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Milwaukee Brewers: Positional Preview for 2020 Season

By Brian Sampson

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 17: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers at bat against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park on August 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 17: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers at bat against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park on August 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Keston Hiura, Milwaukee Brewers
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 24: Keston Hiura #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers fields a ground ball in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Milwaukee defeated Cincinnati 4-2. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Infield

Catcher: Omar Narvaez/Manny Pina

The two are likely to split time behind the plate depending on whether there’s a righty or lefty on the mound, and they couldn’t be any more opposite. Where Pina is sturdy behind the plate, he’s a liability at it. The opposite is true for Narvaez who had an OPS above .800 last season for the Seattle Mariners.

First Base: Justin Smoak

Smoak was acquired as a free agent this winter and will likely start the majority of time at first base. He’s a switch hitter who’s coming off a terrible season in Toronto. However, he was an All-Star in 2017–the form the Brewers are hoping he’ll return to. Ryan Braun will also likely be sprinkled in at first.

Second Base: Keston Hiura

The rookie sensation is hoping for an even better encore in his second season with the Brewers. After hitting .303 with an OPS of .938, Hiura is Milwaukee’s everyday starter at second base. He’s a stud and should be one of the team’s staples this season.

Third Base: Eric Sogard/Jedd Gyorko

The second true platoon in the infield, Sogard and Gyoroko will split time at third base this season. Both players are better served as utility men instead of everyday starters, but here we are. This will be manager Craig Counsell’s biggest challenge on the roster.

Shortstop: Orlando Arcia

Arcia was supposed to be in a tight battle with newcomer Luis Urias for the starting shortstop role, but that was put on hold when Urias underwent hand surgery in late January. It will be interesting to see how Counsell handles the situation when baseball finally starts. For now, pencil Arcia in as the starter.

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