The Miami Marlins have already had a look at Giancarlo Stanton in New York Yankees pinstripes. Now, it’s time to see centerfielder Christian Yelich in his new Milwaukee Brewers digs.
The Marlins face Yelich, who was dealt this offseason to the Brewers in a deal that brought outfielder Lewis Brinson and three other prospects to south Florida. While Brinson has struggled so far this season at the plate, Yelich is having a solid start in his new surroundings.
Per Fox Sports, Yelich, 23, got off to a torrid start for the Brewers. He batted an even .500 during Milwaukee’s season-opening series against the Padres and tied his career high with a five-hit game on March 31.
A strained oblique sidelined him for 12 games, and he returned to action Wednesday, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks in Milwaukee’s 2-0 victory over the Reds.
Yelich will be back in manager Craig Counsell’s starting lineup again Thursday. After an offseason that saw Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon all jettisoned in deals to build for the future, the only remaining outfielder on the Marlins’ roster from last season forced the team to trade him.
The Marlins bring a National League-worst 5-13 mark into the series but went into an off-day Wednesday on a high-note after snapping a three-game losing streak a night earlier with a 9-1 victory over the Yankees. The return of catcher J.T. Realmuto gave the franchise a shot in the arm, which allowed Miami to split the two-game series in The Bronx.
Christian Yelich was drafted out of high school by the Marlins in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. On July 23, 2013, the Marlins promoted Yelich to the major leagues from the Double-A Jacksonville Suns. He had a fantastic 2014 season, batting .284 with 21 steals out of the leadoff spot for the Miami Marlins.
He also won a Gold Glove Award in left field, becoming the franchise’s youngest ever player and first outfielder to win the award.