Milwaukee Brewers
2016: 73-89, fourth place Manager: Craig Counsell (third season) He’s here: 1B Eric Thames, 3B Travis Shaw, RHP Neftali Feliz, C Jett Bandy, 1B Jesus Aguilar, LHP Tommy Milone
Projected lineup: 2B Jonathan Villar (.285, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs, MLB-high 62 steals), CF Keon Broxton (.242, 9, 19, 23/27 steals), LF Ryan Braun (.305, 30, 91), 1B Eric Thames (.317, 40, 118 with NC Dinos in Korean Baseball Organization), RF Domingo Santana (.256, 11, 32), 3B Travis Shaw (.242, 16, 71 with Red Sox), C Jett Bandy (.234, 8, 25 with Angels) or Manny Pina (.254, 4, 12), SS Orlando Arcia (.219, 4, 21).
Rotation: RH Junior Guerra (9-3, 2.81 ERA in 20 starts), RH Zach Davies (11-7, 3.97), RH Matt Garza (6-8, 4.51), RH Jimmy Nelson (8-16, 4.62, MLB-high 86 walks in 179⅓ innings), RH Wily Peralta (7-11, 4.86).
Outlook: General manager David Stearns’ rebuilding project appears to be on schedule after the team’s five-win improvement last season. The slick-fielding Arcia is the first member of Milwaukee’s potential future core to arrive in the majors, while top prospects including outfielder Lewis Brinson and left-handed starter Josh Hader could get looks by September. For now, the top of the lineup looks intriguing with the speedy Villar and Broxton likely hitting ahead of Braun and Thames. Hernan Perez returns to a super-sub role off the bench. The pitching staff could be bolstered if Guerra and Davies continue to develop, and Nelson and Peralta rebound for a full season. The bullpen is a bit more of a question mark. Feliz, the 2010 AL Rookie of the Year after saving 40 games for Texas, will likely get the first call to close.