Heading into the 2024 MLB season, the Milwaukee Brewers faced a good problem: choosing which young outfielders would secure regular playing time. With Christian Yelich in left and Jackson Chouio in right, the center field position became a competition between Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, Blake Perkins, and Joey Wiemer. All four were strong defenders, but hitting ability ultimately determined who would start. Unfortunately for Wiemer, his bat didn’t measure up, and he began the season in Triple-A Nashville.
In 2023, Wiemer was not part of the Brewers’ Opening Day roster but was called up shortly after due to injury. Over the course of 132 games, he posted a .204/.283/.362 line with 13 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. However, his struggles continued in 2024. In 19 games for Milwaukee, he hit a dismal .154/.185/.154. His Triple-A numbers weren’t much better, with a .242/.387/.358 line.
As Milwaukee’s outfield depth grew and Wiemer’s bat failed to heat up, the Brewers traded him to the Cincinnati Reds along with Jakob Junis in exchange for Frankie Montas. Wiemer’s time with the Reds was brief, as he played only two games in the majors without recording a hit and struggled in Triple-A Louisville with a .191/.280/.229 line.
Recently, Wiemer was traded again, this time to the Kansas City Royals along with former National League Rookie of the Year Jonathan India in exchange for pitcher Brady Singer. This move marks the latest chapter in Wiemer’s challenging career trajectory.
