Third base
base and struggled mightily returning from an elbow injury in the season’s final month.
Luis Urías was solid but had to move around the infield often and likely will see most of his time at second base in 2023.
And while Mike Brosseau had a good season, posting a .762 OPS, he often struggled when in the starting lineup at third (.629).
With some faces new and others familiar this year, the Brewers will need more production from third base moving forward.
Health is the biggest question with Anderson
Anderson has left behind the only franchise he ever knew in the Miami Marlins to play a key role with Milwaukee this year – and he hopes his troublesome shoulder and other injuries are in the past, too.
The last time Anderson played a 162game season without any health problems was 2018, when he established himself as one of the better young third basemen in baseball with a .757 OPS and 3.0 wins above replacement campaign.
Anderson was even better in 2019 and finished as the best player on a bad, 57win Marlins team by hitting 20 homers and posting an OPS of .811, but he missed more than 30 games due to hand and elbow injuries.
After another strong showing in the shortened 2020 season, Anderson was emerging as a reliable third baseman whose WAR totals over a three-year span were similar to those of Kris Bryant, Matt Carpenter and Yoan Moncada.
Largely derailed by injuries, Anderson has been looking to find that same form since.
Anderson got off to a slow start in 2021, missed a couple weeks with an oblique injury in late April and then battled left shoulder problems as soon as he was getting rolling in May. He underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and was back to hitting like this old self – he had a .750 OPS through the all-star break – before partially dislocating the same shoulder diving for a grounder in July.
In all, Anderson appeared in just 165 games over the last two years with a .681 OPS and 90 adjusted OPS, a far cry from the .785 OPS and 112 adjusted OPS he posted from 2018-20.
Anderson reported he was feeling no health limitations after signing with the Brewers in January.
“As of now I feel great. I’m healthy, I’m working out, I’m full go,” Anderson said. “I don’t even notice my shoulder anymore, so that’s great news. I’m excited to have an actual offseason where I’m healthy and can go in and really try to build that strength and try to put on more muscle. That way I can really drive the ball again the way that I should.”
Anderson could provide the Brewers with a steady lineup presence
His game may not be the flashiest, but when at his best, Anderson does a little bit of everything and does it well.
He hits for some power – 42 homers in 341 games from 2018-20 despite playing in pitcher-friendly Miami.
He draws some walks – a career 9.3% walk rate trails only Christian Yelich, Jesse Winker and Urias on the current 40man roster.
He can limit strikeouts – a 20.4% K rate from 2018-19, though he has yet to regain that form since.
He plays solid defense – a Gold Glove finalist in 2020 at third, his best position, with the ability to man right field as well.
“I was healthy and I was consistent, and I think that’s what we all look for in baseball is consistency,” Anderson said. “It’s such a difficult sport. The main thing defensively is energy and being ready for the ball and really wanting the ball. I remember that season I wanted to get a play on defense and I think if you have that tenacity that’s how you end up with those kinds of accolades.”
Anderson also will see time in right field, where he made 179 starts while with the Marlins.
“From what I’ve been told, that’s pretty much it,” Anderson said of third base and right field. “Obviously left field and right field can be interchangeable, too. I haven’t heard anything about any other positions. In initial talks this offseason they talked about helping out at first base. I think I played one game in 2020 at first base, and it was in an emergency; we had just come off of COVID.
“I don’t really have any experience there and that’s probably one of my more uncomfortable positions. But if I’m athletic enough to play right field and third base, first base shouldn’t be an issue.”
Brosseau has carved out a role with the Brewers
Brosseau proved his worth in two ways last year: he can hit lefties and excels as a pinch hitter.
The first part wasn’t a revelation. Before
the Brewers acquired him last offseason, Brosseau was used primarily against left-handed pitchers and has a career .823 OPS off them in 334 plate appearances.
The second was. Brosseau led all of baseball with three pinch-hit home runs and 12 RBI, and was also third with nine hits. His .529 average was the best of any pinch hitter with at least 12 PA.
Because of his success in these areas, Brosseau has carved out a clear role for himself. He likely will play most days against lefty starters and can give the Brewers the platoon advantage late in games when lefty relievers come in to face Rowdy Tellez or Jesse Winker.
Abraham Toro and Owen Miller also have experience at third, giving the Brewers added depth.
By the numbers
44: Appearances made in the outfield by Anderson last year. He also will give the Brewers a number of starts in right field.
.759: Brosseau’s OPS against righties, albeit in only 55 PA
4: Home runs by Anderson in his career against the Brewers, the most he has against any opponent outside the NL East
14: Homers by Brewers third basemen in 2022, tied for 23rd in baseball