Milwaukee Brewers: Jason Rogers Needs At-Bats

Next year some of the biggest questions surrounding the Milwaukee Brewers involve the corner infield positions. Adam Lind has an affordable option that is almost certain to be picked up, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to be dealt in the winter. And while they have plenty of candidates to play third heading into next year, no one has stood out quite yet.

Jason Rogers has played both throughout his minor league career. While I don’t see his defense being strong enough to see regular time at third base, his big bat could make him a very realistic option at first base. As a young, affordable bat that has proven himself throughout his minor league career, the Brewers need to see what Rogers can bring to the table from here on out this season.

The 27-year-old Rogers has exceed all expectations already in his career as a former 32-round draft choice in 2010. Through his six season’s in the minor leagues, he has batted a career .290 with 69 home runs and an .848 OPS. After an impressive 2013 in which he batted .270 with 22 home runs in AA Huntsville, he was even named the Brewers’ minor league player of the year.

This season in very limited at-bats, Rogers has .281 average with four home runs and a .358 OBP. Though his at-bats have been scarce at times, he remains one of the most patient Brewers’ at the plate. In 151 plate appearances, he has 14 walks and 29 strike outs and he is seemingly always hitting ahead in the count.

Going through the minor league system, unless there is a position switch there is not a hitter who looks to be a better option at first than Rogers for the foreseeable future. Unless Ryan Braun or Jonathan Lucroy would make the switch, Rogers looks to be the next best option after Lind. With the season winding down, it is time to see what he can do on a daily basis.

Next: New Brewers' Prospects Excelling