The Milwaukee Brewers have bolstered their catching options by signing Eric Haase to a one-year contract, as announced by Matt Arnold, the team’s Senior Vice President and General Manager.
Haase, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Monday, brings a wealth of Major League experience to Milwaukee. He has played in 323 games throughout his career with the Cleveland Guardians (previously Cleveland Indians) and the Detroit Tigers. The 2023 season saw him predominantly with the Tigers, appearing in 86 games, before moving to the Guardians via waivers on August 21. Last season, he made a total of 72 starts, dividing his time between catcher, left field, and designated hitter roles.
The right-handed batter delivered his most impressive performance in 2021 while with Detroit, smashing 22 home runs and driving in 61 runs across 98 games. Notably, his slugging percentage stood at .459, and his home run tally placed him fifth among Major League rookies. That year also saw him achieving four two-homer games and earning the title of American League Rookie of the Month for July, a month in which he tied for the AL lead with 9 home runs, led MLB with 29 RBI, and recorded a .627 slugging percentage.
Originally drafted by Cleveland in the seventh round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft from Divine Child High School in Dearborn, Michigan, Haase was later traded to Detroit for cash on January 8, 2020.
The addition of Haase to the Brewers’ roster is seen as a strategic move to enhance the team’s depth and experience behind the plate. His proven power-hitting ability and versatility on the field are expected to be valuable assets for Milwaukee as they gear up for the upcoming season. The Brewers’ fans and management will be looking forward to seeing how Haase’s experience and skills translate into success in the National League.