Brewers Video
When last I undertook this project, Tyrone Taylor and Adrian Houser had not yet been traded, let alone Corbin Burnes. Thus, we can use that piece as a reference point, to see just how far the Brewers have come since.
Lineup and Batting Order
- Christian Yelich - LF (L)
- William Contreras - C (R)
- Willy Adames - SS (R)
- Rhys Hoskins - 1B (R)
- Sal Frelick - RF (L)
- Gary Sánchez - DH (R)
- Jackson Chourio - CF (R)
- Tyler Black - 3B (L)
- Joey Ortiz - 2B (R)
This is a right-leaning version of the lineup, and there will certainly be other names in play, especially at DH and when a tough righthander is on the mound for their opponents. There's a good amount of power in it, though, and three of their top four hitters are consistently great at getting on base. The variance possible for the bottom three players in this order would be massive, but that can be a good thing. There's dynamism in this kind of large-scale risk.
Bench
- Eric Haase, C
- Andruw Monasterio, IF
- Garrett Mitchell, OF
- Jake Bauers, 1B/LF
If you believe Sánchez will play a considerable amount as the designated hitter, you end up penciling Haase into a roster spot as the true backup backstop. It's certainly possible that Sánchez will be the backup catcher and the primary DH against lefties, which would obviate Haase pretty thoroughly. At that point, the bench would open up for the likes of Brice Turang or Joey Wiemer, who ended up as the last two guys vying for the final roster spot in 2023, too. Because Bauers is out of minor-league options, he's less likely to be part of the club come late March, barring an abominable spring. That makes it harder to find room for a couple of the younger alternatives.
Starting Rotation
- Freddy Peralta (R)
- Wade Miley (L)
- Jakob Junis (R)
- Colin Rea (R)
- DL Hall (L)
What a transformation this unit has undergone since our last projection. It has a radically different feel, and while there's still a path to solid production from the starting staff, it no longer feels like the upside is one of the best such groups in the National League. A youth movement is afoot, which is nice, because Miley, Rea, and Junis are all liable to spend time on the injured list. If those starts are replaced principally by Robert Gasser, Carlos F. Rodriguez, and/or Jacob Misiorowski, the team might benefit tremendously in both the short and the long term.
Bullpen
- Devin Williams (R)
- Trevor Megill (R)
- Joel Payamps (R)
- Abner Uribe (R)
- Hoby Milner (L)
- Aaron Ashby (L)
- Bryse Wilson (R)
- Joe Ross (R)
At a certain point, Gasser is within his rights to feel downright bitter if he's left in Triple A again. The Brewers might have to take that chance. In all honesty, though, the bottom three names on this list are written in light pencil. Ashby's health history warns us not to assume he'll be healthy come Opening Day, even though he enters spring training that way. If he does end up able to take the mound, though, he's as likely to force his way into the rotation (either bloating it to six arms or displacing Hall to the pen, where many scouts believe he'll eventually land anyway) as to be part of the reliever fraternity.
Wilson was durable and terrific last year, but in a way that is very hard to sustain from one season to the next. Though he's going to get every chance to make the team, he might come to Arizona without the magical ability to avoid the fat parts of bats that made him so good in 2023. That happens with relievers, and if it happens to Wilson, he might be on waivers come the end of March. Ross's durability is always in doubt, but he does help lock out optionable arms like Gasser, Bryan Hudson, and Elvis Peguero, for as long as he's able to pitch but not needed as a starter.
All over, this just feels like a roster that is about to be shaken by another significant trade or two. As currently constructed, the Brewers are likely to be a competitive but not quite truly winning team. It's an uncomfortable limbo. The good news is, it's not likely to last. The bad news might be the good news.
Where does this projection go awry? Who would you have that I excluded, and how would you arrange this collection of talent? Let us know.
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