The Brewers beat the Reds 3-1 thanks to an early two-run homer by Caleb Gindl. The seasonal age 24 player is turning in a good rookie performance, with a .289/.366/.494 slash line after his 1 for 4 Sunday. That’s pretty consistent with his minor league numbers. It makes me wonder why the Brewers waited so long to call up a good hitter like Gindl. They could have used his bat in centerfield the previous three seasons. I assume he was a defensive liability at the position. He played it some in the minors, but he mostly served in left and right. We’ll see if he sticks once the injured and suspended players return.
Gindl has minimal range and his arm is mediocre at best. The Brewers have three left field options in Braun, Khris Davis and Gindl and Gindl is the ‘worst’ hitter of the three. It’s possible that the Brewers trade Aoki in the offseason and cover their eyes in having Gindl play right field. But you are absolutely correct. Gindl can hit in the majors.