Milwaukee Brewers: Way Too Early 25-Man Roster Predictions

As we wait for the pitchers and catchers to report to Spring Training, the anxiety of having baseball back is really setting in. So much that I have decided to make an early prediction of who will make the 2019 25-man roster for the Milwaukee Brewers.

With Spring Training just merely two months away, saying that I can’t wait for baseball to start again would be an understatement.  Trying to pass the time of the absence of America’s pastime, I’ve decided to take a look at who will be suiting up for the Milwaukee Brewers on March 28th and who will not.

While it’s obviously way too early to know who will make the Opening Day roster with the majority of the offseason activity still to happen, we’ll give it a try.

Outfielders (5)

Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Ryan Braun, Ben Gamel, Keon Broxton

Some definite names that will be manning the outfield in 2019 are your 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Ryan Braun and new addition Ben Gamel who was traded for normal platoon outfielder, Domingo Santana.  Another name that could make the roster is Keon Broxton.

However, there could be some free agents that could fill in another gap for the Brewers in 2019.  Some possibilities that Milwaukee could sign are that could be a good fit could be Carlos Gonzalez or former Brewer Carlos Gomez. Those are some notable names that are still on the market that are still looking for a home.

One name that could not be making the 25-man roster is Eric Thames. Thames’ 2018 season was not one to be desired; his slash line was .219/.306/.478/.783 with 16 HR and 37 RBI. Although, he did have a walk-off home run against the Rockies that was one of the key moments of the 2018 season. On the other hand, his defense was not something to brag about.  He was the second option at first base, where he didn’t play too horribly, but moving to the outfield was not to his benefit.

Be on the lookout for top outfielding prospect, Corey Ray to take a spot on the 25-man roster.  He’s been really making a name for himself and could be beneficial to be another platoon outfielder for players that could use a day off.

Pitchers (12)

Corbin Burnes, Jhoulys Chacin, Jimmy Nelson, Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff, Josh Hader, Jeremy Jeffress, Corey Knebel, Jacob Barnes, Junior Guerra, Alex Claudio, Acquisition ‘X’

There is some speculation about who will be the starting pitchers for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019 and who will not. Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta have been mentioned as potential options to be starters in the 2019 regular season, but the only one with regular season starting experience is Peralta.

Also, the return of Jimmy Nelson is what Brewers’ fans are waiting for and expect to see Jhoulys Chacin to be back on the mound as a starter in Milwaukee. Brent Suter could make a return to the roster in August or September after coming off of Tommy John Surgery but he more than likely make appearances out of the bullpen if he returns at all in 2019.

Speaking of the bullpen, the All-Stars in Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress will be making the cut for sure, along with Corey Knebel and Jacob Barnes. Another name that could be coming out of the bullpen is Junior Guerra as a long relief pitcher. Also  new acquisition Alex Claudio will likely be on the 2019 roster as well.

Names that I do not think will make the cut would be Taylor Williams, Adrian Houser and Matt Albers due to not very productive numbers in 2018. Aaron Wilkerson could also be name that could be on the roster or could not be on the roster depending on how his spring goes. Another notable name is Chase Anderson and Zach Davies. Anderson’s and Davies’ 2018 seasons were ones that could’ve been much better if they didn’t give up the long ball. Due to that being the case, Anderson and Davies will not be making the 25-man roster and are candidates to be traded.

Some talks are that the Milwaukee Brewers could pick up some key pitchers in the off season. Names that are being linked to Milwaukee are Sonny Gray from the Yankees, free agent Dallas Keuchel, trade target Corey Kluber from Cleveland and Madison Bumgarner from San Francisco.

As we wait for more news to come around of big signings in Milwaukee, this piece could be just a little in sight on who we will see on the field in 2019 for the Milwaukee Brewers. Don’t count out Stearns to NOT shake things up.