The Cooper Pratt Era is here and the Luis Rengifo Era is over.

After the Brewers signed him to the 8 year, $51(is) million dollar deal at the beginning of the season, the countdown was on to the Cooper Pratt Era at shortstop in Milwaukee.

And last night it arrived! And it came at the expense of Luis Rengifo. When news broke on Sunday night that Pratt got the call, I figured the corresponding move would come down to Ortiz or Rengifo. Ortiz does have options left. I’m sure it would have been a pill so bitter that Malort tastes sweet by comparison for him to go down, but that was a route they could have gone. Keep Rengifo on the team, send Ortiz down, call up Pratt. But instead, Matt Arnold left the red tag in Rengifo’s locker and the team moves on from one of their free agent moves in the offseason.

In regards (I didn’t say hi) to Rengifo, obviously it just didn’t work. On paper it was a very Brewersy move. Utility infielder, some pop, decent career average, could play multiple positions defensively. But he started the season cold at the plate and never got going. And his defense was pretty “meh,” although he was versatile.

So now the Brewers have a 21 year old rookie playing a premium position on a team that feels like it can make a run. In the words of Sam Jackson in Jurassic Park: Hold on to your butts.

Last night he went 0 for 3 with a throwing error. Not exactly the splash of Sal’s debut a few years back or Miz’s debut last season. But I’m sure he’s happy to have the first game out of the way, and to try and settle in for the next few months.

And, if it goes sideways on him, Joey Ortiz is still on the roster if need be.

PS: Murph said last night that Ortiz is likely to shift back over to 3rd and split time with Hamilton, while also backing up short for Pratt. I wonder if that doesn’t get him going a bit at the plate. Remeber 2024? Willy was still at short so Ortiz played 3rd base. And he played it well! And also hit .240 with 11 bombs and 60 RBI. I will be curious to see if he can get back to that. Lord knows he’s tried every hairstyle and facial hair combo to get some juju going his way. Maybe a shift back to the hot corner gets him jumpstarted.