2027 Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day Roster Projection, v. 2.0

[Telemachus Rafaelidys]

Image courtesy of © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

With the second half of the season kicking off, here's an updated crack at next year’s Opening Day roster. December’s aggressive projection may have gotten a little ahead of itself. Many of the prospects added to that version have performed well, but most are still in Double-A and may not be ready for the Opening Day roster. The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) may also decrease the number of years that teams have control over players and incentivise the Brewers to delay bringing up some of their top prospects. We know there's uncertainty; that's why this is fun.

Catchers (2)

• William Contreras

• Jeferson Quero

William Contreras represented the Brewers in the All-Star Game and remains one of the top catchers in baseball. The Brewers kept Willy Adames all the way to free agency, and barring a major change in the way the new CBA handles compensation for teams losing top free agents, Contreras seems likely to remain in Milwaukee next season. Quero has turned things around in Triple-A after a slow start to the season, and he should be ready to share time with Contreras next season.

V 2.0 changes: None

Infielders (6)

• Andrew Vaughn (1B)

• Brice Turang (2B)

• David Hamilton (3B)

• Cooper Pratt (SS)

• Joey Ortiz (INF)

• Andrew Fischer (1B/3B)

Brice Turang has fulfilled the breakout that he foreshadowed last August, and is the best all-around second baseman in baseball, despite MLB somehow excluding him from the All-Star team. Other than Turang, the infield is almost a complete rewrite from the December projection. The Brewers have multiple options at every position, possibly pointing to trades at this year’s deadline or over the winter

The Brewers faith in Cooper Pratt was much greater than anticipated, and he looks set to hold down shortstop through this season and into next. Hamilton quickly became a Pat Murphy favorite, and his bat has been doing more damage of late. He’s still a bit of a wild card defensively, and will have to get back on the field in good shape after being shelved with a leg injury, but he has a strong toehold. Joey Ortiz remains the best defensive infielder on the team and the backup shortstop.

Andrew Fischer has shown a level of power the Brewers haven’t had since Prince Fielder. This projection anticipates Fischer joining the Brewers in September, contributing in the postseason and then earning a spot on the 2027 team, replacing Jake Bauers (who will be a free agent after this season).

Jesus Made will probably be ready sometime during 2027, but will he displace Pratt at shortstop or take over third base? Blake Burke or Luke Adams could also have a case to win the first base job, but unless Andrew Vaughn is traded, they will both wait in Triple-A for an opportunity.

V 2.0 Changes: Vaughn, Pratt and Hamilton in; Made, Burke and Caleb Durbin out

Outfield (5)

• Jackson Chourio (LF)

• Garrett Mitchell (CF)

• Sal Frelick (RF)

• Luis Lara (OF)

• Christian Yelich (DH)

Garrett Mitchell’s breakout was not baked into the first version of this projection. His health and production have both been welcome surprises. It seemed reasonable to doubt that Mitchell would put a season like this together, since despite having accrued more than three years of service time prior to this season, he's likely to have more plate appearances this year than in the rest of his career combined. Mitchell’s defense has taken a step back this year, and his BABIP is unsustainable, but he is locked into this lineup and helping win games. 

Chourio was greatly missed after going down just before the season started. Since his return, he has played like an All-Star and the outfield anchor the Brewers envisioned when signing him to a record-breaking extension. Luis Lara was projected to make this roster, and his contract extension and subsequent call-up seem to lock that in. If either Mitchell or Frelick are traded between now and the start of 2027, Lara is already on the roster to fill that role. As it stands, the Brewers have outstanding outfield depth and flexibility.

V 2.0 Changes: Mitchell in; Blake Perkins out

Starting Pitchers (5)

• Jacob Misiorowski

• Kyle Harrison

• Brandon Sproat

• Logan Henderson

• Robert Gasser

The Miz has been the best pitcher in baseball this year and is primed to lead the Brewers rotation for the foreseeable future. Harrison and Sproat arrived in trades this year and appear locked into rotation roles. Harrison has been excellent, while Sproat has flashed at times and (importantly) remained available. Henderson continues to be excellent when he is available to pitch and should have a spot in next season’s rotation. The fifth spot feels like a battle between Gasser, Shane Drohan and Chad Patrick. All are solid pitchers, worthy of a rotation spot. Patrick has proved he can excel from the bullpen in both high-leverage and volume roles, while Drohan’s arsenal should set him up to do the same.

V 2.0 Changes: Harrison and Sproat in; Quinn Priester and Patrick out

Bullpen (8)

• Trevor Megill

• Abner Uribe

• Aaron Ashby

• Chad Patrick

• Shane Drohan

• Craig Yoho

• DL Hall

• Colton Gordon

The last projection assumed Trevor Megill would be traded either this past winter or in the coming one. However, with the Brewers primed to be in contention for the World Series both this season and next, keeping Megill (along with stars Contreras and Turang) could make more sense than trading him. Ashby appears tired right now, but he is an elite reliever. Patrick and Drohan would be starters for most teams. Here, they provide the Brewers with valuable innings. Yoho has dominated the minors and needs to prove he can consistently throw strikes in the majors, he’s been much better during his most recent call-up. When Hall is healthy and pitching to his ability, he will have a place in this bullpen. Here’s betting the Brewers will turn the newly acquired Gordon into a contributor.

The Brewers will have a host of pitchers available in Triple-A for depth, including: Coleman Crow, Grant Anderson, Jared Koenig, Brian Fitzpatrick, Cameron Wagoner and Brett Wichrowski. Eventually, Ángel Zerpa and Priester will rejoin the team, as well.

V 2.0 Changes: Patrick, Drohan, Megill and Gordon in; Koenig, Wichrowski, Crow and Myers out

View full article

[Randall Buchek]

In the 2027 roster, what happened to Jake Bauers?  Gasser has to show that he can do the job.  Not this one good start and then a bad start.  But then it is early, to talk about 2027.

[Telemachus Rafaelidys]

1 hour ago, Randall Buchek said:

In the 2027 roster, what happened to Jake Bauers?  Gasser has to show that he can do the job.  Not this one good start and then a bad start.  But then it is early, to talk about 2027.

Bauers is a free agent after the season…

[ChapelHeel66]

I don't love that 2027 opening lineup, particularly the left side of the infield (from a hitting perspective) and continuing reliance on Yelich, who is really showing some age decline.  Loss of Bauers will be a big hit to the offense that Fischer won't cover initially, although really, Vaughn should be a full-time player right now.

But, I agree with all your choices.  I think Ortiz's spot could be taken by any of Made, Pena, and Jett, but that will be determined in camp, because right now they all project to be roughly the same as hitters in 2027 (in terms of value). Actually, I think Pratt will offensively be no different that those three youngsters either, but he's more mature defensively.

[Trax]

One way or another I think a starting pitcher who right now is presently with another team is with us.  One better than at least one of them you have starting.

Really depends on the new CBA.  I think it likely Contreras is traded in December as it sits, he will bring a lot.   The only way he's moved is if we get a true windfall, and I think we do.  That is somewhat reliant on what the team thinks about Quero and his readiness to take the top job.  I was surprised they were that all in on Pratt, they may think he's as ready.   You can always find a suitable veteran backup catcher and we have a couple in the minors who are fighting their way up.

 

 

[GAME05]

Add:

--Pretty decent SP

--Catcher

--RF