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 today’s edition, Robert Pannier examines the trade that sent Delvin Zinn from the Milwaukee Mlikmen to the Sioux City Explorers for a player to be named later.

Delvin Zinn Sent to Explorers

On Saturday, the Sioux City Explorers acquired infielder Delvin Zinn from the Milwaukee Milkmen for a player to be named later. Zinn arrived in time for Saturday night’s contest and went 2-5 with a run scored and an RBI in his debut with the Explorers.

How the Trade Effects the Explorers

Sioux City began the season with Miguel Sierra as their shortstop. Sierra played 13 games for the Explorers last season, hitting .317. It was a positive sign for the team, as he had struggled in his minor league career with the Houston Astros organization, hitting a combined .217 at five different levels, including .193 at AAA-Sugar Land in 2021.

However, Sierra got off to a tough start the season, hitting .159 through his first 14 games. The shortstop was playing outstanding defense, but Sioux City Manager Steve Montgomery clearly wanted to light a fire under a shortstop while adding some additional depth to the team. Zinn is a good addition regardless of how he is used.

The infielder hit .067 for Milwaukee in five games this year, and became expendable because of the play of Gabriel Cancel. Zinn has also struggled with the bat at the minor league level, hitting .235 in six seasons. He reached AA-Tennessee (Chicago Cubs) in 2022, hitting .137 in 49 games, but is a slick fielder who can play any position but catcher and first base.

The addition of Zinn give Sioux City some flexibility. Kyle Kasser is off to a fast start, and is locked in at the second base position, and Matt Lloyd can play both first and third. Zinn and Sierra can play second, short, and third. This ensures that if one of the shortstops a struggling, Montgomery has a solid alternative.

How the Trade Effects the Milkmen

As mentioned, Cancel has taken over the shortstop duties for Milwaukee. The infielder is hitting .265 through the first 12 games, hitting three homers while driving in 10. With Bryan Torres taking over the everyday second base position, and Miguel Gomez at third, Zinn became expendable. He appeared in just five games for the club, and was not looking like he was going to receive much additional playing time.

Zinn is categorized as an LS-4, which now opens a spot for Milwaukee to add an additional power bat or to help improve the pitching staff. The Milkmen staff is off to a tough start, posting a 6.18 ERA through the first 13 games and the club has hit 13 homers in 13 games, ranked ninth in runs scored (72). Milkmen Manager Anthony Barone can use the money he was paying to Zinn to look for some help for his beleaguered bullpen or to help add a run producer.

By Robert Pannier