ST. LOUIS (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara has arrived in the big leagues, called up nearly one month after inking a seven-year, $31 million deal with the organization.
The Brewers, who currently lead the NL Central, revealed the roster move ahead of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. Along with Lara’s promotion, the team sent outfielder Blake Perkins down to Triple-A Nashville.
Milwaukee also announced that infielder David Hamilton has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. Additionally, the club selected utilityman Greg Jones from Nashville and shifted outfielder Brandon Lockridge to the 60-day injured list.
At 21 years old, Lara was still playing for Nashville when he agreed to the long-term contract last month — a deal that extends through 2032 and includes club options covering 2033, 2034, and 2035.
Speaking through an interpreter in Spanish, Lara described how he stayed ready for this opportunity. “I just really was trying to stay prepared, you know, mentally knowing that this moment could come at any given time, and the moment came,” he said. “So now it’s just kind of doing what I was doing in Triple-A and just going out there and enjoying the game and having fun while playing it.”
Standing 5-foot-7, the Venezuelan-born outfielder has long drawn praise for his defensive abilities, but this season he has also made a major impact with his bat. In 78 games with Nashville, Lara posted a .321 batting average, a .432 on-base percentage, a .470 slugging percentage, nine home runs, 42 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases. By comparison, he hit .257 with a .369 on-base percentage and .343 slugging percentage across 136 games with Double-A Biloxi the previous season.
Reflecting on the pressures that come with a big contract at a young age, Lara shared his mindset. “I think any time you sign a contract at a young age, you think about just wanting to give the maximum potential you have, give everything you have for the team,” he said. “Really I just try to tell myself as much as possible to stay calm, to not get lost in my thoughts too much, just do what I always do.”
Brewers manager Pat Murphy noted that Lara is capable of handling all three outfield positions and brings value as a switch-hitter. “I think Luis can help us being a switch-hitter and equally good from both sides,” Murphy said. “Never touched the big leagues, but you know it’s time, and we’ve signed him to a long-term deal, obviously, that predicates that he’s going to be a Brewer, you know, and we’re excited.”
Lara’s call-up marks the second time this season that a Brewers prospect has made his major league debut following a long-term contract signing. Shortstop Cooper Pratt debuted on June 16, roughly two and a half months after agreeing to an eight-year, $50.75 million deal. Pratt, who turns 22 on August 18, entered Tuesday’s twin bill with a .204 batting average, .313 on-base percentage, no home runs, two RBIs, and six stolen bases across 18 games with Milwaukee.
Perkins, 29, was struggling at the plate before being optioned, hitting .157 with a .250 on-base percentage, one home run, 11 RBIs, and three stolen bases in 53 games with the Brewers.
