University of Hawai'i baseball alum Kolten Wong has won back-to-back Rawlings Gold Gloves, but the professional organization that drafted him, the St. Louis Cardinals, declined the final year on his contract, making him a free agent for the first time since he was a college recruit.
That was in October. Now, with Spring Training just weeks away, the former All-American and First Round Draft Pick is headed to sandier beaches.
Well, not the sandy beaches that Hawai'i possesses. The beaches of Lake Michigan.Â
Wong, signed a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers with a team-option for a third year. Ken Rosenthal reports the deal is worth $18 million for the first two years.
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Wong hit .265 in 53 games for the Cardinals in 2020, with an above average percentage of their 60-game season being played with 7-inning double headers. In 2019, Wong had a career-best year with a .285 average and 11 home runs. He was also a Gold Glove recipient at second base in both seasons.
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The Brewers have made the playoffs the past three seasons including a National League Central Division title in 2018.
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Wong reunites with 2010 Rainbow Warrior teammate David Freitas who has been with the Brewers organization since 2019.
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Wong will move his spring training regiment from Florida to Arizona this month with the Brewers' first Spring Training game set for Feb. 27.
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