In late January, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Jean Segura to the Arizona Diamondbacks for prospect Isan Diaz, pitcher Chase Anderson and utility infielder Aaron Hill. The veteran Hill, 36 years old, was brought in with hopes of flipping him before the trade deadline for prospects as the Brewers continue to rebuild.
Today, the Brewers traded Hill to the Boston Red Soxs for RHP Aaron Wilkerson and second baseman Wendell Rijo.
Rijo, 20 years old, was a top 20 prospect in the Red Sox’s farm system. Spending 51 games in Double-A so far this season, Rijo has only hit for a meager .186/.245/.266/.510 slashline to go along with only 12 RBIs. Projected to be a second baseman in the majors, Rijo will have to work on his hitting as he projects to have average defensive ability.
The addition of Rijo will add depth to an otherwise depleted position in the Brewers farm system, further improving the club’s already improving minor league teams.
The 27-year-old Wilkerson will look to potentially add some relief to a very inconsistent starting rotation at the major league level for the Brewers. Starting at both the Double-A and Triple-A level, Wilkerson has a combined 2.14 ERA and has struck out a combined 102 batters in a total of 92.1 innings. He has also shown above average control as he has only walked 25 batters this season.
With Matt Garza struggling in his past few starts and inconsistency from all of the Brewers starters outside of Junior Guerra, don’t be surprised if a spot opens up for Wilkerson at the major league level sooner rather than later.
Rijo will start with the Brewers advanced Single-A team in Brevard County while Wilkerson will start at the Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs.
The Red Sox will be getting Hill, who along with his solid .283/.359/.421 slashline and eight home runs, will bring veteran leadership to a contending team.
At 34 years old, Hill was a positive leader in the Brewers clubhouse and will surely bring that leadership to the Red Sox organization.
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