Brewers: 3 Players Under Pressure Heading Into 2020

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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 01: Orlando Arcia #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws out Asdrubal Cabrera #13 of the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning in the National League Wild Card game at Nationals Park on October 01, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Orlando Arcia, SS

Orlando Arcia was a highly touted prospect the Brewers had back in 2016 who, in his early 20s, was supposed to be the next star shortstop for the Brewers. Well, lets just say that has not happened yet.

With his best season in 2017, batting .277 (career .243 average) with 15 HR and 53 RBI, the majority of his time in the major leagues has been lackluster in offensive production. We can sit here and say he is coming into his prime being only 25 years old while already having four years of experience in the MLB. However, the lack of a bat really turns me off to Arcia.

This is a make-or-break year for Arcia in my opinion, as these 60 games should show the Brewers if they struck gold or if they missed on their future All-Star shortstop again.

The expectations for a team with a dominant closer, a star-studded outfield, and back-to-back postseason appearances is enormous. If the Brewers were rebuilding I would say Arcia had some safety. However, with the time to win being now, it should be either perform or go sit on the pine.

To put him under more pressure, the Brewers traded for Luis Urias, a former top shortstop prospect with huge offensive potential. If Arcia doesn’t get the bat going right away, he could be replaced more easily with Urias than the feeble attempts with Tyler Saladino last year.

I am looking for Arcia in this 60 game stretch to hit at least .280 with 12 HR and 50 RBI to keep his job. I am not saying the answer to shortstop is on this team outside of Arcia, which is why I think he will play everyday this year, if healthy. But after this year, free agency will tell Brewers fans a lot about Arcia’s future with the club as a tender decision would loom.

The left side of the infield for the Brewers is going to be interesting to watch this year, but with the potential of Arcia obviously being higher than we have seen thus far, Arcia could be a player to help carry this offense, which will show how he could be a part of this team for the next decade, rather than looking for a new team come December.

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