The 2024 postseason may end up being a forgotten one for the Milwaukee Brewers. Another disappointment, another first round exit. With only three games being played, there weren't many opportunities for great moments that Brewers fans will remember for years to come.
Still, even though the series ultimately resulted in a loss, there were some great performances from some very young Brewers players that fans should not forget about.
Brewers playoff performances that deserve recognition despite Wild Card exist
This team was young and unproven all year, and while the team's October mettle still needs to be strengthened, these individual players proved they are not going to shrink when the lights shine brightest.
Jackson Chourio
The development of Jackson Chourio before our very eyes was the highlight of the Brewers 2024 season. They signed him to a massive contract extension last winter before he even debuted, he not only proved the Brewers made the right choice before the season, but he continued to deliver in the postseason.
Chourio's multi-home run performance in Game 2 was the pinnacle of the season for the 20 year old superstar. He tied the game on both home runs in the 1st and 8th inning, kickstarting that rally to win Game 2 and keep the season alive another day, while also joining a club that only Babe Ruth was in.
In the three games, Chourio hit .455 (5 for 11) with two homers, three RBIs, a stolen base, and a 1.500 OPS. Defensively, you can also include a home run robbery. Chourio has shown that in future postseasons, the Brewers can continue to rely on him in the big moments.
Brice Turang
Even though Turang made the final out on Game 3, hitting into a double play and leaving Chourio on deck, Turang had an excellent stretch in October. He hit .455 (5 for 11) with three doubles, two stolen bases, and a 1.227 OPS.
Turang provided exceptional defense as always at second base, and sparked the team offensively in the first two games of the series. Turang went 3 for 5 in Game 1 with a pair of doubles, and followed that up with another multi-hit performance in Game 2.
The quantum leap Turang took this season was a big development for the Brewers, but watching him become a reliable sparkplug in the postseason as well bodes well for the future for both Turang and Milwaukee.
Last postseason, Turang was hitless in five plate appearances, getting pinch hit for late in the game because his bat was just not good enough. This year, the Brewers couldn't get him to the plate often enough.
Sal Frelick
It's a miracle Sal Frelick was even able to play in this Wild Card series. Just a few days prior to the series, Frelick smashed his hip into a corner opening in the right field side wall and was unable to walk on his own. He needed crutches until Sunday and then was healthy enough to play on Tuesday.
Not only was Frelick able to play even though he was less than 100%, he was one of the better players in the series. Frelick hit .364 (4 for 11) with a double, a homer, and a 1.091 OPS. Frelick was hitting the ball hard, got a base hit in every single game of the series, and crushed a second deck home run in Game 3 to give the Brewers that 2-0 lead.
The grit and toughness that Frelick displayed must be recognized and remembered. His home run sent the Brewers crowd into a frenzy not only because of what it meant in the game, but because of the unlikelihood of it. Frelick hadn't homered in a game since May. He proved he does not crumble when the lights shine brightest.
Tobias Myers
How about Tobias Myers? From an early camp cut, to a rotation stalwart, to a dominant start in the winner-take-all Game 3, Tobias Myers had one heck of a 2024 season.
Myers had the best start of any of the Brewers pitcher in the postseason. He went five innings, striking out five, allowing just two hits and no runs or walks. In the final game of a series, that's as perfect an outing you can ask for. Myers likely could have gone six innings or more if the Brewers had staked him to a lead, but it was still a 0-0 game at that point. With the top of the order coming up for the third time, Murphy made the choice to pull Myers after five excellent innings.
The choice proved correct as Trevor Megill, Nick Mears, and Freddy Peralta locked things down in the 6th, 7th, and 8th. Even though the Brewers didn't win Game 3, the outing that the rookie Myers had in it should not be forgotten. He had the best season of anyone in the Brewers rotation and had the best postseason start. Some may have been concerned about how a rookie would handle the pressure of a winner-take-all start, but Myers proved he's able to handle it with no problem.
All of these players are in their first or second season in the big leagues. Despite the early exit, there's a lot we learned about these players and how they can handle the big moments. They shined in the postseason, which is a very good sign for years to come.