Article: Brewers Add Four Players to 40-Man Roster

[MrTPlush]

I don't find Singleton being protected that shocking. He is pretty experienced, so some team nabbing him is at least plausible. With the universal DH there are a lot of 1B/DH/bench spots open these days. If they think he might be of use next year...why not protect him for the time being? Do we get bonus points for leaving the roster spot empty and not protecting him...not really. Not much to lose. 

[MrTPlush]

I don't find Singleton being protected that shocking. He is pretty experienced, so some team nabbing him is at least plausible. With the universal DH there are a lot of 1B/DH/bench spots open these days. If they think he might be of use next year...why not protect him for the time being? Do we get bonus points for leaving the roster spot empty and not protecting him...not really. Not much to lose. 

[Lathund]

I'm not particularly worried about losing Cam Devanney in the rule 5 draft tbh. In recent years, there's usually like 3-4 position players taken in each draft. Maybe there'll be a few more after the unique nature of 2020, no rule 5 draft in 2021, and the 26 man rosters, but it's still primarily limited by the roster spots. In a vacuum I could see how it could make sense to take a chance on him. But there are also 29 other teams, so not only does another team need to think it's a good idea, they also need to be able to even carry a rule 5 position player in the first place; which usually means non-contending teams. And then that spot needs to be a SS/3B. And perhaps most crucially, there needs to be no better rule 5 candidates available. With no draft last year and obviously no added 40-man spots, there are also more unprotected players than usual. Devanney might be a decent candidate, but I'd wager there's enough better ones out there to keep him safe. 

Bit surprised to see Singleton protected. I suppose they have to have a decent inkling that someone might select him. I also think that having seen him close up for a full season, they have a pretty good grasp on him, and if there's anything chance of further development. The batting average is ugly, but there's a .375 OBP and 24 HRs to go along with it this past year. And as a slow, pull-heavy LHH there's probably a few hits to be gained by the loss of the shift. So keep him around as Rowdy insurance for now. Not really a whole lot to lose, not like it's a big financial commitment or anything. 

[Lathund]

I'm not particularly worried about losing Cam Devanney in the rule 5 draft tbh. In recent years, there's usually like 3-4 position players taken in each draft. Maybe there'll be a few more after the unique nature of 2020, no rule 5 draft in 2021, and the 26 man rosters, but it's still primarily limited by the roster spots. In a vacuum I could see how it could make sense to take a chance on him. But there are also 29 other teams, so not only does another team need to think it's a good idea, they also need to be able to even carry a rule 5 position player in the first place; which usually means non-contending teams. And then that spot needs to be a SS/3B. And perhaps most crucially, there needs to be no better rule 5 candidates available. With no draft last year and obviously no added 40-man spots, there are also more unprotected players than usual. Devanney might be a decent candidate, but I'd wager there's enough better ones out there to keep him safe. 

Bit surprised to see Singleton protected. I suppose they have to have a decent inkling that someone might select him. I also think that having seen him close up for a full season, they have a pretty good grasp on him, and if there's anything chance of further development. The batting average is ugly, but there's a .375 OBP and 24 HRs to go along with it this past year. And as a slow, pull-heavy LHH there's probably a few hits to be gained by the loss of the shift. So keep him around as Rowdy insurance for now. Not really a whole lot to lose, not like it's a big financial commitment or anything. 

[MVP2110]

I don't see the big deal with the Singleton addition. He mashed righties in AAA last season and I doubt the Brewers are just handing him a starting job. He'll probably given a chance to earn PT in spring training, then if he makes the team it'll probably be as a backup or in a pinch hitter role. If he doesn't produce he'll likely be given the boot early on or not even make the squad if he has a poor spring. 

[MVP2110]

I don't see the big deal with the Singleton addition. He mashed righties in AAA last season and I doubt the Brewers are just handing him a starting job. He'll probably given a chance to earn PT in spring training, then if he makes the team it'll probably be as a backup or in a pinch hitter role. If he doesn't produce he'll likely be given the boot early on or not even make the squad if he has a poor spring. 

[DR28]

21 minutes ago, MVP2110 said:

I don't see the big deal with the Singleton addition. He mashed righties in AAA last season and I doubt the Brewers are just handing him a starting job. He'll probably given a chance to earn PT in spring training, then if he makes the team it'll probably be as a backup or in a pinch hitter role. If he doesn't produce he'll likely be given the boot early on or not even make the squad if he has a poor spring. 

But why bother adding him to 40 man last night? If another team drafts him, then so be it...

FO must see something in him that we don't.

[DR28]

21 minutes ago, MVP2110 said:

I don't see the big deal with the Singleton addition. He mashed righties in AAA last season and I doubt the Brewers are just handing him a starting job. He'll probably given a chance to earn PT in spring training, then if he makes the team it'll probably be as a backup or in a pinch hitter role. If he doesn't produce he'll likely be given the boot early on or not even make the squad if he has a poor spring. 

But why bother adding him to 40 man last night? If another team drafts him, then so be it...

FO must see something in him that we don't.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

6 minutes ago, DR28 said:

But why bother adding him to 40 man last night? If another team drafts him, then so be it...

FO must see something in him that we don't.

A power bat at a league minimum salary.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

6 minutes ago, DR28 said:

But why bother adding him to 40 man last night? If another team drafts him, then so be it...

FO must see something in him that we don't.

A power bat at a league minimum salary.

[Brewcrew82]

Just now, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

A power bat at a league minimum salary.

Not to mention the ability to draw over 100 walks and get on base, which this team struggled to do this season aside from Yelich. 

[Brewcrew82]

Just now, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

A power bat at a league minimum salary.

Not to mention the ability to draw over 100 walks and get on base, which this team struggled to do this season aside from Yelich. 

[DR28]

Yea I guess... Can't be any worse then Eric Thames move from awhile back.

Just not who I pictured as our potential DH.

[DR28]

Yea I guess... Can't be any worse then Eric Thames move from awhile back.

Just not who I pictured as our potential DH.

[markedman5]

It could also mean Hiura will be traded or non tendered.

just throwing it out there……..

[markedman5]

It could also mean Hiura will be traded or non tendered.

just throwing it out there……..

[BlightyBrew]

1 hour ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

A power bat at a league minimum salary.

He is not a power bat.  When he does make contact it sometimes goes over the fence.  The most HR he has in the majors is 14 and that was 8 years ago.  He had 24 against AAA arms last year which is one of his better HR marks but he K way too often.  Which I guess is perfect with what the Brewers look for in an offensive player.  So yeah, perfect fit.

[BlightyBrew]

1 hour ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

A power bat at a league minimum salary.

He is not a power bat.  When he does make contact it sometimes goes over the fence.  The most HR he has in the majors is 14 and that was 8 years ago.  He had 24 against AAA arms last year which is one of his better HR marks but he K way too often.  Which I guess is perfect with what the Brewers look for in an offensive player.  So yeah, perfect fit.

[BlightyBrew]

1 hour ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Not to mention the ability to draw over 100 walks and get on base, which this team struggled to do this season aside from Yelich. 

Just don't look at the K rate.

[BlightyBrew]

1 hour ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Not to mention the ability to draw over 100 walks and get on base, which this team struggled to do this season aside from Yelich. 

Just don't look at the K rate.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

7 minutes ago, BlightyBrew said:

He is not a power bat.  When he does make contact it sometimes goes over the fence.  The most HR he has in the majors is 14 and that was 8 years ago.  He had 24 against AAA arms last year which is one of his better HR marks but he K way too often.  Which I guess is perfect with what the Brewers look for in an offensive player.  So yeah, perfect fit.

To be fair ... I believe that to be what the Brewers front office sees in him, not what I personally see in him. I suppose it is possible they may get some solid offensive production on the cheap with him, though, which explains why he's being kept around.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

7 minutes ago, BlightyBrew said:

He is not a power bat.  When he does make contact it sometimes goes over the fence.  The most HR he has in the majors is 14 and that was 8 years ago.  He had 24 against AAA arms last year which is one of his better HR marks but he K way too often.  Which I guess is perfect with what the Brewers look for in an offensive player.  So yeah, perfect fit.

To be fair ... I believe that to be what the Brewers front office sees in him, not what I personally see in him. I suppose it is possible they may get some solid offensive production on the cheap with him, though, which explains why he's being kept around.

[Brewcrew82]

13 minutes ago, BlightyBrew said:

Just don't look at the K rate.

True. Though, it's not that much different from Hiura's, who I suspect Singleton would be replacing if he's indeed kept on the 40 man through spring training. 

[Brewcrew82]

13 minutes ago, BlightyBrew said:

Just don't look at the K rate.

True. Though, it's not that much different from Hiura's, who I suspect Singleton would be replacing if he's indeed kept on the 40 man through spring training. 

[damuelle]

Two more comments on the Singleton selection:

• Somewhat similarly, we curiously signed 30-year old RHP Deolis Guerra to the active roster on October 18, 2019, even though we’d kept him in AAA that entire season (save for 2/3s of an inning in MLB). And then we DFA’d him by January 30, 2020. As such, I don’t consider the selection of Singleton as a guarantee of an Opening Day 2023 roster spot. Perhaps he’s a placeholder that we want to keep on hand whilst we figure out what other moves to make offensively.
• From July 27 through August 26 last year, OF Jonathan Davis was active for 26 MLB games, registering just 16 plate appearances in that time. To me, this goes to show how the 13th bat on MLB rosters can essentially just be a stashed player, especially with the designated hitter materially reducing the number of pinch hitters that get used. So would we rather stash a player like Mario Feliciano as the 13th MLB bat, rarely playing him but preserving his last minor league option OR use that spot for a guy like Jon Singleton who had the highest walk rate (20.1% of PAs) in the 20-team International League last year and can also hit dingers?