Latest Brandon Lockridge update gives Brewers something to consider ahead of trade deadline

MLB's August 3rd trade deadline is rapidly approaching, with about five weeks remaining before the opportunity for contending teams to add impact players to their rosters passes. This year, the Milwaukee Brewers are expected to be active in the trade market, with bullpen help, a top-tier starter, and another left-side of the infield option being the most likely areas in which they will explore.

One overlooked area the Brewers need to improve upon is their lineup against left-handers, especially in regard to their outfield configuration. Currently, Jackson Chourio is the only true right-handed option, with switch-hitter Blake Perkins, who has been better against southpaws as of late, being their only other outfield option who can hit from the right side of the plate.

The rest of the current outfield group consists of Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Jake Bauers, all of whom bat from the left side. Due to a breakout campaign, Bauers has received plenty of opportunities in right field against southpaws as Andrew Vaughn typically draws starts at first base in those matchups, and Gary Sánchez fills in as the designated hitter.

Missing from this picture is outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who remains on the injured list following an arthroscopic knee procedure to address a chondral flap that popped up while he was rehabbing from a knee laceration. Lockridge isn't expected to return until late July, meaning the Brewers will have to decide whether what they've seen from him earlier this season is enough to include him in their plans against left-handed pitching or if they should pursue an upgrade before the trade deadline.

The Brewers should consider adding another right-handed hitter to their outfield at the trade deadline

The Brewers have struggled to produce against left-handed pitching this season, ranking 20th in the majors with a .687 OPS entering play on Thursday afternoon night. Of the outfield options mentioned above, Chourio has been the clear standout at .969. After him, however, the production drops off considerably as Mitchell, following an excellent game on Wednesday night, owns a .717 OPS against southpaws, Perkins checks in at .701, Bauers at .699, Lockridge at .636, and Frelick at just .508.

Although Lockridge logged just 34 at-bats against left-handed pitching before his injury this season, his career numbers suggest he hasn't been particularly better in those matchups. He owns nearly identical platoon splits, posting a .628 OPS against right-handers and a .623 OPS against left-handers.

That's all to say that Milwaukee should look closely at adding another right-handed bat capable of contributing against left-handed pitching. Internally, prospect Luis Lara has made a compelling case, posting a .986 OPS with four homers in 65 at-bats against left-handers in the minor leagues this season. That said, the Brewers could also look to the trade market too, especially if they want to add more power to their lineup.

The options, however, are limited. In terms of true trade candidates, Taylor Ward of the Baltimore Orioles, Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels, and Luis Robert Jr. of the New York Mets are the three best right-handed hitting outfielders, but don't put it past the Brewers to get creative and swing a trade for a less obvious trade candidate.

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