Brewers: 3B Zach Green Could Be A Surprise Contributor In 2021

Back in December of 2020, the Milwaukee Brewers signed 3B Zach Green to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

While this signing went very much under the radar at the time, with the season fast approaching this 26 year old will be competing for a roster spot this spring and could be a surprise contributor for the 2021 season.

If you are not familiar with Zach Green don’t fret, it is likely because his MLB experience is limited to just 14 at bats that came during the 2019 season with the San Francisco Giants. He additionally spent the entire 2020 season at their alternate training site.

As a former third round draft pick directly out of high school by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012, it took a few years before this corner infielder found success in the minor leagues.

His breakout campaign began in 2018 when he split time between the Double-A  and Triple A levels and hit for a combined 20 home runs with 75 RBIs. The following year, in just 72 games at the Triple A level he slashed .282/.380/.659/1.039 with 25 homers and 64 RBIs!

Defensively, third base is Green’s best position but he does have significant experience playing first base as well. Throughout his minor league career he has played 2,294 innings at third base and 1,545 innings at first base. This versatility is a value that the Brewers treasure very much.

Throughout the organization the Brewers corner infield depth is dismal to say the least, and Zach Green should help fix that.

Unfortunately this even includes the current 40 man roster in which the starters at first and third base are still not known. After the signing of Kolton Wong, the plan is that Keston Hiura will play first base, but he isn’t for sure a solid defensive lock.

If the Brewers do not pull the trigger on signing a third baseman this offseason, Zach Green becoming a breakout player could save additional scrutiny from fans in regards to Brewers ownership unwillingness to sign players.

On the flip side, there is the possibility that Green does not impress during spring training and fails to make the roster.  Should this happen, as it stands today the Brewer would be relying upon player such as: Luis Urias, Tim Lopes, Daniel Robertson, and Mark Mathias to man the hot corner.

Personally, I like the upside that Green possesses.  He has the ability to hit for a respectable average (career .262 minor league batting average) and his power numbers have been on he rise.  This in conjunction with his defensive versatility certainly will make him an intriguing player to watch this spring and he could very well be a X factor for the 2021 season.