THREE REASONS

TO BELIEVE — OR NOT BELIEVE — IN THE 2017 BREWERS

TO BELIEVE Taking the next step: The Brewers had several players get their feet solidly in the door last season, including infielder Jonathan Villar, centerfielder Keon Broxton, utilityman Hernan Perez and starting pitchers Junior Guerra and Zach Davies. Now, we wait to see how many take the next step toward establishing themselves in the big leagues. If most of them do so, this rebuilding plan might move into the passing lane. Ryan Braun still here: The Brewers came close to trading Braun to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, and if they had, the team might have taken a step back in 2017. He is the only player with enough of a track record to know what to expect and remains a force in the middle of the lineup. He becomes a “10 and 5” player May 24, giving him full veto rights over trades and making it more likely he finishes his career with the Brewers. Growing crop on the farm: It was quite evident during the exhibition season that the Brewers have a large group of impressive minorleague prospects. The likes of Lewis Brinson, Lucas Erceg and Isan Diaz were hardly intimidated. Many of these players will be key contributors at the back end of the rebuild. And, should anyone on the opening-day roster fail to take that next step, rest assured there will be a talented young player waiting to get his chance.

NOT TO BELIEVE Rotating rotation: No pitcher in the starting rotation has a proven track record in the big leagues, making it impossible to project how the group will fare as a whole. Guerra and Davies took huge first steps in 2016 and now must prove they can keep it going. Wily Peralta, Jimmy Nelson and Chase Anderson have been inconsistent, and Matt Garza is 33 and has slipped badly in recent seasons. Sophomore slumps: One thing you can count on in the major leagues is that opponents will make adjustments to tendencies and trends they see from inexperienced players. Scouting reports are more detailed than ever. When teams make those adjustments on the younger Brewers players, they must make reciprocal adjustments to survive. Easier said than done in the ongoing game of cat and mouse. Closing the door: Since the beginning of last season, the Brewers have traded away three reliable late-inning relievers — Will Smith, Jeremy Jeffress and Tyler Thornburg. Now, they are asking Neftali Feliz to close games on a regular basis for the first time in three years. He is only 28 and still has a good arm, but is he up to protecting leads in the ninth inning again? If not, a late-inning scramble could occur that results in leads slipping away.