Brewers Filling Up On Shortstops

MILWAUKEE—The Brewers already had a farm system rich with shortstop prospects, but that didn’t stop them from adding Mauricio Dubon in a trade with the Red Sox.

Milwaukee also picked up third baseman Travis Shaw and righthander Josh Pennington in the Winter Meetings deal that sent reliever Tyler Thornburg to Boston.

A natural shortstop, the 22-year-old Dubon will have to find a way to fit in the Brewers’ rebuilding plan that already features one-time No. 1 prospect Orlando Arcia at that position. Dubon did see action in center field in the Arizona Fall League, and he played second and third base in the Red Sox system.

“We have a developmental philosophy where we try to get all of our players, even our top prospects, exposure to multiple positions,” general manager David Stearns said. “Mauricio will be no different, but I anticipate that next year his primary position will be shortstop.”

Dubon is trying to become the first native Honduran and second Honduran-born player (the first was Gerald Young) to reach the big leagues. He took a big step in that direction in 2016 while splitting time between high Class A Salem and Double-A Portland. He batted .323/.379/.461 with six home runs and 31 doubles in 124 games. He stole 30 bases in 37 tries.

Dubon moved from Honduras to Sacramento as a teenager and was drafted by the Red Sox in the 26th round in 2013. The righthanded batter has tremendous athleticism, great hand-eye coordination and has improved his plate discipline.

“I love playing shortstop, but wherever they need me is OK,” Dubon said. “I’ve done everything I can to prepare myself mentally and physically to be an elite player. There is always room for improvement.

“Baseball is the same everywhere. I’m looking forward to showing people (with the Brewers) what I can do. It’s my time to get better.”

MICROBREWS

• Pennington had a bone chip removed from his elbow after the season, so the Brewers will be careful with him.

• Low Class A Wisconsin righthander Miguel Diaz was the first player taken in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft. The Brewers did not protect him because they thought the leap to the majors would be too steep.