LHP Brett Anderson
Statistics 2020: 10 games started, 4-4, 47 IP, 4.21 ERA, 1.277 whip, 1.1 HR / 9, 1.9 BB / 9, 6.1 K / 9, 0.6 bWAR
Outlook: Signed again with the Brewers in the off-season and will again be the only left in the rotation as a solid starter at the end of the rotation.
SS / 3B Orlando Arcia
Statistics 2020: 59 games, .260 / .317 / .416, 96 OPS +, 0.3 bWAR, 189 PA, 22 R, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 2 SB, 32 K.
Outlook: With the defense slipping in recent years and his stick inconsistent, Arcia is expected to jump between third base and shortstop.
BY Jackie Bradley Jr.
Statistics for 2020 (with Red Sox): 55 games, .283 / .364 / .450, 118 OPS +, 2.1 bWAR, 217 PA, 32 R, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 5 SB, 48 K.
Outlook: After eight seasons, one of the best defensive baseball outfielder in Boston will be playing for a different team. It remains to be seen how he fits into Milwaukee’s four-man outfield, but besides his glove, Bradley also brings some pop, hitting over 10 homers every year from 2015-19, over 20 twice.
RHP Corbin burns
Statistics 2020: 12 games, 9 starts, 4-1, 59.2 IP, 2.11 ERA, 1.022 whip, 0.3 HR / 9, 3.6 BB / 9, 13.3 K / 9, 2.1 bWAR
Outlook: Milwaukee’s # 2 starter wants to extend his breakout season. On his nine starts last year, Burnes had a 1.72 ERA, 1,000 WHIP and 13.4 K / 9.
BY Lorenzo Cain
Statistics 2020: 5 games, 333/429/389, 123 OPS +, 0.2 bWAR, 21 PA, 4 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 2 K.
Outlook: Returning after signing out at the beginning of the 2020 season. In 2019 he (finally) won a gold glove, but also had 81 OPS +, his worst since 2013. He will be 35 on April 13 and could have a little less playing time on the squad with Bradley.
RHP JP Feyereisen
Statistics 2020: 6 games, 0-0, 9.1 IP, 5.79 ERA, 0.964 whip, 3.9 HR / 9, 4.8 BB / 9, 6.8 K / 9, 0.0 bWAR
Outlook: The native Wisconsin made his MLB debut last year. Hopes for an excellent spring are ahead for 2021.
BY Avisail Garcia
Statistics 2020: 53 games, .238 / .333 / .326, 79 OPS +, -0.3 bWAR, 207 PA, 20 R, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 1 SB, 49 K.
Outlook: After posting the worst OPS + of his career, Garcia lost a lot of weight and believes the new trimmer self will help him become the player again who hit 18+ homers each season from 2017-19.
LHP Josh Hader
Statistics 2020: 21 games, 1-2, 19 IP, 3.79 ERA, 0.947 whip, 1.4 HR / 9, 4.7 BB / 9, 14.7 K / 9, 0.4 bWAR
Outlook: Led the league in saves last season and is expected to remain the ninth-inning go-to type. Forty parades don’t seem like a stretch.
1B Keston Hiura
Statistics 2020: 59 games, .212 / .297 / .410, 88 OPS +, -0.4 bWAR, 246 PA, 30 R, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 3 SB, 85 K.
Outlook: One of the few players at the Brewers trying to get back to 2019 form when he hit .303 / .368 / 570 with 19 home runs in 84 games. Only he will now do it on the first base instead of the second. His work on defense – and if it affects his hits – will be a big story.
RHP Adrian Houser
Statistics 2020: 12 games, 11 starts, 1-6, 56 IP, 5.30 ERA, 1,500 whip, 1.3 HR / 9, 3.4 BB / 9, 7.1 K / 9, -0.5 bWAR
Outlook: Eventually he got a regular role on the rotation and struggled. Seems to be getting some consistency, although rough spring didn’t help. Plugged in as starter no. 3.
RHP Josh Lindblom
Statistics 2020: 12 games, 10 starts, 2-4, 45.1 IP, 5.16 ERA, 1.279 whip, 1.2 HR / 9, 3.2 BB / 9, 10.3 K / 9, 0.2 bWAR
Outlook: The return from Korea didn’t go quite as planned, although at first glance it might not be as bad as his FIP 3.87. Lindblom will not start the year in the rotation, but in the bullpen as a tall man who will undoubtedly get some starts at some point.
BY Billy McKinney
Statistics for 2020 (with Blue Jays): 2 games, .667 / .667 / .667, 272 OPS +, 0.2 bWAR, 3 PA, 1 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 0 K.
Outlook: Hot Spring (four home runs) put the corner outfielder on the roster, but playing time could be limited to pinch punches and the occasional start on Sunday. Could play first base if necessary.
C Omar Narvaez
Statistics 2020: 40 games, .176 / .294 / .279, 53 OPS +, -0.1 bWAR, 126 PA, 8 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 0 SB, 39 K.
Outlook: If Narvaez can put his 2020 defensive play together with his 2019 offensive play, the Brewers will have a complete everyday catcher. Hopefully Narvaez’s spring is a clue that he’s got his racket back on track.
RHP Freddy Peralta
Statistics 2020: 15 games, 1 start, 3-1, 29.1 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.159 whip, 0.6 HR / 9, 3.7 BB / 9, 14.4 K / 9, 0.3 bWAR
Outlook: After Peralta was mainly used in the bullpen in recent years, he is back in the rotation as starter no. 5. When he can finally put it all together, watch out.
C Manny Pina
Statistics 2020: 15 games, .231 / .333 / .410, 99 OPS +, 0.6 bWAR, 45 PA, 4R, 2HR, 5RBI, 0SB, 11K
Outlook: Milwaukee’s longest-running player – this is his sixth season at the club – will once again be the substitute catcher, offering a good defense with the occasional pop on the plate.
RHP Drew Rasmussen
Statistics 2020: 12 games, 1-0, 15.1 IP, 5.87 ERA, 1.696 whip, 1.8 HR / 9, 5.3 BB / 9, 12.3 K / 9, -0.1 bWAR
Outlook: Rasmussen is the newest young Brewers helper with nasty stuff and can go 100 mph. If he can get his control in order, this could be the next bolt in the bullpen.
UT Daniel Robertson
Statistics 2020 (with giants): 13 games, .333 / .417 / .333, 114 OPS +, 0.0 bWAR, 24 PA, 4 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 6 K.
Outlook: The career utility man will take on this role for the Brewers. Can play anywhere in the infield and in the outfields of the corner.
3B Travis Shaw
Statistics for 2020 (with Blue Jays): 50 games, .239 / .306 / .411, 96 OPS +, 0.3 bWAR, 180 PA, 17 R, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 0 SB, 50 K.
Outlook: Might be foolish to expect a return to 30+ homers but might take the brunt of the third base starts with the left-handed batting part of a move with Arcia and Robertson.
LHP Brent Suter
Statistics 2020: 16 games, 4 starts, 2-0, 31.2 IP, 3.13 ERA, 1.105 whip, 1.1 HR / 9, 1.4 BB / 9, 10.8 K / 9, 0.6 bWAR
Outlook: “The Raptor” returns to its role as a multi-inning reliever and the occasional opener.
SS Luis Urias
Statistics 2020: 41 games, .239 / .308 / .294, 64 OPS +, 0.1 bWAR, 120 PA, 11 R, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 0 SB, 10 K.
Outlook: Her new starting shortstop had a good spring including the ability to get down to earth. Injuries were a problem last year and maybe something to watch out for at the beginning of camp.
1B Daniel Vogelbach
Statistics for 2020 (combined with Mariners, Blue Jays & Brewers): 39 games, .209 / .331 / .391, 98 OPS +, -0.1 bWAR, 136 PA, 16 R, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 0 SB, 33 K.
Outlook: Hit well on a quick test with Brewers.
RHP Devin Williams
Statistics 2020: 22 games, 4-1, 27 IP, 0.33 ERA, 0.630 whip, 0.3 HR / 9, 3.0 BB / 9, 17.7 K / 9, 1.2 bWAR
Outlook: NL Rookie of the Year has the best variety in the game. Will be in a late inning role again, creating a quarrel.
2B Kolten Wong
Statistics 2020 (with cardinals): 53 games, .265 / .350 / .326, 89 OPS +, 1.3 bWAR, 208 PA, 26 R, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 5 SB, 30 K.
Outlook: Two-time gold glove winner Wong, let loose by rival St. Louis, where he played for eight years, was the first – and biggest – step in the offseason to step up team defense. He’s got some pop in his bat too, as he showed off this spring. Health was a minor concern as he had only played 127+ games twice in his career (although he played 53 out of 60 games in 2020).
RHP Brandon Woodruff
Statistics 2020: 13 games started, 3-5, 73.2 IP, 3.05 ERA, 0.991 whip, 1.1 HR / 9, 2.2 BB / 9, 11.1 K / 9, 2.1 bWAR
Outlook: Your opening day starter has an ERA of 3.45, a whip of 1.102, and 10.6K / 9 for the past three seasons. We’d say do you expect similar numbers, give or take some here and there in 2021.
RHP Eric Yardley
Statistics 2020: 24 games, 2-0, 23.1 IP, 1.54 ERA, 1.243 whip, 0.8 HR / 9, 3.9 BB / 9, 7.3 K / 9, 0.6 bWAR
Outlook: Mainly in the sixth and seventh innings of last year and that should be his role in 2021 as well.
BY Christian Yelich
Statistics 2020: 58 games, .205 / .356 / .430, 111 OPS +, 0.5 bWAR, 247 PA, 39 R, 12 HR, 22 RBI, 4 SB, 46 K.
Outlook: A return to the MVP form? May be. A repeat of 2020? Very doubtful.
