Facing an Underwhelming Infield Market, Brewers Should Be Open to Moving Brice Turang to Shortstop

[Jack Stern]

Leaving a reigning Platinum Glove Award winner at the same position is the obvious choice, but the Brewers may have to relocate one of their best defenders to the other side of second base to most cost-effectively round out their infield.

Image courtesy of © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

While Brice Turang progressed through the farm system as the Brewers’ homegrown shortstop, Joey Ortiz looks like the in-house favorite to take the reins at the position after Willy Adames’s departure in free agency.

The presence of Adames shifted Turang to second base when he reached the big leagues, where he quickly established himself as a world-class defender. In 271 games at the position, Turang has averaged 19 Defensive Runs Saved per 1,200 innings. He won the National League Platinum Glove Award for his excellence in the field in 2024.

Turang has more than enough range to handle shortstop. However, Ortiz also developed as a shortstop and was scouted as an even better defender, receiving as high as a 70 grade from FanGraphs for his glovework. He backed up that reputation in his rookie season, accruing 8 DRS in 1,098 ⅓ innings at third base.

Neither infielder has a great throwing arm, but Ortiz has showcased the slightly stronger one. While judging throws from second base against throws from third is hardly a fair comparison – the longer throw across the diamond always requires the defender to use more of his arm strength – there’s still a meaningful gap between the two.

Ortiz’s hardest throws of 2024 regularly exceeded 84 mph. Turang averaged 80 mph with max-effort throws on double-play turns. He matched Ortiz’s velocity a few times, but almost exclusively when given the chance to step into an over-the-top throw after receiving the ball as the cutoff man. The difference would be negligible for many plays at shortstop, but Ortiz is better equipped to fire a strong throw on plays where his momentum does not help him, particularly ones in the hole where he ranges toward third base.

Unless the Brewers sign a strong defensive shortstop, the best infield alignment has Ortiz sliding there and Turang remaining at the keystone. It’s seemingly the one Pat Murphy prefers.

“In my mind, if I’m being honest with you, I’m like, ‘Why take this guy off there?’” Murphy said last month of moving Turang off second base.

He repeated that sentiment a few days later, telling the hosts of Foul Territory that his “tendency is probably to leave Brice alone” due to his elite defense at second base.

Murphy acknowledged that Turang can play shortstop and left the possibility open. Even if it’s not the Brewers’ preferred choice, circumstances could force them to pivot in that direction.

The list of available infielders the Brewers can fit within a tight budget is underwhelming, especially if they prefer a right-handed bat with power potential to help replace Adames. Jorge Polanco and Brendan Rodgers are two of the very few who fit that description. Both are lackluster defenders, and neither has the arm strength to be a comfortable fit at third base.

Smart teams in small markets use all of their resources to get the best bang for their buck. The Brewers have often done so by approaching their roster as a dynamic puzzle, instead of focusing on a perceived need at any single position. They must operate under that same mindset as they fill out their infield.

To maximize leverage and opportunities, the Brewers must be willing to move Turang to shortstop and keep Ortiz at third. It may not be Plan A, but sometimes the market dictates that you settle for Plan B or C. That may mean scooping up Rodgers or Polanco to play second base instead of paying more for a third baseman with a lower offensive ceiling.

“I think you’ve got to have the discussion and then see where the other pieces are and see who you have,” Murphy said.

Ortiz looks like the preferred and most likely choice to assume Adames’s old post. Still, having Turang as another option is a luxury that affords the Brewers an opportunity to get more creative. They may have to take advantage of it.

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[jay87shot]

I would be open to Brice at short but only for a higher quality 2B. Jorge Polanco or Brendan Rodgers don't really move the needle at all to move Turang. At that value we could find a 3B, my quality line would be like Glayber. If we can get a young end bat that only profiles as a 2B I am all good with a Turang move. 

[Michael Trzinski]

Turang will be an elite defender at any of those three spots (2B-SS-3B) and I don't think the 'D' would drop off at all no matter where he is. I think Ortiz is probably the same. Milwaukee should just look for the best player (via free agency or trade) at one of those spots and then put the players where they fit best once the new player is acquired.

It's not like Murphy is considering moving Hoskins or Contreras to SS...

[Tim Muma]

Interesting timing on this piece, Jack. I was just looking yesterday morning at Polanco and thinking...is he worth taking a chance on offensively if he can play 3B? Last year in Seattle almost doesn't count - no one can hit there, apparently.

But I'd take his 2023 slash line in a heartbeat (.255/.335/.454/.789) if that was over 120-130 games versus the 80 he played that season.

[sveumrules]

27 minutes ago, Tim Muma said:

Interesting timing on this piece, Jack. I was just looking yesterday morning at Polanco and thinking...is he worth taking a chance on offensively if he can play 3B? Last year in Seattle almost doesn't count - no one can hit there, apparently.

But I'd take his 2023 slash line in a heartbeat (.255/.335/.454/.789) if that was over 120-130 games versus the 80 he played that season.

Based on Polanco’s metrics at 2B/SS I doubt the Brewers would consider him a viable 3B.

His K rate has gone from 15.5 in 2020, to 18.3 in 2021, to 21.3 in 2022, to 25.7 in 2023 to 29.2 in 2024.

That’s more than just one bad year at Safeco.

[wallus]

There are enough options to pickup a third baseman that you put Ortiz at shortstop and leave Turang at second

[Tim Muma]

25 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

Based on Polanco’s metrics at 2B/SS I doubt the Brewers would consider him a viable 3B.

His K rate has gone from 15.5 in 2020, to 18.3 in 2021, to 21.3 in 2022, to 25.7 in 2023 to 29.2 in 2024.

That’s more than just one bad year at Safeco.

I agree they likely wouldn't even try him at 3B, hence my note that it was interesting timing for this article. I also just don't see having Turang at SS, unless the 2B they get is an All-Star.

As far as Polanco as a hitter - I don't necessarily see it as a one-season issue; however, I also wouldn't base my evaluation solely on K% - as much as I hate how often guys strike out now.

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 hours ago, wallus said:

There are enough options to pickup a third baseman that you put Ortiz at shortstop and leave Turang at second

That would be my preference as well. But It IS nice to have versatility w/both Turang & Ortiz that if an unexpected chance crops up to grab an attractive MINF piece, they can do it.

Finding a 3B is the most likely scenario, I suspect.

[Austin Tatious]

I agree with the premise that we have enough flexibility with Ortiz and Turang that we wouldn’t be locked into only getting a 3B.  But Murphy’s comments suggest the preference would be to leave Brice at 2B and you can move Ortiz to SS then with his stronger arm.  

There are some 3B options.  With our history with Stearns, I wonder if we can get a guy like Brett Baty in exchange for a decent bullpen arm.  We made the Taylor trade last year so there may be an opportunity there.  Baty is a natural 3B.     

But even if you get Baty, with his weak MLB track record, you may want to upgrade the utility spot from Monasterio in case Baty can’t figure it out and you need another guy to step in. 
 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/mets-trade-rumors-brett-baty-starting-pitching.html

[Profbratsch]

On 12/6/2024 at 10:40 AM, Michael Trzinski said:

It's not like Murphy is considering moving Hoskins or Contreras to SS...

Why not? 🤪

[sveumrules]

1 hour ago, Austin Tatious said:

Baty is a natural 3B.     

Baty has -9 DRS | -3 OAA | -1 FRV at 3B over 1,281 innings in MLB, not sure he is a natural there.

[Joseph Zarr]

These are good problems to have when you have two more than adequate solutions to fill the need with adequate defense. Grateful the Brewers have both Ortiz and Turang to add meaningful value on the infield dirt. For me, what this really does is tacitly open a pathway for one Cooper Pratt to make a serious push for a full-time job at SS in 2026. Heck, he may even push for a full-time or platoon case by the middle of 2025. I'm extremely bullish on Pratt's skillset. If we're going to take the Gunnar Henderson comps as seriously as many do...Pratt 'should' be in line for consideration by the end of the 2025 season. I don't count this out in the least. I, for one, continue to believe he'll start 2025 at Double-A Biloxi (prayer hands the Biloxi curse doesn't nip him in the heels!). I have zero reasons, at this point in time, to think he doesn't have the make up to attack that possibility of an earlier than anticipated arrival.