The Milwaukee Brewers currently have the eighth best prospect in all of Major League Baseball, and his name is Orlando Arcia.
Baseball America released its Top 50 prospect list in early July, and Arcia became the first Brewers player since Rickie Weeks in 2005 to crack the top 10. Arcia signed with the Brewers out of Venezuela as a 16-year old in 2010, and has quickly risen through the Brewers farm system. The brother of current Minnesota Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia, Orlando Arcia has played the entire 2015 season at Double-A Biloxi, where he has hit .307 (.347 on base percentage) to go along with 8 home runs, 69 RBI, and 25 stolen bases. Additionally, Biloxi just finished a sweep of the Reds Double-A affiliate Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the semifinals of the Southern League playoffs. In the three game series, Arcia hit 8-for-14 (.571 batting average) to go along with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs.
It has certainly been a forgotten season for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015. The starting pitching has been abysmal, and since the All-Star break, the bullpen has not been too great either. Offensively, the Brewers have seen an All-Star season from Ryan Braun, but they are struggling at nearly every other position on the diamond, including in the middle infield. Jean Segura has not been the same player he was during his All-Star season in 2013, where he put up a .294 batting average with 12 home runs, 49 RBI, and 44 stolen bases. Scooter Gennett was expected to be the everyday second baseman this season, but he has struggled mightily against left-handed pitching, and even spent around a month in Triple A earlier in the season. The Brewers have also tried the likes of Hector Gomez, Elian Herrera, Hernan Perez, and Luis Sardinas in the middle infield this season, but none have made the impact that manager Craig Counsell has wanted.
Orlando Arcia may be that impact middle infielder that the Brewers have been searching for over the past several years. Known primarily for his defensive prowess throughout his early years in the Brewers system, Arcia has really seen his offense improve steadily year after year. Since 2013 his batting averages have shown the following trends:
2013 at Single A Wisconsin (.251 BA, .314 OBP)
2014 at Single A+ Brevard County (.289 BA, .346 OBP)
2015 at Double A Biloxi (.307 BA, .347 OBP)
This steady improvement should continue over the years to come for Arcia, who is still only 21 years of age, as he figures to hit at the top of the Brewers batting order once he reaches the Major Leagues.
What to Make of the Current Middle Infielders:
Let’s look at Scooter Gennett and Jean Segura by the numbers in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Gennett:
2013—(.324 BA, 6 HR, 21 RBI, .356 OBP, 69 games)
2014—(.289 BA, 9 HR, 54 RBI, .320 OBP, 137 games)
2015*—(.267 BA, 6 HR, 29 RBI, .298 OBP, 96 games)
Segura:
2013—(.294 BA, 12 HR, 49 RBI, .329 OBP, 146 games)
2014—(.246 BA, 5 HR, 31 RBI, .289 OBP, 146 games)
2015*—(.272 BA, 4 HR, 43 RBI, .297 OBP, 124 games)
What do these two share in common? Both have had a steady decrease in production since 2013 (although Segura has had a much better season in 2015 after a really difficult year in 2014). Both also have very low on base percentages for middle infielders, who need to get on base and serve as catalysts at the top of the lineup for the Brewers. Segura is more of a base stealer than Gennett, but both have enough speed to make an impact on the base paths.
When Should Arcia Reach the Majors?
This is the question that all Brewers are asking – when is Arcia going to be major league ready? We’ve all heard rumblings of a September call-up or an offseason trade involving Segura or Gennett. I urge Brewers fans to edge on the side of caution here. Realistically, the Brewers will not be ready to compete in the improving National League Central Division for the next several years. They simply do not have the elite pitching and prospects as the Pirates, Cubs, and Cardinals. Therefore, the Brewers must take their time on Arcia and make sure he makes a smooth transition into Triple A in 2016. A mid-season call-up in 2016 is not entirely out of the question, but the Brewers must make sure they do not push it with them. Elite shortstops are hard to find these days, and the Brewers have got one in Arcia.
Conclusions:
- The Brewers must continue to develop top prospect Orlando Arcia, who figures to serve as the Brewers shortstop of the future. The Brewers do not stand much of a chance to compete in the National League Central over the next few years, so they must not rush Arcia to the Majors.
- Once Arcia reaches the majors, he figures to hit atop the Brewers batting order, which lacks speed and players with high on base percentages.
- Scooter Gennett and Jean Segura are both still only 25 years old and figure to remain a part of the Brewers future moving forward, but both also must continue to make strides in their own development as players. Neither Gennett nor Segura have an on base percentage above .300 this season, which is extremely disappointing. Both can make an impact with the Brewers in 2016, but it will still be interesting to see if trades or position changes are in order in the very near future.
Image from MiLB.com