Brewers continue their youth movement, bring up top prospect Orlando Arcia
One of baseball's best shortstop prospects is now in the majors
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1 min read
This morning, we dished out what you needed to know about Red Sox call-up Andrew Benintendi. Turns out Benintendi isn't the only top prospect headed to the Show.
The Brewers, who spent the past few days remaking their big-league roster through trades, have promoted a precocious youngster of their own: shortstop Orlando Arcia.
Orlando Arcia will make his Major League debut tomorrow in San Diego, starting at shortstop. Jonathan Villar to play third base. #MILatSD
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 2, 2016
Here's three things you need to know about this promotion.
1. Arcia is one of the best SS prospects in baseball
Originally signed as an amateur free-agent by way of Venezuela, Arcia has spent the past five years proving himself as a wise investment. MLB.com recently ranked him as the 13th-best prospect in baseball, and as one of the five or so best among shortstops (depending on how you classify Alex Bregman and Trea Turner, anyway). The main appeal with Arcia is that he's a well-rounded player. He receives plus grades in all areas but power, and he's a sure thing to remain at the position long-term. That's not the case with most 21-year-olds. Arcia also has baseball bloodlines -- his brother, Oswaldo, has spent time in the majors with both the Twins and Rays -- and is considered to have good makeup.
2. Arcia creates an interesting dynamic
The curious thing about the Brewers' decision to recall is how it'll affect the rest of their infield -- specifically incumbent shortstop Jonathan Villar. Previously a buy-low acquisition, Villar took the shortstop job as his own following the Jean Segura trade, and enters Tuesday hitting .293/.376/.430. The expectation is Villar will move to third base, where the Brewers could use an upgrade. But it does make you wonder, might the Brewers shop him around to shortstop-needy teams this winter? We'll find out. Until then, Milwaukee has a quality left side of the infield.
3. The Brewers have other interesting prospects on the way
Arcia isn't the only young player the Brewers could add to their roster in the coming weeks. Left-handed starter Josh Hader and outfield prospect Brett Phillips could seemingly reach the majors before season's end. Hader and Phillips are ranked fourth and eighth on MLB.com's Brewers list.
