Milwaukee Brewers: Identifying offseason solutions to their infield issues
By Travis Koch
Problem #2: Powerless Third Basemen
Luis Urias and Eric Sogard combined hit one home run and drove in 21 runs in 2020. They averaged a .581 OPS and .295 OBP. Urias, the prized prospect acquisition from the San Diego Padres, projects as a perpetual starting infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. Though if he can’t hit for power, the team will have to find a way to compensate.
Third base is a power position by default. It’s no coincidence that the Brewers had a down offensive season the same season in which they got one home run from their 3B tandem. If they act accordingly, the position won’t be tandemed in 2021, and it’ll produce 20+ homers.
Problem #3: Sub-par Defense
Per Baseball Reference, the Milwaukee Brewers tallied negative Wins Above Average at each infield position last season. Shortstop Orlando Arcia finished the campaign with -5 defensive runs saved and second baseman Keston Hiura ended with -8. The middle infield duo ranked 21st in MLB in double plays turned with 45.
Arcia and Hiura at least held their positions for the season, enabling an essential rhythm at the center of the diamond. The same cannot be said for the corners, where multiple players took in-game reps from July to October.