Josh Donaldson played his first game in the Milwaukee Brewers organization when he made his organizational debut with the Nashville Sounds on Sunday. Donaldson batted second and played third base in the Sounds’ loss at the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The three-time All-Star and 2015 American League MVP has hit 276 home runs in his 13-year MLB career. Now 37, Donaldson struggled in this, his second season with the New York Yankees. He was released on August 29 after hitting .142 with a .659 OPS. However, his 10 home runs this season would be the sixth most on the Brewers, and Milwaukee signed him two days after his release, assigning him to Triple-A.
How Did Josh Donaldson Look With Nashville?
Donaldson will need some time to work back into form. He hasn’t played since July 15 and had been on the Yankees injured list with a Grade 3 strain to his right calf. He played in just two games after the All-Star Break and hasn’t had a base hit since July 9. He also hasn’t played the field since July 7.
Donaldson had three plate appearances in Sunday’s game before being removed for a defensive replacement in the sixth inning. In the first inning, facing lefthanded starter Jacob Lopez, he walked on six pitches without swinging the bat.
In his second at bat, in the third inning, again against the southpaw, he fouled off an 88 MPH sinker, sending it straight down into the dirt. He took a ball, then popped up a changeup to first base., looking like he’d been fooled by a pitch that may have been outside.
In the fifth inning, he had an eight-pitch at bat against Cole Sulser, a 33-year-old righthander with a 7-13 record in five MLB seasons. After taking two balls, he fouled off a 92 mph fastball, popping it straight back. Another ball made the count 3-1, and he swung and missed at an 82 mph slider. He then fouled off an 82 mph slider and a 93 mph fastball, popping one straight back and the other to the first base side. He then chased a low changeup, popping out to the shortstop just inside the third base line.
In the field, he handled two routine chances, both in the fourth inning, without incident. He caught a soft line drive hit right at him, then fielded a grounder and threw out the batter at first.
Can He Help the Brewers?
Signing Donaldson was a low-risk move. If he can work himself into shape at Nashville, he could add a power threat to a team that is ranked in the bottom 10 in MLB in home runs this season. Willy Adames is the team leader in home runs with 22, which is tied for 41st most in MLB.
Based on his opening game with Nashville, it appears that he has a ways to go. He seemed to struggle with off-speed pitches and never made solid contact. He also never had to run out a ball, a concern, given his leg injury which some thought might end up being season ending.
He likely won’t be a regular in the lineup, but he could fill a role as a power bat off the bench during the playoffs.
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