3 Brewers players most likely to have a breakout season in 2023

Spring training is in the rear view mirror, and the regular season is underway. While the Milwaukee Brewers had a lot of turnover to the roster in the offseason and head into 2023 with a legitmate chance to make some noise in the National League Central.

But, if the Brew Crew are hoping to contend with the likes of the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs for the NL Central crown, manager Craig Counsell is going to need some of the team's young talent to have a breakout season in 2023.

Every year, there's a player or two who provides an upexpected boost and thrusts himself into the spotlight. Which three Milwaukee Brewers are primed for a breakout season in 2023?

1. Brewers RHP Gus Varland is primed for a breakout season in 2023.

Starting pitching is the bread and butter for the Milwaukee Brewers. Whether or not this year's team is going to compete for a spot in the postseason is going to depend greatly on how well the starters perform in 2023.

Brewers fans expect the trio of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta to do what they do best. But after trading Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres last summer, and losing Brad Boxberger to free agency, the bullpen is shaky at best.

Sure, Milwaukee has Devin Williams to anchor things in the backend, but manager Craig Counsell is going to need at least one more reliever to step up and have a breakout season in 2023. Keep your eye on Gus Varland.

Varland had a fine spring, racking up 17 punch outs in 8.2 innings of work, and the right-hander's persistence paid off in a big way as he made the Brewers Opening Day roster. Varland was a Rule 5 Draft pick of the Brewers back in December.

Gus Varland can throw strikes. According to FanGraphs, the 26-year-old owned a 26.2-percent strikeout rate in Double-A last season. Look for the former Los Angeles Dodgers prospect to be a key piece of the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen this season.