The Milwaukee Brewers have made a move to bolster their farm system, signing outfielder Jacob Hurtubise to a minor league contract. But is this a sign of things to come for the big league club?
A Journeyman's Tale
Hurtubise, a 28-year-old journeyman, has had a whirlwind of a career so far. He began as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020 and has since bounced around, playing 41 MLB games for the Reds over two seasons. His time with Cincinnati ended abruptly when he was designated for assignment, leading to a series of transactions that saw him claimed by the Mariners, released, signed by the Astros, and released again.
A Fresh Start in Nashville
Now, Hurtubise finds himself in the Brewers organization, assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds. While he doesn't seem to be in the immediate plans for the Brewers' big league spring camp, his addition provides depth to their outfield. The Brewers already have a solid outfield trio in Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, and Sal Frelick, with Blake Perkins as the fourth outfielder. Hurtubise joins Akil Baddoo, Brandon Lockridge, and Greg Jones as part of the depth chart, but his path to the major league roster might be challenging.
The Outsider's Advantage?
Hurtubise's strength lies in his speed and baserunning skills, evident from his impressive minor league stolen base record of 130 in 153 attempts. He also boasts a solid Triple-A batting average of .260. However, his major league numbers are less impressive, with a .167 batting average in 83 plate appearances for the Reds. This could be a result of the limited opportunities he's had to showcase his abilities at the highest level. And here's where it gets interesting: despite being an outfield specialist, his minor league option and versatility across all three outfield positions could be his ticket to the big leagues.
The Brewers have a history of favoring versatile players, and Hurtubise's ability to play multiple positions might just be the edge he needs to make the leap. But will it be enough to secure a spot on the roster? Only time will tell.
What do you think about the Brewers' latest signing? Is Hurtubise a hidden gem waiting to be polished, or is he just another minor league depth addition? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
