Milwaukee Brewers: Call-ups in great position for success

By Ben Hertel | Jun 12, 2017

Feb 27, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader (71) on the mound during a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports /

The trio of call-ups for the Milwaukee Brewers find themselves in a great position to contribute to the playoff push for the rest of the season.

Ah yes, David Stearns and the Milwaukee Brewers have sent the first wave of prospects to the big show.

Lewis Brinson, Brett Phillips, and Josh Hader all made their MLB debuts this week. Hader had a shutdown inning out of the pen, Phillips recorded his first hit, and Brinson bats leadoff today against Arizona.

If all three of these guys can produce, they have the capability of staying on the MLB roster through the end of the year.

Josh Hader has the best chance to stay up. The Brewers bullpen has been a dumpster fire, and he can be a shutdown middle reliever with his Fastball Slider combination.

If need be, Hader could probably also give the Milwaukee Brewers a spot start. I don’t think they’d throw him back in the rotation right now with Woodruff and Espino at AAA. Chris Sale and Carlos Martinez were bullpen guys before they became top tier starters, and Hader could very easily follow in their paths as well.

More from Milwaukee Brewers

Brinson and Phillips path to staying at the MLB level isn’t as easy, but they still have an excellent opportunity.

They have had good years at AAA, but injuries have opened up playing time for them. Having Ryan Braun and Jonathan Villar on the DL has opened up the outfield. Also having Travis Shaw away with his family emergency has opened up time for the young duo.

Sogard, Franklin, and Perez have played in the outfield this season, but they will have to fill in at second and third until Villar gets healthy, and Shaw’s situation resolves itself.

Keon Broxton‘s struggles are also opening the door for more Phillips and Brinson playing time. Broxton owns a 39% K rate, along with a .224 average and a -8DRS (defensive runs saved). He’s been bad and should be going to the bench.

Phillips and Brinson shouldn’t just be handed spots in the outfield. They need to prove they bring more to the table than Broxton does.

However, until Braun returns Brinson and Phillips should see a majority of the playing time in the outfield. Braun still doesn’t have a timetable for his return, so they should be able to get an extended period at the MLB level.

Once Braun gets healthy, Stearns has some moves to make. First, he needs to DFA Nick Franklin. He’s struggling and doesn’t bring much to the table beyond versatility.

Next, he needs to decide whether Broxton is worth keeping at the MLB level. It’s possible, but I don’t think the Brewers will roll with five outfielders.

Brinson should take the centerfielder role, along with Braun and Santana at the corners. The 4th outfield spot is going to come down to how much playing time will be available. Braun will obviously need his rest, so the fourth outfielder will still probably find plenty of time.

It that is the case, then if Phillips is hitting he should be the fourth outfielder. That would mean Broxton would be bumped out. However, if Phillips is struggling or playing time is more scarce than I think it will be, Phillips should be sent down, so he sees constant time.

All three guys have been helped out by injuries and poor play. Regardless, if Hader, Phillips, and Brinson produce, they should stay up through the postseason push.

Hopefully, the wave of young players continues, and we see more of the future coming up.

Home/Milwaukee Brewers