Is the Brewers' Offense in Serious Trouble?

Throughout any marathon, 162-game MLB season, even the best offenses will go into multiple slumps. Typically, the top run-scoring clubs limit the frequency and length of such struggles. So are the 2024 Milwaukee Brewers in the midst of a long slump – or a couple of slumps – that will turn at any moment? Or is the club in serious trouble as they approach the final two months of the season--especially now that Christian Yelich will be out for a while?

As always, it’s probably a little bit of both. Perception and reality don’t always match up perfectly, and statistics don’t tell the whole story. What was shocking was that the broad-scope offensive output went from elite to below-average starting in early June.



If the Brewers’ offense averaged 5.1 runs per game for the season, they would lead MLB. But their last 43-game rate of 4.2 runs per game would rank 19th. That is a significant drop. Though some would say it’s technically a relatively small sample, it’s well beyond a couple of weeks that one can completely brush off.

While the offense scuffled for the past two months, the Brewers still found ways to keep winning. That is where the value of competitive, relentless at-bats comes into play. Milwaukee went 23-20 during that time, with some help from the pitching staff. That wasn’t near the winning percentage of their first 60 contests (36-24 record), but it kept the Brewers moving forward and safely atop the NL Central.

Aiding in the Crew’s continued winning ways, despite that longer period of offensive issues, was a 22-game run that resembled the first third of the season. From Jun. 23 to Jul. 21, Milwaukee’s run-scoring average was back at 5.1, with the slash line slightly better than the opening 60 contests (.262/.338/.415). The Brewers went 13-9 during that run, picking up the leaky pitching staff that could have sunk the club.

So, maybe the offensive slump ended briefly, but they are starting another one. Milwaukee had averaged just two runs per game over the last five before a minor breakout Sunday against Miami, but they still managed to win a couple of those games. Is this another sign of a long-term drought, where the aberration was that 22-game reprieve that ended in Chicago last week?

There has been plenty of speculation and suggestions for trade candidates, whether it’s outfield options or other left-handed bats to replace Yelich or ideas to stem the tide of Brice Turang’s statistical cliff dive in the middle of the season. A couple of those bigger names are now off the table, though, and it’s always difficult to see the Brewers making such a splash.

That means the best-case scenario for Milwaukee is getting their own guys to figure it out, and to rediscover the early-season success that has evaded them recently. Those drop-offs, which have been many on the roster, are the biggest reason for the offensive troubles.

You can look at other starting points and find better or worse stats for certain players, but sticking with the previous 43 games (since Jun. 4), several guys stand out as major problems.

• Brice Turang: .231/.290/.331
  • He has a .205/.283/.291 slash line at home this season
• William Contreras: .248/.309/.373
  • His issues go further back, to May 15 (.677 OPS)
• Rhys Hoskins: .183/.259/.351
  • Before his recent strong stretch, he owned a .581 OPS from Jun. 4 to the All-Star break
• Joey Ortiz: .188/.291/.267
  • He owns a 12% line drive percentage during this period

Those are a lot of outs in the lineup on an everyday basis. Thankfully for the Brewers, Yelich (.892 OPS) and Jackson Chourio (.847 OPS) were hitting extremely well to make up for the many holes, and Eric Haase owned an .826 slugging percentage in just 25 plate appearances. Now, can others step up and get back to the levels many expect, especially in the absence of Yelich?

There have been some positive signs of late. Since Jul. 1, Contreras has put up an .806 OPS, with seven doubles and a pair of homers. Hoskins could be at the start of a heater, with three home runs, six RBIs and an OPS north of 1.000 in the last six contests. Willy Adames owns a .324/.386/.527 line in July in the middle of the order. All will be vital for a return to offensive quality, but others will need to figure it out, too.

One of the outfielders not named Chourio must add more value on offense, if GM Matt Arnold doesn’t swing a trade. Their defense is terrific, but it won’t make up for the emptiness at the dish. Sal Frelick has a .679 OPS, Blake Perkins is riding a .692, and Garrett Mitchell (in limited time) has been the best of the three with a .706. When you say those numbers out loud, it makes you think an outside outfield bat is a necessity.

Whether the Brewers add in the outfield, the infield or not at all, the power – or lack thereof – is perhaps the biggest concern. Though Milwaukee’s offense has utilized speed, aggressiveness and contact to scratch across runs, the lineup has lacked real punch since a hot start to the 2024 season. The Brewers are 23rd in home runs with 106, and rank 15th in slugging, at .398 for the year. A few of the internal options can certainly turn on the power switch, but it better come soon and more often than what we’ve seen.

So, back to the original question: Is the Brewers’ offense in serious trouble? They appear to be teetering on the edge of a full-blown problem scoring enough to supplement the pitching staff – which needs its own help. The difference is that Milwaukee is getting healthy on the mound, including the return of relief ace Devin Williams on Sunday. The offense, however, desperately needs the current group to find a groove or get significant help via a trade.

What do you think needs the most urgent action? Is it Turang’s drop-off, especially hitting at the top of the lineup? Is it the lack of offensive prowess in the outfield? Or is there another area you would focus on for improvement? Once the trade deadline passes, it will be time to put up or shut for whoever is on the club – new or old.