The Milwaukee Brewers have already had one of the most dramatic offseasons in recent memory, and not in a good way. After months of speculation, former manager Craig Counsell, who led the team to the MLB postseason five times in the past six seasons, declined a contract extension from the team and instead signed a massive deal to be the next manager of the Chicago Cubs.
As a result, the Brewers promoted bench coach Pat Murphy to manager and hired former All-Star second baseman Rickie Weeks as associate manager. The rest of the coaching staff will remain the same.
With their unexpected coaching dilemma solved, whether fans are satisfied with it or not, they have turned their attention to building their roster for Spring Training and the 2024 MLB season. In their latest moves to add minor league depth, they signed one outfielder who may have been born to play in Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Brewers Sign Minor League Outfield Brewer Hicklen
Earlier today, Adam McCalvy posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Brewers had signed minor league outfielder Brewer Hicklen.
Hicklen was formerly with the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies organizations. He had a brief call-up with the Royals in 2022, but only appeared in six games and had just four at bats.
The 2022 season was a big one for Hicklen, who hit .248/.348/.502 with 28 home runs and 85 RBI for Triple-A Omaha. He also stole 35 bases in 37 attempts. Hicklen was just two home runs shy of becoming the third prospect since 2010 to join the 30/30/30 club (30 home runs, doubles, and stolen bases).
As good as those numbers were, though, he also struck out 202 times compared to 56 walks.
This past season, 2023, Hicklen appeared in just 72 games. He had surgery to fix a nagging injury at the end of the 2022 season and then missed time in 2023 with an elbow strain. His production certainly took a plunge, as he hit .236/.350/.455 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI in 72 games. Hicklen also stole 21 bases in 24 attempts.
His strike out numbers improved somewhat, though. He struck out 70 times compared to 36 walks.
At 27 years old, Hicklen is an older prospect that brings a great deal of speed and potential pop. A right-handed hitter, he can play all three outfield positions, but has spent most of his time in left field.
The Milwaukee Brewers Also Signed RHP Easton McGee
In addition to Hicklen, Milwaukee also signed right-handed pitcher Easton McGee. Formerly of the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays organizations, McGee has had one Major League appearance for both teams. He pitched three innings in a relief appearance for the Mariners in 2022. Last season, he made his first (and only, so far) Major League start for the Rays. He pitched 6.2 innings of one-hit ball. He walked one and struck out two.
Unfortunately for McGee, his 2023 season was cut short by an elbow injury. He had Tommy John surgery back in May of this year and will not be available to pitch until mid-season 2024. He is under club control through 2025.
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