Rickie Weeks: Brewers Comeback Runner-Up

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Comeback Player of the Year Voting

Mike Fiers              Total Points: 7     1st Place: 3

Rickie Weeks         Total Points: 4     1st Place: 2

Marco Estrada       Total Points: 2    1st Place: 1

Zach Duke               Total Points: 2     1st Place: 1

Yovani Gallardo     Total Points: 2     1st Place: 0

Brandon Kintzler   Total Points: 1     1st Place: 0

Aramis Ramirez     Total Points: 1      1st Place: 0

Ryan Braun             Total Points: 1      1st Place: 0

In the closest race of our award season, Mike Fiers (whose article can be found here) edged out Rickie Weeks for Comeback POY. Weeks, who had a similar revelation to Fiers in 2014 after two previous disappointing seasons was a staple in the Brewers offense starting in 2005, but struggled in 2012 and 2013 after excellent seasons in 2010 and 2011.

From 2010-11, Weeks was 2nd in WAR on the Brewers behind Ryan Braun, over mainstays Corey Hart and Prince Fielder, all of whom earned MVP votes over that two-year span, except for Weeks. Rickie then struggled in 2012, posting a .728 OPS, 90 points lower than his previous season.

His troubles continued in 2013, when he posted a .663 OPS, and was benched in favor of prospect Scooter Gennett. Then in 2014, Weeks flourished again, this time in a reduced role, slashing .274/.357/.452; numbers very reminiscent of his success in 2010-11, his OBP and wOBA being his best since 2010.

Weeks had a similar number of hits, doubles, runs scored, home runs, and RBI in this season as in last season, despite having over 100 more plate appearances in 2013. This impressive turnaround will no doubt help Weeks as he enters free agency.

Weeks is likely done in his career as a Brewer, and I find it fitting that he ended his final season in Milwaukee with stats more indicative of his true talent than in the years that he struggled. Best of luck to Rickie as he faces free agency for the first time in his career.