2021 Milwaukee Brewers player capsules

LHP Brett Anderson

2020 Stats: 10 games started, 4-4, 47 IP, 4.21 ERA, 1.277 WHIP, 1.1 HR/9, 1.9 BB/9, 6.1 K/9, 0.6 bWAR

Outlook: Re-signed with the Brewers in the offseason and will once again be the only lefty in the rotation as a solid back-end-of-the-rotation starter.

SS/3B Orlando Arcia

2020 Stats: 59 games, .260/.317/.416, 96 OPS+, 0.3 bWAR, 189 PA, 22 R, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 2 SB, 32 K

Outlook: With defense slipping the past couple of years and his bat inconsistent, Arcia is slated to bounce between third base and shortstop.

OF Jackie Bradley Jr.

2020 Stats (with Red Sox): 55 games, .283/.364/.450, 118 OPS+, 2.1 bWAR, 217 PA, 32 R, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 5 SB, 48 K

Outlook: After eight seasons, one of baseball’s best defensive outfielders will play for a team other in Boston. It remains to be seen how he’ll fit in with Milwaukee’s four-man outfield but besides his glove Bradley also brings some pop, hitting 10+ homers each year from 2015-19, twice topping 20.

 

RHP Corbin Burnes

2020 Stats: 12 games, 9 starts, 4-1, 59.2 IP, 2.11 ERA, 1.022 WHIP, 0.3 HR/9, 3.6 BB/9, 13.3 K/9, 2.1 bWAR

Outlook: Milwaukee’s No. 2 starter looks to build off his breakout season. In his nine starts last year, Burnes owned a 1.72 ERA, 1.000 WHIP and 13.4 K/9.

OF Lorenzo Cain

2020 Stats: 5 games, .333/.429/.389, 123 OPS+, 0.2 bWAR, 21 PA, 4 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 2 K

Outlook: Returns after opting out early in the 2020 season. In 2019 he (finally) won a Gold Glove but also had an 81 OPS+, his worst since 2013. Turns 35 on April 13 and might see a little less playing time with Bradley on the roster.

 

RHP J.P. Feyereisen

2020 Stats: 6 games, 0-0, 9.1 IP, 5.79 ERA, 0.964 WHIP, 3.9 HR/9, 4.8 BB/9, 6.8 K/9, 0.0 bWAR

Outlook: Wisconsin native made his MLB debut last year. Hopes outstanding spring portends well for 2021.

OF Avisail Garcia

2020 Stats: 53 games, .238/.333/.326, 79 OPS+, -0.3 bWAR, 207 PA, 20 R, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 1 SB, 49 K

Outlook: After posting the worst OPS+ of his career, Garcia lost a lot of weight and thinks the new trimmer self will help him get back to being the player who hit 18+ homers each season from 2017-19.

 

LHP Josh Hader

2020 Stats: 21 games, 1-2, 19 IP, 3.79 ERA, 0.947 WHIP, 1.4 HR/9, 4.7 BB/9, 14.7 K/9, 0.4 bWAR

Outlook: Led the league in saves last season and is expected to remain the ninth-inning go-to guy. Forty saves doesn’t seem like a stretch.

1B Keston Hiura

2020 Stats: 59 games, .212/.297/.410, 88 OPS+, -0.4 bWAR, 246 PA, 30 R, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 3 SB, 85 K

Outlook: One of a few players on the Brewers looking to get back to 2019 form, when he hit .303/.368/570 with 19 home runs in 84 games. Only he’ll do it now at first base instead of second. His work on defense – and if it will affect his hitting – will be a big storyline.

 

RHP Adrian Houser

2020 Stats: 12 games, 11 starts, 1-6, 56 IP, 5.30 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, 1.3 HR/9, 3.4 BB/9, 7.1 K/9, -0.5 bWAR

Outlook: Finally given a regular role in the rotation, he struggled. Looks to get some consistency, although rough spring hasn’t helped. Plugged in as the No. 3 starter.

 

RHP Josh Lindblom

2020 Stats: 12 games, 10 starts, 2-4, 45.1 IP, 5.16 ERA, 1.279 WHIP, 1.2 HR/9, 3.2 BB/9, 10.3 K/9, 0.2 bWAR

Outlook: Return from Korea didn’t quite go as planned, although perhaps not as bad on first glance as his FIP was 3.87. However, Lindblom will begin the year not in the rotation but in the bullpen as a long man who will undoubtedly get some starts eventually.

 

OF Billy McKinney

2020 Stats (with Blue Jays): 2 games, .667/.667/.667, 272 OPS+, 0.2 bWAR, 3 PA, 1 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 K

Outlook: Hot spring (four home runs) got the corner outfielder on the roster but playing time might be limited to pinch hitting and the occasional Sunday start. Could play first base in a pinch, too.

 

C Omar Narvaez

2020 Stats: 40 games, .176/.294/.279, 53 OPS+, -0.1 bWAR, 126 PA, 8 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, 39 K

Outlook: If Narvaez can put together his defensive play from 2020 with his offensive game from 2019 the Brewers will have a complete everyday catcher. Narvaez’s spring is hopefully an indication he’s got his bat back on track.

 

RHP Freddy Peralta

2020 Stats: 15 games, 1 start, 3-1, 29.1 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.159 WHIP, 0.6 HR/9, 3.7 BB/9, 14.4 K/9, 0.3 bWAR

Outlook: After being used mostly in the bullpen the past couple of years, Peralta is back in the rotation as the No. 5 starter. If he can finally put it all together, look out.

 

C Manny Pina

2020 Stats: 15 games, .231/.333/.410, 99 OPS+, 0.6 bWAR, 45 PA, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 11 K

Outlook: Milwaukee’s longest-tenured player – this will be his sixth season with the club – will once again be the backup catcher, providing good defense with some occasional pop at the plate.

 

RHP Drew Rasmussen

2020 Stats: 12 games, 1-0, 15.1 IP, 5.87 ERA, 1.696 WHIP, 1.8 HR/9, 5.3 BB/9, 12.3 K/9, -0.1 bWAR

Outlook: The latest in young Brewers relievers with nasty stuff, Rasmussen can hit 100 mph. If he can get his control in order might be the next stud in the bullpen.

UT Daniel Robertson

2020 Stats (with Giants): 13 games, .333/.417/.333, 114 OPS+, 0.0 bWAR, 24 PA, 4 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 6 K

Outlook: Career utilityman will fill that role for the Brewers. Can play all over the infield and corner outfield spots.

3B Travis Shaw

2020 Stats (with Blue Jays):  50 games, .239/.306/.411, 96 OPS+, 0.3 bWAR, 180 PA, 17 R, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 0 SB, 50 K

Outlook: Might be folly to expect a return to 30+ homers but could get the brunt of starts at third base with the left-handed hitting portion of a platoon with Arcia and Robertson.

 

LHP Brent Suter

2020 Stats: 16 games, 4 starts, 2-0, 31.2 IP, 3.13 ERA, 1.105 WHIP, 1.1 HR/9, 1.4 BB/9, 10.8 K/9, 0.6 bWAR

Outlook: “The Raptor” returns to his role as multi-inning reliever and occasional opener.

 

SS Luis Urias

2020 Stats: 41 games, .239/.308/.294, 64 OPS+, 0.1 bWAR, 120 PA, 11 R, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 0 SB, 10 K

Outlook: Your new starting shortstop has had a good spring including showing the ability to get on base. Injuries were an issue last year and at the start of camp, perhaps something to keep an eye on.

1B Daniel Vogelbach

2020 Stats (combined with Mariners, Blue Jays & Brewers): 39 games, .209/.331/.391, 98 OPS+, -0.1 bWAR, 136 PA, 16 R, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 0 SB, 33 K

Outlook: Hit well in short trial with Brewers (.328/.418/.569 in 67 PA) but with no designated hitter coming to the National League this year his role and the amount of playing time he’ll get is a bit fuzzy.

 

RHP Devin Williams

2020 Stats: 22 games, 4-1, 27 IP, 0.33 ERA, 0.630 WHIP, 0.3 HR/9, 3.0 BB/9, 17.7 K/9, 1.2 bWAR

Outlook: NL Rookie of the Year possesses the game’s best changeup. Will be back in a late-inning role setting up Hader.

2B Kolten Wong

2020 Stats (with Cardinals): 53 games, .265/.350/.326, 89 OPS+, 1.3 bWAR, 208 PA, 26 R, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 5 SB, 30 K

Outlook: Let loose by rival St. Louis, where he played eight years, two-time Gold Glove winner Wong was the first – and biggest — step taken this offseason in looking to improve team defense. He also has some pop in his bat, as he’s shown this spring. Health has been a minor issue, having played more than 127 games just twice in his career (although he appeared 53 of 60 games in 2020).

 

RHP Brandon Woodruff

2020 Stats: 13 games started, 3-5, 73.2 IP, 3.05 ERA, 0.991 WHIP, 1.1 HR/9, 2.2 BB/9, 11.1 K/9, 2.1 bWAR

Outlook: Your opening day starter has a 3.45 ERA, 1.102 WHIP and 10.6 K/9 over the last three seasons. We’d say expect similar numbers, give or take some here and there, in 2021.

RHP Eric Yardley

2020 Stats: 24 games, 2-0, 23.1 IP, 1.54 ERA, 1.243 WHIP, 0.8 HR/9, 3.9 BB/9, 7.3 K/9, 0.6 bWAR

Outlook: Mainly pitched in sixth and seventh innings last year and that should likely again be his role in 2021.

OF Christian Yelich

2020 Stats: 58 games, .205/.356/.430, 111 OPS+, 0.5 bWAR, 247 PA, 39 R, 12 HR, 22 RBI, 4 SB, 46 K

Outlook: A return to MVP form? Maybe. A repeat of 2020? Extremely doubtful.