Aguilar trying to seize opportunity with Brewers
MESA, Ariz. -- One would expect to hear disappointment from a player plucked away from a team that came so close to winning last year's World Series, and that is poised to contend again.But you won't hear disappointment from Jesus Aguilar, the slugging first baseman who came to the Brewers
MESA, Ariz. -- One would expect to hear disappointment from a player plucked away from a team that came so close to winning last year's World Series, and that is poised to contend again.
But you won't hear disappointment from
"I know there is a lot more opportunity for me here," Aguilar said. "When I got here, early on, they told me I have a chance here. They have confidence in me, so that builds my confidence up."
In Cleveland, the Indians had confidence in Aguilar, too, but they did not have a spot.
"We had all those guys in front of me," Aguilar said.
He added: "I feel like I've been waiting for a new opportunity for a while, and thankfully I'm in an organization that is giving young players a lot of opportunity."
Aguilar's clearest opportunity appears to be via the Brewers' bench. The team signed
Spring Training statistics mean little, but Aguilar's are nonetheless eye-popping: A .462 average after 26 at-bats, an .885 slugging percentage and a 1.447 OPS. Aguilar has already hit two doubles and three home runs in Cactus League games.
The Brewers planned from the start to give Aguilar a significant dose of at-bats. The question is whether he would produce in more-limited duty on the bench.
"Like all the guys you're going to have on your bench, it's hard to project it," manager Craig Counsell said. "Irregular at-bats are hard for everybody. You just try to make it favorable for them; favorable spots to hit."
Is it particularly challenging for a power hitter?
"I don't describe him as a power hitter, necessarily, because his profile is of a lot of contact," Counsell said, a nod to the fact Agular has topped 100 strikeouts in only one of his nine professional seasons. "Which I do think can play a little better off the bench."
Last call
• The Brewers scratched catcher
• Over in Minor League camp, pitching prospect
This Victor Roache AB ended with a homer, but Taylor Williams was throwing easy 96 mph in the Brewers' MiLB intrasquad this morning. pic.twitter.com/mTs8bGo4Lc
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 14, 2017
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.