Milwaukee Brewers: Top Five Presents In Recent Memory

No. 1: The Christian Yelich Trade

Finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for but certainly know the answer for. The best David Stearn’s gift in recent memory is this years trade for the upcoming MVP, Christian Yelich.

Earlier this year, the Brewers joined in on the Miami Marlins’ fire sale and traded four prospects for Yelich. Milwaukee gave up a haul for the 26-year-old, controllable outfielder. Their package included two of Milwaukee’s top six prospects in outfielder Lewis Brinson, and middle infielder Isan Diaz, along with outfielder Monte Harrison and right-handed pitcher Jordan Yamamoto.

As recently as 2017, Lewis Brinson was the number 13th ranked prospect according to MLB.com. His combination of power and speed led those to believe that Brinson could be a potential 30-homer, 30-steal outfielder.

Though he struggled in his minor appearance in Milwaukee in 2017, Brinson was still a top prospect with a lot of potential. However, the young outfielder continues to have problems with strikeouts and, thus, has not been able to translate his above-average power and speed.

Isan Diaz, the young middle infielder that went to Miami, was also a top prospect. He ranked 86th in 2017 and displayed elite defense and the potential to develop into a power hitter. Unfortunately for the Marlins, Diaz also struggled with strikeout issues in the minors which is never a good sign before reaching the best of the best.

The two main returns for the Marlins in this trade have not performed up to expectations. Given their youth there is still potential for Brinson and Diaz to turn it around. But until that occurs, the Marlins haven’t gotten enough return for what they sent to Milwaukee.

In return for the four prospects the Brewers received outfielder Christian Yelich. Yelich has been nothing short of excellent since arriving in Milwaukee. He secured the MVP award in his first season after a stellar year at the plate, nearly doubling his career high in home runs and finishing with a wRC+ of 166.

Yelich is also young, turning 27 barely a month ago, and affordable, critical for a small market team. The Milwaukee Brewers will continue to reap the benefits on Yelich being sold low if he continues the natural progression while in his prime.