Brewers: 3 Infield Free Agent Targets That Make Sense

Brad Miller

Brad Miller did spend time with the Brewers back in 2018, after he was traded for Ji-Man Choi. Miller appeared in 27 games, slashed .230/.288/.378 and produced -0.2 fWAR with the Brewers. With Milwaukee, he appeared as the infield utility man, playing first base, second base, and shortstop. He appeared in all other positions except for catcher in his time with the Mariners, Rays, Phillies, Indians, and Cardinals.

Miller could fill the Jedd Gyorko role on the 2021 roster, playing mostly at either one of the corners and filling in with solid offensive production.

Miller has a career wRC+ of 102, and had an exceptional 121 wRC+ in 2020, as he spent most of his time as the DH of the Cardinals. He slashed .232/.357/.451, and a wOBA of .349.

Miller’s red hot statline is also reflected in his MLB percentile rankings. His Hard Hit % was in the 73rd percentile, his expected Slugging percentage was in the 77th percentile, and his Barrel % was in the 87th percentile.

In the second half of 2019, Miller barrelled 14.5% of the balls he hit with the Phillies, and 13.4% with the Cardinals in 2020. That is far more than his career barrel% of 7.9, and as he plays his age-31 season, it is difficult to expect him to keep up the elite barrel%.

Different projections project different results for Miller in 2021, however Depth Charts and Steamer both agree, he will likely return to production more in line with his career totals, with Depth Charts projecting him to be worth 0.7 fWAR, and Steamer at 0.5.

Miller is a lefty, which Stearns and Counsell have an affinity for. Lefties also tend to play well in Milwaukee. If he would want to come back to the Brewers is the question. But if he does, Miller could be a viable option for the Brewers.