Best and Worst Case Scenarios for the Brewers at Second Base in 2025

The Roster Situation
Milwaukee's second base picture begins with Turang, who not only provided superb defense, but made a huge leap in his offensive performance as the Brewers’ primary leadoff hitter. He was a terror on the basepaths, stealing 50 bases in 56 tries and drawing 50 walks in 142 starts at second base.

The only other players to get starts at second during the 2024 season were Andruw Monasterio (16 starts) and Joey Ortiz (four starts). Tyler Black, Caleb Durbin, Oliver Dunn, and Vinny Capra all have professional experience at the position.

Anthony Seigler and Raynel Delgado are non-roster invitees with professional experience at second base.

The Best Case Scenario – Turang Plays Over 140 Games At Second
This scenario not only would reflect Turang staying healthy and producing at least on par with 2024 at the plate (if not improving) and in the field, but also stability at third base and shortstop for the Brewers. Turang won the Platinum Glove last year as the best of the National League Gold Glove winners. He would lock that position down for the next three or four years—maybe longer, if he signs an extension.

But Turang sticking at second would also mean that Joey Ortiz has locked down shortstop, and that the Brewers have also locked down third base with one (or some combination) of Caleb Durbin, Oliver Dunn, and Andruw Monasterio. That would mean the Brewers' offense is humming along, and the team is avoiding a lengthy injured list absence from a key contributor—something that has plagued the team in recent seasons, often involving key players.

The Worst Case Scenario – Andruw Monasterio or Vinny Capra Have More Than 15 Starts At Second
Let’s lead this off by noting that an injury to Turang may not be the reason for this scenario (although such an injury would be devastating for the Brewers). It could be the case if Turang slides to shortstop and Ortiz plays third, should Durbin or Dunn end up injured, ineffective, or otherwise unavailable or unused.

Dunn and Durbin each have different top-tier tools. Dunn’s calling card is power. Durbin’s a right-handed speedster, with a bit more pop (at least in the minors) than Turang. Dunn's glove is the best argument for him getting the job at the hot corner, whereas Durbin has been far from smooth afield in early Cactus League play.

It won’t necessarily be one of these things, more like a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness that will cause this.

Overview
The Brewers are likely to be much closer to their best-case scenario than the worst-case scenario, largely because of the multiple options at the hot corner. It's over at third that things are most likely to go south for the Brewers.

There are, of course, some middle-tier scenarios, which involve other players at second base. The Brewers could put Durbin at second base, keeping Ortiz at third base and sliding Turang to shortstop. Tyler Black could also see action at second, although he last played second base in 2022. Oliver Dunn also has seen time at second in his professional career. Sal Frelick could also be an emergency option, especially if Black ends up in the outfield. Seigler and Delgado could break out, as Monasterio did in 2023. For whatever it's worth, Delgado has hit the ball exceptionally well in a fistful of early spring plate appearances.

But for the Brewers, if Turang is once again holding down second base, they will be doing very well, indeed.