Brewers sign Brock Holt from Red Sox

Brock Holt (Keith Allison, Wikimedia Commons)

The Milwaukee Brewers signed second baseman Brock Holt of Fort Worth, Texas to a one year contract worth $3.25 million according to Mass Live on Wednesday. Holt had spent the last seven seasons with the Boston Red Sox.

Holt batted .297 with three home runs and 31 runs batted in during 259 at bats with the Red Sox in 2019. In 87 games and 295 plate appearances, Holt scored 38 runs and had 77 hits, 14 doubles, two triples, one stolen base, 28 walks, 104 total bases and a career high four sacrifice flies. Holt had an on base percentage of .369 and a slugging percentage of .402. Holt’s .369 on base percentage was also a career high.

The Brewers become Holt’s third Major League Baseball team as he will make a return to the National League. Holt played his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 before playing in Boston since 2013.

Holt was in fact an all-star in the American League in 2015. That year he batted .280 and had career highs in hits (127), doubles (27), triples (six), walks (46), and total bases (172).

Known as a contact hitter with not a lot of power, Holt’s value to the Brewers is the fact he can play multiple positions besides second base. In addition to his 56 games at second base in 2019, Holt started eight games in the outfield, and three games each at first base, shortstop and third base.

At this time do not be surprised if Holt is used as a backup infielder to second baseman Keston Hiura and shortstop Orlando Arcia in 2020. Holt definitely will play a valuable role for the Brewers, as he is experienced bat off the bench, something that is almost necessary for every National League team.