After 2018 run, Brewers set sights on big prize
“We have had some time to reflect on the season,” says Christian Yelich, whose team fell to the Dodgers in Game 7 of the NLCS. “You want those feelings again.” More on the Brewers,
Five issues facing the Brewers:
Jimmy Nelson’s readiness? The right-hander was one of the top pitchers in the rotation when he severely injured his pitching shoulder in September 2017 and had major surgery. He missed all of 2018 while undergoing a long, tedious rehab process but is ready to throw again this spring. Nelson is a long shot to make the opening-day roster but could be a big boost to the staff if he comes close to his previous form.
Getting Anderson back on
track: Veteran right-hander Chase Anderson was the Brewers’ opening-day starter in 2018 but was benched in the closing days as the Brewers claimed the National League Central crown.
Anderson had trouble with his mechanics and couldn’t keep the ball in the park (30 homers, tied for most in the NL). He is signed through 2019 with two club options afterward and vows to return to form this year after the heartbreak of being excluded from postseason play.
Who’s on second? The Brewers must figure out what to do at second base after opting not to offer a contract to disappointing Jonathan Schoop. If they don’t make a move before opening day, it’s possible they will platoon righthanded-hitting Hernan Pérez and leftyhitting Cory Spangenberg at the outset as they await the arrival of top prospect Keston Hiura, who has soared through the farm system.
Hiura has yet to play a game at the Class AAA level, and GM David Stearns already has said he needs more time in the minors before getting the call.
“Out-getters”: Manager Craig Counsell eschews the words “starters” and “relievers,” preferring to focus on the method to get 27 outs each day. There are many candidates but returning de facto ace Jhoulys Chacín is the only 100 percent certainty to be in the opening-day rotation. He’ll more than likely be in the No. 1 spot.
You have to figure Zach Davies will be given every chance to return to form after missing more than half of last season with injuries. He won 17 games in 2017 but was a forgotten man by time the Brewers made the playoffs.
Young right-handers: Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta and Brandon Woodruff all made significant contributions in getting the Brewers within a game of the World Series in ’18.
Burnes, who pitched exclusively in relief, is expected to be stretched out as a starter in spring. Peralta likely will do so as well, but Woodruff pitched so well in relief after struggling in sporadic action in the rotation that he might stay in that role. All three have minor league options so there is no guarantee they will be kept out of spring training but the Brewers highly value their arms.