Milwaukee Brewers: What to expect from Orlando Arcia in 2019?

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia struggled in 2019. Can he bounce back in 2019, and deliver a quality season? Let’s dig into the numbers.

The Milwaukee Brewers managed to reach the NLCS despite a rough season from shortstop Orlando Arcia. The Brewers had high hopes for Arcia entering 2018, but he got off to a bad start, got demoted, and had a rough season. He’s penciled in as the starting shortstop once again for 2019, but can he deliver the quality season that the team needs?

How rough was Arcia’s 2018 season?

Arcia slashed .236/.268/.307 in 119 games at the Major League level. He walked at a 4.1% rate, and struck out at a 23.8% rate. He did provide a positive impact in the field, but was a drain on the offense.

The season got so bad that Arcia was actually sent to Triple-A for about a month. In 22 games with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Arcia posted a .341/.417/.494 in 96 plate appearances down on the farm. Arcia managed to walk in over 10% of his plate appearances in the Minors, and cut his strike out rate below 16%.

Were there any positives from Arcia’s 2018 season?

Actually, yes. When Arcia returned to the Majors, he posted a .290/.320/.386 slash line. He managed to score 19 runs in 49 games played with the Milwaukee Brewers in the second half. He actually scored only 13 times in 65 games in the first half.

What do the projection systems say about Arcia for 2019?

The only projection system that’s already public is Steamer, and that has Arcia projected for a .253/.302/.376 slash line in 130 games with a 1.1 WAR. In 2018, Arcia posted a -0.4 WAR.

Who is behind Arcia on the depth chart for 2019?

Hernan Perez and Tyler Saladino are listed behind Arcia on the Milwaukee Brewers depth chart. Mauricio Dubon is also available, but will almost assuredly start the 2019 season in Triple-A to start. If Arcia struggles again or gets sent down, Dubon will likely get the first shot at the starting shortstop job in the Majors.

If the Milwaukee Brewers can get an OPS over .650 from Arcia batting eighth, he’ll provide positive value overall due to his glove. Arcia is a solid defender, and anything that he produces at the plate is essentially found money for the Brewers. Hopefully, the bat will come around, and Arcia will start to develop into the all-around player the team needs him to become.