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Milwaukee Brewers: Ranking 25 most important players in playoffs

By Mike Wendlandt

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 21: Jesus Aguilar #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off home run to beat the Miami Marlins 6-5 at Miller Park on April 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 21: Jesus Aguilar #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off home run to beat the Miami Marlins 6-5 at Miller Park on April 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 02: Jhoulys Chacin #45 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 2, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 02: Jhoulys Chacin #45 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 2, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

#10 LHP Xavier Cedeno

A surprising entry into the Top 10, Cedeno has been stellar as a left-handed specialist in his short Brewer tenure, and guys like that are beyond invaluable in the do-or-die playoff games. In a Wild Card matchup against the Cardinals, as an example, he could be the key player if he comes into the game to retire Matt Carpenter. Ditto for Anthony Rizzo, Freddie Freeman, Cody Bellinger, etc.

#9 3B Mike Moustakas

The Moose is a tried and true playoff performer with a World Series Ring to prove it. He’s been nothing if not solid during his tenure with the Brewers, and his fearlessness at the hot corner is underrated. With his power at the plate playing up in Milwuakee, Chicago, or Atlanta, he can be a sneaky candidate for Postseason MVP.

#8 IF Travis Shaw

Same thing as Moustakas, but without the ring. Shaw’s surprisingly solid paly at secon dbase has given him a chance to continually regain the form that made him a feared hitter in 2017, and he’s starting to find his power stroke again. Another guy who can carry a team if he heats up, Shaw is a bedrock of this squad.

#7 LHP Wade Miley

What a signing Wade Miley has been. A non-roster invitee in Spring Training who stayed with the team throughout his injury woes despite the fact that he could’ve opted out, Miley has been a godsend for the rotation. If his numbers were inflated for a full season, using his FIP, it would be his second best year, behind only his All-Star season of 2012. He’s undoubtedly the number two in the playoff rotation, and even could get the start in the Wild Card game if that’s where the team ends up.

#6 RHP Jhoulys Chacin

The only starter to make every turn through the rotation, Chacin has become one of the biggest bargains in all of baseball from last offseason. He has had his struggles when his slider is flat, but when he’s on he can control a game completely. He’s been the rock of this pitching staff and should start Game 1 of the NLDS or the Wild Card game.

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