Can Oliver Dunn Continue To Be A Regular In the Milwaukee Brewers Lineup?

One bright spot early on into the 2024 season has been Milwaukee Brewers rookie Oliver Dunn. The left-handed hitter has been in the lineup either at third base or designated hitter whenever a right-handed starting pitcher is on the mound. So far the results have been good, but will his success be sustainable?

What minor league data do we have on Oliver Dunn?

26 year old Oliver Dunn has had a tough path to the big leagues. He was drafted in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB draft by the New York Yankees, stalled out in their minor league system, and was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies in December of 2022. Between these two organization his highest level of minor league experience was seven games in Triple-A.

After putting together a tremendous 2023 season in both the minor leagues and the Arizona Fall League the Brewers gave up top 30 prospects Hendry Mendez and Robert Moore in order to acquire him this last off-season. Upon being acquired, GM Matt Arnold added him to the 40-man roster.

Statistically, in Double-A last year Dunn slashed .271/.396/.506 with 21 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and a 27.5% strikeout rate. In the Arizona Fall League he was named the breakout player of the year as he slashed .343/.455/1.071 over 19 games, racking up six doubles, four triples, two home runs, 11 RBI and 12 stolen bases. He has a career .370 on-base percentage and .807 OPS in the minor leagues.

How has Milwaukee Brewers rookie Oliver Dunn fared to begin the 2024 season?

Seven games into his big league career Oliver Dunn has managed to see success. His .317/.400/.545 slash line with two stolen bases catches your eye but he also has an average exit velocity of 94.5 MPH (94th percentile) and 58.3% hard hit rate (93rd percentile).

Pat Murphy has been placing Dunn in the middle of the lineup with the fifth spot being the most common, but he also batted leadoff for the Brewers during Sunday's finale against the Seattle Mariners.

If we take into account the fact that Dunn has historically posted solid on-base percentage numbers without outrageous strikeout percentages then his track would indicate that he has the game necessary to sustain success in the big leagues.

His biggest challenge will be adapting and making changes once the league gets more data on him. Additionally he will have to compete with teammates Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz, and Andruw Monasterior for infield playing time as well as with Jake Bauers, Rhys Hoskins, and William Contreras for time as the designated hitter.