Kyle Ginsbach

The Milwaukee Brewers are a small market team that needs to effectively manage its assets, often with an eye to the future. Here are some of the most valuable assets the team currently holds. Read the second part of the installment to see where the top five stand. As a quick refresher, these rankings aim to answer one question: How valuable is this player to the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2023? You can do so here if you'd like to see the five players that cracked numbers six through ten. For the second part, here are the five best assets the Brewers have going into 2023, the pillars of the franchise. The Top 10 Brewers Assets for 2023: 1 through 5 5. Willy Adames, SS Willy Adames has been the Brewers' most valuable player since he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in May 2021. He plays excellent defense, hits for power, and is the most influential voice on the field. The more fun Adames is having while he's on the field, the better he's playing. Since the beginning of 2021, Adames has ranked 5th among all MLB shortstops in WAR. Adames has hit .256/.325/.483 during his time in Milwaukee and has a strong argument for being the best bat currently slotted in the Brewers lineup. The only problem is his price tag is catching up to the Brewers. Adames is projected to make over $9 million this year and more in his final arbitration year in 2024. With the spending flux for free agent shortstops and Boston’s recent extension to Rafael Devers, the possibility of Adames being an extension candidate may be in limbo. 4. Brandon Woodruff, SP Brandon Woodruff doesn’t get enough credit. He’s a legitimate ace, and his numbers back it up. As a starter, Woodruff pitched to a 3.24 ERA and a 3.34 FIP, amassing over 600 strikeouts in 586 innings. Those numbers are closer to being Cy Young numbers than anything. There is no spotlight too bright for Woodruff, and the Brewers realize that. Woodruff is currently slated to become a free agent for the first time following the 2024 season and earned nearly $7 million in arbitration last year. The fact is, Woodruff isn’t going to be around much longer at this price. Still, he remains a good extension candidate, which would require a re-evaluation of his value should it happen. The Brewers have built a reputation as an organization that has leaned heavily on their pitching staff and has the luxury to keep doing so. Brandon Woodruff is undoubtedly a part of that, even though he isn’t exactly the perfect combination of affordability and team control. 3. William Contreras, C William Contreras has yet to appear as a Brewer, and there’s already enough reason to list him among some key names from past years. In his first year as an everyday option in Atlanta, Contreras hit and hit well, posting an .860 OPS. The Brewers expect much of the same coming into 2023 and beyond. In 97 games last year, Contreras hit .278/.354/.506 with a wRC+ of 138. On top of his excellent offensive numbers, Contreras also earned a nod as a DH in the All-Star Game. Where the real value is apparent in his age and controllability, Contreras is barely 25 years of age, plays a premium position, won’t enter arbitration until 2025, and is under team control until 2028. The Brewers stand to lose quite a bit of talent in a few years, but Contreras won't be one of them. Expect "Wild Bill" to don a Brewers jersey for years. 2. Freddy Peralta, SP Freddy Peralta has had a wild ride to begin his major league career. He has one of the more memorable pitching debuts in recent memory, has battled injuries, pitched stretches out of the bullpen, and now has solidified himself as a key piece in the Brewers rotation. Though he only pitched in 78 innings last year, he posted a career-low ERA of 3.12 and increased his ground ball rate to 40 percent while striking out 86 batters and only allowing six home runs. Peralta's drawbacks have little to do with his on-field performance; he needs to keep himself on the field. Injuries are hard to predict, but if there's such thing as being "due" for a healthy season, Peralta's it. What makes Peralta so valuable is his contract. The 26-year-old signed a five-year $15M contract in 2020, a deal that also features two club options. If the Brewers keep Peralta throughout the deal, he won’t be a free agent until 2027. Not only is that a long time, but it won’t cost the Brewers much in the process. 1. Corbin Burnes, SP What is there to say about Corbin Burnes that hasn’t already been said? He’s one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. He’s already won a Cy Young Award and has two more years of being a Milwaukee Brewer. Burnes has posted an ERA under 3.00 in his last three seasons, striking out nearly a third of the batters he’s faced, all while walking only 6% of batters. His analytical numbers are great, too, suggesting his ascent has little to do with luck. Burnes may not have Peralta's contract length or the same potential for a contract extension as Willy Adames or Brandon Woodruff. Corbin Burnes has a legitimate argument for being the best pitcher in the sport, and the Brewers are only going to be paying half of what he’s worth in the coming two years, if not less. That may not seem apparent now, but in two years, Burnes will be one of baseball's most sought-after pitching assets. View full article

I think many people have fallen into the trap of over-evaluating Houser and Lauer in particular. Houser's never had a WHIP below 1.2, hasn't posted a FIP below 4 since 2019, and has some of the extremely poor underlying numbers. Although Lauer was a nice surprise last year, he struggles from the same underlying number problems Houser, and has never had a FIP under 4. Both Houser and Lauer have two years of control left before they're UFA's, and I you can't reasonably expect them to be anything more than average starters. If Aaron Ashby can solidify himself in the rotation this year, I can promise he'd shoot up this list next year. His contract is incredibly team friendly, but he has to prove himself first. Remember, Ashby wasn't any kind of world breaking prospect, even if the Brewers were particularly high on him. As for Tyrone Taylor, I don't think he has a argument for a spot on this list. I wonder how much time he'll see next year, and though he has 3 years of control left, he's nearly 29-years-old already.

No need to worry about my feelings! I certainly see the thought process behind not being a fan of seeing both Winker and Tellez on the list, but I truly think both Winker and Tellez are slated to have great offensive seasons in 2023. I could certainly see prospects such as Mitchell, Frelick, and Wiemer getting spots on this list if I were to put it together at the All-Star Break, but they all have areas to improve (Mitchell's concerning MLB K% or Frelick's power tool for example), and I hesitate to value a prospect highly when they don't have the type of ceiling Chourio does. Sure the years of control are attractive, but they'll mean nothing If they aren't successful at the big league level. That being said, If guys like the aforementioned Frelick, Mitchell, and Wiemer take strike this year, they'll certainly be on the list next year. Even guys like Turang, Gasser, Black, and Quero have chances to crack the list next year. I'm a fan of some of all the young minor league talent the Brewers have, but I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic.

The Milwaukee Brewers are a small market team that needs to effectively manage its assets, often with an eye to the future. Here are some of the most valuable assets the team currently holds. The rankings below are a relative view of Brewers players and prospects based on the answer to one question: How valuable is this player to the Milwaukee Brewers organization? We’ve done our best to account for all things a baseball player can provide in value, including age, contract, controllability, potential, etc. The rankings do not directly correlate with trade value. Instead, the list better represents how valuable a player is to the organization. With that setup, here are my picks for the 6th through 10th most valuable assets in the Milwaukee Brewers organization heading into the 2023 season. The Top 10 Brewers Assets for 2023: 6 through 10 Honorable Mention. Christian Yelich, OF Conventionally, Christain Yelich’s contract single-handedly ruins his monetary value. There’s no denying that, but Yelich can be worth more than his contract with the Brewers. For whatever reason, the MVP form of Christian Yelich has disappeared over the last three years. Still, Yelich is now one of the longest-tenured Brewers and still possesses a high offensive ceiling with a relatively low floor. By giving him an honorable mention nod, I’m betting Yelich will take steps towards returning to being the player he was in 2018-2019, which can come with improved health and some minor adjustments. A fully healthy Yelich is still capable of playing 140+ games, hitting 20 home runs, and getting on base at a high clip. Will he play at a $26 million level? Probably not, but there’s no denying Yelich will be a key contributor if the Brewers are successful. 10. Rowdy Tellez, 1B With two more years of inexpensive control left, Tellez has a shot at breaking out this year. The first base job is his to lose, and with changes to the shift coming, Tellez’s already plus bat could see an uptick in production. If Tellez can find a way to have a few more hits fall, he has the potential to be one of the better-hitting first basemen in the league. If Rowdy Tellez puts it all together, there's a world where the Brewers keep him around for a long time. Already a key clubhouse member, Rowdy is a larger-than-life personality who also swings a pretty good bat. 9. Jesse Winker, OF/DH Coming into a contract year, Jesse Winker could be a huge contributor for the Brewers offensively. His checkered bill of health is concerning, as is his poor performance last year, but there’s plenty of reason to believe Winker can be the player the Brewers saw back when he was a member of the Cincinnati Reds. There’s also a possibility that Winker will be moved near the trade deadline. I see two scenarios where this is possible: one where the Brewers are out of the race early or a world where Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Joey Wiemer can comfortably fill a vacant spot should Winker be moved. It may seem unlikely now, but it’s worth mentioning. A healthy Jesse Winker can quickly become an offensive nucleus for the Brewers. Even though Winker likely won't be in a Brewer past 2023, I expect him to be an important bat in a competitive season, even if it's only for a single season. 8. Luis Urías, 2B Luis Urías is still only 25 years old. He has three years of control and has already proven he can be valuable with the glove and bat. His power is what makes Urías such a pleasant surprise. Coming through the minor leagues with the Padres, Urías wasn't given a friendly grade regarding his power but has shown he can slug over .400 while popping 20 homers. Throughout his young career, Urías has been able to stay relatively healthy, showing he can play multiple infield positions. Urias may not be the most exciting player, but he’ll generate 3-4 WAR for a low price. 7. Devin Williams, RP The only thing hurting Devin Williams’ overall value is that he’s a relief pitcher. Williams made his first all-star game in 2022 and took over the closer role following the Josh Hader trade. His season numbers were excellent, posting a 1.93 ERA, a WHIP of 1.005, and FIP of just 2.01. There’s no doubt Williams will be able to replicate his dominance on the mound in the future, but as a closer, the Brewers need to win late for him to get into games. The more that happens, the more valuable Williams will become. The Brewers will lean on Williams to navigate them in and out of trouble in 2022 and beyond and there's no reasonable doubt he can't do it. 6. Jackson Chourio, OF You could very well argue that Jackson Chourio is the most valuable player in the Brewers organization right now, and in many ways, you’d be right. At just 18 years of age, Chourio is not only the Brewers' top prospect but also one of the top prospects in all of baseball. He had a fantastic season throughout the minor leagues in 2022, including being named the Carolina League Most Valuable Player, winning a MILB gold glove, and slashing .288/.342/.538 between three teams. There’s no doubt that Chourio, traditionally speaking, is the most valuable asset the Brewers have. However, there’s one thing holding him back on my list. Jackson Chourio’s impact likely won’t be felt in 2023. It might not even be felt in 2024. He’s too valuable to be traded and too young to impact the big-league club. With only a handful of AA games under his belt, Chourio still has a ways to go before he's ready to contribute to the big league club. Because of that, Chourio needs time, so for as valuable and talented as he is, there’s nothing we can do but wait. View full article

Here what's he missed so far in his career: 19 days with a arm injury in 2017 68 days with a shoulder injury in 2018 43 with a neck injury in 2019 33 with a oblique injury in 2021 This offseason had a meniscus cleanup in his left knee, and surgery on disc in his neck The most games he's ever played in a season was last year, and he was no where near 100%

The Brewers front office staff have been more creative with Major League Baseball in a spending flux. Relatively quietly, they swung a trade with the Seattle Mariners to bring in slugger Jesse Winker, who may be primed for a big season in Milwaukee. In recent memory, the Brewers have had quite the knack for finding offensive weapons via trade. They brought in Christain Yelich from Miami, Willy Adames from Tampa Bay, and William Contreras from Atlanta, all of whom are key pieces of the current team. By acquiring Jesse Winker, the Brewers once again brought in another hitter who can produce similarly, and the move hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves. Winker’s previous season in Seattle was a struggle for the former All-Star. He battled injuries, didn’t click with his new teammates, and posted a career-worst wRC+ of 109. After all that, Winker returns to his former division with plenty of reason to believe last year's performance was an outlier. Before Winker’s poor 2022 season, he terrorized pitchers as a member of the Brewers’ division rival Cincinnati Reds. Winker broke out offensively in the shortened 2020 season, posting a wRC+ over 140 and popping 12 home runs in the short campaign. He’d continue the success by making his first all-star game in 2021, where he slashed .305/.394/.556 as the Reds' cleanup hitter. So what went wrong in Seattle? The answer isn’t simple, but it has to do with multiple things. Firstly, Winker started slow and bounced around the lineup, batting in numerous spots. Should Winker get off to a better start, he’ll find himself at the top of the lineup daily in Milwaukee. Secondly, his new home ballpark in Seattle wasn’t close to a good match. In 2022, His OPS at home was a measly .625, while his OPS eclipsed a respectable .700 playing away from T-Mobile park. Compare that to his time in Cincinnati, where he has a career .930 OPS. With a shift to Milwaukee, Winker should thrive again, transitioning back to a hitter-friendly park, though not quite as hitter-friendly as the one he found in Great American Ballpark. The change to playing at American Family Field should also be easier on Winker. Not only did he visit the park frequently as a member of the Reds, but he hit exceptionally well in Milwaukee, with a career OPS 1.032 OPS in American Family Field. Notably, the fraction of success Winker did have with the bat last year came when he hit .307/.358/.484 against NL teams, something he’ll see more of as a member of the Brewers. If you’re worried about Winker’s ugly history of injuries, there's a reason for optimism there too. Winker is a poor fielder by trade and is the Brewers' prime candidate for the everyday DH. Getting starts there can go a long way in ensuring a healthy season from the newly acquired slugger. Most importantly, Winker's game adjustments last year should translate into success. By checking in on his statcast and sabermetrics, Winker saw an increase in his plate discipline. His BB% jumped nearly five percent, while his K% stayed at only 18 percent. Both his whiff and chase rates were excellent, ranking in the top third of baseball. And while his xMetrics weren’t necessarily great, it's clear the only area Winker needs to make adjustments in is making hard contact once again. Another important factor is Winker’s contract status. He’ll only see one guaranteed year in Milwaukee before hitting the free agency market, and with a good season, Winker will put himself in a position to receive a multi-year deal. Although this certainly doesn't guarantee success, Winker does have one more thing to play for, himself. Do you think Winker can bounce back as a member of the Brewers? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below! View full article

In 2022, the Milwaukee Brewers' rookie outfielder Garrett Mitchell made quite the impression following his call-up in late August. It hasn’t always been easy for Garrett Mitchell , who fell in the 2020 draft due to concerns over his Type-1 Diabetes. That didn’t stop the Brewers from taking Mitchell 20th overall, and it certainly didn't stop Mitchell from roaring straight to the big leagues after only 132 minor league games. Mitchell earned his first call to MLB action in the waning days of August and immediately made an impact. In his first start, Mitchell recorded his first major league hit, swatting a two-run single up the middle and sparking the offense in a 9-7 win over the Cubs. The following day, Mitchell made the most of a second consecutive start. He blasted a two-out, game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning, allowing the Brewers to win the game in extra innings. If anything is certain, Mitchell picked an excellent time to pop his first big league homer. Later in the season, Mitchell continued his streak of clutch play. In a 7-6 win over the Reds, Mitchell recorded the second out in the ninth inning with a diving grab, stopping the game-tying run from scoring and allowing Devin Williams to close the game with the following hitter. Perhaps Mitchell's defining moment of his debut season was his first major league walk-off. A few weeks into his career, Mitchell came to the plate with two outs in the ninth, with the bases loaded. On a two-strike pitch, Mitchell laced a line drive into center field to walk off Clay Holmes and the Yankees. Still, in just a short month, Mitchell showed he has room to improve. His K% through his first 68 plate appearances clipped 40 percent, and his BABIP was unsustainably high, at .548. As a prospect, Mitchell graded out as an average hitter, but the Brewers believe he's capable of more. Before his call-up, Mitchell posted an OPS above .900 in AAA, a K% hovering around 20 percent, a BB% over ten percent. Should Mitchell find near that type of success with his bat at the next level, he'll be a staple in the lineup for years to come. Season Team Level Age G PA HR R RBI SB BB% K% ISO BABIP AVG OBP SLG wOBA xwOBA wRC+ BsR Off Def WAR 2021 MIL A+ 22 29 120 5 33 20 12 23.3% 25.0% .261 .491 .359 .508 .620 .494 204 2021 MIL AA 22 35 148 3 16 10 5 12.2% 27.7% .078 .247 .186 .291 .264 .264 63 2022 MIL CPX 23 4 17 0 5 0 1 23.5% 23.5% .083 .125 .083 .353 .167 .303 78 2022 MIL AA 23 44 187 4 29 25 7 8.6% 27.8% .151 .378 .277 .353 .428 .352 108 2022 MIL AAA 23 20 85 1 15 9 9 11.8% 21.2% .123 .444 .342 .435 .466 .408 147 2022 MIL MLB 23 28 68 2 9 9 8 8.8% 41.2% .148 .548 .311 .373 .459 .365 .266 136 2.2 5.1 2.3 1.0 2023 FGDC PROJ 24 109 469 12 49 50 15 9.0% 28.6% .142 .325 .242 .317 .385 .310 99 0.4 -0.3 2.1 1.8 2023 Steamer PROJ 24 109 432 11 45 46 13 9.0% 28.6% .142 .325 .242 .317 .385 .310 99 0.4 -0.3 2.2 1.7 Total - - - MLB 28 68 2 9 9 8 8.8% 41.2% .148 .548 .311 .373 .459 .365 136 2.2 5.1 2.3 1.0 With the glove, should Mitchell's win one of the outfield spots coming out of spring training, he'll likely spend the majority of his time patrolling center field. As a prospect, Mitchell graded highly as a fielder, with a 60-grade arm and glove and a 70-grade speed. There are likely no worries about his part of Mitchell's game, as he was an excellent fielder throughout college and the minor leagues. What did you think of Mitchell's first month in the big leagues? Where does it rank among Brewers' pivotal moments from last year? What do you expect from Mitchell next year? Lets us hear your thoughts in the comments below! View full article

It’s no secret the Brewers struggled against left-handed pitching in 2022. Barring considerable roster upheaval, most adjustments must come from within if Milwaukee is looking to improve against lefties going forward. A significant contributor to the Brewers' offensive mediocrity last season was, in part, their inability to find success against left-handed pitching. The team OPS of .673 against lefties ranked 25th in the big leagues and was nearly 70 points behind their OPS against right-handers. To add insult to injury, the Brewers' late-season collapse was perhaps sparked by division rival St. Louis adding two left-handed pitchers via trade at the deadline. It isn’t uncommon for ball clubs to find themselves struggling against left-handers. Naturally, heavy left-handed lineups struggle against lefty pitchers, while right-handed lineups will commonly find more success. As it stands now, the Brewers will feature an everyday lineup packed full of left-handed hitters, but they may have some platoon-based answers for those pesky left-handed pitchers. The Outfield The Brewers currently feature five outfielders on their 40-man roster, four of which figure to get the bulk of the playing time. Christian Yelich, Jesse Winker, and Garrett Mitchell hit left-handed, while Tyrone Taylor is the lone righty among the four. Sal Frelick also figures to be in the mix for an OF spot during spring training, another left-handed hitter. Yelich is likely to play every day, doesn’t feature an extreme difference in his platoon splits, and has also shown the ability to hit comfortably against left-handers, so there could be answers. Whether Yelich deserves the chance to play against lefties and righties can be debatable, but the Brewers will play Yelich whenever available. Jesse Winker is coming off the worst offensive season in his career. In Seattle, Winker slashed .219/.344/.688, with a OPS+ of 103, well below his career mark of 123. As if the poor offensive season wasn’t uncharacteristic enough, Winker hit better against left-handers last season. His WRC+ against lefties was 37 points higher than it was against righties, and his K% sat comfortably below 20 percent. If Winker can keep that kind of success against lefties, he might be another part of the puzzle the Brewers are looking to solve, though year-over-year splits are often volatile so it's likely Winker regresses against left-handers in 2023. Garrett Mitchell only had five major league plate appearances against lefties last year, and already slated as the fourth outfielder, Mitchell should, and likely will find most of his playing time against right-handers. As for Tyrone Taylor, his situation is likely the opposite of Mitchell’s. Though his 2022 splits favor him against right-handers, he showed better plate discipline against lefties, and the already left-handed heavy outfield will make it difficult for him to see the field against righties often. Catching Milwaukee currently carries three catchers on their 40-man and will carry at least two on the major league roster. Recently acquired William Contreras figures to play against lefties and righties, while Victor Caratini and Henry will serve as backups throughout the season. If the Brewers were looking for someone to mash left-handed pitching, they solved it in their early December trade with Oakland and Atlanta. William Contreras slugged nearly .600 against LHP in his first big league season, with an OPS+ of 187. As for both Henry and Caratini, there is some concern. Henry is an inexperienced hitter, while Caratini hit only .168/.276/.290 against lefties last year, despite being a switch hitter. Like many switch hitters, Caratini's strong side is against right-handed pitching, and he's unlikely to start often against lefties unless Contreras is injured. The Infield Barring a significant trade or free agent signing, Willy Adames is the only infielder who will see consistent playtime no matter what pitcher is on the mound. Still, the Brewers have a wealth of different infielders to choose from, but the key will be choosing when and where those players play. The biggest piece to the infield puzzle is Keston Hiura. Against right-handers, Hiura slashed .254/.344/.522, but just .188/.275/.344 against left-handers. Even though Hiura hits right-handed, it’s time for the Brewers to accept the reverse splits. If Hiura’s going to play, it can’t be against left-handers, no matter what traditional logic may tell you. As for the rest of the infield, the Brewers' options present themselves: Abraham Toro (Career 64 wRC+ vs. LHP) Luis Urías (Career 120 wRC+ vs. LHP) Mike Brosseau (Career 127 wRC+ vs. LHP) Rowdy Tellez (Career 94 wRC+ vs. LHP) Owen Miller (Career 65 wRC+ vs. LHP) Brice Turang (108 wRC+ in AAA in 2022) If the Brewers play matchup correctly in the infield, they shouldn’t have many problems handling lefties with their current group of players. If they make the wrong decisions, such as starting Hiura against left-handed starters, lefties could again be the Brewers' kryptonite in 2023. Potential Lineup Keeping these numbers in mind, here's what a healthy Brewers lineup may look like when facing an LHP in 2023: 1. Christian Yelich LF 2. Willy Adames SS 3. Jesse Winker DH 4. William Contreras C 5. Rowdy Tellez 1B 6. Luis Urías 2B 7. Mike Brosseau 3B 8. Garret Mitchell/Sal Frelick CF 9. Tyrone Taylor RF What do you think, Brewer fans? Do you think Milwaukee can improve against left-handers next season? What would your lineup look like against an LHP? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! View full article

The Milwaukee Brewers are rarely linked to marquee free agents, and they rarely commit the funds to signing that level of player in free agency. With a loaded free agent class looming, the Brewers could have a prime - though very unlikely - target in Trea Turner. Yes, it's unlikely but unlikely does not mean impossible. For the second straight season, a handful of star shortstops are testing their luck in free agency. With Willy Adames already handling the everyday shortstop duties, it doesn’t seem likely that the Brewers will be making a move for any of them. However, Trea Turner is too perfect of an opportunity to pass up. The Brewers' offense was plagued with inconsistency during the 2022 season. Trea Turner was not. Turner slashed .298/.343/.466 in 2022 and was a vital piece of a juggernaut Dodgers team. He also earned himself another All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger to boot. It’s safe to say at just 29 years of age, Trea Turner is one of the star infielders in baseball. As of now, Turner stands to sign a contract that could net him upwards of $35 million annually. Still, a true five-tool player entering the prime of his career, it shouldn't be a surprise that Turner is also looking for a lengthy deal. The Milwaukee Brewers have never once spent that level of money, but now could be the time to do so. There’s no question the front office would have to pull some strings. Whether it would be making trades to clear up salary space, or an unusually structured contract, there are ways to lure star players to any franchise. It's not likely, but there is always a slight chance, as evidenced by Minnesota's last-minute acquisition of Carlos Correa in an opt-out-laden deal during Spring Training of 2022. Why Turner? Turner is one the best contact hitters in the sport, has solid power for a middle infielder, is a gold glove-caliber fielder, and is one of the fastest players in the league. With Turner, you're getting a proven star with little downside. The numbers are there to support it too, and Turner has the accolades to back it up, with multiple all-star appearances and silver slugger to his name. Not to mention, Turner’s been present on baseball's brightest stage, too, as he was a key piece on the Nationals championship run in 2019. Given the Brewers' lack of offensive consistency and desire to compete over the next two years as Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames, and Brandon Woodruff approach free agency, Turner could be the perfect sparkplug to sit atop the lineup and complement the right-handed Christian Yelich. Year Age Tm Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB Pos Awards 2015 22 WSN NL 27 44 40 5 9 1 0 1 1 2 2 4 12 .225 .295 .325 .620 69 13 0 0 0 0 0 H4/6 2016 23 WSN NL 73 324 307 53 105 14 8 13 40 33 6 14 59 .342 .370 .567 .937 142 174 1 1 0 2 0 84/6H RoY-2 2017 24 WSN NL 98 447 412 75 117 24 6 11 45 46 8 30 80 .284 .338 .451 .789 101 186 4 4 0 1 0 6/H 2018 25 WSN NL 162 740 664 103 180 27 6 19 73 43 9 69 132 .271 .344 .416 .760 100 276 7 5 2 0 3 *6/H 2019 26 WSN NL 122 569 521 96 155 37 5 19 57 35 5 43 113 .298 .353 .497 .850 117 259 10 3 0 2 2 *6 2020 27 WSN NL 59 259 233 46 78 15 4 12 41 12 4 22 36 .335 .394 .588 .982 162 137 5 2 0 2 0 *6 MVP-7 2021 28 TOT NL 148 646 595 107 195 34 3 28 77 32 5 41 110 .328 .375 .536 .911 145 319 18 6 0 4 2 64/H AS,MVP-5 2021 28 WSN NL 96 420 388 66 125 17 3 18 49 21 3 26 77 .322 .369 .521 .890 142 202 13 4 0 2 0 6 2021 28 LAD NL 52 226 207 41 70 17 0 10 28 11 2 15 33 .338 .385 .565 .950 149 117 5 2 0 2 2 4/6H 2022 29 LAD NL 160 708 652 101 194 39 4 21 100 27 3 45 131 .298 .343 .466 .809 121 304 9 3 0 6 1 *6 AS,SS What if, by some miracle, the Brewers pull off a deal with Turner? It’ll mean two things. The infield will likely be shaken up, with at least one currently-rostered player standing to lose playing time. Turner has shown the ability to play both middle infield positions, as well as center field. Should the Brewers sign him, decisions will have to be made about who plays and when. More importantly, the Brewers will have finally made the marquee move they’ve been missing in the past two seasons. With other NL Central teams looking to add this offseason, adding a player the caliber of Turner could send the message that the Brewers wish to continue to compete. The value of that can’t be understated. Would you like to see Turner in a Brewers uniform? What do you think it’ll take? Let us hear your thoughts below! View full article

Even with a disappointing end to the 2022 season, the Brewers still received a incredible effort from their everyday shortstop. Congrats to Willy Adames on being named our MVP for the 2022 season! With how the Brewers season concluded, even the most optimistic fans may have a hard time picking out bright spots from the 2022 season. Through the ups and downs of the season, one player performed admirably, doing so with a smile the entire time. That player is our choice for Brewer Fanatic 2022 MVP, Willy Adames. Adames’ 2022 season stats: .238 AVG / .298 OBP / .458 SLG / in 617 PA’s, 31 HR, 98 RBI, 4.7 fWAR In a season where the Brewers saw numerous injury stints from their position players, Adames played in 139 games, providing the Brewers with some much-needed consistency in the infield. Though Adames didn’t put up the exact offensive numbers many may have hoped, he still found ways to be productive, whether it was providing elite defense up the middle, or coming up with clutch home runs to keep the Brewers in the hunt. It might be hard to believe that Adames, who only hit .238, with a sub .300 on-base percentage was the Brewers most valuable player this year. While that may be a testament to the Brewers top-to-bottom offensive mediocrity, Adames certainly deserves some credit. His 31 home runs are the most by a Brewers shortstop in a single season, while his 98 RBI ranks second in the same category. That kind of power isn’t something Brewers fans should take for granted, especially from a shortstop. As mentioned earlier, a good chunk of Adames’ value came from his defense. His 10 Outs Above Average (OAA) ranked seventh among all MLB shortstops, and placed him in the top 20 of all qualified major leaguers. Not only was OAA a fan of Adames defensively, but other metrics such as UZR and Defensive WAR rated Adames highly as well, ranking in the top 20 in both. Depending on who you ask, MVP awards have certain other intangibles. If you were to argue for an intangible in Adames’ case, his clubhouse leadership is worth mentioning. It’s no question Adames has been the heart and soul in the Brewers clubhouse for the last year and a half. His commitment to both the team and fanbase has certainly benefited the Brewers in more than one way. Runner Up: Corbin Burnes, SP Burnes’ 2022 stats: 202 IP / 2.98 ERA / 0.965 WHIP, in 33 games, 12 wins, 243 S, 4.1 bWAR Corbin Burnes was brilliant once again in 2022. Though he likely won’t be taking home the NL Cy Young this year, Burnes solidified himself as one of the game's top pitchers in 2022. If you want to read more about Burnes masterful season, check out The Brewer Fanatic 2022 Awards: Pitcher of the Year Others Receiving votes: Hunter Renfroe, Rowdy Tellez, Jace Peterson, Kolten Wong, Christian Yelich While there were others receiving votes, none came close to the total Adames and Burnes amassed. Hitters like Hunter Renfroe and Kolten Wong both turned in above-average seasons at the plate, yet struggled defensively. Both Yelich and Tellez were plagued by inconsistency both offensively and defensively, while Jace Peterson received votes due to his excellent work as a utility man. What did you think of the contributions of the players mentioned above? Did the voters get it right? Your comments are always welcome! View full article

Plagued by inconsistency at the plate throughout 2022, Willy Adames is finally playing like he did when he was acquired from the Rays in 2021. The Brewers aren’t in a playoff spot yet, but Adames has kept them in contention. There’s a legitimate argument for Willy Adames being the face of the current Milwaukee Brewers. It’s almost absurd to consider, simply because there’s two former MVP’s and the defending Cy Young winner on the roster, and none of them are named Willy Adames. But through a hot start and unrivaled amounts of charisma, Adames might actually hold the title. With that, the Brewer’s middle infielder was expected to put up big numbers this season, and while his season certainly hasn’t been bad, he hasn’t put up the numbers he’s shown he’s capable of. Luckily for Milwaukee, Adames has been back in-form in September. It’s been an eventful final month in the MLB. While the Brewers have been battling for a playoff spot, players such as Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols have each chased home run milestones. Not to be lost in the conversation, Adames has rather quietly broken the Brewers single-season home run record as a shortstop. It hasn’t just been the longball for Adames. He’s played stellar defense all season long, and in September the bat has really come alive. Adames has posted a slash line of .310/.388/.586 in the current month, all while popping 5 home runs. With a strong showing over the past 20 days, Adames has boosted his season numbers to very respectful totals. His 4.8 total fWAR is over double the next best Brewer’s hitter, and is the most on the team, even among pitchers. His 117 wRC+ also rank first among qualified Brewer’s batters, along with being first in wOBA as well. Finally, those hits have also been impactful. Per FanGraphs, Adames has overtaken Keston Hiura as the leader in Win Probability Added among Brewers hitters. Like mentioned earlier, Adames is likely the heart and soul of the Brewers clubhouse. Undoubtedly one of the clubhouse leaders, Adames’ voice has almost certainly helped the Brewers stay in the hunt. As if he couldn’t help the team anymore, Adames has helped the Brewers in every asset of the game as well. View full article

It’s make-or-break time in Milwaukee. With the next 8 games scheduled against division winners the Brewers will look for a stretch of competitive baseball to stay in the playoff hunt. Here are the most important players for the upcoming stretch. Two games are all that separate the Brewers from a playoff spot with just three weeks remaining in the 2022 season. After a series victory over the Reds over the weekend, the Brewers will begin a stretch of eight games against teams leading their respective divisions. A stretch of even .500 baseball will keep the Brewers in the hunt, but these respective players are going to be key for that to happen. 1. Corbin Burnes The Brewers have leaned on certain players in playoff chases before. Names like C.C. Sabathia, Ryan Braun, and Christian Yelich have carried the Brewers to September in the past. If anyone’s going to put the team on their shoulders this year, it’s Brewers ace Corbin Burnes. Coming off a 8-inning, fourteen-strikeout performance against the Giants, the Brewers will turn to Burnes to take the ball against both the Cardinals and Mets. If the Brewers are looking to win those games, the 2021 Cy Young will have to be on the top of his game. 2. Devin Williams Ever since Josh Hader was shipped to the Padres, Devin Williams has taken over the closer role in Milwaukee. While it’s not reasonable to expect perfection from a closer, the Brewers might need Williams to be perfect down the stretch. With the Brewers sitting 2 games out of a playoff spot, they likely can’t afford any blown saves down the stretch. Luckily for the Brewers, Williams has pitched lights out all year, sporting a 1.82 ERA, and K/9 of 13.48. 3. Christian Yelich Christain Yelich has carried the Brewers to the playoffs before. In 2018, Yelich slashed .370/.506/.804 in September. The Brewers offense doesn’t need that type of production from Yelich anymore, but a good offensive week from Yelich will go a long way in helping the Brewers offense score the runs necessary for a successful eight-game stretch. 4. Matt Bush Matt Bush has posted an ERA of 3.86 with Milwaukee thus far, but the Brewers might be asking more from Bush in the coming weeks. Aaron Ashby, Eric Lauer, and Freddy Peralta all currently find themselves on the IL, so Bush may be asked to start a handful of games down in the coming week. Bush has experience starting games before, and the Brewers are going to need some quality innings out of Bush if they’re going to stop the juggernauts that stand before them. View full article

With less than a month left in the 2022 season, the Brewers find themselves outside of a playoff spot. With time dwindling, here are five ways the Brewers can find themselves playing in October for the 5th straight year. Take Advantage of the Home Games If there’s any time where a ball club wants to be playing home games, it’s in the middle of a playoff race in September. The Brewers currently have 26 games remaining in the 2022 season, and 20 of those games are going to be played in Milwaukee. This bodes well for the Brewers, who currently boast a record of 35-26 while playing at American Family Field, compared to sub .500 record when playing on the road. Obviously the Brewers need to start racking up the wins, and there is no better opportunity than the upcoming schedule presents. Find Some Production in Center Field Whether it's going to be Tyrone Taylor, Garret Mitchell, or Estuary Ruiz, the Brewers have been waiting all season for some production to come from the CF spot. As a unit, Brewers center fielders have a combined wRC+ of 72, placing the Milwaukee center fielders ahead of only Philadelphia and Cleveland offensively. There isn’t really a lack of offensive talent between the young trio, the Brewers just need an uptick in general. Stay Healthy A given for any team in a pennant race, but keeping the best players on the field will be key to any kind of future success. While players like Jace Peterson have performed admirably filling in for injured players, the starters need to keep healthy. The Brewers are already a limited offensive group, and having backups playing in spots of already spotty production isn’t going to help their chances. The Starting Pitching Needs to Step Up Boasting a season ERA of 3.88* as a core, the Brewers starters haven’t been bad, but unlike previous years, the starters haven’t been the backbone of the team. Every Brewers fan knows what names like Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta are capable of, while Eric Lauer, Adrian Houser, and Jason Alexander are capable stretches of high quality pitching. The group is finally healthy, and it's time for the rotation to live up to the expectations they’ve built over the last couple years. Keep Using the Longball There’s no denying it at this point, the Brewers offense is more successful when they hit home runs. Milwaukee has hit 186 total home runs in 2022, and they’ve managed to hit a homer in 94 of 136 games this year. They have a record of 57-37 in those 94 games. Like the old saying goes, “If it ain't broke, don’t fix it.” View full article

Though there have been numerous areas of weakness in the Brewers' recent performance, the Crew's catchers have yet to shoulder the blame. The truth is, the backstops quality of play needs to change if the Brewers are to find success in September. The catching tandem of Omar Narváez and Victor Caratini was an impromptu duo thrown together at the beginning of the season out of sheer necessity, and very little else. Both performed admirably in the first half of the season, shouldering an injured pitching staff and bearing more offensive responsibility than most would have imagined. However, since the All-Star break, the production from the backstops has been flipped on its head. The expectation going into the 2022 season was that Narváez would do the bulk of the catching for the Brewers. However, Narváez has had two separate bouts on the injured list during the 2022 campaign, and others have had to take turns behind the plate. Narváez, an All-Star in 2021, has disappointed so far in 2022. Though still a fantastic defensive catcher, his measly slash line of .226/.314/.347 give him an OPS+ of just 88. He has accumulated 1.2 fWAR, though it is easy to assume a large majority of this is due to defense. Oppositely, Caratini spent the first half the season as the savior the Brewers didn’t know they needed. He posted an OPS north of .800 in the first half, all while being above average in almost every defensive metric for catchers. But in the second half, Caratini has been dreadful. His WRC+ since the break has been a pitiful 41. With an OPS of just 469 post All-Star break, his season OPS has now dropped under .700, and his fWAR sits at 1.3. Interestingly enough, Caratini fading in the second half isn’t something out of the ordinary. Caratini has never posted a WRC+ over 100 in any given second half of the season, while Narváez has accomplished that feat as a member of the Brewers. That isn’t to say the Brewers catchers have been dead weight all season, in fact, as a unit, the Brewers catchers rank 13th in WRC+ and 9th in fWAR. In the second half though, those ranks are 27th and 26th respectively. Unfortunately, the tandem of Caratini and Narváez are as much to blame for the Brewers second half skid as anyone else. It’s not that both aren’t capable; they’ve both shown the ability to carry a team in the past. More than ever, the Brewers need to see improvement across the board, and they should look no further than their usually reliable backstops. View full article