Herrera getting better with time
Infielder progressing since being recalled
When utility infielder Elian Herrera was sent down by the Brewers to Class AAA Colorado Springs on June 1, he had no idea if he’d be back in Milwaukee this season.
It took some trade deadline deals to open spots, but Herrera indeed was recalled July 31. He has been getting semiregular playing time since coming back, which he also couldn’t anticipate.
“I was taken off the (40man) roster the first time they sent me down,” said Herrera. “So, I just went down and played hard. I thought I might finish the season there.”
Herrera, 30, certainly had Class AAA ball figured out, batting .357 with a .413 on-base percentage and 27 RBI in 56 games. He has batted only .230 in 52 games with the Brewers but has shown more pop than in the past (seven doubles, five homers) and has come up with some big hits.
“I think he’s getting better as a player, and I said that to him,” said manager Craig Counsell. “Which is a really good thing. He’s 30 years old and I feel like he’s still getting better.
“He had a great season in Triple-A. He has done a nice job. His at-bats from both sides of the plate have been good. His defensive versatility, especially on a National League team, has been good. I think the quality of his at-bats has gotten better, which is why he has been in the lineup more regularly.
“He has a little more pop right-handed. He has enough power that when a guy makes a mistake he can hit a home run.”
Then, Counsell added, “Check out his career numbers against the Cardinals. They’re pretty impressive. It’s a little strange, not a ton of at-bats, but it’s pretty good.”
Sure enough, Herrera has been something of a Cardinals killer, which few Brewers players can claim. In 65 plate appearances against St. Louis, he has batted .431 (25 for 58) with a .492 on-base percentage and .517 slugging percentage.
As for what he looks to do the rest of the season, Herrera said, “When they give me a chance, I just want to help the team. I will be ready to play every day, whether I am in the lineup or not.
“This is important for everybody, not just for me. It’s an opportunity to go out and do my job, and see what happens. This is just a blessing. It’s never too late. You always want to become a better player. I will continue to play hard and show them what I can do.”
Waiting his turn: If you’re thinking you haven’t seen as much of reliever Jeremy Jeffress in recent weeks, you’re right. Entering Saturday, the hard-throwing right-hander had pitched just four times this month.
For a pitcher with 52 appearances overall, that’s a bit of a slowdown. But it had more to do with the fact the Brewers had lost 14 of their last 20 games.
“We haven’t won as many games in the last three weeks,” said Counsell, who used Jeffress in the eighth inning of the win over the Phillies. “You’re losing and the decision is, do you want to use J.J. in games you’re losing?
“I hope to use J.J. three out of four days, because it means we have a lead late in the game. But he’s been fine. There’s nothing wrong.”
Fast enough: Shortstop Jean Segura isn’t a burner on the base paths. With 17 steals, he’s hardly among the league leaders. But he is fast enough to make things happen, as he did Friday night by scoring from second base on a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Lucroy in the 3-1 victory over Philadelphia.
“It’s something he brings to the table,” said Counsell. “There’s not many guys in baseball that score right there. It was just good base running. It was a good job by (third base coach) Eddie Sedar (to send him). We kind of stole a run right there.
“He has done a really nice job, picking spots to run this year, running in kind of high-percentage places. He has become a very efficient base stealer. I like that. It’s not 40 stolen bases and getting thrown out 15 times. His speed is important.”