What are the Milwaukee Brewers doing at the corners? 3rd Base edition

The Milwaukee Brewers have questions to answer when it comes to their corner infield positions. What fans are wondering is whether those answers will come from inside or outside the current roster.

A few weeks ago, I looked at what the Brewers could do at first base. Now, it's time to look across the diamond at the hot corner, a.k.a. third base.

Currently rostered third basemen

As of today, the Milwaukee Brewers starting third baseman would likely be 2023 rookie Andruw Monasterio. And if the Brewers made other moves, whether by calling up prospects or adding free agents, it is possible that Monasterio could still win the job.

Monasterio had a decent season with the Brewers in 2023. He was called up in late May and in 92 games he slashed .259/.330/.348. That's not bad, but those numbers project more to a utility player than an every day starting third baseman.

Monasterio's fielding numbers back up that point showing that his range is below average at shortstop and third base but above average at second base, so while he may very well be the Brewers' Opening Day third baseman, he shouldn't be considered a long term option at the position.

Owen Miller was a player mentioned as a currently rostered first baseman as well and essentially the same goes for him as Monasterio, his numbers show he is probably better relied on as a backup utility man than a long term option.

Miller will likely play a handful of games at the hot corner in 2024 as he did in 2023. Last year, he played some above average defense at third base and if the Brewers were to, say, bring in a free agent known for his bat, Miller could be a late game defensive substitution, which should probably be his role.

Also on the Brewers' 40-man roster is Vinny Capra. The former Pirate played very well at the Triple-A level in 2023, slashing .289/.397/.385. Capra gets on base well but leaves something to be desired in the power department as he hit just two home runs in 262 plate appearances. Capra also had a .942 fielding percentage in his 165 AAA innings.

The Milwaukee Brewers have a couple guys on the roster, but I believe these three are best served as backup options, not starters, and with that, I believe the Opening Day starter lies off the current roster.

Brewers third base prospects

Like Miller, Brewers prospect Tyler Black is another player mentioned as a potential candidate for the first base job. Either way, I am campaigning hard for Black to make the Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day roster at one of the corner infield spots.

Black is a very highly regarded prospect in the Brewers farm system, listed currently as their No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline. Last year between Double-A and Triple-A, Black slashed .284/.417/.513, equating to a .930 OPS. In that time, he hit 18 home runs and stole 55 bases.

That blend of solid power and blazing speed is something the Brewers have seen from some of their best players in recent memory. Adding more speed and base stealing potential only puts more pressure on opponents. Black will have plenty of opportunities to steal bases with his .417 on base percentage. If his numbers translate from the minors to the majors, he could be the Brewers' next star.

Black played 97 games at third base in 2023, 69 in Double-A and 28 in Triple-A. Interestingly, his fielding percentage at third base went up at the higher level, .971 compared to .921 in Double-A.

Tyler Black, in my opinion, offers a better long term outlook at the hot corner than any of the three third baseman currently on the roster.

Other third base prospects in the minors for the Brewers include Eric Bitonti, Mike Boeve, and 2023 first round pick Brock Wilken. Wilken is the only one even remotely close to the majors as all three of these prospects were picked in last year's draft. Wilken played six games at Double-A with the Biloxi Shuckers, so while he is an intriguing prospect, he really isn't on the radar for the 2024 season.