The MLB season is about to start, and the off-season has brought a lot of change to the league. One of the teams with the worst offseason has to be the Milwaukee Brewers. The sleazy, backstabbing Craig Counsel went South to Chicago. Their Ace was traded, and their number two pitcher had a season-ending injury. The closer will miss at least three months. While many are counting the Crew out this year, I am asking, can the Brewers be contenders? While I do not see them as World Series contenders, I do think they can still contend in the NL Central. Why do I think that? I am glad you asked!
Veterans On Offense
The Brewers will need run support in 2024 and they have some veterans who can provide it. Christian Yelich bounced back to relevance last year by tallying his best numbers since his MVP season in 2019. Rhys Hoskins was added to hold down First Base, and while he is coming off an injury, his career average puts him at 30+ home runs, and 90+ RBI’s. Willy Adames has power but needs to bounce back in other hitting categories. Gary Sanchez and Jake Bauers were brought in to fill the DH role and both add experience to the lineup. Using career averages, these veterans should bring 125+ HRs to the Crew this year. The return and growth of catcher William Conteras bring stability and production from the position. Half of the lineup has proven they can produce and give a solid offensive punch.
Potential From The Young Guns
The Brewers system is stronger than ever! Rookies contributed last season and Sophomores will be called upon in 2024. Sal Frelick will get time at Third Base as well as the Outfield. He played in 57 games and produced 3 HRs, 26 Doubles, 68 RBI’s, and 7 Stolen Bases. Gerritt Mitchel and Joey Wiemer both have shown they can produce, but both need to show more consistency. Brice Turang is a great defender who plays 2B and SS. His offense was a weakness last year, but he did steal 26 bases. The young gun with the biggest upside is 20-year-old outfielder Jackson Chourio. Chourio has raked at every level and will make his big league debut in 2024. Can the Brewers be contenders? They can if Jackson Chourio is what we think he is. In the Minors last year he had 22 HRs, 91 RBIs, and 44 Stolen Bases all while hitting over .300.
Overachieving Starters
The loss of Burnes and Woodruff is devastating for Milwaukee. Freddie Peralta is now shoved to the top of the rotation, and the Crew are hoping to find success the cheap way. The Brewers are counting on veterans Colin Rea, Jakob Junis, and Joe Ross to hold down the fort. Rea gave the Brewers 124 innings last year going 6-6 with a 4.55 ERA and 110 strikeouts. Junis served out of the bullpen for the Giants in 2023 pitching 86 innings with a 3.87 ERA and 96 HRs. Joe Ross has not pitched in the MLB since 2021. He has averaged 173 Innings pitched, a 4.26 ERA, and 67 Ks. The Brewers acquired 25-year-old DL Hall from the Orioles, and the expectation is high for the Lefty. Hall pitched 19.1 innings in 2023 with a 3.26 ERA and 23 Ks. These five pitchers can strike guys out, the key will be can they limit HRs? If they overachieve, the Brewers are at the top of the NL Central.
Prove You Wrong Relievers
The news broke recently that Closer Devin Williams will miss three months due to multiple back fractures. Williams is arguably the best closer in the MLB, so his loss is painful. The Brewers though, have a ton of talent in the bullpen. Joel Payamps and Trevor Megill will battle for the closer role but do not be surprised if Abner Uribe settles in there at some point. Holby Milner, Bryse Wilson, and Elvis Peguero will provide solid middle relief again this season. While many count the Brewers out, I see the Brewers bullpen as a strength.
What It Will Take
The Crew are fortunate to be in a division with teams that consistently embarrass themselves. The Reds have young stars, but pitching issues. The Cardinals disappeared last season. The Cubs are cursed by the baseball gods, and the Pirates… are the Pirates. The Brewers need to win 84 games to win the NL Central, and I think the starting pitchers are the only major concern. Fortunately for the Brewers, the whole division has rotation concerns. It will take some good fortune, and some help from the division, but can the Brewers be contenders in the NL Central? Yes.
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