Milwaukee Brewers: Too Early 25-Man Roster Predictions

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MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 20: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 20, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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.

MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 20: Orlando Arcia #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers tags out Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 20, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Infielders (6)

Orlando Arcia, Travis Shaw, Jesus Aguilar, Hernan Perez, Cory Spangenberg, Tyler Saladino

Now this is where things get interesting: as you may have heard, the Brewers have been linked to free agent shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for a potential deal. There’s no telling if a deal will be done for Tulo, but if they were to sign the former Gold Glove winner to a deal, they would put him at second base. Reason being is that October Hero, Orlando Arcia, will definitely be making the roster and could be in line to have a breakout season.

Another name that will be making the 25-man roster in the infield is third baseman Travis Shaw, who will be looking to also have a breakout year in the 2019 season and hoping he won’t have any playing time at second base. At first base, we have the big guy. Jesus Aguilar, after he made a HR Derby and All-Star appearance and had a career year, batting .274/.352/.539/.890 and had a career-high 35 HR and 108 RBI.

As Milwaukee looks to fill a void at second base, it is safe to say that utility player Hernan Perez will be making the cut on the 25-man roster and will more than likely play second base if a deal for Tulowitzki isn’t done. Although David Stearns did report that top prospect Keston Hiura will not be making the 25-man roster even though he is a second baseman that the Brewers could use. Also, the other top second baseman prospect Mauricio Dubon will not be making the initial 25 man roster.

Let’s not forget that the Milwaukee Brewers picked up Cory Spangenberg from the Padres via free agency who will most likely be on the main roster and backup infielder Tyler Saladino who could actually see some playing time at second base if a second baseman isn’t signed this offseason. Both Spangenberg and Saladino will be on the 25-man roster come Opening Day.

Catchers (2)

Manny Pina, Erik Kratz

We now have three catchers on the 40 man roster as of right now in Manny Pina, Erik Kratz and Jacob Nottingham. But with Milwaukee still having their name in the hat for free agent catcher J.T. Realmuto, we will possibly see Nottingham and Kratz not on the main roster. But as of right now, Nottingham will not be making the roster. Pina and Kratz will be on the main roster when it comes to needing catchers.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Corbin Burnes #39 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts catcher Manny Pina #9 (not in photo) threw out Brian Dozier #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (not in photo) trying to steal second base to end the sixth inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Should They Go 5 Years For Dallas Keuchel?. dark

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.

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Milwaukee Brewers: Way Too Early 25-Man Roster Predictions