Milwaukee Brewers: It’s Time to Call Up 3B Zach Green

It’s no secret that the Brewers have had a problem generating offense once again in the 2021 season. And just like in 2020, much of that offensive drought is coming from exactly where you wish it wouldn’t: the corner infield positions.

At first base, the combination of players that has mostly featured Daniel Vogelbach and Keston Hiura has yielded a -0.8 fWAR that ranks 4th worst in MLB at the position. Third base, which has been mostly led by offseason acquisition Travis Shaw, is only slightly better at -0.4 fWAR, 3rd worst in MLB.

The Brewers are hoping that some time spent down at Triple-A will spark some offense in Hiura, and so far he has been performing well down in Nashville. But he has yet to return to the big league ball club.

But that still leaves third base. Shaw, who was supposed to be the solution at the position, has had his moments for the Crew in 2021. But through 39 games, he is hitting .212 with a .664 OPS and a 85 wRC+, not exactly the numbers you hope for at your hot corner.

Milwaukee needs an injection of offense and they need it bad. So why not start by bringing up arguably their hottest minor league hitter to start the season?

It’s time for the Brewers to call up Zach Green from Triple-A to help add any bit of offense.

There’s no guarantee that bringing up any minor league player, due to the increase in quality of competition, will provide the needed jolt to the offense. But if you’re going to try it, there might not be a better candidate than Zach Green.

We already mentioned Green recently as a minor leaguer who could provide a spark. But now, based on his stats to start 2021, he should be the leading candidate to promote from Triple-A. It’s officially time to pull the trigger.

Through his first 12 games, Green has been mashing to the tune of a .333 average and a 1.094 OPS. His four homers lead the Sounds as do his 15 RBI, which also place him in a tie for third in the Triple-A East division.

He does come with some obvious swing and miss concerns, currently striking out 35% of the time, and he has just one walk on the season. But he has been putting the ball in play and producing runs, two traits the Brewers could desperately use right now.

Green also potentially could fulfill a couple needs. According to Baseball Reference, he has played 277 career minor league games at third base and 187 at first, making him a possible right-handed option at both corner infield spots.

The roster math works out in Green’s favor as well. Milwaukee currently has an open spot on their 40-man roster, so no one would have to be designated for assignment to add him. And if he doesn’t provide as big a spark as expected, he has minor league options remaining.

One move won’t fix everything that ails the Brewers offense. Zach Green could help it, though, so why not give him a shot?