The Tigers announced Wednesday morning that they’ve acquired minor league infielder/outfielder Jamie Westbrook from the Brewers in exchange for cash. Westbrook, who is not on the 40-man roster, will report to Triple-A Toledo.
It’s a straightforward minor league trade for a Tigers club that has lost some outfield depth early in the season with injuries to top prospect Riley Greene (broken foot) and Derek Hill (strained hamstring). Detroit is also facing a potential absence for Robbie Grossman, who exited last night’s game with a groin injury. Grossman tells reporters this morning that an MRI did not reveal a strain (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of MLive.com), and while that’s certainly good news, it’s still possible that the ensuing tightness/discomfort will lead to a brief IL stint. Daz Cameron was added to the taxi squad, Woodbery notes, and could be called up if Grossman does require a 10-day absence to heal up.
Westbrook, 26, isn’t strictly an outfielder and has actually spent more time at second base than in the outfield, but he’s still no stranger to playing on the grass. He missed time last season to suit up for Team USA in the Olympics, but Westbrook split the rest of the season between Milwaukee’s Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, where he slashed a combined .281/.353/.456 with a dozen homers, 16 doubles, a pair of triples and three steals in 365 plate appearances.
It was a solid all-around year for Westbrook, who has consistently been an above-average hitter in the upper minors. Despite a generally solid performance throughout his minor league career, Westbrook has yet to get a call to the Majors either in Arizona or in Milwaukee. Listed at 5’9″, he’s been labeled as an “undersized” player and been questioned by scouts due to his diminutive nature. The fact that he’s been limited to left field and second base on the defensive spectrum hasn’t helped his prospect stock much.
That said, Westbrook is out to another good start in Triple-A — 5-for-10 with a double, a walk and no strikeouts — and he’ll bring a righty bat with a track record of performing in the upper minors to his new organization. In 446 Triple-A plate appearances, Westbrook is a .308/.380/.510 hitter. He’s also slashed .270/.324/.411 in a more pitcher-friendly Double-A setting (1786 plate appearances) and .319/.357/.510 in Class-A Advanced (527 plate appearances).
It’s primarily a depth acquisition for the Tigers, but if Westbrook continues to perform at an above-average offensive level, it’s possible he’ll finally break through to the big league level in his ninth professional season.
please tell me they are actually going to give him a shot.
Not sure, it doesn’t reference his vaccination status.
Swanson’s heir apparent in AZ might finally break through six years later
This guy is a giant
I know nothing about him, but those 2018, 19, 21 minor league total slashes are almost khris Davis consistent. And pretty respectable too.
Cash = a case of Big League Chew
Yankees take the cake – they gave the Rays $1 for McKay (and Hal still had reservations).
plus pickle flavored sunflower seeds
“Listed at 5’9″, he’s been labeled as an “undersized” player and been questioned by scouts due to his diminutive nature.” Maybe it is the scouts who should be questioned, asks Altuve at a generously listed 5’6″ or Pedroia at 5’9″ or Joe Morgan at 5’7″ or Betts at 5’9″ or Jose Ramirez at 5’9″…All of these heights likely exaggerated. And, of course, hundreds more current players like this.
When will such BS from scouts and writers stop? Not only is it nonsense and not matching the reality of so many “diminutive” and skilled players in the game today, it reminds us of how many stupid scouts and writers still exist in a game we thought had been changed by “new” thinking and data.
Also, he rakes….I don’t get it either. Give him a shot.
Dude was drafted in the 5th round out of HS. Not the 35th. It’s easy to say he deserves a shot because he got his own post but the reality is you could probably find a bunch of guys with similar or better numbers that never sniff the bigs.
I wonder how the automated strike calling will affect players who are “diminutive”. If the strike zone is from the knees to halfway up the torso, will the sensors take into account the batter’s stature and stance?
I’m with the above commenters. Either the guy can play or he can’t., but if it looks like he can, he should get a shot. Besides, I have to root for the “diminutive” and “undersized” guy. Got to support my own kind.
Some guy named Mays was listed at 5-10.
Ahhh yes. Willie Mays Hayes. Forgot about him.
Good for him hopefully he gets a shot. Even though the Brewers should be using him at thirdbase. Too many teams don’t give guys that aren’t ranked prospects a chance at all
Another Jose Altuve in the making?
Nah just filler for Toledo. Guessing Cameron will get the call if Grossman is out a while.
According to the broadcast today, Daz was with the team today and will travel to KC tomorrow just in case they have to IL Robbie.
I’m hoping that we won’t have to use him…..
Deal for cash. Under a bridge. In a shady section of Detwa.
I enjoyed his work on the Sugar Land Lightening Sloths.