After dropping to a franchise-low 70 wins in Season Eight, the Brewers re-tooled and have won 85 and 94 games in the two seasons since. Last year, Milwaukee was a Wild Card team and upset the highly favored Astros before falling to Atlanta.
The question this season is, without any major additions to the roster, can the Brewers still be a playoff team? The answer is yes. Last year, the Brewers were second in the National League in pitching and defense. With the same lineup in place, figure those trends will continue. However, look for a slight improvement on offense.
Last Season: 94-68 (.580), 3rd place NL East; Wild Card
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Tommie Paul, Patsy Wheeler, Louis Hume
Will Make the Playoffs If: Veterans play to form and three youngsters round out the roster with solid performances.
Will Miss the Playoffs When: Younger pitchers take step back in development. Top of the lineup continues issues with OBP.
Team Song: "Safety Dance"
By Position:
C: Hector Ramirez dropped off in production (from 49 HRs to 21). New long term contract should bring him back to 40-HR level.
1B: Enigmatic Pedro James alternates weak seasons with good ones. He's due for a good one after a paltry 19 HR last season.
2B: Another enigma, Pascual Berroa dropped from 18 HRs two seasons ago to 7 last season. Plays solid defense and can run well. Plays every day.
SS: The Brewers prefer glovemen at SS, and Pablo Romero is a former Gold Glove winner. He also is the most consistent offensive performer in the League, statistically. Hi Hatteberg is the backup and also plays good defense.
3B: Jimmie Torres is one of the all-time Rule V picks. He has 102 HRs the last two seasons and can mash.
LF: 27-year old Zachrey Jerzembeck had an MVP-type season (.324, 51, 139, 22 sb, 124 runs).
CF: Gregg Presley is emerging as a more consistent performer. Needs to get on base more at the top of the lineup.
RF: A brutal start limited Matthew Hollins to 387 ABs last season. But he rebounded and finished with a .905 OPS. With a quicker start, he has 40/40 capability.
SP: Hard-luck Donald Satou is an ace by any definition. Won only 11 games (2.68 ERA), but excelled in the playoffs. 23-year old Joaquin Villano won 14 last season. Edgard Espinosa is just 25 and won 15 games. Cookie Sardinha is 67-44 in 5 seasons. Ozzie Chang is the 5th starter and made the All-Star team last season.
RP: A very deep bullpen. Five set-up men pitched 48-75 innings. Cooper Benes finally gave the Brewers a dependable closer, and he converted 32 of 35 save opps.
Fighting for roster spots:
Juan Gonzalez is a Rule V pick who could stick if he gets on base and steals bases.
Horacio Aquino is a versatile youngster who can hit a little.
Eswalin James projects as a decent major leaguer, but is still just 19.
Ismael Soriano is just 20, but looks ready to be a 4th outfielder.
Ratings:
Coaching: B+. Josh Harris is in his 7th year as the team's bench coach, and all 7 coaches were with the organization last season (6 in the majors).
Offense: B-.
Pitching: B.
Defense: A-
Outlook: 95-67. NL Wild Card.
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