Slugger Beer promoted to majors
Beer was fly-fishing, standing waist-deep in the Truckee River in Nevada, when his watch alerted him of an incoming call. It was Triple-A Reno manager Blake Lalli. Beer, a Diamondbacks prospect on cusp of the majors, knew what this call might mean.
“I’m like, ‘Oh, man, I have to pick this up,’” Beer said. “I’m kind of maneuvering through the water, trying to get to the bank before the call goes to voicemail. I slip and fall and go under the water.
“I get up real quick, run to the bank and pick up the call on the last ring. I was like, ‘Hey, skip, what’s up, what’s going on?’ He’s like, ‘I’m guessing you’re fishing right now.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I am.’ He said, ‘You’re going to have to pack it up. You’re going to the big leagues.’”
On Friday, Beer, a slugging first baseman, joined the Diamondbacks in Seattle for his first day in the majors.
Always regarded as a strong offensive performer, Beer did not disappoint this season in Reno, where he had a .287/ .398/.511 line in 362 at-bats with 33 doubles and 16 home runs. His defense has long been questioned by scouts, but he said he has begun to feel more comfortable in the field, adding that the game is “slowing down” for him at first base.
Beer said he has gone fishing most off days at home this season, spending hours on the river by himself. He was alone when he got the call, but he said he immediately called his girlfriend and parents to deliver the news.
“I’ve dreamt about that moment for years and years and years,” he said. “To actually have it turn into reality is pretty cool. Everybody was crying. I was crying. How could you not be? This was a dream of mine basically my whole life. To be able to make those calls and share the excitement was just an incredible moment.”
Beer is the fourth and final player the Diamondbacks acquired from the Houston Astros in the Zack Greinke trade to reach the majors. Infielder Josh Rojas and right-handers Corbin Martin and J.B. Bukauskas preceded him to the big leagues.
Beer was not in the lineup on Friday, but he is expected to serve as the designated hitter on Saturday night, according to manager Torey Lovullo.
With games in Seattle and Houston on the current trip, there will be more opportunities to DH in the coming days. Lovullo seemed to caution against the idea of Beer seeing much time at first base, though he said his understanding was Beer had improved defensively and was “more than adequate” at the position.
Short hops
Right-hander Merrill Kelly threw four innings and 66 pitches in an Arizona Complex League game on Thursday, Lovullo said, adding that it was a “possibility” that Kelly’s next outing will come in the majors. Kelly has not pitched since Aug. 11 due to a bout with COVID-19.
Right-hander Tyler Clippard “conSeth tinues to be COVID negative” and had what Lovullo described as one “final” COVID test for “thoroughness” as he works his way back from illness. Clippard has been on the injured list since Tuesday due to “flu-like” symptoms, Lovullo said. Clippard is expected to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.
Lovullo said he did not want to name a closer in Clippard’s absence, saying he would determine who he uses based on matchups. Left-hander Joe Mantiply and right-hander Noe Ramirez are probably Lovullo’s most trusted options in place of Clippard, with righthander J.B. Wendelken not far behind.
Outfielder Kole Calhoun (hamstring), who continued to get at-bats in backfield games, is “closing in” on running the bases, Lovullo said. That is expected to be Calhoun’s final hurdle before a potential return from the injured list.