Milwaukee Brewers: Unscientific WAR projections.

How will the Milwaukee Brewers preform in 2017?

An entertaining part of the baseball off-season is the various projections for the 2017 season. Steamer, ZiPS, and PECOTA are among the most popular ones. ZiPS for individual player WAR projections are slowly being released, team by team, as we speak. They use complicated formulas and algorithms attempt to predict the future. I am going to attempt to do the same, in a far less scientific way. Due to the bullpen still being in flux. I am just going to look at the starting lineup, and the 6 pitchers looking to fight for the 5 rotation spots. Without further adieu, the 2017 Unscientific Vollmer Tavern WAR Projections (UVTWP).

Position players (14 wins)

Catcher: Andrew Susac/Jett Bandy/Manny Pina (0 Wins)

First Base: Eric Thames (2 wins)

Second Base: Johnathan Villar (3 wins)

Third Base: Travis Shaw (1 win)

Short Stop: Orlando Arcia (2 wins)

Left Field: Ryan Braun (3 wins)

Center Field: Keon Broxton (2 wins)

Right Field: Domingo Santana (1 win)

Starting Pitchers (7 wins)

Junior Guerra (3 wins)

Zach Davies (2 wins)

Wily Peralta (1 win)

Jimmy Nelson (1 win)

Matt Garza (0 wins)

Chase Anderson (0 wins)

For the most part, this looks a lot like last year. The bullpen is going to contribute to the team as well. If they are league average, they will give the Brewers about 3 wins. Also, some of the Brewers top prospects (Lewis Brinson, Josh Hader),should cut their teeth in the big leagues this year. One can reasonably hope for a few wins from prospects, or other unexpected sources.

I am probably too bullish on some, and too bearish on others. It will be interesting to see how these compare to actual mathematical projections.