Brewers: 2021 Report Card Grades for the Crew’s Infield

Middle Infielders

Kolten Wong: 109 wRC+ 2.9 fWAR, .783 OPS, 14 HR, 492 PA

Perhaps the only knock against Kolten Wong this season is that he was injured for a chunk of the season. Wong was a Gold Glove finalist, and set career highs in wRC+, home runs, wOBA, and was just under his career high in OPS.

Kolten Wong was able to adjust and become more aggressive this season, which saw him thrive offensively and continue to match his elite defensive output as a human highlight reel, even though he ultimately somehow got snubbed for his third straight Gold Glove award.

Wong is under contract for the 2022 season, and has a club option for 2023, so fans will continue to see Wong’s elite glove in the field next season. Expect to see Wong continue to slot into the leadoff spot next season.

Final Grade: A-

Willy Adames: 135 wRC+, 3.9 fWAR, .886 OPS, 20 HR, 413 PA

Willy Adames is very well the reason the Brewers ended up making the postseason. He seemed to provide a spark to the lineup that was missing, and the Brewers played well above .500 after he came over.

Adames was always a player with immense talent, ranking as high as the 11th overall prospect in baseball in 2018. He ended up playing to that level in part because he could see the ball much better in American Family Field than he did at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay.

For the Brewers who were seeking a long-term solution at shortstop, Adames seems to be it. The original trade was seen as a panic trade by some, after trading Orlando Arcia away and eventually watching Luis Urias struggling, but it turned out for the best in Milwaukee.

Adames has a future in Milwaukee, and if 2021 was any indicator, the future will be very bright.

Final Grade: A