New guy behind the plate: Brewers acquire catcher Jett Bandy from Angels

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Tuesday, December 13th that the team acquired catcher Jett Bandy from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for catcher Martín Maldonado and minor-league right-handed pitcher Drew Gagnon.

gettyimages-586323954 Jett Bandy



According to the Brewers, Bandy, 26, opened the 2016 season at Triple-A Salt Lake before he was recalled by Los Angeles on May 20. He batted .234 with 8 HR and 25 RBI in 70 games with the Angels. He made 60 starts, all coming behind the plate. Bandy threw out 17 base runners attempting to steal, which ranked fourth in the American League and first among Major League rookies (17-for-46, 37.0%).

Bandy was selected by the Angels in the 31st round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arizona. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 41st round of the 2008 draft out of Thousand Oaks (CA) High School, but did not sign. His Major League debut came in 2015 as he appeared in two games after being recalled by the Angels on September 1.

MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 20: Martin Maldonado #12 of the Milwaukee Brewers rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park on September 20, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Bu



Maldonado, 30, batted .217 with 28 HR and 111 RBI in 355 games with the Brewers from 2011-16, including .202 with 8 HR and 21 RBI in 76 games this past season. He is eligible for arbitration.

Gagnon, 26, was selected by Milwaukee in the third round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. He spent 2016 between Double-A Biloxi (5g/1gs) and Triple-A Colorado Springs (31g/4gs).