Alex Binelas Gets Chance To Fulfill Childhood Dream

Two days before the draft began, Alex Binelas was sitting in American Family Field with a couple of close friends, watching his hometown Brewers play the Reds.  

One of those friends turned to the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Binelas and said, “Is it kind of crazy or weird to you that it’s a possibility we’ll be sitting in these seats and you’ll be in that batter’s box one day?” 

As it turns out, that idea wasn’t crazy or weird at all. Three days later, the Brewers called Binelas’ name in the third round, providing the Louisville first baseman the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream. 

“It’s something me and my family, my friends always talked about,” said Binelas, 21, who played at Oak Creek High, just south of Milwaukee. “Ever since I started playing baseball when I was 4 years old, it was, ‘I want to be a Milwaukee Brewer one day.’ “

After originally playing third base, Binelas moved to first base this year to better accommodate the Cardinals’ infield talent.  

In 111 collegiate games, Binelas batted .272 with 33 home runs, including 19 in 2021. His draft stock fell after he got off to a slow start at the plate, which he attributed to being injured for much of 2020 and not playing competitive baseball again until late February 2021.  

Binelas’ calling card remains massive raw power from the left side, which plays well in the Brewers’ home park. And the Brewers plan to give him a chance to play third base. 

Binelas, who signed for $700,000, admitted to breaking into tears when he heard the Brewers call his name.

“The draft process is a crazy process, and to end it with going to my hometown team, my dream place ever since I was a little kid, it all hit me at once and it’s a moment I’ll never forget,” he said.

 

 

MICROBREWS 

— Catcher Mario Feliciano, 22, began a rehab assignment in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League after missing nearly two months at Triple-A Nashville with a right shoulder impingement.  

— Lefthander Ethan Small, 24, who had logged a 1.77 ERA in 11 starts to go with 73 strikeouts in 56 innings at Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville, went on the injured list with a strained tendon in his left middle finger. He aggravated the injury while pitching in the Futures Game in Denver.