Clint

Coulter

Coulter has been released after batting .243/.332/.403 with six homers and four steals across 235 plate appearances in 58 games this season for Triple-A Sacramento. The 29-year-old former first-round pick has yet to reach the majors.

It’d be nice to see Hildenberger reemerge as a useful reliever, but no one here is particularly likely to make much of an impact in San Francisco this season. Ramos made his major league debut last April, but he’s not yet ready for the majors after hitting .227/.305/.349 in 108 games Triple-A last season.

Coulter put up some exceptional offensive numbers the last two seasons for Triple-A Memphis in the Cardinals’ minor league system. He posted a sublime .910 OPS with nine homers in 207 plate appearances over 54 contests this past season. The 29-year-old former first-round selection was a highly-regarded prospect with the Brewers a few seasons ago, but wound up stalling out in the upper minors. He has a shot to make it to the majors in San Francisco.

Coulter slashed .234/.303/.461 with eight homers across 142 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis after inking a minor-league deal with the Cardinals last season. The 28-year-old former first-round selection was a highly-regarded prospect with the Brewers a few seasons ago, but wound up stalling out in the upper minors.

Coulter will head to Triple-A Memphis. The 27-year-old was a first-round pick by the Brewers, but hasn’t played in an organization since the 2018 season. He’ll serve as organizational depth while with the club.

It’s expected to be worth $1.675 million, which is the recommended figure for the 27th overall pick. Coulter, 18, projects as a power hitter but isn’t likely to move very quickly through the Brewers’ farm system given the low level of competition he faced during his high school days in Washington state. He has a whole lot to learn.

A state champion wrestler in Washington, Coulter has drawn loose comparisons to Mike Napoli. He may not have the defensive ability to stick behind the plate, but should have the power to man first base if a position switch becomes necessary. Coulter is still two months shy of his 19th birthday, and didn’t face much top-flight competition in the Northwest, so he could need a number of seasons in the minors.

Coulter singled twice, drew a walk and was also hit by a pitch in his first career start at Double-A. The former first-round pick was given a surprise promotion last week after hitting only .220 with six homers and 32 RBI over 87 games for High-A Brevard County. Coulter began his career behind the plate before moving to the outfield full-time in 2015.

Coulter’s two-run blast was his sixth of the year. Among minor league hitters, only Fresno’s Preston Tucker has more home runs than him. The 21-year-old is having a breakout season and could be headed for a promotion. Coulter has now gone deep 28 times since the start of 2014.

Coulter has been hitting well over his last 25 games, putting up a .308/.461/.590 line with four doubles and six home runs to raise his season line to .268/.407/.510 with 23 doubles, two triples, and 19 home runs. He still projects as a power-hitting catcher with the potential to hit 20 home runs, but he may struggle to hit much above .250 and is still rough as a defensive catcher.