Tyler Wagner is excited for new opportunity with the D-backs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Tyler Wagner was about to have dinner with his Milwaukee Brewers teammates the night before Brewers Fan Fest in late January when he got the phone call.

Next stop: A 1,800-mile trek to Arizona, just in time for the mid-February Diamondbacks Fan Fest.

Wagner and shortstop Jean Segura were traded from the Brewers to the D-backs Jan. 30 in exchange for pitcher Chase Anderson and infielders Isan Diaz and Aaron Hill. The Brewers also received cash in the trade.

“At first, it was a little bit of a shock,” Wagner said. “You think the team that drafted you is the team that you will be with for your whole career, but that’s obviously not the business that we are in.”

After dealing with the emotions that surrounded the trade, Wagner knew the trade would suit his family since the Las Vegas native would now be just a couple hours away from his mom, dad and brother.

“My mom, my dad and my brother are excited because it’s a quick drive from Vegas but my other family in Minnesota was five hours or six hours away from Milwaukee so it’s going to be a longer trek for them but they are excited for the opportunity that I have here.”

Wagner reached out to D-backs left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray, who he played with in the Arizona Fall League in 2014, to talk about what to expect in camp.

“I got to know him and asked him some questions about the arrival time for spring training and stuff like that.”

Wagner was familiar with some of the D-backs from their playing days in the minor leagues.

After a successful couple of seasons in the minors, Wagner made his MLB debut last May with the Brewers and went 0-2 with a 7.24 ERA in 13 innings. He spent most of the season in Double-A with the Biloxi Shuckers where he went 11-5 with a 2.24 ERA in 152.1 innings.  The all-time saves leader at the University of Utah has adjusted well to his new home.

“The opportunity that I have to learn from not only the guys in this clubhouse who are unbelievable, but the coaching staff as well, I am very excited about the training staff that we have here.”