Brewers: Yelich and Hader make first All-MLB team

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 19: Josh Hader #71 and Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate defeating the against the Minnesota Twins 5-4 after the interleague game on May 19, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 19: Josh Hader #71 and Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate defeating the against the Minnesota Twins 5-4 after the interleague game on May 19, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

It was definitely a change in the baseball world when the first inaugural All-MLB teams were announced at the 2019 Winter Meetings on Tuesday, December 10th in San Diego. The Milwaukee Brewers had two players recognized as baseball’s best.

It very much is the best-of-the-best selected into these teams and the Milwaukee Brewers had not one, but two stellar athletes be selected to be in the first All-MLB team. These honors are similar to those of the NFL who are elected for the All-Pro team and NBA’s All-NBA team, however, the leagues don’t matter when it comes to determining who will make the team.

2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich, and back-to-back NL Reliever of the Year Josh Hader were selected to be apart of the first inaugural All-MLB team, as voted on by fans and a voting committee.

How did Yelich earn these honors?

Although coming in second for MVP, Yelich had an outstanding season before a foul-ball was hit off of his knee, fracturing it and cut his season short in September. Prior to his injury, Yelich led the league in OPS (1.100), BA (.329), oWAR (7.1), OBP (.429), SLG (.671), OWP (.830), just to name a few.

It was really no surprise to see his name on the list of athletes that were selected for the first All-MLB team, with a season like his, not putting him on there would almost be an insult.

How good was Hader in 2019?

Winning back-to-back NL Reliever of the Year, Hader definitely had another season to remember as the Brewers’ closer. Posting an ERA of 2.62, the All-Star pitcher had a 0.806 WHIP, and was used an Major League-record high of 18 times, pitching more than one inning like what Brewers fans usually are used to seeing Hader do.

Nonetheless, Hader’s season was amazing and with him being eligible for arbitration this year, it’s going to be interesting if he stays in Milwaukee, avoiding said arbitration, or if he is traded off somewhere else as his name has been hot in the trading news.

This is a huge honor for both Hader and Yelich, congrats to the both of them!

Schedule