Jordan Hamm
As the Diamondbacks sit in the cellar of the Major League Baseball standings, there’s an anticipation that many players could be heading out of the desert to help contenders around the league.
Tim Locastro and Stephen Vogt were already dealt and perhaps the biggest trade chip in Eduardo Escobar has been reportedly sent to the Milwaukee Brewers.
In return, Cooper Hummel and Alberto Ciprian will be heading to the Diamondbacks.
In 2021, the Escobar has clubbed 22 home runs and 65 RBI on a .246 batting average. He became a fan favorite over the 3+ seasons he spent with Arizona using his “FOGO power” and hit .254 with 69 home runs and 224 RBI on .468 slugging.
Hummel is hitting .254 with six home runs and 15 RBI in 126 at-bats at Triple-A. He brings a steady bat and can play multiple positions on the diamond.
“He has a great idea the strike zone, gets on base,” Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said. “We’ve talked about this in the past, we’re going to continue to push down this road. Those skills are important to us.”
Hazen said the team also likes Hummel’s defensive versatility. While he may need to find a single position to play down the road, the club will look to use him in multiple spots around the diamond.
A Brewers exec described Hummel to me last winter as an ideal guy to try behind the plate full time if the league goes to automatic strike calling. Otherwise, he’s a solid corner bat with power. https://t.co/QxLNvlFm3q
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) July 28, 2021
Ciprian is a young infielder who is playing in the Dominican Summer League and is hitting .378 in 37 at-bats. Hazen describes him as “toolsy.”
Escobar is slated to be a free agent this offseason and could re-sign with the Diamondbacks after the season concludes.
“The reality is of the situation are that we’re running in last place, and he needs to go have an opportunity to go play a playoff,” Hazen said. “He’s now being afforded that. He’s a great player, and he’s a great guy, and he’s a great teammate, and we were lucky to have him in our uniform.”
