Brewers’ Power Rankings: All-Star Break Edition

Jul 12, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder

(27), catcher

(20), third baseman

(16), and pitcher

(57) show their National League All-Star uniforms before game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Losing streaks are not fun, but thank God for the All-Star break and the series ending win over the Cardinals. Not only do Brewers finish the first-half of the season ten games over .500, but also have a one game lead in the Central Division. Not many (if anyone) saw that coming! Let’s take a look at the players that have the Brewers eyeing a pennant race the second half of the season.

1 (1a): Carlos Gomez

Gomez deservingly represents the Brew Crew at the All-Star game after batting .304 with 14 dingers, 48 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. His WAR is already 3.7, good for second best on the team.

2 (1b): Jonathan Lucroy

Who has the highest WAR? That would be Mr. Lucroy, the All-Star catcher with a WAR of 4.1 and .315 batting average. You want to put Lucroy in the number one spot? How about 1a and 1b?

3: Mark Reynolds

Hold on, here me out. Reynolds has a WAR of 1.0 so far and 14 dingers. His play at first has been far superior to last year’s group that posted a negative WAR and his fill-in work at third for Ramirez has been a blessing. Reynolds is not the greatest solution, but he has stopped the bleeding. Had the Brewers rolled out a similar group as last year they would not be in first place.

4: Scooter Gennett

After finding their short-stop last season it appears the Brewers have secured their second baseman of the future. Gennett is proving to be an everyday second baseman despite his drop-off (but improving) production against lefties. Gennett’s .309 average isn’t shocking given last year’s preview, but the 7 dingers have been a nice surprise.

5: Francisco Rodriguez

With 27 saves Rodriguez is the Brewers third All-Star and (for better or worse) is expecting to be the closer through the end of the season. If you like exciting ninth innings you are in luck!

6: Zach Duke

Will Smith drops out of the power rankings, but Zach Duke keeps the middle relievers rolling, 4-0 and an ERA of 1.18 through 36 innings.

7: Kyle Lohse / Matt Garza / Yovani Gallardo / Wily Peralta

Despite some current inconsistencies this group is the key. After the break there should be some interesting decisions related to Marco Estrada (“Home Run God” is not a good nickname for a pitcher), Jimmy Nelson (organization clearly doesn’t want to rush up) and other free agent pitchers.

8: Khris Davis

After a slow start, the last few weeks have been kind to Davis, now hitting .252 with a team leading 15 dingers and 49 RBIs.

9: Aramis Ramirez

The fourth Brewer representing at the All-Star game, the numbers are good for Ramirez (.288 average, 11 dingers, 43 RBIs), but most importantly he is staying in the lineup (majority of the time anyway).

10: Ryan Braun

His numbers are down (any ideas why internet?), but he is still posting a WAR of 2.0 that puts the starting outfield with a WAR over 7 games for the first half of the season. I believe the Brewers are okay with this.

There’s my “rankings”, what’s yours? Feel free to comment below and let us know.