Don't Forget the Milwaukee Brewers' Forgotten Man in the Infield Mix

[Bashopolis]

The Milwaukee Brewers have worked hard to create depth and upside on the infield. Have they underestimated one of last year's key contributors in the process?

Image courtesy of © Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

 

Andruw Monasterio must be feeling like he is invisible.  The Brewers seem to be looking for every solution to their infield problems but him. This isn’t surprising; he has been overlooked by the Brewers (and the rest of the league) before. Monasterio wasn’t included in the Freshman promotion blitz prior to the 2023 season; he wasn’t expected to be a part of the mix at all. Now, he is likely wondering if the Brewers remember that he was the very competent starting third baseman for a good chunk of 2023.

Over the winter, the Brewers have spoken about giving Tyler Black a chance to win the job at third base. They have added Joey Ortiz, Vinny Capra, and Oliver Dunn to the options box.  And now we find out that Sal Frelick has been preparing to play the two positions at which Monastario most often played last year. All this could make a person question if the Brewers have any confidence in Monasterio even being on the MLB roster.

Monasterio has been overlooked since he began his baseball career, having signed out of the Venezuelan Development Leagues in 2014. During his minor-league time, he was traded twice.  The Brewers signed him as a minor-league free agent in Nov. 2021, after a solid season with Cleveland’s top two farm clubs. In the Milwaukee system in 2022, Monasterio had some initial difficulties transitioning into Triple-A ball, but by 2023, he improved his slugging percentage over 70 points and got the promotion to the big leagues. 

Last May, Monasterio came up to the Brewers and provided solid production at second and third base. This follows a trend from his time in the minors; he continually rose to the challenge whenever promoted. Throughout his minor-league career, he has kept his OBP solidly in the .360 range, while adding a bit more pop over the last two years to move his slugging percentage over .400. After starting with a May hot streak, he finished with a solid last couple of months of the season—all while contributing slightly above-average defense at second and third base.

In 2023, Andruw Monasterio contributed 1.3 WAR in 92 games. Projecting this production over 162 games, he would have achieved 2.3 WAR. That would be solid production, compared to MLB’s average WAR of 2.5 at second and 2.1 at third. 

Should the Brewers be expecting a monumental collapse by Monasterio in 2024?  Probably not.  Although his production throughout 2023 had some ups and downs, he was on an upward trend in some important categories, including increasing hard-hit and fly-ball rates through the second half of the season. His swing is compact and consistent, without any significant holes. Unlike some of the other freshmen who had regression during the season and/or have serious red flags concerning contact rate, there aren’t holes in Monasterio’s profile other than his lack of power. 

There also isn’t much reason to anticipate a breakout season. That isn’t the way Monasterio rolls. He incrementally improves production. This should give the Brewers a bit more confidence in relying on him to take 400 at-bats in a versatile infield role during 2024. The Crew have purposely overstocked the team to protect against regression or injuries. Perhaps that is what they are doing by having Frelick get some reps on the dirt. 

Still, don’t be surprised to see Monasterio get a majority of the at-bats at an infield position during 2024. It is much more likely that Frelick slots into the outfield, where other players come with more significant question marks. It also seems possible that Turang, Ortiz or Black gets some more time in the minors to hone their game. In the end, the Brewers will make decisions based on performance. If there isn’t a big breakout season from one of the other young players, the Brewers and their fans will once again recognize the steady production on offense and defense that Monasterio brings to the team.  

 

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[SF70]

I for one will be disappointed if Monasterio gets 400 AB’s. That likely means some poor play by Ortiz, Turang or heaven forbid, both.

I like Monestario in a utility role, not as a starter.

[biedergb]

Does Monasterio have options. I do feel that the team may rotate players around to get them all the ABs. Like if Ortiz is struggling but needs AB send him to AAA. Use Monasterio as a swing man for the IF.

Or if Frelick really entrenches himself at 3B. If not, then they need to get creative with the OF.

[Trax]

AM has a spot on this team until he proves he doesn't.  As essentially a rookie last year he was effective and still an early developing player with some versatility. He and Ortiz I see as the most interesting pieces to see what their contribution will be to our infield and at the plate when you combine the two.  Of course if you add Frelick at 3B if he's really going to have an impact there would trump this.

[Matthew Trueblood]

2 hours ago, biedergb said:

Does Monasterio have options. I do feel that the team may rotate players around to get them all the ABs. Like if Ortiz is struggling but needs AB send him to AAA. Use Monasterio as a swing man for the IF.

Or if Frelick really entrenches himself at 3B. If not, then they need to get creative with the OF.

Yes, Monasterio can still be optioned to the minors. Most of their infield group can, in fact: Monasterio, Owen Miller, Dunn, etc. The exception is Jake Bauers.

[Kripes - Brewers]

Well, this spring so far per the Brewers roster pages at MLB.com:

Turang: .207/.324/.310 OPS .634 in 29 ABs - 4 SO/3BB

Monasterio: .258/.281/.290 OPS .571 in 31 ABs - 10 SO/1BB

Ortiz: .261/.393/.522 OPS .915 in 23 ABs - 7 SO/5BB

Miller: .241/.267/.345 OPS .612 in 29 ABs - 6 SO/1BB

Dunn: .286/.390/.486 OPS .876 in 35 ABs - 14 SO/6BB

Capra: .316/.381/.421  OPS .802 in 19 ABs - 5 SO/2BB

Frelick .314/.415/.457 OPS .872 in 35 ABs - 7 SO/5BB

Adames: .222/.276/.407 OPS .683 in 27 ABs - 11 SO/2BB

Just a quick snapshot of what we're likely to expect...

[duewizard]

48 minutes ago, Kripes - Brewers said:

Well, this spring so far per the Brewers roster pages at MLB.com:

Turang: .207/.324/.310 OPS .634 in 29 ABs - 4 SO/3BB

Monasterio: .258/.281/.290 OPS .571 in 31 ABs - 10 SO/1BB

Ortiz: .261/.393/.522 OPS .915 in 23 ABs - 7 SO/5BB

Miller: .241/.267/.345 OPS .612 in 29 ABs - 6 SO/1BB

Dunn: .286/.390/.486 OPS .876 in 35 ABs - 14 SO/6BB

Capra: .316/.381/.421  OPS .802 in 19 ABs - 5 SO/2BB

Frelick .314/.415/.457 OPS .872 in 35 ABs - 7 SO/5BB

Adames: .222/.276/.407 OPS .683 in 27 ABs - 11 SO/2BB

Just a quick snapshot of what we're likely to expect...

I don't think we can expect anything from spring training numbers. Dont forget Brosseau's 1.200 OPS last year.

[Kripes - Brewers]

25 minutes ago, duewizard said:

I don't think we can expect anything from spring training numbers. Dont forget Brosseau's 1.200 OPS last year.

Poor choice of wording on my part perhaps. I wasn't shocked by any of the numbers - certainly from the guys we watched in the big leagues from last year, nothing stands out. In that respect, Frelick continues to give us a glimpse at the on base machine he could turn out to be. Turang's numbers continue to suggest he could be just as frustrating this year as last with the bat. Tiny sample from spring training, fwiw.

[Jim French Stepstool]

7 hours ago, SF70 said:

I for one will be disappointed if Monasterio gets 400 AB’s. That likely means some poor play by Ortiz, Turang or heaven forbid, both.

I like Monestario in a utility role, not as a starter.

I think this nails it. I believe they have plenty of confidence in Monasterio, they just see him in a particular role & getting regular ABs ain't it. The hype, and the longer-term plans, are reserved for those they believe have more upside.

[Joseph Zarr]

If Andruw Monasterio earns his playing time by playing solid defense and swinging a disciplined bat with results, I will absolutely 100% not give a rat's petoot how many AB's he will have accrued. I want the players who are playing well consistently to get AB's and meaningful playing time. Who these players are and what their pedigrees are means absolutely nothing to me. I'll root for every one to a man. And may the best man win that coveted spot on the lineup card. May the competition bring out the best in every one of these talented young men.

[wallus]

AM should make the team and play against LHP at minimum.