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Milwaukee Brewers: 5 players who must improve down the stretch

By Brian Sampson

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 30: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by Christian Yelich #22 after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on March 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 30: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated by Christian Yelich #22 after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on March 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 16: Orlando Arcia #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers makes a throw to first base during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park on April 16, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 16: Orlando Arcia #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers makes a throw to first base during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park on April 16, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

4. Orlando Arcia

It feels like Orlando Arcia has been around forever, but he is just shy of his 24th birthday. It’s important to understand his age so fans can be more patient with the promising shortstop. Arcia has struggled offensively this season and has spent time down in Triple-A to work on his swing. Hopefully, this is helping as he needs some major work with the bat.

In 2017, Arcia batted .277 with a .324 on-base percentage. Even though his strikeout rate was high (100 strikeouts in 548 plate appearances), he was able to overcome it in other ways. Unfortunately, his strikeout rate skyrocketed this season (51 strikeouts in just 212 plate appearances) and his overall performance took a dip as well (.197 batting average).

Arcia is unquestionably the best defensive shortstop Milwaukee has and has proven he can get it together offensively. This is great news because the Brewers biggest weakness right now is their lack of a quality player up the middle. A trade is one route to go, but Arcia’s internal improvement would be the easiest and most economical.

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