Yelich, Brewers optimistic after successful spring training

MILWAUKEE — Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers showed signs this spring that they’ll bounce back from the slump that engulfed virtually their entire lineup last year.

Of course, they aren’t taking anything for granted until they perform when the games matter. They’ll get their first chance in Thursday’s opener against the Minnesota Twins.

“Spring training is very different than the regular season,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “But, given some of the performances we had last year, having guys going into the regular season with a really good frame of mind, with confidence, with belief in themselves and each other, I think there’s a degree of importance to it. I know as well as anyone that this can all change in one direction or another after a week.”

Milwaukee is seeking a fourth straight postseason berth after sneaking into the playoffs last year with a 29-31 record despite ranking 27th out of 30 major league teams in runs per game. Hitters up and down their lineup failed to reach their career norms.

Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP, hit just .205 last season after winning batting titles in 2018 and 2019. Keston Hiura batted .212 and had an NL-high 85 strikeouts last year after posting a .938 OPS as a rookie in 2019. Omar Narváez saw his average plunge from .278 in 2019 to .176 last year. Avisaíl García hit just two homers and his average fell from .282 to .238.

All of them showed signs of progress in the preseason. For instance, Yelich batted .393 with a .500 on-base percentage and 1.357 OPS.

“I think he’s as enthused about starting a season as probably any player I’ve been around,” Stearns said.

Plenty of other Brewers who slumped last year performed well this spring.

Hiura hit .283 with a .935 OPS. Narváez hit .273 with a .415 on-base percentage and 1.051 OPS. García batted .313 with a .930 OPS.

“I don’t think we’ve paid much attention to what happened last year,” Hiura said. “We have a good group of guys, solid guys returning, and obviously made a bunch of big signings to help that offense and defense as well. So, we’re really excited about this team.”

Another encouraging preseason performance came from Kolten Wong, the Gold Glove second baseman who signed with Milwaukee after spending eight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Wong batted .306 with a .375 on-base percentage and 1.097 OPS.

The Brewers are encouraged by those spring statistics but also not getting carried away over sample sizes ranging from 30-50 at bats in more relaxed settings.

“I think what’s great from the spring is that we’re healthy,” manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s what I like about the spring. We’re coming into the season healthy.”

The Brewers believe the additions of Wong and former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. will add depth to the lineup and boost the defense. They also will have a full season from outfielder Lorenzo Cain, who played just five games last year before opting out.

Whether those hitters can build on the momentum they established in the Cactus League remains uncertain. But it at least should give them some reason for optimism.

“That’s something they can lean on during struggles as much as anything,” Counsell said. “There’s going to be struggles. There’s going to be guys that get off to bad starts. But I think all of our guys are in a good enough place and understanding of where they are right now that it’s going to get you back on track a little quicker.”

NOTES: Stearns said one player received a positive COVID-19 test Wednesday that turned out to be a false positive. Stearns said all the players on the roster re-tested today and that he expects the Brewers to have their full complement of players available Thursday. … Counsell said both outfielder Billy McKinney and right-handed reliever J.P. Feyereisen have made the major league roster. The 26-year-old McKinney, who was out of options, batted .262 with four homers and nine RBIs in 42 at-bats this spring. Feyereisen, 28, struck out 17 and allowed just one run and one hit in 9 2/3 innings.