Brewers: The 4 Biggest Roster Battles To Watch At 2023 Spring Training

Brewers spring training roster battle #2: Second base

Kolten Wong is out. A slew of new options are in.

With the steady veteran presence of Wong traded to Seattle, the Brewers appeared to be clearing a path for top infield prospect Brice Turang to get big league playing time. Willy Adames has shortstop locked down but Turang can smoothly transition to second base and hold down that position while he acclimates to the big leagues. However it won't be that simple for Turang.

The Brewers also acquired several players who can play second base and have prior big league experience. Owen Miller and Abraham Toro were brought in and incumbent veterans Mike Brosseau and Luis Urias all have experience at second base and could challenge for playing time at the position.

Miller and Toro are hoping that a new organization will help improve their offense. Although they have big league experience, their lack of overall success at the highest level leaves the door wide open for Turang. Urias wasn't able to build off of his strong 2021 season last year and could bounce around the infield and play a lot of third base. Brosseau was a utility option last year and may not be suited for an everyday role.

While the Brewers have several players to cover the spot, the one with the best chance to lock down an everyday job remains Turang. He's a first round pick that's coming off a career year and really has nothing left to prove in Triple-A. Miller, Toro, and Brosseau are utility types. Urias will probably spend most of his time at third base.

Another thing working in Turang's favor is that he's the only left handed hitter of this group. Toro is a switch hitter, which may help his chances of making the roster. If the Brewers opt for a platoon at second base, Turang is the only left handed choice and he'll likely bring more offense than Toro will.

In all likelihood, the Brewers will go with a mix of players at second base, but the leader in the clubhouse has to be Turang. He has the highest ceiling and likelihood to play everyday at the position. He may begin the season in a platoon as the Brewers ease him into the big leagues, but if he continues to hit, it'll be difficult to not pencil him into the lineup every day.

The Brewers didn't trade Wong to clear the deck for Owen Miller and Abraham Toro. They did it for Turang. But it'll all depend on how spring training goes. The job isn't his quite yet. He has to go out there and earn it and fend off players with big league experience. Fans should be watching Turang and the several other second base candidates very closely this spring as this battle unfolds.