Mauricio Dubon, a top Milwaukee Brewers prospect, has been hospitalized for a few days now. There currently is no word as to what his illness is, but it is serious enough that tests are being performed and he is already expected to miss significant time.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Tom Haudricourt was the first to Tweet the news Wednesday morning:
#Brewers infield prospect Mauricio Dubon has been so sick he was checked into hospital for observation and diagnosis. Won't be back for awhile.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) February 27, 2019
Mauricio Dubon to Miss Extended Time After Hospitalization
Go back one season. Mauricio Dubon is looking to become the first player born in Honduras to reach Major League Baseball. He is tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A Colorado Springs. As a result, it looks like he will accomplish his goal of reaching the majors. Then an ACL tear sidelined him. Not one to sulk, Dubon works hard all year to ensure he is ready to go for Spring Training. He then meets his goal of practicing without restrictions.
Fast forward to today. He is currently severely sick and undergoing treatment at the hospital. Manager Craig Counsell has already ruled him out for an extended period of time.
Adam McCalvy, Milwaukee’s beat writer with MLB.com, confirmed the report a few minutes later:
The illness that has sidelined Brewers infield prospect Mauricio Dubon is so bad that he spent the past few nights in the hospital. He continues to undergo testing and will remain out for some time, Craig Counsell said.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 27, 2019
Premium Prospect
Dubon is currently the seventh-rated prospect in Milwaukee’s farm system by MLB.com. However, he was not always a high-profile prospect. The Boston Red Sox drafted Dubon out of high school in the 26th round of the 2013 draft. However, Brewers president David Stearns saw something special in him. He acquired (or rather swindled) Dubon from the Red Sox along with Travis Shaw, Josh Pennington, and Yeison Coca in the Tyler Thornburg trade. He was in the midst of a 23-game hitting streak in Triple-A last year when he tore his ACL.
Expected on Major League Roster in 2019
Dubon plays shortstop, second base, and even dabbles in the outfield a bit. The Brewers were expected to call him up last season after the Super-Two deadline passed. They needed help at shortstop and second base. There would have been ample opportunity for Dubon last year as Orlando Arcia struggled much of the year and Brad Miller, Eric Sogard, Tyler Saladino, and others rode a carousel between the majors, minors, and waivers. A healthy Dubon might have even prevented the notoriously bad Jonathan Schoop trade.
Dubon, if healthy, figures to get a crack at the roster at some point this season. He can hit left-handed pitching as an infielder, something the Brewers need. He is also versatile enough to play both shortstop and second base. When he does come to the show, he will finally achieve his life-long dream of becoming the first Honduras-born MLB player. The last tweet from his Twitter account demonstrates what it will mean to him:
https://twitter.com/Mauriciodubon10/status/1099136011299221504
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
