Organizational report: Brewers look to the future
Sports Weekly takes an in-depth look at each major league organization during the offseason, from the major leagues to the farm system. We start with teams with the worst records and move up.
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In a few years, the Milwaukee Brewers might look back on July 30, 2015, as a turning point in franchise history.
That was the day they traded All-Star center fielder Carlos Gomez and starting pitcher Mike Fiers to the Houston Astros for four minor league prospects and unofficially jump-started the process of turning a talented yet flawed team (that was on top of the National League Central by two games exactly one year earlier) into a younger one with its sights on the future.
The Brewers finished last season 26 games under .500 and 32 games out of first place. To be competitive in what has quickly transformed into the toughest division in baseball, major changes were needed. Above all else, the Brewers wanted to get younger.
That meant saying goodbye to Gomez, a nine-year veteran, in a deal for outfielders Domingo Santana and Brett Phillips plus pitchers Josh Hader and Adrian Houser — all 22 or younger.
This offseason, the Brewers also got younger in the front office, as general manager Doug Melvin, 63, stepped down and turned the reins over to David Stearns, 30, formerly assistant GM of the Astros.
Almost immediately, Stearns got to work, dealing veteran closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Detroit Tigers for 20-year-old shortstop prospect Javier Betancourt, one of three trades over a three-day span in November.
“For us to have sustained, long-term success, which is what we’re aiming for, we need to establish and maintain a quality and consistent pipeline of young talent,” he says.
That's when first baseman Adam Lind was shipped to the Seattle Mariners for three minor-league right-handed pitchers — Carlos Herrera, Daniel Missaki and Freddy Peralta.
Even more moves could be forthcoming before the players report to spring training. Shortstop Jean Segura has been frequent subjects of trade rumors. One of the biggest question marks is who will replace Gomez, one of the game’s best defensive outfielders and an equally dangerous weapon on offense.
“We’ll certainly make sure we have quality options in center field,” Stearns says. “Some of those may come from players currently in our organization, and some will likely come from outside the organization.”
Another area that’s high on the offseason wish list is third base, where veteran Aramis Ramirez was a mainstay for four seasons until he was traded in July to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Utility man Jonathan Villar, another of Stearns’ November acquisitions, could take over there or start at shortstop if Segura is dealt.
The pitching staff has seen an influx of young arms with a trio of homegrown 26-year-old right-handers — Jimmy Nelson, Wily Peralta and Taylor Jungmann (turns 26 on Dec. 18) — joining veteran Matt Garza in the rotation. And while Rodriguez’s departure leaves a void at closer, Stearns says the depth in the bullpen has helped accelerate the rebuilding process.
“Right now, our goal is to acquire as much young talent throughout our organization as we can,” Stearns says. “How quickly that talent gels and develops will really dictate our immediate level of competitiveness.”
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Where the Brewers stand at each position (*prospect):
Catcher: In 2014, Jonathan Lucroy led the majors in doubles and finished fourth in the NL MVP voting. But he battled injuries throughout a disappointing 2015 season as his offense and defense suffered. With a team-friendly contract that runs through next season, he could be an extremely valuable trade chip. But there’s very little depth in the farm system.
Depth chart: Lucroy, Martin Maldonado, Rene Garcia, Adam Weisenburger.
First base: The club may be in the market for a first baseman, but for now its in the hands of Jason Rogers, 27, who showed promise offensively in limited action last season with a .296 batting average.
Depth chart: Rogers, Shane Peterson, Lucroy, Maldonado.
Second base: Scooter Gennett’s inability to hit left-handers (.124 batting average/.147 on-base percentage/.150 slugging percentage in 113 career at-bats) means the Brewers will continue to look for a platoon partner. One option is versatile youngster Yadiel Rivera. Stearns calls the 23-year-old an above-average defender with the ability to play several infield positions. Hernan Perez, who started 46 games at third and 12 at second, was re-signed to a minor league contract.
Depth chart: Gennett, *Rivera, Perez, *Betancourt.
Third base: At this point in the offseason, there’s no clear front-runner for the starting spot. A trade or free agent signing is possible. Although a natural shortstop, Villar made 12 appearances at third last season. Rivera had an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League, playing mostly shortstop and third base. The Brewers non-tendered Elian Herrera, who made 32 starts at third for them last season. Most recently, former top prospect Will Middlebrooks got an invitation to spring training.
Depth chart: Villar, *Rivera, Perez, Rogers.
Shortstop: At 25, Segura seems to have plateaued offensively. He had his third consecutive 20-steal season, but it came with a career-low .281 on-base percentage. But he is solid defensively and has played in at least 142 games in each of his three full seasons with the Brewers. Villar was the Astros’ opening-day starter in 2014 but struggled with the bat and has ridden the minor league shuttle for most of the last two seasons. Orlando Arcia, 21, is the jewel of the farm system who’ll likely begin the season at Class AAA.
Depth chart: Segura, Villar, *Rivera, *Arcia.
Left field: Khris Davis led the team in home runs (27) and slugging percentage (.505), but he also led in strikeouts and is a below-average fielder. That could open the door for Santana or Ramon Flores, who was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in November for infielder Luis Sardinas. Flores, 23, could get a closer look because he’s one of the team’s few left-handed hitters.
Depth chart: Davis, Santana, Flores, Peterson, Daniel Fields.
Center field: Santana, who had a combined line of .333/.426/.573 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) in 95 games for the Astros’ and Brewers’ ClassAAA teams in 2015, played 23 games in center field with Milwaukee after the trade. But Stearns says he’s better suited for a corner-outfield spot. Expect a trade or free agent signing to fill the starting void. Multitalented prospect Tyrone Taylor, 21, needs a little more time to develop.
Depth chart: Santana, Peterson, Villar, *Taylor.
Right field: 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun is recovering from offseason back surgery. With things progressing on schedule, he’s expected to be ready to go when spring training begins. A .304 career hitter with a .545 slugging percentage, Braun will be the focal point of the offense. How much help he’ll have remains to be seen. Down the road, Phillips could play center field or a corner spot. He was one of the Astros’ top prospects before being traded.
Depth chart: Braun, Flores, Michael Reed, Fields, *Phillips.
Starting rotation: Nelson was the only Milwaukee pitcher with double-digit wins in 2015. He also led the team in starts, innings and strikeouts. Peralta throws the hardest of the starters, but he struck out fewer than five batters per nine innings. Jungmann was impressive in his first taste of the majors but faded down the stretch. “We have the makings of a quality young pitching staff,” Stearns says, one that should get better with experience. Garza, 32, will look to rebound from the worst season of his 10-year major league career. The final rotation spot is up for grabs with what Stearns calls “a pretty steady stream of competition.” Keep an eye on 22-year-old Jorge Lopez, who made two starts for the Brewers last season after going 12-5 with a 2.26 ERA at Class AA.
Depth chart: RHP Nelson, RHP Peralta, RHP Garza, RHP Jungmann, RHP Zach Davies, RHP Ariel Pena, RHP Tyler Cravy, *RHP Lopez, *RHP Tyler Wagner, *RHP Houser.
Bullpen: Overlooked in the 94-loss season was the performance of the Brewers bullpen, one of five to average more than a strikeout per inning. But the big question is who will take over the closer role. Lefty Will Smith (7-2, 2.70 ERA, 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings) is the most accomplished of the group. Cory Knebel is the youngest at 24, and Jeremy Jeffress throws the hardest (95.4-mph average fastball velocity). Any or all of them could end up closing. “We honestly haven’t even talked about that at this point,” Stearns says. “As we get closer to spring training, we’ll all put our heads together and have that discussion. But we’re a long ways away from having to even broach that one.”
Depth chart: LHP Smith, RHP Knebel, RHP Jeffress, RHP Michael Blazek, RHP Tyler Thornburg, RHP Yhonathan Barrios, RHP Pena, RHP David Goforth, *RHP Houser.
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Top five prospects
Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2016 Minor League Baseball Analyst
1. Orlando Arcia, SS: Arcia posted career highs in most offensive categories in 2015 as a 20-year-old for much of the Class AA season. He makes good contact with a line-drive swing and has strength for gap power (37 doubles in 512 at-bats). His speed and athleticism bode well for future stolen bases, and he flaunts plus range and a plus arm. Nearly ready for the majors, he will open 2016 at Class AAA.
2. Brett Phillips, OF: Acquired in the July trade that sent outfielder Carlos Gomez and starter Mike Fiers to the Houston Astros, Phillips has a promising blend of batting average (.309 in 2015 between high Class A and AA) and power (.527 slugging percentage). He has the athleticism and instincts for stolen bases (17) and the tools to stay in center field but also could play right. Phillips, 21, is future 20-homer/20-steals candidate who will start 2016 in Class AAA.
3. Trent Clark, OF: A 2015 draft pick, the 19-year-old batted .309 in rookie ball. His swing is unorthodox, but he will hit for average by way of his bat speed and level barrel path. Clark’s sturdy build (6-0, 205 pounds) will allow for power in time, and his instincts and above-average speed indicate future steals. He profiles best in center field, and he could be a quick mover.
4. Jorge Lopez, RHP: Lopez has stuff and smarts that blossomed in 2015, when he notched 12 wins and a 2.26 ERA in Class AA. He keeps his fastball down, his curveball has nice depth and bite and his changeup shows promise. Lopez, 22, has a smooth delivery with repeatable mechanics. He could win a Brewers rotation spot but otherwise will start at Class AAA.
5. Tyrone Taylor, OF: His stock fell after a pedestrian Class AA debut (.649 on-base-plus-slugging percentage), but he still has promising tools, including plus speed defensive instincts. He has a quick stroke, makes sharp contact and exhibits solid plate discipline.