Milwaukee Brewers: On to next phase of rebuild in 2017
By Ben Hertel
The Milwaukee Brewers are in the middle of their rebuild. Doing things right in 2017 will get them one step closer to the playoffs.
The Milwaukee Brewers finished 2016 with a 73-89 record, which was good for 4th in the NL Central. 73 wins were pretty good for a Brewers team that traded almost every veteran piece away.
In 2016 we saw new faces like Jonathan Villar, Keon Broxton, and Junior “Ace” Guerra, among others. We also saw top prospect Orlando Arcia get his feet wet at the major league level.
The goal of the 2017 season feels a lot different than that of the 2016 season. For the most part, the Brewers are out of the 2016 “tanking” part of the rebuild. There aren’t many veteran pieces left to be traded.
2017 is the second rebuilding phase, which is player development. Keon Broxton, Domingo Santana, Orlando Arcia, Zach Davies and Jonathan Villar need to keep developing. The top prospects at AAA and below need to keep developing.
A top five farm system ranking is nice, but it doesn’t mean anything if the Crew doesn’t develop their talent to its maximum potential.
So to get themselves into a real playoff push, the Brewers need to do things right in 2017. It starts with the younger guys listed above.
Keon Broxton and Domingo Santana need to build off of their great second halves of 2016, in which both batted at least .280. Orlando Arcia needs to be more patient at the plate, and continue to develop his offensive game because the guy can pick it at short.
Jonathan Villar needs to lock 2nd base down and continue his offensive output from 2016. Zach Davies needs to keep controlling his pitches and win some ball games.
Besides development, 2017 will be key in determining what other players will be around for the future playoff push. Jimmy Nelson, Wily Peralta, and Chase Anderson will need to improve if they want a rotation spot beyond 2017.
More from Milwaukee Brewers
- Milwaukee Brewers are making a bold bet with Jackson Chourio
- 5 Pitchers Milwaukee Brewers Should Trade For
- Milwaukee Brewers: 3 trade packages the New York Mets could make for Corbin Burnes
- This former player will eventually manage the Milwaukee Brewers
- Milwaukee Brewers: 3 trade packages the Baltimore Orioles could offer for Corbin Burnes
All three were below average last year, and Josh Hader, Jorge Lopez, Luis Ortiz, and Brandon Woodruff are all knocking on the MLB door. There is absolutely no reason to keep Nelson, Peralta, or Anderson around if they pitch like they did last year.
Eric Thames and Travis Shaw also have a big year ahead. They probably don’t have a short leash as the starting pitchers do, but there are future replacements for them if they fail to produce.
Lucas Erceg is shooting up the minors at third base, and Jesus Aguilar, the offseason waiver addition had a HUGE spring at first base. Ryan Braun or Ryan Cordell could also be looking at first base time in the future.
If the young players at the major league level keep developing, David Stearns will have a few tough decisions on his hands. Santana and Broxton have the outfield locked down now, but the top prospects are coming,
If Broxton and Santana keep playing well, they could easily be traded in the next season or two. Stearns could also choose to trade an outfield prospect or two if Broxton and Santana continue to blossom into good players.
The infield is equally as packed. Villar and Arcia have the middle locked down for now, but like the outfield, there are a plethora of young, talented, middle infielders coming. It’s fun and very exciting to think about all the combinations the Brewers might have coming within the next year or two.
The Brewers future is certainly bright, and a successful 2017 will bring them one step closer to the postseason.