Brewers Report Cards: Player Grades At The Half-Way Point

Brewers Infield Grades

Keston Hiura: F

He’s been demoted to Triple-A twice, and owns a .157/.245/.315 slash line on the season. Since coming back up from his second demotion, Hiura has been better and is looking like his old self. However, that won’t save him from his overall first half grade being an F.

His defense at first base hasn’t been as bad as expected, and he’s adjusted fine defensively. But the offense has been a concern. Perhaps over the second half of the season he can earn a better grade.

Kolten Wong: A-

Kolten Wong has been as advertised. He’s provided exceptional defense and leadership in the infield and has been solid in the leadoff spot in the lineup, hitting .294/.349/.490 with seven home runs.

Wong has had two stints on the IL, which is keeping him from a full “A” on this report card, but just barely.

Luis Urias: B-

It’s a very complicated grade for Luis Urias. He was handed the starting shortstop job to begin the season, and struggled with it. He struggled to get his offense going and he had the occasional horrible game on defense. He still has poor throws to first base sometimes.

His struggles forced the Brewers into trading for Willy Adames, more on that later, and since that trade Urias has been playing better.

Urias’ .244/.336/.427 slash line isn’t super spectacular, but he’s showcased some unexpected power with 10 home runs on the season, which is second on the team. Urias is in more of a super-utility role now but has been playing mostly everyday at third base in the wake of Travis Shaw’s injury.

Willy Adames: A+

Is there any other possible grade for Willy Adames? Since joining the Brewers on May 22nd, Adames has hit .279/.354/.504 with six home runs, several clutch hits, and an endless amount of energy.

It’s clear that Adames has sparked the Brewers, bringing energy to the team on the field and in the clubhouse and hitting like he was expected to when he was one of the top prospects in all of baseball. He said he couldn’t see the ball well in Tampa Bay, and his offensive numbers suffered because of it.

With what he’s provided this team, Adames is deserving of an A+.

Daniel Vogelbach: B+

Despite mostly being a bench option for a decent chunk of the first half, Daniel Vogelbach took over the everyday first base role when Keston Hiura went down to Triple-A and he did a really good job with it. He upped his season average to .216 and up to a 95 OPS+ in that role.

Vogelbach suffered a significant hamstring injury in Arizona and went on the IL, which led to Hiura’s return to the big leagues. He had a better than expected half and his defense at first base was surprisingly good.

Omar Narvaez: A

After a very rough 2020 season, Narvaez’s 2021 couldn’t be going much better. He’s hitting .294 on the year with a 134 OPS+. His numbers are looking much more like what he did in the first four years of his career. To this point, they’re even a little better.

Narvaez is showing some power, hitting for a high average, and providing some solid defense behind the plate. He still has some lapses, but for the most part has been a good defender.

Manny Pina: D

D is for defense, which is the only reason Manny Pina isn’t getting an F so far this season. Pina is providing his usual excellent defense behind the plate, with a strong throwing arm and great handling of the pitching staff.

Offensively, Pina is struggling to a .123/.258/.296 slash line in 81 at-bats. He has not been productive there in limited opportunities, although he has in the past.