Best And Worst Case Scenarios For The Brewers In Left Field

The Roster Situation
Jackson Chourio is the incumbent at the position – finishing third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting after getting a record-breaking contract can do that. The first Brewers rookie to post a 20-20 season, he could be on an upward path if he isn’t misused as a leadoff hitter. Christian Yelich has handled left field well, being a Gold Glove finalist for the Brewers in 2018 and 2022, although he’s expected to be the team’s primary DH in 2025.

Tyler Black could be an option in left field as the Brewers seek to find him a defensive home, while Isaac Collins and Brewer Hicklen could also be options. Technically, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Blake Perkins could also be in left field, but the Brewers would prefer them in center or right field.

Among the non-roster invitees, Mark Canha and Manuel Margot are perhaps the most prominent. However, while listed as a first baseman, Ernesto Martinez has seen professional action in center field and could be a competent option in left down the road.

The Best Case Scenario – Jackson Chourio plays 140+ games in left
The more fans see Chourio in left field, the better for the Brewers. This means that Mitchell is healthy and taking most of the starts in center field, and Sal Frelick is healthy and taking most of the starts in right field, providing the Brewers with plenty of offense.

Chourio won’t need two months to adjust to MLB pitching. Ideally, he will also be hitting second in the Brewers lineup, and he could be a consistent 30-30 threat.

This is not the only scenario that can work out well for the Crew. Black could see substantial time in left, sliding Chourio to right field, since his bat has flashed real dynamism in the minors. Yelich could also see significant time in left field without hurting the Brewers, and that could be a positive development if, say, Jeferson Quero forces his way to the majors and displaces William Contreras to DH more often.

The Worst Case Scenario – Mark Canha or Manuel Margot sees significant time in left
Canha is not a horrible option in left field. Let’s put that out of the way. But given the higher-ceiling options the Brewers have on the 40-man roster and in Triple-A Nashville, both directly and indirectly, Canha or Margot playing a lot of left field in Milwaukee would be a bad sign.

It would mean that injuries and/or hitting slumps have ravaged the Brewers roster to the point that Canha or Margot is the best option remaining. That is a sign that the Brewers’ draft position will depend on how the lottery goes, as opposed to whether they made a deep playoff run.

It’s not that Canha and Margot would be awful options, but if things are going well for the Brewers, Canha and Margot are probably spending their time in Triple-A Nashville.

Overview
The Brewers’ depth means there are many ways for left field to go right for the Crew. Chourio playing 140+ games there would point to a stable lineup for the team. Still, suppose Chourio, Yelich, and Tyler Black become a “left field by committee,” especially if Quero and Martinez can force Contreras and Hoskins to DH by forcing their way to the majors. In that case, that is also an excellent outcome.

Left field can go bad in 2025, but if it does, then it will arguably be the least of Milwaukee’s problems.