Milwaukee Brewers depth chart at each position heading into 2022

The Milwaukee Brewers are coming off of a year in which they found themselves in the top spot of the National League Central division. The team finished with a 95-67 record, good for a .586 win-percentage, the highest it’s posted since 2018.

The march through October ended prematurely for the Brewers, as they fell to the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS 4 games to 2, the final nail in the coffin coming thanks to a Freddie Freeman game-winning home run off of super-closer Josh Hader.

Heading into 2022, the Brewers will be returning to the field with largely the same team that it finished last year with. The biggest losses before the lockout came in the form of Eduardo Escobar, Avisail Garcia and Manny Pina, who signed with the Mets, Marlins and Braves, respectively.

Let’s take a look at the Brewers’ depth chart at each position heading into 2022.

Catcher

1. Omar Narvaez

2. Pedro Severino

Depth: Brett Sullivan, Mario Feliciano, Jakson Reetz

Omar Narvaez will undoubtedly get the vast majority of the playing time behind the plate after his solid debut season as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. Narvaez,  30 on February 10th, shot out of the gate last season; putting up eight home runs and a .301/.396/.470 slash-line in the first half. His performance was subpar in the second half and he is unable to hit lefties, so he should be the left-handed side of a platoon with Pedro Severino.

Severino, signed to a contract back in November before the lockout, is joining Milwaukee after a three-year stretch as the primary catcher of the Baltimore Orioles. Severino, 28, is the exact opposite as Omar Narvaez in that he struggles against righties but hits exceptionally well against left-handed pitchers and will see the majority of the playing time against southpaws.

Brett Sullivan, Mario Feliciano and Jakson Reetz will represent minor-league depth in 2022 for the Brewers behind the plate. None have major league experience (aside from Feliciano’s one game and Reetz’s two games last season) and should not see much time on the big league roster barring an injury to either of the other catchers on the big league squad. Each player has some pop in their bats and Sullivan is capable of playing multiple positions on the diamond.

Brewers outfield depth chart heading into 2022

Left field

1. Christian Yelich

2. Tyrone Taylor

3. Hunter Renfroe

4. Jace Peterson

Depth: Corey Ray, David Dahl, Jonathan Davis, Abraham Almonte, Garrett Whitley

Former NL MVP-winner Christian Yelich will once again be the everyday left fielder for the Brewers. While 2021 was a well-documented down season for the slugger, there is hope that Yelich will enter 2022 healed from the nagging back injuries he played through last season.

Tyrone Taylor is set to function as an oft-used fourth outfielder in 2022 and should see significant playing time at all three spots in the grass as well as designated hitter if the National League ends up having one (which seems increasingly likely). Hunter Renfroe, acquired in the JBJ trade with Boston, can play left field as well as right and (to an extent) center. Jace Peterson is the club’s super-utility option and can play left field as needed.

The minor league depth for Milwaukee is impressive. Prospect Corey Ray is still waiting in the minors for his opportunity. Then there is a long list of MiLB signings that will compete for at-bats in left including former All-Star David Dahl and former MLB players Jonathan Davis and Abraham Almonte as well as intriguing former Rays prospect Garrett Whitley.

Center field

1. Lorenzo Cain

2. Tyrone Taylor

3. Hunter Renfroe

4. Jace Peterson

Depth: Corey Ray, Jonathan Davis, Garrett Whitley

35-year old Lorenzo Cain is going to be the Milwaukee Brewers’ primary option in center field once again in 2022. Cain battled through injuries last season and ultimately ended up appearing in just78 games for the Crew. He is still a human highlight-reel in center and will be one of the Brewers’ most valuable players in the upcoming campaign if he can stay healthy.

Tyrone Taylor, Hunter Renfroe and Jace Peterson represent backup options in center field for the Crew. Renfroe and Peterson profile as more of a corner outfielder and infielder respectively but are capable of playing passable defense in center. Taylor is a strong fielder at all three spots and played in over 100 innings in center last season.

Corey Ray, Jonathan Davis and Garrett Whitley and are all center fielders by trade and Pablo Reyes is a super-utility option capable of playing anywhere. It is almost guaranteed that at least one of them sees time on the big league roster in 2022 as they represent the top options to relieve Lorenzo Cain should he struggle with injuries again.

Right field

1. Hunter Renfroe

2. Tyrone Taylor

3. Jace Peterson

4. Christian Yelich

Depth: Corey Ray, David Dahl, Jonathan Davis, Garrett Whitley, Abraham Almonte

Newly acquired Hunter Renfroe will see the majority of the playing time in right field for the Brewers. The owner of one of the strongest outfield throwing-arms in the majors, Renfroe will be a welcome addition to the outfield alongside Lorenzo Cain.

Taylor, Peterson and Yelich can (and probably will) all see time in right field in the upcoming season as well. All three players have experience on the Brewers’ big league club in right field.

The list of minor league options remains the same in right field as it was in left field. All of the minor league signings can play right field and will see time in the majors if injuries arise.

Brewers starting rotation depth chart entering 2022

Starting rotation:

1. RHP Corbin Burnes

2. RHP Brandon Woodruff

3. RHP Freddy Peralta

4. RHP Adrian Houser

5. LHP Eric Lauer

6. LHP Aaron Ashby

Depth: LHP Ethan Small, RHP Alec Bettinger, RHP Dylan File, RHP Josh Lindblom, RHP J.C. Mejia

Burnes through Lauer is all but a lock to be the Opening Day rotation the Brewers roll with, provided no trades are made from this group to boost the offense. Of the depth starters, Ashby is the most likely to break camp with the club. The Brewers view him as a starter but is currently on the outside looking in and could serve in at 6th starter role if Counsell goes that route again.

Alec Bettinger and J.C. Mejia are two other options on the 40-man roster who have starting experience albeit limited innings. Bettinger has one major league start to his name while Mejia has 11; both were lit up in 2021 and should not get a serious look unless unforeseen injuries come up.

Dylan File is an interesting option as well; the 25-year old spent last season at the club’s Triple-A affiliate although he – like Mejia and Bettinger – did not perform as expected. His 2019 season was fantastic and he threw almost three times as many innings that season than he did in 2021. If he can repeat his 2019 performance early on this season, he may get a look down the stretch.

Josh Lindblom and Ethan Small represent additional depth although neither are on the 40-man roster. Lindblom has extensive experience starting in both the majors and overseas and he may get his contract selected quickly if the opportunity presents itself. Small dominated batters in both Double-A and Triple-A last season and will see himself in the big leagues in no time.

Brewers bullpen depth chart entering 2022

Relief pitching corps:

LHP Josh Hader (closer)

RHP Devin Williams (set-up)

LHP Brent Suter

RHP Jake Cousins

LHP Aaron Ashby

RHP Trevor Gott

LHP Hoby Milner

RHP Jandel Gustave

LHP Angel Perdomo

Depth: RHP J.C. Mejia, RHP Miguel Sanchez, RHP Justin Topa, LHP Rex Brothers, RHP Trevor Kelley, RHP Connor Sadzeck, RHP Zack Brown

Josh Hader will return for another season as the Brewers ninth-inning man after an incredible 2021 season in which he finished with a 1.23 ERA and 102 strikeouts in just 58 innings. Devin Williams is becoming a relief-ace in his own right and he will be first up should Hader get injured or traded. He will function as a 7th or 8th inning set-up man in the mean time.

Brent Suter, the longest tenured Milwaukee Brewer, will return in a sort of oft-used swingman role. Suter is capable of starting but seems to have found a home as a relief pitching option who is capable of eating innings. Cousins, Ashby, Perdomo and Sanchez all saw their first significant major league action last season and all should return this upcoming season.

Craig Counsell goes through a lot of different relievers over the course of a season, and there still is likely to be at least one or two more additions signed to this bullpen once the lockout ends.

Gott, Gustave and Milner are all veterans and will surely see plenty of chances for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022. Gott has some closing experience and Gustave and Milner have both been reliable bullpen arms in the past for the Astros and Rays respectively.