When will the Milwaukee Brewers be competitive again? Next season seems quite optimistic, and there’s a chance that by 2017 the Brewers could once again be a team making noise in the National League. But realistically, if Milwaukee’s top prospects pan out in the time that they should, 2018 should be the big breakthrough season.
If that timeline goes from hypothesis to reality, there’s two-plus seasons to get through before the Brewers are out of rebuild mode. It’s what happens in the meantime that will be crucial to Milwaukee having the right pieces in place for the team’s possible contending run in 2018.
So, which players currently on the 25-man roster should be part of the Brewers’ future planning?
Obvious candidates
Jimmy Nelson, Taylor Jungmann and Wily Peralta – If these three pitchers continue to develop as they have been, the top of Milwaukee’s starting rotation could be outstanding in two years. Nelson and Peralta are both 26 years old right now, and Jungmann is 25. They will all be entering the prime of their careers by the spring of 2018, having learned what does and doesn’t work at the big-league level between now and then.
Question marks
Jonathan Lucroy – Is it wise for a rebuilding team to plan an offense around a 29-year-old who is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2017 season? Probably not. But with Lucroy currently embarking on a career-worst season, he’d command far less money to re-sign now than he would have coming off his tremendous 2014 season. If the Brewers don’t plan on re-signing Lucroy beyond 2017, he should be moved as soon as his value bounces back.
Ryan Braun – No rebuilding team should want to be on the hook to pay one of its players $20 million per season, but that’s the situation that Milwaukee finds itself in. The question is whether Braun’s contract is untradeable and if the Brewers could get anything of value back in return sometime before 2018. If Milwaukee is a quality team by 2018 and Braun hasn’t been traded, perhaps he’s playing first base to conclude the final three years on his deal.
Jean Segura – The Brewers’ top prospect is 21-year-old shortstop Orlando Arcia. By 2018, Arcia will be Milwaukee’s every-day starter at shortstop. That will leave Segura looking for a position, if he’s not been traded first. Segura would likely move to second base if he remains with the Brewers long-term, but he has to find a way to improve his career .305 on-base percentage.
Scooter Gennett – Long-term, Gennett is probably a utility infielder who makes starts against right-handed pitching. A player like that will hold value for Milwaukee in a couple years.
Khris Davis – Davis will be 30 years old when the 2018 season begins. Will top prospects Brett Phillips and Domingo Santana push Davis into a full-time backup role by that time? The Brewers also have outfielders Trent Clark and Tyrone Taylor in the farm system. Davis can’t be a free agent until 2020, but he’ll likely need to accept a lesser role in 2018 if Milwaukee is competing by then.
Shane Peterson – Peterson is a rare defender who can play first base and center field. If he keeps hitting like he has been recently, the Brewers will find a roster spot for him moving forward.
Tyler Cravy – Cravy is in the same age group with Jungmann, Peralta and Nelson, but his development remains far more of a question mark compared to those three studs.
Michael Blazek and Will Smith – They’re the two best mid-20s pitchers currently in Milwaukee’s bullpen. It helps that one is a righty (Blazek) and one a lefty (Smith).
Not happening
Adam Lind – Lind will almost be 35 years old when the 2018 season begins, and he’ll be a free agent after the 2016 season. The Brewers needs to find a long-term option at first base, or maybe move Braun there.
Francisco Rodriguez – The veteran closer has been great this season, but he’ll be a free agent and in his late 30s by 2018.
Neal Cotts – He’s on a one-year contract and is already 35 years old.
Matt Garza – The Brewers will find a way to move Garza some time in the next two years.
