Harold Hutchison

It's very rare for relievers to get a lot of love on top prospect charts, but the bullpen is an important part of any major-league baseball team. The Milwaukee Brewers need theirs to be excellent this year. What underrated prospects might help that come to fruition? Image courtesy of © Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Relievers are more likely to be underrated than starters, and the Brewers system boasts a lot of depth in the bullpen. Just how deep is it? Let’s look at a few of the underrated relief options in the system. Darrell Thompson (Double-A Biloxi/Triple-A Nashville) 5-4, 4.12 ERA, 1.32 ERA, 49 hits, 29 walks, 77 strikeouts, 59 innings pitched in 48 games Thompson might be 29, but he posted very good strikeout numbers across two upper-level minor-league stops in 2023 – primarily in Nashville. While the numbers look rough at first glance, Thompson was playing his first full season of affiliated professional baseball in 2023; some adjustments could turn him into a potential replacement for Hoby Milner. James Meeker (Double-A Biloxi/Triple-A Nashville) 8-4, 3.39 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 97 hits, 15 walks, 81 strikeouts, 93 innings pitched in 36 games (8 starts Meeker was a shutdown relief pitcher, bridging the gap for closers before stepping into the rotation for the Shuckers after multiple starters (including underrated starting pitching prospects Brandon Knarr and Adam Seminaris) went on the injured list, where he was solid. Perhaps the Crew got lucky this offseason, as Meeker was Rule 5 eligible, but wasn’t drafted. While Meeker is also older (this will be his age-29 season), he could still fill the Bryse Wilson role for the Crew in an injury pinch. TJ Shook (Double-A Biloxi) 7-5, 4.62 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 83 hits, 36 walks, 107 strikeouts, 97 1/3 innings pitched in 25 games (12 starts) Shook split time between the bullpen and the rotation for the Shuckers, and the numbers were solid. Notably, he struck out more than one hitter per inning, and improved the hit, walk, and home run rates from 2022. Like Meeker, Shook could be valuable simply for the versatility he displayed. Nick Bennett (Double-A Biloxi/Triple-A Nashville) 4-3, 4.43 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 65 hits, 25 walks, 64 strikeouts, 65 innings pitched in 33 games (3 starts) Bennett posted decent numbers for Biloxi before getting a late-season call-up to Nashville. He averages just a hair under one strikeout per inning, and his metrics were on par with 2022’s. Bennett faces a lot of competition, but he has past starting experience, so he could still be a depth option, especially if the Crew is trying to maximize their team control over top pitching prospects. Blake Holub (Advanced-A West Michigan [DET]/Double-A Erie [DET]) 6-4, 3.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 53 hits, 17 walks, 76 strikeouts, 65 1/3 innings pitched in 48 games Holub was acquired in the deal that sent Mark Canha to the Tigers, and the Crew got a guy who could be a late-inning asset, averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Holub also kept walks down, but gave up the occasional go-fer ball. Interestingly enough, Holub was a two-way player in college, serving as a right-handed first baseman with some pop when not on the mound. Justin King (Advanced-A Wisconsin) 1-2, 2.91 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 23 hits, 25 walks, 54 strikeouts, 30 2/3 innings pitched in 28 games King has seen multiple stints on the injured list since the Brewers signed him as a free agent in June 2022. But when he is on the mound, he has simply dominated, averaging just under 16 strikeouts per nine innings. His big weakness is the free pass. If he can reduce the walks, the Crew could have an electric arm here. Tanner Shears (Single-A Carolina/Advanced-A Wisconsin) 4-2, 1.45 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 26 hits, 42 walks, 77 strikeouts, 49 2/3 innings pitched in 41 games Shears was unhittable in 2023, allowing one hit for every two innings pitched. He also racked up 14 strikeouts per nine innings pitched and 10 saves. Shears, a free-agent signee from independent ball, could benefit from an offseason in the pitching lab to help cut down on the walks he issued. Shane Smith (Single-A Carolina/Advanced-A Wisconsin/Double-A Biloxi) 7-4, 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 36 hits, 21 walks, 86 strikeouts, 59 2/3 innings pitched in 38 games Smith joined with Shears and King to form a lethal 1-2-3 punch out of the Timber Rattlers bullpen, and even pushed himself to Biloxi for a couple of games after he lost a lot of time to injury in 2022. Smith, a free-agent signee in 2021, did just about everything one would want from a fireman, notching 10 saves while averaging 13 strikeouts per nine innings. Who do you think could step up big-time in the bullpens down on the farm? Let us know in the comments below. View full article

The stolen base could be a huge weapon for the Crew, no matter who is pitching. Gets the pitcher off his game just a little... and that could pay off big. If nothing else, being able to steal means you have the ability to manufacture a run here and there... which even in a bullpen without Devin Williams, could be enough to eke out wins.

We don't know the facts. Obviously what happened needs to be determined. Will it be on the up-and-up, and will balls and strikes be properly called? I'm not going to lie... I feel a little leery about the possibility this could just be swept under some rug. Part of it stems seeing what Ryan Braun went through after the 2011 season, it gives me one perspective. An arbitrator ultimately ruled in his favor and voided the suspension. MLB then fires said arbitrator, and in 2013, they take legal action and get documentation that has them suspend Braun anyway (on what were dubious grounds, IMO). The other part of me knows enough history to know the close call MLB had after the Black Sox scandal of 1919... and that is why MLB and other sports leagues need to get a massive handle on how to handle sports betting (which is becoming legal and is part of the landscape, like it or not). Just what the facts are will determine what should be done. Until then, innocent until proven guilty is the right call here. So far, there's nothing to indicate anything beyond Ohtani made a $4.5 million mistake when it came to picking a friend.

May be worth a look. He did eat a lot of innings and pitched solidly for the Crew last year.

Starting pitching prospects are the lifeblood of small-market organizations like the Milwaukee Brewers. While the high-profile ones grab the headlines, though, depth and development from unheralded hurlers are just as important. The Crew have several lower-profile arms worth keeping tabs on in 2024. Image courtesy of © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK In a system with a bevy of options, let's look beyond those high on the team's prospect list in search of others who might emerge as starters in the long run. Enniel Cortez (FRk DSL Brewers 1) 4-1, 1.58 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 35 hits, 49 strikeouts, 5 walks over 45 2/3 innings pitched in 11 games (8 starts) Cortez put together a dominating season for the DSL Brewers 1 squad, punching out more than one hitter per inning, and allowing less than one walk per nine frames. Shockingly, he made neither the Brewer Fanatic nor the MLB Pipeline top prospects lists, despite earning Brewer Fanatic’s Short-Season Pitcher of the Year in 2023 with his performance and allowing just one home run over the season. He looks ready for a jump to Single-A Carolina in 2024, where we'll learn much more about him. Eric Prado (FRk DSL Brewers 1) 2-1, 1.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 24 hits, 37 strikeouts, 14 walks over 41 innings pitched in 11 games (7 starts) Cortez is not the only DSL pitcher who got ignored by the prospect lists. Prado actually out-performed him by some metrics in 2023, and did so at age 17. While he was less hittable than Cortez, he did walk more batters and give up more homers. Melvin Hernandez (FRk DSL Brewers 2) 2-2, 2.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 32 hits, 30 strikeouts, 9 walks over 35 innings pitched in 10 games (7 starts) Hernández is about seven months younger even than Prado. He’s all of 5 feet, 11 inches tall. By all rights, he should have struggled a bit, even in the lowest level of organized professional competition. That didn’t happen. which speaks to some serious pitching ability that will likely be enhanced as Hernández develops physically. Anthony Flores (FRk DSL Brewers 1) 1-3, 3.22 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 33 hits, 57 strikeouts, 16 walks in 44 2/3 innings pitched in 11 starts Often, the numbers Flores posted would be considered indicative of the best pitcher a team had at the DSL/ACL level. Yet, he’s arguably the fourth-best pitcher for the Crew at that level, none of whom made the MLB or Brewer Fanatic lists. Flores improved virtually across the board in 2023 in just about every metric. Brian Fitzpatrick (A Carolina/ACL Brewers) 1-2, 6.46 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 31 hits, 33 strikeouts, 18 walks over 30 2/3 innings pitched in 11 games (7 starts) Fitzpatrick’s 2023 was derailed by a trip to the 60-day injured list, but he put up decent numbers at Carolina before getting rocked in the ACL. The lefty, a 10th-round pick in 2022, put up a very solid performance in the land down under, allowing a 1.02 WHIP and notching 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Will Rudy (A Carolina) 5-3, 3.46 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 78 hits, 69 strikeouts, 26 walks over 80 2/3 innings pitched in 18 starts Rudy made his professional debut in full-season ball. He stayed with the Mudcats all season, and posted solid numbers, even if he didn’t overpower hitters (7.7 K/9 IP). Increased durability as a starter will be what the Brewers are looking for in 2024. Nate Peterson (A+ Wisconsin/A Carolina) 6-4, 3.75 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 64 hits, 78 strikeouts, 31 walks over 74 1/3 innings pitched in 19 games (12 starts) Peterson made two-thirds of his appearances with the Mudcats and was very good in Zebulon, punching out 11.4 hitters per nine innings. After earning a promotion to Wisconsin in his first year of full-season baseball (despite spending about a month on the injured list), he struggled some, but he could wind up being a very solid option as a starter, if not a dominating reliever. Brandon Knarr (AA Biloxi) 0-2, 8.25 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, 17 hits, 19 strikeouts, 9 walks over 12 innings pitched in 5 games (3 starts) Knarr was an undrafted free agent signed in the pandemic season of 2020 who broke out for the Crew in 2022. His 2023 season was one lost due to injury, and he will be on the comeback trail in 2024. One bright spot, in the small sample of innings he did pitch in 2023, he punched out 14.3 hitters per nine innings. Adam Seminaris (AA Biloxi/R ACL Brewers/AAA Nashville) 2-6, 5.95 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 76 hits, 64 strikeouts, 25 walks in 62 innings pitched over 16 starts Seminaris, part of the return on the Hunter Renfroe trade, also struggled with injuries in 2023. He pushed the walk rate down some in the Arizona Fall League, though, and could earn a spot on the Milwaukee-Nashville shuttle. Quinton Low (A Carolina) 1-3, 4.68 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 20 hits, 47 strikeouts, 29 walks over 32 2/3 innings pitched in 14 games (7 starts) In some ways, Low is at a crossroads. He flashed intriguing two-way ability in 2022, splitting time between the bullpen and first base in the ACL. In Carolina, the batting took a backseat to development as a potential starting pitcher, where he was hard to hit, but also had trouble finding the strike zone. Which of these starters do you think could really break out for the Brewers? View full article

The Milwaukee Brewers farm system boasts extraordinary depth in the outfield. How much talent is down on the farm? Some of the players who were reviewed at around this time last year are no longer in the system. Image courtesy of © Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Tristen Lutz and Thomas Dillard were released at various points in 2023. Joe Gray Jr. was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Other prospects who looked good at times, like Brian Sanchez and Jace Avina, became trade fodder this winter. It’s substantial attrition, but the Brewers still have a lot of underrated outfield prospects in their system. Let’s look them over. Left Field Noah Campbell (Double-A Biloxi/Triple-A Nashville) .244/.361/.391, 10 doubles, 8 home runs, 40 RBI, 46 walks, 77 strikeouts in 271 at-bats In 2023, Campbell stood out by performing well in Biloxi when other players struggled with an experimental ball, and in doing so, he earned a promotion to Nashville. After splitting time between the middle infield and the outfield at the very beginning of his professional career, he's now confined to the corner outfield spots, but his on-base skills and the ability to switch-hit make him a potentially useful big-league bench piece. Isaac Collins (Double-A Biloxi/Triple-A Nashville) .263/.419/.421, 13 doubles, 10 home runs, 44 RBI, 77 walks, 56 strikeouts in 297 at-bats Plucked in the 2022-2023 offseason via the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft from the Rockies, Collins was an OBP god in 2023, drawing 77 walks in half a season's worth of at-bats. Collins displayed some legitimate power and speed with the Shuckers and Sounds, notching 25 extra-base hits and 29 stolen bases. While he mostly spent time in left field, he also played two dozen games at second base. Hedbert Perez (Single-A Carolina) .216/.288/.345, 10 doubles, 6 home runs, 29 RBI, 22 walks, 68 strikeouts in 232 at-bats Pérez, perhaps, shows just how deep the outfield has become in recent years. When signed in 2019, he was a highly-touted prospect. Now, he fights for playing time and a chance to climb the ladder. That's obviously a product of his massive struggles at the plate, but it's also about the number of good alternatives the Brewers have accumulated. Pérez spent most of his time in left field in 2023. He’s still 21, and could build on his improvement in 2023, but 2024 looks like a make-or-break season for him. Center Field Dylan O’Rae (Rookie ACL Brewers/Single-A Carolina) .349/.491/.395, 8 doubles, 23 RBI, 57 walks, 37 strikeouts in 218 at-bats O’Rae, a third-round pick in 2022, mostly spent 2023 at second base, with some time in center field and a spare few appearances at shortstop. The Crew appears to be making the outfield a permanent home for O’Rae, although it would seem more logical to have him keep his hand in the middle infield at least. While some might view his lack of power as a red flag, he’s shown that he can get hits and get on base. Plus, he stole 44 bases in just 218 at-bats. His defense was also superb, with only two errors in 33 games at second base. Chris Roller (Triple-A Columbus/Triple-A Nashville) .247/.394/.449, 16 doubles, 15 home runs, 67 RBI, 68 walks, 109 strikeouts in 312 at-bats Roller got a 40-man roster spot after a very hot sample in Nashville, and developed more of a power stroke in 2023, making his bat a legitimate three-true outcome threat. He also adds speed to his offensive arsenal (19 stolen bases). While the Brewers have a lot of young talent in the outfield (Sal Frelick, Joey Wiemer, Garrett Mitchell, Jackson Chourio) alongside Christian Yelich and defensive specialist Blake Perkins, Roller is valuable depth in the event of trades or injuries. Right Field Kay-Lan Nicasia (Single-A Carolina) .216/.327/.352, 13 doubles, 6 home runs, 37 RBI, 47 walks, 105 strikeouts in 287 at-bats The switch-hitting Nicasia moved to the outfield to find playing time and ended up in right field in 2023. His OBP skills and pop are impressive, and he also stole 27 bases. His contributions are not just on offense – he has snuffed out 16 baserunners in 114 games in the outfield during his professional career. This intriguing combo could give him a Keon Broxton-esque career in the majors, albeit with much more favorable platoon splits. Luis Castillo (Rookie ACL Brewers/Single-A Carolina) .252/.339/.356, 8 doubles, 3 home runs, 30 RBI, 22 walks, 50 strikeouts in 163 at-bats Castillo is a left-handed power-hitting prospect who signed as an international free agent in 2021. He had a promising 2022, but fell off a little in 2023. While he hasn’t been a factor on the basepaths, his arm has been a factor in the outfield, with 10 outfield assists in 87 games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. At 19, Castillo could still break out, but he faces very stiff competition from Yophery Rodriguez and others. Lamar Sparks (Double-A Biloxi) .253/.364/.421, 16 doubles, 9 home runs, 47 RBI, 48 walks, 120 strikeouts in 292 at-bats Sparks gave the Shuckers a sparkplug in the lineup, delivering power, OBP skills, and speed after signing as a minor-league free agent. The one negative was a high strikeout rate, but Sparks covered all three outfield positions, notching seven outfield assists in 2023. He could be a key piece for the Shuckers or Sounds, depending on trades and injuries, if his strikeout rate can be addressed. Carlos D. Rodriguez (Double-A Biloxi) .291/.359/.367, 21 doubles, 1 home run, 43 RBI, 40 walks, 50 strikeouts in 392 at-bats The other Carlos Rodriguez has patrolled the outfield for Brewers farm clubs since 2017, and lately, he has been much like Brewers cult hero Andruw Monasterio, in that his offensive strength has been in an area in which the major-league club is weak: Hitting for average. Of all the players with 200 or more at-bats, Rodríguez led the Shuckers in batting average, and added 14 steals. He also posted nine outfield assists in 112 games in the outfield. Overview There are farm systems that would be very happy to call the players here top prospects in the outfield. Three years ago, Brewers fans would be excited about them. They’re now scrapping for playing time in a farm studded with Yophery Rodríguez and Luis Lara, not to mention the major-league depth of Yelich, Mitchell, Chourio, Wiemer, Frelick, and Perkins. These players could end up on the Brewers roster, but as the 2023-2024 offseason showed, it might be just as likely that they help the team in the trade market. View full article

I agree, either make them overpay for Adames OR offer the Dodgers Turang, and go with a Black/Monasterio platoon at second.

For me, some things are speaking volumes: Wes Clarke is, by definition, the #2 catcher on this roster, and it looks as if the Brewers are OK with him in that role. The Brewers have incredible depth at third base now that is bleeding over to the other corner IF spot (Ernesto Martinez, for instance, has looked good in spring training games). The same applies to shortstop/second base. The Brewers' likely future 2Bs will have moved across from SS. There are probably a half-dozen pitchers who could have been included here, but missed out (King, Tanner Shears, James Meeker, Melvin Hernandez, Enniel Cortez, Prado, Flores), and probably a bit more. All in all, there are about a dozen other players who could have made cases for a spot on this roster.

Willy Adames has been a cornerstone of the franchise since his May 2021 acquisition. He has posted a .774 OPS, hit 75 home runs, and provided outstanding defense. But is 2024 his last year in Milwaukee? Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports The Starter: Willy Adames 2023 Stats: .217/.310/.407 with 29 2B, 24 HR, 3.0 WAR, 95 OPS+ 2024 Projections: .238/.316/.444 with 29 2B, 25 HR (Baseball-Reference.com) Willy Adames has been one of the best acquisitions of the David Stearns era. Since he was acquired, he’s posted 11 WAR for the Crew and finished just behind Corbin Burnes in MVP voting in 2021. The price (pitchers Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen) was a bit steep, especially as Rasmussen emerged as a solid starter in 2022. His bat has delivered a lot of power for the Crew – 75 long balls and 86 doubles. While his average has dipped from 2021, he did improve his on-base skills in 2023, walking 71 times in 553 at-bats. In short, he’s a reliable offensive contributor who can lift the team on a hot streak. While his power justifiably gets the attention (he eclipsed Robin Yount’s single-season record for home runs by a shortstop in 2022), Adames also provides outstanding defense at that position, which increases his value, even if he is slumping a little offensively. Adames also is one of the key leaders on the team, and his presence in the Brewers clubhouse has been a huge positive for the team. Those contributions don't get seen in box scores, and the Brewers had that lesson reinforced in 2022. Other Options Joey Ortiz, acquired in the Corbin Burnes trade, has some similarities to Adames. He’s a right-handed hitter who can punish the baseball, according to minor-league batting data. In addition, reports universally praise his defense. Ortiz is in the mix to play second or third base as long as Adames is with the Brewers, but he appears to have the tools to take over for the veteran. Brice Turang, the Brewers’ first-round pick in 2018, is another option. Like Ortiz, his defense has drawn rave reviews. His offensive calling card in the minors, though, centered on his speed and on-base percentage rather than power. In the majors, he looked to have been overpowered at times, to put it mildly. Still, in 22 games at shortstop with the Brewers, he did not commit a single error, and his defense propelled him to 1.6 WAR. Andruw Monasterio had an impressive 2023, considering he wasn’t considered a top prospect. He took Top Rookie honors from Brewer Fanatic while becoming a cult hero to fans. While he only saw five games at shortstop in Milwaukee (he mostly handled second case and third base), he played that position in the minors. He is more steady than flashy at the position, but he is still capable, given that his bat is decent. The Big Question When is Willy Adames leaving, and who takes over when that day comes? Adames could be gone in the middle of 2024, he could depart after the season, or it may not come until after the 2025 season (assuming he receives and accepts a qualifying offer from the Brewers). Could Matt Arnold work out a longer-term deal, the way he brought back Brandon Woodruff after most fans figured the injured ace was out the door after being non-tendered? If Adames does depart anytime from Opening Day 2024 to the end of 2025, the Crew has three good options to replace him in Ortiz, Turang, and Monasterio, each with their strengths and drawbacks. The WAR could be generated one way or another. But how will the Brewers replace what Adames provides in the clubhouse? Do they want to run the risk of having to try? How Matt Arnold comes down on that call could determine the team’s course of action. Should Adames’s departure be delayed past the end of 2025 due to an extension, the question shifts to one of figuring out where the youngsters (particularly Ortiz and Turang) will play. Will they bump other prospects like Tyler Black and Brock Wilken? Will some of them be traded? Some of the young talent in the minors (Cooper Pratt, Juan Baez, Freddy Zamora, Ethan Murray, Filippo Di Turi, Daniel Guilarte, and Eric Brown, Jr.) could be in the mix to take over for Adames if he departs after getting an extension. The Brewers have a very good shortstop in Adames. They also have some solid to excellent options to take over for him, either right away, or way down the road. View full article

Brice Turang provided outstanding defense for the Brewers, but his struggles at the plate raised concerns. Will the Crew have a new second baseman in 2024? Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Last spring, the Brewers seemed to have some certainty at second base. Luis Urías was the incumbent, and showed well in the World Baseball Classic, for México. After an Opening Day injury and subsequent struggles, though, Urías was shipped to Boston, and Tur The Starter: Brice Turang 2023 Stats: .218/.285/.300 with 9 2B, 6 HR, 1.6 WAR, 62 OPS+ 2024 Projection: .236/.306/.357 with 13 2B, 9 HR (Baseball-Reference.com) Turang was one of several Brewers rookies to play a key part in the Crew’s 2023 run to the NL Central title, finishing third in Top Rookie balloting among Brewer Fanatic’s writers. He finished second on the team in stolen bases with 26. Turang’s primary contributions came from outstanding defense that is Gold Glove-level. He posted 1.7 Defensive Wins Above Replacement as the team’s primary starter at the keystone, and he also was the team’s shortstop in 22 error-free games. Offensively, in the minors, Turang combined superb OBP skills with a decent contact bat and speed to be quite productive. In the majors, though, he seemed to be overwhelmed after a hot streak. Turang probably needs to adjust his approach at the plate and refine his swing to remain viable, because the Brewers have a lot of depth (read: competition). Other Options Andruw Monasterio took over for Turang late in the season, when it was clear that his fellow rookie’s bat was just not carrying the load. Monasterio, who went from unheralded prospect to cult hero and Top Rookie for 2023, brings a competent bat and very solid defense to the table. Oliver Dunn came the Brewers in a deal that saw Robert Moore Jr. and Hendry Mendez go to the Phillies system. Dunn’s left-handed bat promises to be more powerful than Turang’s, but his defense isn’t at Turang’s level (whose is?). Manager Pat Murphy also increasingly sees Dunn as a third baseman, which might lessen the likelihood of the older rookie usurping the sophomore and former first-round pick. Joey Ortiz came to the Crew in the Corbin Burnes trade – and while he’s primarily a shortstop, he could move to the right side of second base for as long as Willy Adames is in Milwaukee. Ortiz hits the ball hard and provides excellent defense, and is arguably a direct competitor to Turang. Sal Frelick has played outfield throughout his professional career but saw some infield action at the Futures Collegiate League in 2018 and 2020. He could become a factor in the event of a Turang slump, or simply due to a crowded outfield. The Big Questions Each option, including the incumbent from 2023, has a major question to answer in spring training. Can Brice Turang figure things out at the plate at the major-league level? Turang’s defense is such that if he can push himself to an average OPS+, he would be one of the best second basemen in MLB. Failing to figure it out, though, will have him as a bench option for his career – not that defense and speed aren’t needed. Monasterio emerged last year as a cult hero lefty-killer who was solid at second, third, and shortstop – a modern-day Mark Loretta – and who provided the ability to hit for average, something the Brewers struggled at in 2023. He showed no power down the stretch, though. Carrying some extra muscle at the start of camp, can he fight through the newly-acquired infield talent? Is Dunn MLB ready? He has power, speed, and a good offensive profile to go with versatility (he plays second, third, left field), but he only had 14 at-bats at any level above Double-A. Whether he can handle MLB pitching is a very open question. Will Ortiz even be available to play second? If the Brewers get an offer they can’t refuse for Willy Adames, he could be on the left side of the bag instead. Where will Frelick play? Frelick could end up at any number of positions for the Brewers in 2024. He could be in center field. He could be in right field. He could be at third base. He could be at second base. He could even end up as part of a trade. What do you think about second base for the Brewers? Who will emerge as the starter in this free-for-all? View full article

The Brewers had a revolving door at third base in 2023, with Luis Urias, Brian Anderson, Andruw Monasterio, Owen Miller, Mike Brousseau, and Josh Donaldson all seeing significant playing time at the hot corner. Can the Crew find stability there in 2024? Image courtesy of © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports The “Incumbent” Starter: Andruw Monasterio 2023 Stats: .258/.330/.348, 14 2B, 3 HR, 1.3 WAR, 87 OPS+ 2024 Projection: .260/.333/.382, 16 2B, 7 HR (Baseball-Reference.com) Andruw Monasterio is one of those unheralded prospects who became a cult hero to Brewers fans. In 2023, he got the call-up after Willy Adames suffered that scary concussion. He won Brewer Fanatic’s Top Rookie award, taking over at third base after Anderson slumped badly following a hot start. Monasterio’s offensive profile is strong in some areas where the Crew has struggled in recent years. His .259 batting average in 2023 was tied with Victor Caratini's for sixth place on the team. He also hit his lefties hard, batting .291 with a .780 OPS. On defense, Monasterio, who primarily played shortstop in the minors, doesn't have the flashiness of Brice Turang. However, he is a solid defender at third (not to mention second base and shortstop). The Top Challenger: Tyler Black 2023 Stats: .284/.417/.513, 25 2B, 18 HR between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville Black had a breakout season after settling in at third base in Biloxi, then posted even higher numbers in Nashville, where he split time at third base and first base. That season thrust him into the Top 100 lists for Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, and MLB.com Pipeline. Black is a pure hitter – think a left-handed hitting version of Brewers' standout Jeff Cirillo. There is one big difference: Black also has speed: He hit 12 triples and stole 55 bases in 2023 – Cirillo never hit more than five triples in any professional season, and his highest swipe total was 21 in 1992 with Single-A Beloit (and he was caught 12 times). It has nothing left to prove in the minors. On defense, it’s a slightly different story. Black hasn’t quite found a defensive home, although he handled the corner infield spots pretty well in 2023. He also missed significant time in 2022 with a couple of injuries. Still, his bat is such that he will find his way into the line-up. Other Options Joey Ortiz, an MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospect acquired in the Corbin Burnes trade, could be a factor. He hits the ball hard and, unlike Black, can find a defensive home at third base (although he is a natural shortstop). Owen Miller played 23 games at third for the Brewers, posting a .674 OPS. While he has more power than Monasterio, he only drew 17 walks in 291 at-bats. He did steal 13 bases, good enough for third on the team. Oliver Dunn is a left-handed utility infielder whose power surged in 2023. He’s only played seven games above Double-A, though. Still, the Crew sent two prospects for him, so he is worth watching. Patrick Dorrian primarily played middle infield for the Nashville Sounds in 2023 but has also seen a lot of time at third base. His power bat is a nice fit for American Family Field. X-Factors Sal Frelick has been thought of as an outfielder for virtually all of his collegiate and professional career. Still, he played some third base (as well as second base) during Futures Collegiate League action in 2018 and 2020, and he had off-season workouts with Dustin Pedroia at third and second. He started at third base in the Crew’s Cactus League Opener, and it didn’t look like the move hurt his bat. Brock Wilken rapidly rose through the Brewers system after being drafted in the first round in the 2023 amateur draft. His right-handed power bat, reminiscent of Brewers' great Ryan Braun, helped him Double-A Biloxi, where his strikeout total rose somewhat. Still, if he gets hot, he could force his way to Milwaukee much sooner than some might expect. The Big Question Who will ultimately claim third base? Four young players, two top 100 prospects on at least one major list, could easily have the Crew set at this position for the next five years, all with different skill sets. At least two other potential candidates could provide competence at that position without breaking the bank (a crucial consideration given the hot-stove economic realities heightened by the collapse of the Bally Sports regional networks). This might depend on how second base and shortstop shake out for the Crew. But as things stand now, there are a lot of potentially good ways for the big question to be answered. How do you think the Brewers stand at the hot corner? Who do you want to see there on Opening Day? Let us know in the comments below. View full article

In 2023, the Milwaukee Brewers boasted one of the best catching tandems in baseball. They've turned over the lesser half of that corps, but they might be even deeper and even better in 2024. Image courtesy of © Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports It's no secret that William Contreras is one of the cornerstones of the franchise at this point. The big question is whether he can go to still another level, after a sensational first campaign in Milwaukee--and how the team can best support and complement him, regardless of his production. The Starter: William Contreras 2023 Stats: .289/.367/.457, 38 2B, 17 HR, 3.8 WAR, 125 OPS+ Projections: .279/.357/.422, 28 2B, 20 HR (Baseball-Reference) Contreras came to the Brewers as a bat-first backstop. By the end of the year, he was not just a Silver Slugger catcher, but solid behind the plate and 11th place in MVP voting, with the Brewers facing a choice of whether to extend him or trade him. Contreras is still young (2024 will be his age-26 season), and he still comes cheap (2024 is his final pre-arbitration year). Between his improved defense and the bat that remained solid, Contreras was ranked as the third-best catcher in MLB for 2023, according to Just Baseball. In addition, he had 33 games at designated hitter, which gave the Crew the benefit of his bat while allowing him some relief from duties behind the plate. One sign of his improvement behind the plate is the fact he allowed only two passed balls in 108 starts, after surrendering 10 in 104 starts between 2021 and 2022, while only 33 wild pitches took place, compared to 47 in those two years with the Braves. He also had 5 Defensive Runs Saved in 2023, compared to -11 in 2021-2022. Other Options The Brewers finally made things official with Gary Sánchez, who seems likely to break camp with the MLB squad following a 2023 marked by being released by the Giants and waived by the Mets, then posting a .792 OPS (for a 116 OPS+) with the Padres before a broken wrist ended his season. "Sánchez does have some limitations, he can't do everything yet," manager Pat Murphy said Monday. However, the team still believes their new backup backstop will be ready by Opening Day. Sánchez has hit more than 30 home runs twice in his career, and he's also provided solid defense--which you can expect to get even better, given the Crew's track record with Contreras and Omar Narváez, among others. Sánchez’s signing makes the situation for previous signee Eric Haase a bit murkier. Haase, 31, is out of minor-league options, which is why the team is tentatively planning to carry all three of their established catchers. Top prospect Jeferson Quero will begin the year at Triple-A Nashville, but could easily force his way to the majors in 2024. Quero, Milwaukee’s best prospect not named Jackson Chourio, has always been known for excellent defense, but his bat has been very good, as well. He posted a .779 OPS in Biloxi in 2023, even with a ball that gave pitchers an edge for part of the year. While he’s listed as a first baseman on the roster, Wes Clarke has started 62 games behind the plate in 2022 and 2023, demonstrating competent defense while providing a potent bat, and Brewers fans shouldn’t be surprised if he sees time behind the plate again, especially if Quero is promoted, or injury hits the Sounds. The Big Questions Two major questions surround catcher for the Brewers--one with short-term implications, the other more about a long-term outlook. The first big question is whether Sánchez’s hand has healed, after he hurt it during winter workouts before signing. When healthy, Sánchez has been a very potent three-true-outcome bat, hitting as many as 34 home runs a season while drawing a lot of walks. If his recovery is complete, he can take a lot of at-bats at designated hitter, in addition to being the team’s backup catcher. If not, he’ll likely remain as a backup, and Christian Yelich could see a lot of DH time (especially given the outfield talent the Brewers have, even with Sal Frelick moving to the infield some of the time). The second question is the long-term one: When will Quero force his way to Milwaukee? It is highly doubtful the Crew will give him a regular spot on the shuttle to Nashville – any ticket to Milwaukee is likely to be one-way, so that will become a balancing act. How do you feel about where the Brewers stand at catcher? Do you think Quero will force his way to Milwaukee sooner rather than later? What excites you most about Contreras's prospects in his second season with the Crew? Join the discussion. Reporter credit: @Matthew Trueblood View full article

Interestingly enough, Ernesto Martinez saw some action and had a nice day at the plate, too.

It is. But we've seen the Brewers coaching staff take catchers who had defensive issues and turn them into at least solid defenders behind the plate before with both Narvaez and Contreras. It's premature to write Clarke off as a potential catcher. With Nola's release and Haase being out of options (I bet he'd be claimed after a DFA), that would leave Brian Navarreto as Quero's backup in Nashville. So I wouldn't be surprised to see Clarke get another 20+ starts behind the plate for the Sounds.

Any thoughts, pro or con, on an Eric Lauer reunion?

He's still a viable option at the hot corner, probably still the front-runner.

There's a couple other spots he could be at, if that bat keeps up...