RANKING THE BREWERS BY TODD ROSIAK
Todd Rosiak, a Journal Sentinel beat writer covering the Milwaukee Brewers, provides his analysis of the team’s projected 25-man roster as of Friday, April 1. The rankings were determined on the basis of each player’s value to the team.
1. RYAN BRAUN, LF
It appears Braun is finally past the thumb issue that dogged him, but now his surgically repaired lower back is a concern. At 32 years old he’s coming off his best season since 2012 and is back in left field for the first time since 2013. His greatest value to the Brewers in their rebuild may be his trade value, if he can stay healthy and again put up big numbers.
2. JONATHAN LUCROY, C
The hardworking backstop was a subject of trade rumors all off-season, and it’s likely he’ll be moved by the end of the season. In the meantime Lucroy will look to bounce back from an injury-marred 2015 and return to his 2014 all-star form both at the plate and behind it.
3. DOMINGO SANTANA, RF
The Brewers traded Khris Davis in the off-season and moved Braun to left field in order to open right for Santana, who could be a cornerstone moving forward in the rebuild. He strikes out at a high rate but still gets on base at a good pace and hits for power. His throwing arm is a plus.
4. JIMMY NELSON, RHP
The big right-hander is profiling as the Brewers’ future ace. Nelson’s intensity is next-level and his ability to get ground-ball outs makes him a good fit for Miller Park. His next challenge is to put it all together over a full season.
5. WILY PERALTA, RHP
Peralta was named opening-day starter based mostly on his last healthy season, which came in 2014 and featured a 17-11 record and 3.53 ERA. His array of pitches is similar to Nelson’s, but his affable nature and loss of focus at times can work against him.
6. JEREMY JEFFRESS, RHP
Jeffress has dreamed of becoming a big-league closer since being drafted by Milwaukee in 2006 and now he gets his opportunity. His stuff is good and so is his personality in a young and evolving clubhouse.
7. TAYLOR JUNGMANN, RHP
Jungmann’s repertoire is expanding, but it’s a cross-body delivery that makes him unique and therefore tough on hitters. Cerebral and always seeking to improve all areas of his game, including hitting. Another potential workhorse moving forward for the Brewers.
8. CHRIS CARTER, 1B
Soft-spoken, friendly slugger who the Brewers hope can stop the four-year revolving door at first base for the time being. His strikeout totals will be prodigious, but his home run totals could be as well playing half his games at Miller Park.
9. SCOOTER GENNETT, 2B »
A fan favorite who is seeking to put a forgettable 2015 behind him. Gennett will open 2016 as the primary second baseman but needs to improve his focus on defense and his patience at the plate. Remains to be seen if he’ll ever get a chance to prove he can hit lefties.
10. MATT GARZA, RHP
After a miserable 2015, Garza has seemingly become re-energized. An off-season spent addressing muscle imbalances and core issues seemed to have helped in the spring. Now Garza needs to translate that to the mound. He, too, could be trade bait if he bounces back.
11. MICHAEL BLAZEK, RHP
Eager to build off a solid 2015 that was ended by a mysteriously broken hand, Blazek has a live arm and the versatility to fill every role in the bullpen. In this iteration, it’s likely he’ll find himself in high-leverage situations in front of Jeffress.
12. CHASE ANDERSON, RHP
Similar to former Brewer Marco Estrada in that his best pitch is a killer changeup. But when he’s not locating, the results aren’t pretty. Anderson was named the No. 5 starter despite a bad spring. With Zach Davies in the wings, how long will his leash be?
13. COREY KNEBEL, RHP
Hard-throwing Texan who was a closer in college. Like Blazek, he’s capable of wearing multiple hats in the bullpen. Durability over the long haul looks to be the question at this point.
14. JONATHAN VILLAR, SS
Switch hitter who didn’t hit well this spring but at least made most of the plays at shortstop. He’s just keeping the position warm for top prospect Orlando Arcia but could wind up being the team’s starting third baseman once Arcia arrives.
15. AARON HILL, 3B
The oldest player on the roster at 34 and the primary third baseman despite making just 72 of his 1,148 major-league starts there over 11 seasons. His influence on younger players might be just as important as his on-field contributions.
16. KEON BROXTON, OF
Was as smooth as could be defensively in spring while displaying a keen eye at the plate. Also possesses plus speed. Appeared to be the clear-cut frontrunner for the center-field job, but the Brewers are likely to look at other players there as well.
17. TYLER THORNBURG, RHP
Finally solidified as a reliever after yo-yo-ing between the rotation and bullpen for several years. Thornburg is also healthy after serious elbow problems and eager to return to the form he showed early in 2014.
18. MARTIN MALDONADO, C
Entering his fifth season as Lucroy’s reliable backup behind the plate. Playing only sporadically, he’s expected to remain solid defensively and to work well with pitchers, with any offense he provides considered a bonus. Very popular among his teammates.
19. CHRIS CAPUANO, LHP
After five seasons with the Brewers (2004-’07, ’10), mostly as a starter, the left-hander returns with a job in the bullpen. Another well-traveled veteran who can give length and get both lefties and righties out. Made team as nonroster invitee.