Milwaukee Brewers: Ranking 25 most important players in playoffs

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MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 18: Jonathan Schoop #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a single in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park on September 18, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

#25 RHP Chase Anderson

After getting the Opening Day start and throwing a gem against San Diego, it’s been a downhill slide for Anderson, mostly due to struggles in the first inning and with home runs. Even still, he’s having his second best season of his career with an ERA under 4 and a WHIP of 1.19. But his struggles with the longball make him too risky to get a start in the postseason at this point. He still makes the squad as the long reliever over Woodruff and Peralta due to his history in a pennant race and ability to spot start.

#24 LHP Dan Jennings

Another spot that was a toss up, Jennings is in a serious battle for the postseason roster with Woodruff, Peralta, Taylor Williams, and Jordan Lyles. However, he gets the nod due to his stellar start against St. Louis and the fact that he’s left-handed. The third left-hander in the bullpen, Jennings has been a workhorse as well, with 72 appearances in 2018. He’s had his struggles, but more often than not is a dependable option in the fifth or sixth inning to get outs. He is another in the line of savvy David Stearns pickups.

#23 1B/OF Eric Thames

Much like Jennings, Thames makes the team because of the one thing he’ll bring in a playoff game: big time left handed power. With an abundance of right handed hitters on the bench except for Curtis Granderson, that makes Thames a little more valuable than guys like Tyler Saladino and Domingo Santana. However, Thames being on the roster means Keon Broxton is not, taking away some defensive replacement opportunities late in games.

#22 UTILITY Hernan Perez

As the one true “Swiss Army Knife” on the roster, Perez is assured a spot, but likely won’t be starting any games, instead being used as the typical utility man, shuffling all over the field after pinch hitting, or as a defensive replacement at second or in the outfield. While he won’t be a massive part of a playoff run, having someone as versatile as Perez allows Craig Counsell to make some bolder moves early in games to get some more offense in.

#21 IF Jonathan Schoop

If this was 2017, or even 2019, then Schoop would be dramatically higher, but his struggles have relegated him to a platoon role with Travis Shaw and Orlando Arcia. But even if he’s not starting, expect Schoop to be the first hitter off the bench and get some starts against left handers like Jon Lester or Cole Hamels.

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