The Milwaukee Brewers are off to a hot start this season. They are currently 15-7 and have the second-best record in the National League. While a lot of credit is given to their formidable starting rotation, one player who’s made a big contribution to their early success is Brian Anderson. Anderson has been off to a hot start as well and it has impacted the entire lineup.
A Promising Start in Miami
Brian Anderson originally came up through the Miami Marlins system. He spent six seasons playing for Miami. In his first full season with the Marlins, Anderson finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. His best season with the Marlins came in 2019 when he hit 20 home runs, 66 RBI, and had an OPS of .811. However, Anderson’s 2019 season came to an end that August due to sustaining a hand injury after being hit by a pitch.
Despite the 2020 season being shortened due to COVID-19, Anderson had another productive year. He appeared in 59 out of the possible 60 games and hit 11 home runs, 38 RBI, and had an OPS of .810. With how productive Brian Anderson had been during his first three full seasons, many people thought he’d blossom into an All-Star.
Career Derailing Injuries
However, Anderson has been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons. He lost most of the 2021 season due to a shoulder injury. In 2022, he was limited to 98 games due to a back and reoccurring shoulder injury. His injuries have limited him to just 165 games over the past three seasons. After the season, the Marlins decided to non-tender him effectively letting him hit free agency.
The Brewers Take a Flier on Him
The Brewers decided to take a flier on him and signed him to a one-year $3.5 million deal. The Brew Crew perhaps thought they could bring out some untapped potential. Anderson also can play both third base and the outfield. Since the current front office regime has been in Milwaukee, they’ve always coveted players who can play multiple positions. As a right-handed hitter, Anderson brings balance to an outfield group that has mostly left-handed hitters. Prior to his arrival, the only righties in the outfield were the switch-hitting Tyrone Taylor and rookie Blake Perkins. With the injuries to Tyrone Taylor and now Garrett Mitchell, his ability to also play outfield has been very helpful.
Brian Anderson Is off to a Red Hot Start
While it is still early in the season, Brian Anderson has gotten off to a hot start. He currently leads the team in OPS (.897), RBI (18), and doubles (4). Anderson is also second on the team in home runs (5), slugging (.533), batting average (.280), and runs (15). During the first home series of the season, Anderson had a career night against the New York Mets. He finished the game with two home runs and six RBI in a 9-0 win.
Finally a Consistent Offensive Threat
Something the Brewers have been lacking for a few seasons is another consistent offensive threat in the lineup. Last season, it seemed as though Willy Adames, Rowdy Tellez, and the since-departed Hunter Renfroe were the only real offensive threats. Adames and Renfroe even missed some time due to injuries leaving Tellez to be the offensive catalyst. This hurt Milwaukee badly because Tellez is a home run-or-nothing hitter and Christian Yelich is no longer a real threat. Their inability to capitalize with runners in scoring position is one of the reasons their playoff streak was snapped.
So far this season, Anderson has been a consistent RBI threat for the Brewers. So far this season whenever runners are in scoring position, Anderson is batting a scorching .381 with a homer and 13 RBI. The last time the Brewers had more than one consistent offensive threat was probably their NLCS team in 2011. His scorching start has also helped the Brewers take the pressure off Willy Adames and Rowdy Tellez to hit home runs.
Thanks to Anderson, the Brewers’ offense has been a lot better than it ever has been in recent years. With the Brewers already terrific pitching staff and Brian Anderson lighting the offensive charge, Milwaukee could pull some surprises this season. Don’t be surprised if we finally see him show his full potential this season. Who knows this might be the summer of Brian Anderson in Milwaukee.
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