DENVER, COLORADO – JULY 03: Vinny Capra #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws out Elias Diaz against … [+]
Nobody earns a roster spot based on their performance in the first Spring Training game of the season but Vinny Capra wasn’t going to waste a chance to make a good impression.
The infielder belted a pair of three-run home runs — including a walk-off winner with two outs in the ninth — as the Milwaukee Brewers opened Cactus League play with a victory over the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Fields of Phoenix.
“Vinny was great,” said manager Pat Murphy. “You can call it spring training or whatever, but plays like that in a baseball game regardless, when they’re all competing, it’s a great performance.
“(I’m) really happy for him.”
Capra, 28, spent five seasons bouncing around the minor leagues in the Blue Jays’ and Pirates’ organizations with just 28 big-league appearances to show for it when the Brewers claimed him off waivers in November 2023.
He spent most of 2024 at Triple-A Nashville, where he slashed .261/.348/.382 with 26 doubles, eight homers, 53 RBIs and a .730 OPS in 110 games. Capra also appeared in three games for the Brewers, who added him to their 40-man roster during the offseason to protect against losing him in the Rule 5 Draft.
“It means a lot,” Capra said of his addition to the roster. “I like being here. I enjoy the staff, I enjoy everybody and I think we’re a good fit.”
That fit lies in Milwaukee’s infield puzzle. The Brewers’ biggest question mark going into 2025 is how to fill the shortstop position after WIlly Adames left in free agency.
The Brewers have two strong choices in Brice Turang, who won the platinum glove at second base last season, and Joey Ortiz, who took over at third base last season. Capra can play both positions but saw a majority of minor league action at third, where he made 152 appearances (146 starts).
A strong showing in spring could land Capra on a big-league Opening Day roster for the first time in his career and help the Brewers finally find a solution to their infield puzzle.
“We trust him, Murphy said. “With our team, there’s opportunity on our club right now. We have him on our roster for a reason: We believe that he can compete at the major-league level, and when we have that need he can do it.
“He proved a lot today, that’s for sure.”
Bad News For Bukauskas, Perkins
The injury bug has started to make its way through Brewers camp.
First, left-hander DL Hall was shelved with a lat injury suffered before pitchers and catchers reported, leaving him unable to start throwing any time soon.
J.B. Bukauskas was next. The right-hander suffered an injury to his right lat his last time on the mound and is currently deciding whether to rehab or undergo surgery.
The biggest blow so far, though, came earlier this week when outfielder Blake Perkins fouled a pitch off his right shin, fracturing it and leaving him unavailable until May at the earliest, according to Murphy.
“(Perkins) is a big part of the team,” Murphy said. “The chemistry of the team, the whole thing, Perk is huge. One of the most loved guys on the club, you know? And he’s a great defender. He’s coming into his own as an offensive player. It’s going to hurt us.”
Perkins, 28, established himself as Milwaukee’s everyday center fielder last season after former first-round pick Garrett Mitchell was injured during spring training. He set career highs with 434 plate appearances over 121 games.
Offensively, his numbers weren’t mind-blowing — Perkins slashed .240/.316/.332 — but his bunting ability and speed helped power the Brewers’ aggressive offensive philosophy and defensively, he was one of the best center fielders in baseball, compiling eight defensive run saved and 11 outs above average en route to being named a Gold Glove finalist.
Brewers to sign Margot
Perkins injury created an opportunity for veteran outfielder Manuel Margot, who have reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year minor league deal with Milwaukee Saturday.
Margot, 30, had a .626 OPS in 129 games for the Twins last season.
