Brewers' Jesus Aguilar waited a long time to play regularly, and he is making most of it

There was no getting Jesús Aguilar out of the No. 3 spot in the Milwaukee Brewers’ batting order, the way he had been swinging the bat.

Accordingly, manager Craig Counsell did the right thing Monday afternoon by keeping Aguilar in the three-hole and moving Ryan Braun down from that customary spot to No. 5 against St. Louis at Miller Park. It was the first time Counsell had to make such a choice since Braun came off the disabled list on Friday.

How noteworthy was the move? Braun had not batted lower than third since July 4, 2016, at Washington (he batted fourth) or lower than fourth since Sept. 23, 2014, at Cincinnati, when he batted fifth.

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“Jesús has been probably as hot as any hitter in baseball for the last couple of weeks,” Counsell said. “Ryan is just off the DL. Right now, this is the best construction for us. I can tell you it’ll change in the days ahead, but for now this is the way we line up the best.”

Since taking over regularly at first base with Eric Thames on the DL with a thumb injury and with Braun later being sidelined with a back issue, Aguilar has been an offensive force — helping propel the Brewers to a substantial lead in the NL Central. Entering Monday, he ranked among the NL Leaders in May with eight homers, 17 runs scored and 22 runs batted in.

When given the chance to start, Aguilar had made the most of his opportunities, batting .330 with eight homers and 29 RBI in those 30 games. He finally cooled off against the Cardinals, going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.

With that backdrop and with Braun scuffling for the most part at the plate (.689 OPS entering the game) when he has been active, Counsell said it didn’t make sense to change what has been working so well, in particular the Nos. 1-4 spots with Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, Aguilar and Travis Shaw.

“I talked with Ryan about it, and quite frankly, he had the same idea because of what Jesús has been doing,” Counsell said. “He was very cool with the idea."

Braun immediately prospered batting fifth, going 3-for-3 with a double, walk, two runs scored and RBI.

There is no better story on the Brewers’ roster of a player who paid his dues, waiting for a chance in the majors. Aguilar was stuck for three years at the Class AAA level for Cleveland, with the likes of Mike Napoli, Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana ahead of him at first base.

Finally, Aguilar got his chance when the Brewers claimed him off waivers shortly before spring training in 2016. He slugged his way onto the roster with seven homers and 19 RBI in spring training, then made solid contributions as the backup to Thames, batting .265 with 16 HRs and 52 RBI in 279 at-bats.

While waiting so long for his opportunity, Aguilar said he vowed to be prepared if he ever got the chance to play regularly in the majors.

“It was kind of hard, all those years in Triple-A," he said. "I knew the situation I was in. I said to them two or three times, ‘If you don’t have room for me, let me have another chance.’ It was the best thing for me to come here.

“I said to myself, ‘Just control what you can control. Don’t worry about other things. Do things the right way.’ Finally, it happened. I’m getting to play and having a lot of success. I’ve got to keep it going. I have to keep working.”

As for being kept in the No. 3 spot, Aguilar said, “I don’t think about that. That’s not my decision. I just go out there, try to have fun and do things the right way. I waited for this, so I have to do my best. This has been a good place for me.”

What has impressed Counsell so much about Aguilar, especially for a big slugger, is the quality of at-bats he has produced. Beyond the power, he was batting .325 with a .390 on-base percentage, drawing 14 walks in 146 plate appearances.

“I think he’s showing us he’s a very good hitter,” Counsell said. “Last year, he was older for a rookie player but he showed advanced hitting skills. I think he has improved on some of those skills with some experience and getting 350 or so at-bats as a big-leaguer. I give him credit for that as well."

What happens when Thames returns is anyone's guess, but the Brewers have some time before worrying about that. He is scheduled to see his hand specialist Tuesday to get clearance to begin swinging a bat as he continues his rehab in Phoenix.

The original projection for Thames' absence was 6-8 weeks, and it has been a month since his surgery to repair a torn ligament. 

"He hasn't been cleared to swing a bat. I'm sure he's probably swung a bat and hasn't told us," Counsell said with a wry smile.