Milwaukee Brewers prospect Luis Lara understands the challenges involved in making the big leagues as an undersized player.<\/p>\n
And he appreciates the faith the Brewers showed in his abilities by signing him to a seven-year contract.<\/a><\/p>\n Lara spoke with reporters over Zoom on Wednesday, one day after signing the deal, which includes club options for 2033, 2034 and 2035. The 5-foot-7 outfielder from Venezuela was asked about skepticism he had encountered along the way.<\/p>\n What You Need To Know<\/p>\n Milwaukee Brewers prospect Luis Lara\u00a0signing a deal, which includes club options for 2033, 2034 and 2035 \u201cMore than anything, (I\u2019ve) felt (I\u2019ve) had more people rooting for (me) and that have believed in (me) and been in (my) corner than people that have questioned (me),\u201d Lara said through interpreter Julio Borb\u00f3n, a Brewers special advisor to player development and scouting. \u201cThat\u2019s also played a big role in where (I\u2019m) at today.\u201d<\/p>\n The Brewers didn\u2019t disclose financial terms of Lara\u2019s contract, but ESPN, MLB.com and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported he is guaranteed $31 million with incentives that could allow him to earn over twice that amount.<\/p>\n Lara, an outstanding fielder who\u2019s having a breakthrough season at the plate with Triple-A Nashville, said the deal was negotiated swiftly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt goes back to about two weeks ago, when things started flowing in terms of when the offer came out,\u201d Lara said. \u201cFrom there, everything kind of happened fairly quick.\u201d<\/p>\n This marks the latest example of the Brewers taking a chance on a shorter player who measures up in just about every other respect.<\/p>\n Milwaukee acquired third baseman Caleb Durbin in a December 2024 trade<\/a> that sent two-time All-Star reliever Devin Williams to the New York Yankees, and the 5-6 infielder finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year<\/a> balloting last season before getting traded to Boston<\/a> in February.<\/p>\n Two weeks before trading Durbin, the Brewers acquired 5-7 infielder Jett Williams<\/a> along with pitcher Brandon Sproat in the deal that helped the New York Mets land two-time All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta.<\/a> Williams is Lara\u2019s teammate at Triple-A Nashville.<\/p>\n Lara, 21, is hitting .338 with a .450 on-base percentage, seven homers, 27 RBIs and 19 steals in 57 games with Nashville this season. He batted .257 with a .369 on-base percentage, two homers, 40 RBIs and 44 steals in 136 games with Double-A Biloxi last year.<\/p>\n He also won a Gold Glove on a as one of the top three defensive outfielders in the minors last year.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially in center field, the reads off the bat, the amount of games growing up playing, it was something that (I) just had a knack for, being able to track balls down and run them down,\u201d Lara said.<\/p>\n Lara got his contract less than three months after the Brewers signed shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt<\/a> to an eight-year, $50.75 million deal.<\/a><\/p>\n
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Lara is an outstanding fielder who’s having a breakthrough season at the plate with Triple-A Nashville
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The Brewers have a history of taking chances on shorter players who measure up in just about every other respect<\/p>\n