Brewers Spring Training Quick Hits: Christian Yelich, Peralta, Vogelbach

With Brewers spring training underway, there are some important news tidbits to pay attention to.

Here are some quick hits on Brewers spring training that fans should know about.

Christian Yelich might be in the best shape of his life

That’s right, according to Lorenzo Cain, Yelich has come into camp with more muscle and is stronger than ever before. After hitting 44 home runs in 2019 with a leaner frame, Yelich could be primed for a 50+ home run season in 2021 with this extra muscle.

Of course, Yelich will need to get back on track offensively after a down 2020 season, but all indications are that he will be back to his old self, possibly even better.

A lot of times the players showing up to camp reportedly in the best shape of their lives are players just battling for a roster spot. But Yelich is far and away the best player on the team and the fact that he’s in improved shape will make this season that much more exciting to watch.

Freddy Peralta to be stretched out as a starter

Yet again, the Brewers will be stretching out Freddy Peralta as a starting pitcher and he will battle for the 5th spot in the rotation. He earned a rotation spot in 2019, but couldn’t hold on to it. Then he got a spot again in 2020, but lasted only one start before going back to the bullpen.

Just 24 years old, Peralta enters 2021 better than ever, with a refined and improved slider now in his arsenal. Along with his fastball and curveball, Peralta now has a complete three pitch mix and the stuff to stick in the rotation going forward. Will he be in there? That’s a little too early to tell, but he’s likely to at least get some starts throughout the season.

Peralta has continued to improve since making his big league debut on Mother’s Day in 2018. His fastball velocity has ticked up, he’s adding pitches, and he’s been improving his command.

Brewers have lingering hope for the DH?

The lack of the Universal DH in 2021 means bad news for Daniel Vogelbach as he has gone from an everyday lineup option at DH to now a bench bat that may only get a small handful of starts scattered throughout the season.

Craig Counsell has not given up hope on the DH despite the league and the union not coming to a deal prior to spring training and stating that there would not be a deal.

Counsell and the Brewers remember all too well last year that the league and union got together right before Opening Day to agree to expanded playoffs for the 2020 season. It appears they’re hoping the same thing will happen again for the DH in 2021.

Both sides want the Universal DH, and it’s likely to be a part of the next Collective Bargaining Agreement after the 2021 season ends.

Having the DH would certainly help out Vogelbach and help the Brewers get ABs for some of their other hitters while giving them rest from playing the field.

The first Brewers spring training game is coming up quickly. Soon, baseball will be fully back.