The Milwaukee Brewers sent left-handed reliever Will Smith to San Francisco for the Giants’ top pitching prospect and a catcher.
The Brewers acquired The Giants 2015 first round draft pick, right-handed pitcher Phil Bickford. The 21-year-old is a 6’4, 200 pound hard throwing pitcher that was selected 18th overall in the 2015 draft out of JC of Southern Nevada. He originally pitched at Cal State-Fullerton before transferring to be eligible for the draft.
Bickford has pitched at the Giants two Class A levels this season, going 5-6 with a 2.71 ERA in 17 games. He recorded 105 strikeouts in 93 innings, throwing his fastball in the mid 90’s.
The Brewers also landed catcher Andrew Susac, who has played at the Class AA and AAA levels this season. In 61 games, he hit .277 with eight home runs and 38 RBI.
In 243 plate appearances in the majors, Susac is a .240 hitter with six homers and 33 RBI.
Smith missed the first two months of the season for the Brewers with a knee injury. He opted to go without surgery and rehab the knee instead. He’s been pitching with a brace on his right knee.
