The Milwaukee Brewers‘ strong farm system continues to produce impact talent. Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase reports that the Brewers are promoting outfielder Luis Lara.
Lara signed a 7yr/$31M extension with Milwaukee last month.
Lara, 21, signed a seven-year, $31 million extension earlier in the season. He had been playing with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville. There, he’s slashing .321/.432/.470 with nine home runs and a 143 wRC+.
At the time of his promotion, Lara ranks as the club’s No. 4 prospect and the No. 67 overall prospect in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.
Lara’s next game will be his MLB debut. He’ll join shortstop Cooper Pratt and right-handed starting pitcher Logan Henderson as Top 100 prospects to appear in a game for the Brewers this season.
Brewers Announce Luis Lara Roster Move
Since Luis Lara has already signed a major league contract, he is already on Milwaukee’s 40-man roster. It’s only a matter of making an active roster move.
Infielder David Hamilton suffered a hamstring injury in the Brewers’ 4-3 win over the St. Louis on July 6. Hamilton is likely bound for the injured list, with reserve infielder Joey Ortiz possibly taking over third base every day and Lara playing a fourth outfielder role.
However, the club has instead optioned outfielder Blake Perkins to Triple-A Nashville, making Lara’s promotion official.
The Brewers later announced another set of moves concerning Hamilton, who is headed for the 10-day injured list. Utilityman Greg Jones has been selected from Nashville. Outfielder Brandon Lockridge has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Another player called up for the doubleheader is left-hander Robert Gasser. Gasser was optioned to the club’s Arizona Complex League affiliate, likely a procedural move given the looming doubleheader. He’ll start Game 2 against the St. Louis Cardinals, per Fox Sports Radio Wisconsin’s Hunter Baumgardt.
Since Gasser is the 27th player, he’ll be optioned to the minors following the conclusion of the doubleheader. His 15-day clock for an optional assignment will not reset afterward, meaning he’s eligible to return to the Brewers’ rotation after the All-Star break. The left-hander was optioned on June 30, which means the 15-day minimum will pass during the break.
Luis Lara on MLB Promotion
Luis Lara met with the media before his MLB debut against the Cardinals. Lara told MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy that he was playing FIFA on PlayStation when he got a call from Nashville manager Rick Sweet about his promotion to the Brewers.
“It’s incredible, I feel incredible, I am very appreciative of God and my family, coming prepared to give everything I got,” said Lara through interpreter Daniel de Mondesert.
Lara’s promotion became imminent after he signed his extension with the club. He had been the third player the Brewers signed to a pre-debut extension, following Jackson Chourio ($82 million) and Cooper Pratt ($50 million). All three players are now on the club.
“I was just trying to stay prepared mentally, knowing that this moment could come at any given time. The moment came, so now it’s about doing what I was doing in Triple-A. Just going out there and enjoying the game, and having fun while playing it.”
Lara is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 against the Cardinals, so his debut could come in Game 2. He’ll wear No. 18 for the Brewers.
Milwaukee Brewers Promote $31 Million Prospect for MLB Debut During Cardinals Series