Who’s Really On First?

Mar 6, 2013; Peoria, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman

(92) hits a solo home run during the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into 2014 there was a lot of speculation around the Brewers and first base. Who’s really on first? Last year, posting a cumulative WAR near -5 at the position was unacceptable, so the Brewers reloaded with a couple of veterans to go along with holdovers from 2013. The question is who will finish the 2014 season playing first?

Juan Francisco

There’s a chance Francisco will improve, but it’s not likely he will improve a lot. Everything is okay, just a notch below average, resulting in a WAR just below zero.

Verdict: 10% Chance of finishing 2014 as the Brewers’ first baseman.

Sean Halton

If you take last year’s limited use and average across a full season you could expect 15 home runs, 66 runs batted in, and an average around .235.

Verdict: 10% Chance of finishing 2014 as the Brewers’ first baseman.

Lyle Overbay

I really think Overbay’s days as an everyday infielder are over. I do think he can be a valuable bench player and clutch late inning pinch hitter though.

Verdict: 5% Chance of finishing 2014 as the Brewers’ first baseman.

Mark Reynolds

We all know Reynolds is an all (home runs) or nothing (strikeouts) guy, but he also the type of bargain buster the Brewers need to hit on. So, I cant resist: Did Doug Melvin hit a home run or strikeout with Reynolds?

Verdict: 30% Chance of finishing 2014 as the Brewers’ first baseman.

Hunter Morris

I don’t get it, what does a guy have to do to get some love around here? In 2012 Morris hit .303 with 28 home runs in the Southern League. He was voted Most Valuable Player and also won the Robin Yount Performance Award as the Brewers Minor League Player of the Year. In 2013 Morris was promoted to AAA where his average dropped to .247, but still hit 24 home runs. He never got the call up and had to watch this off-season as the Brewers loaded up on veteran first basemen.

Verdict: 20% Chance of finishing 2014 as the Brewers’ first baseman.

None of The Above

There are a couple of factors here, first are injuries. If Reynolds and Francisco go down it’s going to start looking like 2013 again and the team will be forced to make a move. Second, if the team believes Morris needs another year they may look for a mid-season player. There’s also the Yovani Gallardo eventual contract situation looming. With Garza, Gallardo is now more expendable should the right player come along.

Verdict: 25% None of the above (someone else) will finish 2014 as the Brewers’ first baseman.

Did I miss anyone? What do you think will happen at first base? Disagree or have additional comments let’s hear them below!