Brewers sign second baseman Kolten Wong

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Brewers have signed free-agent second baseman Kolten Wong to a two-year contract with a club option for 2023. The announcement was made by President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.

Wong will continue to wear #16.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kolten to Milwaukee,” said Stearns. “Kolten’s skillset adds to our club in a variety of ways. He has established himself as one of the best defenders in all of baseball. He also offers a well-balanced offensive approach that will serve as an additional on-base presence to our lineup.”

Wong, 30, is a career .261 hitter with 53 HR, 281 RBI and 88 stolen bases during eight Major League seasons, all spent with St. Louis (2013-20). He owns a career .308 (60-for-195) batting average at American Family Field along with 6 HR and 23 RBI in 57 games (.373 OBP/.482 SLG/.855 OPS).

Wong batted .265 with 1 HR, 16 RBI and 5 stolen bases in 53 games with St. Louis last season. He made 48 starts, all at second base. He hit .389 (14-for-36) with runners in scoring position, ranking seventh in the National League. Wong batted .306 (33-for-108, 1 HR, 13 RBI) with a .364 on-base percentage over his last 30 games in 2020.

Known for his defensive prowess, Wong has been a Gold Glove Award finalist at second base in each of the last three seasons, winning in each of the last two. Last season, he led National League second basemen in total chances (190), assists (129) and double plays (29). He also ranked third among NL second basemen in fielding percentage (.989).

Wong has played in the postseason five times, including each of the last two seasons (also 2013-15), and was a member of the 2013 National League champion Cardinals. He has played in 31 career postseason games, which ranks 15th in Cardinals franchise history.

The native of Hilo, Hawaii was selected by St. Louis in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Hawaii.