow him on Twitter @AdamMcCalvy, like him on Facebook and listen to his podcast.