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.

3. Brewers OF Sal Frelick is primed for a breakout season in 2023.

It was a shame to see Sal Frelick's name absent from the Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day roster, but the fanbase shouldn't have to wait too long. Frelick will begin his 2023 campaign at Triple-A Nashville, but a few weeks of continued dominance for the Sounds will see the 22-year-old in front of the home fans at American Family Field very quickly.

Frelick is a table-setter. The bat-first outfield prospect flew through the Milwaukee farm system last season and made it all the way to Triple-A. Frelick posted a batting average above .290 at every stop and logged an on-base percentage above .380.

Frelick also has plenty of speed, stealing 24 bases combined last season while in the minors. Frelick certainly doesn't have the same type of defensive talent as the aforementioned Garrett Mitchell, but he's more than capable of holding down on of the corner outfield spots for years to come. Frelick probably profiles best in left field.

It's only a matter of time before Sal Frelick makes it to The Show, and once he does, the former first-round pick will let his bat do the talking. Frelick will need to be added to the Milwaukee Brewers 40-man roster before making his major league debut and could reach the bigs before Memorial Day.