5 Overlooked Players Who Could Be Dominators in 2025 For The Crew

[jesusoftheapes]

With the biggest questions about 2025 centered around replacing Willy Adames offense the focus of players who may be the ones who step up and bring that offense in place of Adames has missed some very obvious players who should have much better seasons than they did in 2024.   These are my top 5 overlooked players who will be a big part of winning in 2025 and who I believe will put their 2025 numbers to shame.    Improvements come outside of just the offense in one instance but 4 of the 5 are all about making up for Willy Adames making himself money elsewhere.    

#5 Freddy Peralta.   This F ing Guy...     This is season 8 for Freddy here in Milwaukee.   Probably last and final full season for this Crew we have all been waiting for Freddy to step into his Superstar pitcher costume and become a top 5 pitcher for years now.    24' was frustrating as a fan who really thought this season was going to be the best one of Freddy's career.   That did not happen making 2025 a critical season for the Brewers hurler and for the Brewers who will be wanting to trade him before they have nothing left to trade.     So will 2025 be the season we see Fastball Fred hunting down the likes of Wheeler and Skenes to compete for a Cy Young?  It has to be.  Freddy is on the cusp of money like he has never dreamed of before and one super season would surely get him paid on the level of the top tier pitchers of the MLB.   The 2024 season for Freddy was hard to watch.   None of the rotation were more in a constant state of struggle to the level of Freddy.   He was not great at anything in 2024 and got himself into long innings more than he did not.  He did not look the part of the #1 pitcher on a teams rotation at any point in the season and this cannot happen if he wishes to be paid as if he is that for a team.       So I expect the best version of Freddy ever in 2025 .      He is a simple fix in his mechanics or his preparation from being that Dude.     He has all the tools and for Brewers fans there is no more time for Freddy to show us who he can be beyond 2025 so now is that time to Crap of get off the pot.     I and most of the fanbase have been waiting for this to happen for some time now and as it usually goes when a player is about to enter a payday in the coming season ahead you can expect that Freddy like Willy last season will have his best season as a Brewer.   There are millions and tens of millions of dollars to lose if he has another 2024 type season in 2025.    If that happens Freddy will be relegated to a mid rotation pitcher his entire career and cost himself hundreds of millions of dollars in income if he gets that designation.      No more pitchers .    This is about offensive production after all .  

 

#4 Jake Bauers.   While Bauers numbers stunk after 2024 was over I can think of no one who held more value in the small places that season more than Bauers.   He batted an abysmal  .199 with 12 homers and 43 RBI.     Not that this has been uncommon for Bauers who hits like this most seasons with all the other teams he has been on.    The teams who have looked hard at Bauers over the years including the Brewers have good reasons to see if he can work out as a hitter because he holds exceptional bat speeds and can hit pitches other players struggle to hit.     He is good against fastball at heat levels and is good at finding power on pitches that are coming in at funny angles.      In 2024 the Brewers won most of the games Jake Bauers started for some strange reason and he was a special  pinch hitter.  When the Brewers needed a guy to get on base late in games Bauers found himself in AB's that were Superstar level time and time again for the Crew.    If he was not assured to get a hit in that role he would work through his AB and get on base with a walk .    The Brewers used his ability to get on base to set up several late game comebacks last season and in that role Bauers was a valued member of this roster who I believe can become a better hitter and make his future a very bright one.       Will it come in 2025?  That I cannot project.   I think had he hit even .30 better in Batting Average he would be rostered day one as the backup 1st base.   He was not good most of the year when he was not pinched in.   Swinging at the moon most of the season and not making contact enough to make a difference.   Had he been a tiny bit more consistent I think the Brewers like his other upsides enough that this choice would be an easy one .  That not being the case the timeframe for Jake is not clear to me.   That and the fact Tyler Black must get his call up and job at 1st in 2025 make it hard for me to put Bauers in the mix for sure this season.     As seasons normally go there will be a need to bring up hitters through the season to fill in or to help with one thing or another and Bauers has to be on a short list of names who everyone knows is MLB ready and can help this team win games.    So if Bauers gets his feet set here under his new singed Minor League deal and feels like he has a place to put it all together he should find another gear that makes him a legitimate hitter  at the highest level.   Bauers not being forced into pressure games now that he is a Minor League contract could be the best thing for him.   Let him get more at bats that are not under microscopes and he might turn out to be a really dangerous dude.     If the Brewers call on him in 2025 I think he could turn on the juice every team who has fielded him has been waiting for him to do.     He can help the Brewers win in 2025 and well into the future and his signing in the Minors with Milwaukee has to be the best thing that has happened to his career prospects since he was drafted.    

 

#3 Caleb Durbin.    Yeah 5'6'' is short and I get why many write this off as just to small for Big League Ball.    I do not think the same as those people however and am one who truly believes the Brewers beat  the Yankees in trade value by grabbing a contract year with Nestor Cortes and the young Star prospect Caleb Durbin for a Devin Williams (who should be great for that franchise).    The season Nasty Nestor gives the Crew when playing for his $ season should be about as good of a return as a team can get out of one year on a mound.    I have big expectations for that part of this deal as well but that is another story for another time.    Caleb Durbin is being described to the masses as a "short" fella.   Most of his on field ability is overlooked simply because he is not tall and because of the belief he is a small guy every other metric is assumed on the short side of MLB level on their face by many who report on Durbin.    For me I see a guy who is really good and has no place in AAA anymore on any roster.     The Yankees are famous for not doing well on prospect development because for the most part anyone who is any good in their Farms gets put in a package and traded so they can get the Devin Williams of the world.    However Durbin was heralded by the Media who cover that Farm system and its players for a lot of reason that look to me to make a perfect place for Caleb Durbin to start for this team on opening day and I am not talking Nashville.       Durbin over the past two season in the Minors hit an impressive .304 and .278 respectively and had OPS both season in the .822 and .839 spot that says he has more than enough bat to win at every level.   67 steal over that period of time as well with 14 home runs makes him one of the most talented young players on any roster no matter his size.  He got better every time he went up a level so far through his career in the Minors.   He is a plus defender with an arm on par with Joey Ortiz which is pretty good .   They used him mostly at 2nd base for the NY minors and he plays that position as well as you need to to be considered a plus defender.    Turang belongs at Shortstop in my opinion and Joey Ortiz was fantastic at 3rd on the glove last season .   A good option for the Brewers new look infield  would be simply letting Durbin take that 2nd base job.     Durbin is a big dude for his size and he gets hits consistently and in a starting role would get on base a lot.   Setting up the offense for runs time and time again and he can put a lot of runs across home plate.        By the end of 2025 the Brewers could be sitting on a goldmine if Durbin lives up to the player he has already shown he can be.   He fits our play style more than any prospect in baseball.    The Brewers got the best of theYankess ! Do no let anyone tell you different! 

 

#2 Eric Haase.   For me the biggest mistake of 2024 for the Brewers was signing Gary Sanchez at the last moment and taking the job Eric Haase had earned in the Spring away from him because had Haase gotten those 245 at bats that went to Sanchez had fallen to Haase I believe these Brewers win more games than they did and may have even squeaked another run or two in that playoff to help put this team over the Mets.    Haase was fantastic with a bat in his hand last season.   Haase has somehow found his timing on hitting at this moment in his career because outside of Jackson Chourio at the end of the 2024 season no one had more juice than Haase.     Now as long as he is not jumped by prospects or late signing in 2025 should be able to be 300 AB's for the Brewer in relief of William Contreras .   He is a nice catcher in backup work as well but his bat looks to be a high output weapon that could work closer to .300 average when the season is through if he maintains the level he played with in 2024.     I am very excited to see him with more swings at ball as the season unfolds and think he and our other catcher can put up some lopsided hitting numbers as catchers that help make up many of the hits lost to Adames taking the money train to San Fran.  

 

#1 Rhys Hoskins.      Hoskins had a terrible season for the Brewers who now need to pay him over $20 million for his services in 2025 with the contract he signed last offseason with this team.   I have no issues with the signing or the money.  Hoskins was a disappointment in the playoffs as well with 9 AB and no hits at all.  So that is simply not what the Brewers brought him here to do.   He only hit 2.14 in 24'  Which is the worst he has outputted in his career.   His 26 tankers were nice and some of them came at much needed moments in the season so you have to give credit in those moments.    Hoskins has more baseball in him and is not the withered old man ready for retirement that many have him pegged as after his down 2024 season.       Hoskins is playing for another contract and if he is healthy through 2025 he should be able to bring his numbers way up from the previous affair.    If he ends the 2025 season in the same downward trend of the 24' season it could be hard for him to find a contract that he would believe was worthy of his abilities and might even get pushed into a journeyman who never finds another real home until he ends his career.     However with a strong 2025 campaign you can bet you will see him find a nice chunk of change with a contender who needs more runs and a solid 1st base.     So I expect Hoskins to have a completely different looking season and up his batting average in the .240s up to the .260s and with 30-40 home runs.    Hoskins is not ready for the old folks home and will prove that in his final season with the Brewers .       If he has a strong first half of 2025 the Brewers may even move him before the deadline to try and recover some of that investment but a hot Hoskins would only help this 2025 with even a normal Hoskins season.     Expect him to have a solid season where we will no longer regret that payout.      Hoskins is a good bet to bounce back with nice numbers !   

 

To much wind? I know I am just ready for baseball already and cannot shut up about it!   Go Brewers! 

 

[TURBO]

Question:  Overlooked by who?

Freddy is Freddy.  I think we have seen exactly what he brings, and I truly hope he has another level to step up to. NO ONE is overlooking Freddy, EVERYONE is looking to him to provide the ace to our staff that we desperately need.  So far, he hasn't been able to provide us with that. Far from overlooked.

Bauers?  Jake Bauers?  THE Jake Bauers?  Nah, not a chance, not even a remote chance...  The fact you include him on a list like this makes me question your motives.  lol

Durbin.  No clue, absolutely no clue what this tiny little guy will bring us.

Haase.  Has never dominated, has never given any indication of dominating.  Again, I think you are just reaching for names to put on this list.

Hoskins.  He has no where to go but up.  After last years total disappointment of a season, all we can do is hope he finds himself again after a full season post injury.  At his peak, he was not dominating, I doubt that suddenly kicks in now.

[liveforoctober]

I'm not putting any marbles in this basket, but there exists a world where Abner Uribe is a big piece of our bullpen this year. I believe he would qualify as overlooked heading into the year.

[otion881]

I think Freddy’s been underwhelming for too long to call him “overlooked.” People are waiting, but he hasn’t stepped up yet.

[Brock Beauchamp]

39 minutes ago, otion881 said:

I think Freddy’s been underwhelming for too long to call him “overlooked.” People are waiting, but he hasn’t stepped up yet.

Welcome to Brewer Fanatic!

[MNBrew]

1 hour ago, otion881 said:

I think Freddy’s been underwhelming for too long to call him “overlooked.” People are waiting, but he hasn’t stepped up yet.

Agreed.  Freddy's had spurts of "really good."  Last year it seemed like none of those happened after April, which justifies further everyone's inclination to question what he really is.

[bigred]

15 hours ago, liveforoctober said:

I'm not putting any marbles in this basket, but there exists a world where Abner Uribe is a big piece of our bullpen this year. I believe he would qualify as overlooked heading into the year.

Only if he's no longer a head case. 

[Frisbee Slider]

22 hours ago, TURBO said:

Haase.  Has never dominated, has never given any indication of dominating.  Again, I think you are just reaching for names to put on this list.

Haase had .819 OPS in 69 PA for Milwaukee in 2024. .870 OPS in Nashville.

Haase had 2 WAR per season in 2021 and 2022 for Detroit in 323 to 352 AB per season.

There are glimmers of optimism there.

[Kozlowski Klub]

I am not sure any of these guys are being overlooked. We know exactly who they are and most likely what they will bring this year. Maybe a possible Hoskins bounce back year is being overlooked but the rest seem like a stretch. This team needs their young bats to take another step, but I am not sure anyone is really being overlooked. 

[jay87shot]

I think we have a bunch of overlooked bullpen options that can easily be overlooked and be "dominant". Look at how good Bryan Hudson and Jared Koenig were last year, I don't think they get much credit for how good they were. I wouldn't be to surprised to see another scrap heap style addition turn out like those guys or Megill. After what we saw from Ashby at the end of last year I think he could be like Josh Hader early in his career before closing.

I think 2 of Sal, Turang, Ortiz, and Mitchell will really break out and be close to .300 hitters (maybe just healthy for Mitchell). We saw it from Turang for about 1/2 year and he was a near 5 WAR player and we've seen stretches from the others. 

 

[TURBO]

7 hours ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Haase had .819 OPS in 69 PA for Milwaukee in 2024. .870 OPS in Nashville.

Haase had 2 WAR per season in 2021 and 2022 for Detroit in 323 to 352 AB per season.

There are glimmers of optimism there.

Ok, but dominating?  That word is different to me I guess...

[sveumrules]

38 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Ok, but dominating?  That word is different to me I guess...

Yeah, Peralta can be dominating for stretches, but he is what he is at this point. Staying healthy for 170 IP with an ERA around 10% better than league average like he has the last two years is probably the best we can hope for.

Durbin could be dominating on the bases maybe? Hoskins can dominate for a couple weeks at a time if he gets hot.

Haase is a fine backup catcher, but neither he nor Bauers have approached anything resembling what I would term as "dominance" since years ago in AA.

A more accurate title would probably be something like "Freddy Peralta, 3 Players Who Could Be Varying Degrees Of Useful in 2025 For The Crew, and Jake Bauers"

[Jopal78]

16 hours ago, sveumrules said:

Yeah, Peralta can be dominating for stretches, but he is what he is at this point. Staying healthy for 170 IP with an ERA around 10% better than league average like he has the last two years is probably the best we can hope for.

Durbin could be dominating on the bases maybe? Hoskins can dominate for a couple weeks at a time if he gets hot.

Haase is a fine backup catcher, but neither he nor Bauers have approached anything resembling what I would term as "dominance" since years ago in AA.

A more accurate title would probably be something like "Freddy Peralta, 3 Players Who Could Be Varying Degrees Of Useful in 2025 For The Crew, and Jake Bauers"

I am not saying Jake Bauers is anything special but the mockery is a little overblown. 

Had Yelich, Mitchell, Hoskins, Frelick performed better offensively/not been hurt they would not have had to use Bauers as much. 

That being said, not only was Bauers good for Milwaukee as a PH last year. He was flat out lethal with 2 outs and RISP (1.093 OPS).  Plus he stole 13 bases while caught only once. Balanced the lineup by hitting left handed and played 3 defensive positions. 
 

It’s a good thing to have a player who has some “clutch-ness”, can pinch hit, enter the game as a defensive sub, steal a base, knock one over the fence all while making next to league minimum. 
 

At the price point what else are they going to do to get even better? 

[CheezWizHed]

21 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

I am not saying Jake Bauers is anything special but the mockery is a little overblown. 

Had Yelich, Mitchell, Hoskins, Frelick performed better offensively/not been hurt they would not have had to use Bauers as much. 

That being said, not only was Bauers good for Milwaukee as a PH last year. He was flat out lethal with 2 outs and RISP (1.093 OPS).  Plus he stole 13 bases while caught only once. Balanced the lineup by hitting left handed and played 3 defensive positions. 
 

It’s a good thing to have a player who has some “clutch-ness”, can pinch hit, enter the game as a defensive sub, steal a base, knock one over the fence all while making next to league minimum. 
 

At the price point what else are they going to do to get even better? 

I'll take the "under" on that for this year.  His career OPS for 2 outs and RISP is .679.  

Many players like Bauers have come in and out of the Brewer's lineup.  Jake gets a bit more grief simply because he kept getting put out there when the results (especially the second half of the year) were really poor. 

The key to mining fringe players is to move on from them when it is clear they are AAAA players.  We found Myers, Koenig, and Hudson in that same bin last year while missing on Bauers.  Time to move on to mine the next group.  Looks like Collins, Hinklen, and Wolfram are in that group for now.  Might be others at the end of ST.

[jay87shot]

What is more likely Turang or Sal hitting .300 HR with 12+HR, Freddy (or other starter) being top 5 cy young, or one of Chourio/Contreras/Yeli be top 3 mvp? I could see any of those happening and wouldn't be to surprised but that is what I would call our dominating chances.

[CheezWizHed]

2 hours ago, jay87shot said:

What is more likely Turang or Sal hitting .300 HR with 12+HR, Freddy (or other starter) being top 5 cy young, or one of Chourio/Contreras/Yeli be top 3 mvp? I could see any of those happening and wouldn't be to surprised but that is what I would call our dominating chances.

I would say the odds of any one of those activities occurring is fairly low (even with by Blue Brewer Goggles on), but for fun, I'll list them in order of highest to lowest probability (IMO of course):

1) Yeli being top 3 MVP - He's done it before.  He showed us last year that he is still capable, but injuries continue getting in the way.  It has been years since he was fully healthy, but all it takes is one healthy season...

2) Sal hitting 300 with 12+HRs: He has the type of bat to hit 300 and did so in the minors and college ball.  Hitting 12 HRs might be the bigger stretch for him, but not impossible (he hit 11 in 2022 at AAA,AA,A+)

3) Chourio being top 3 MVP - Oh, I'm confident he WILL be there someday... and the second half of 2024 makes this certainly within reach... I just suspect he will regress a little bit (maybe me tempering my expectations?).  

4) Freddy (or other starter) being top 5 CY - We have a lot of nice SPs, but no one dominant one.  In 2021, he peaked at 147 ERA+ (2.81 ERA) and received zero votes for CY...granted being behind Burnes (1st) and Woodruff (4th) didn't help.  The other 5 years (2020-2024) he was a remarkably consistent 112-115 ERA+.  Woodruff is the most likely SP to be able to do this... but I doubt he will get the innings to really compete for it.  Myers could be a dark horse candidate simply because after breaking out last year, he might have a chance to step up again. 

5) Contreras being top 3 MVP - He certainly has the stick to get hot over stretches...I just don't think it is enough for a full season MVP.  A playoff series...certainly. 

6) Brice hitting 300 with 12+HRs: Brice has never had a 300 season in the minors and doesn't really show that as a skillset possibility either.  He did hit 13 HRs in Nashville one year, but has never reached double digits on any other year. But I'd say he'll reach 12 HRs before hitting 300.

[wiguy94]

3 hours ago, jay87shot said:

What is more likely Turang or Sal hitting .300 HR with 12+HR, Freddy (or other starter) being top 5 cy young, or one of Chourio/Contreras/Yeli be top 3 mvp? I could see any of those happening and wouldn't be to surprised but that is what I would call our dominating chances.

Easily the last one.

[Outlander]

Yeah, if you are giving me Chourio/Contreras/Yelich and two of those have already been top 5 MVP that would seem like the obvious choice. Wishful thinking on the other two scenarios.

[Zad Fnark]

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They call him Nasty Nestor for a reason

 

[Playing Catch]

Denominators are overlooked, not Dominators.