The Brewers have sent 26-year old righty swinging shortstop J.J. Hardy to AAA. Hardy has played in 102 games for the Brewers this season and he was 85 for 371 (.229 avg, .667 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 11 homers and 45 RBIs. Sending Hardy to AAA was a “What have you done lately” move for the Brewers. That is because in 2007+2008, Hardy played in 297 games in which he was 325 for 1,161 (.280 avg) with 167 runs scored, 50 homers and 154 RBIs. The Brewers have called up hot shot prospect Alcides Escobar to replace Hardy as the starting shortstop going forward.

According to Baseball America, the 26-year old righty swinging Brendan Katin was not one of their top 30 prospects but he’s playing well in AAA. Katin has played in 96 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 92 for 362 (.254 avg, .824 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 20 homers and 80 RBIs. But, Katin is having problems making contact as he has whiffed 123 times this season. If Katin can close up some of the holes in his swing he could get a chance with the Brewers when rosters expand in September.

22-year old shortstop Alcides Escobar is the top prospect in the Brewers’ minor league system and he’s showing why in AAA this season. Escobar has played in 83 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 100 for 330 (.303 avg, .785 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 3 homers, 28 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. The Brewers should really consider moving J.J. Hardy to 3B to open up SS for Escobar. It will be interesting to see if the Brewers can resist the temptation to trade Escobar to get pitching near the trading deadline. They say he’s untouchable but we will see.

The Brewers have sent 21-year old outfielder Michael Brantley to the Indians to complete the C.C. Sabathia trade. Brantley was the #24 prospect in the Brewers’ system coming into this season according to Baseball America. He played in 106 games in AA ball this season and he was 134 for 420 (.319 avg, .793 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 4 homers, 40 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. Still, the Brewers will have no regrets no matter how well Brantley plays in the future as they would have no way made the playoffs this season without Sabathia.

Russell Branyan and Bill Hall are just holding the 3B spot for the Brewers until Mat Gamel is ready for action and it won’t be long. The 22-year old lefty swinging Gamel has played in 92 games in AA-Ball this season and he is 143 for 381 (.375 avg, 1.045 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 15 homers, 81 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. A lot of teams were asking for Gamel in trade but the Brewers’ smartly resisted as he looks like he will be a very good player for them in the very near future.