American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In this edition, Robert Pannier examines the trade between the Milwaukee Milkmen and the Kansas City Monarchs that sent Will Kengor to the Milkmen for the visionary rights to Brandon Koch.

Milwaukee Acquires Will Kengor for Brandon Koch

On Friday, the Milwaukee Milkmen acquired infielder Will Kengor for the revisionary rights to right-hander Brandon Koch. Kansas City also received cash as part of the deal.

How This Effects the Milkmen

Milwaukee found themselves in need of quality infielder when David Washington was sidelined. While not on the disabled list, Washington has not appeared in a contest since August 24, and he may not be able to get back on the field until playoff time. The Milkmen could not wait that long.

Milwaukee is in a battle to secure one of the top three spots in the North Division, and they still have their eyes set on the top spot. The Milkmen are 4.0 games behind the Chicago Dogs in the division at the time this article was written, and securing the top spot and home-field advantage throughout the North Division playoffs is definitely a goal for Milwaukee.

Kengor is an outstanding talent. The infielder began his professional career with the Detroit Tigers organization, playing for West Michigan in the Midwest League in 2015, but moved independent ball the following season and played three seasons in Traverse City (Frontier League) before playing for Somerset in the Atlantic Leak in 2019.

We sat out last season, but was signed by Kansas City and appeared in 46 games, hitting .261 with four homers and 21 RBI. He has made his impact immediate with the Milkmen, going 5-12 with three runs, two doubles, a homer, and three RBI. Kengor started his Milwaukee career with two hits in each of his first two contests.

Even when Washington returns, Kengor will still see the field. He can play anywhere in the infield or outfield, giving manager Anthony Barone a great deal of flexibility.

How This Effects the Monarchs

The truth is that this deal may not affect Kansas City this season at all. Unfortunately for Kengor there was simply not room for him on the roster, especially with the recent signing of Paulo Orlando. Kengor was likely to be released, but manager Joe Calfapietra made sure that he got some value by dealing him to Milwaukee.

Koch was signed by the Milkmen in the off-season, but had his contract transferred to the Minnesota Twins prior to the 2021 campaign getting underway. The right-hander was on the disabled list for much of the first month of the season, but has made nine appearances for the Wichita Wind Surge, posting a 4.73 ERA in 13.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 14.

Koch may not ever return to the American Association but, if he becomes available next season, he gives the Monarchs an outstanding right-hander out of the backend of their bullpen.

By Robert Pannier