Notes: Villar's struggles lead to drop in batting order

Tom Haudricourt
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Jonathan Villar has struggled at the plate this season.

 

CHICAGO – Had the game against the Chicago Cubs not been rained out Saturday at Wrigley Field, Jonathan Villar was slated to bat sixth for the Milwaukee Brewers.

That’s what happens when you’re a leadoff hitter who isn’t getting on base.

Manager Craig Counsell insisted it was a temporary move and linked more to the hot hitting of newcomer Eric Sogard, who was slated to bat first.

“Really, this is not about Villar as much as it about Eric Sogard right now,” Counsell said before the postponement that was rescheduled for 1:20 p.m. July 6, a mutual off day for the clubs. “He is getting on base, and we are taking advantage of him getting on base a lot right now.

“I anticipate eventually that Johnny is going to be back in the leadoff spot because that’s where we need him. I think he’ll hopefully get it going and make his way back there. That’s where we’re best, I think, with him hitting out of this spot.”

Villar had not batted in any lineup spot other than leadoff this season until Friday, when he hit third in place of injured Ryan Braun. It did not help him get going at the plate as he went 0 for 5 in the 6-3 victory over the Cubs.

Villar has struggled mightily, which thus far has not harmed the Brewers’ high-scoring offense to any extent. In 43 games, he is batting a mere .207 with a .272 on-base percentage and .603 OPS. Villar has struck out 55 times in 169 at-bats.

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It has been a far cry from Villar’s first season with the Brewers in 2016 when he batted .285 in 156 games with 38 doubles, 19 home runs, 63 RBI, .369 OBP, .826 OPS and 62 stolen bases, tops in the majors.

Counsell said it’s only a matter of time until Villar starts making a difference again.

“Johnny hasn’t gotten to his good groove yet,” Counsell said. “I think he struggled with contact, certainly, early in the season; now I think he’s just missing pitches to hit.

“I don’t think his plate discipline has been poor. He just has put balls in play and has not put them in play hard. There’s still a big chunk of the season left where he can get it going again, and I fully anticipate he will.”

Despite Villar’s struggles, the Brewers have scored 227 runs, second in the National League behind Washington.

“That’s what I’ve been preaching to you guys for a while now,” Counsell said. “It’s never one guy. The offense is not one guy. There’s nine players; they all hit the same. Really, it’s 12 guys, and you’re never going to have (all of them) hot at once. It’s not going to happen."

Cravy replaces Espino: The Brewers optioned Paolo Espino to Class AAA Colorado Springs and recalled reliever Tyler Cravy from that club. It was a tough break for Espino, 30, who pitched 10-plus years in the minors before finally getting a shot in the majors with a start Friday against the Cubs (four innings, two earned runs).

But Espino was not going to make another start for the Brewers, and Cravy gives them another bullpen arm. That rotation spot will be assumed by Junior Guerra, assuming his rehab start Saturday night for Colorado Springs goes without issue. Guerra, out since straining his calf on opening day, had his rehab assignment moved from Class AA Biloxi to avoid expected weather problems there.

Cravy, who blasted Brewers management when he was cut at the end of spring training despite a strong showing, was 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA in 14 appearances for the Sky Sox.

Decision time: Braun is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday but his return might be delayed. Because of two days of rain in Chicago, he was not able to get on the field for workouts to test the forearm and calf issues that sidelined him.

“We knew there was going to be bad weather this weekend,” Counsell said. “He just has to test himself inside on the treadmill today, from a running perspective. We’ll make a judgment probably (Sunday) morning as to what we’re going to do."

Mariñez is gone: The Brewers were sad that reliever Jhan Mariñez was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates instead of clearing waivers and remaining in the organization. Mariñez was designated for assignment when control issues led to a 5.40 ERA in 15 outings and 2.040 WHIP.

“Jhanny did a really nice job for us last year (3.22 ERA in 43 appearances),” Counsell said. “He just got off to a rocky start a little bit. Struggled throwing strikes. That was concerning. I think he can get that back. I’m not happy to lose him.”

Then, noting the Brewers currently have former Pittsburgh relievers Rob Scahill, Jared Hughes and Neftali Feliz on their roster, Counsell smiled and said, “I feel like we got all the Pirates’ relievers, so they took one of ours. We’re playing a strange game of swap with the Pirates.”