Milwaukee Brewers Spring Training

The Milwaukee Brewers 

The Brewers' offseason has been eventful, with numerous questions about returning players, trades, and new signings. This year, there are four major positions the team needs to fill, the Brewers boast a roster of young players eager to start the season and prove they belong in Milwaukee. As full team workouts begin, several roster spots are up for grabs. 

Player wanted: Third base

The battle for third base is the most hotly contested, with no definitive leader emerging, candidates include Caleb Durbin, Tyler Black, Oliver Dunn, and Andruw Monasterio. The team has opted not to add a veteran-free agent thus far. Durbin was acquired in the Devin Williams trade in December. In contrast, the other three candidates have MLB experience, Tyler Black, a highly touted prospect with nothing left to prove in the minor leagues, seems like a strong candidate to make the roster. However, the Brewers are more inclined to play him at first base as a backup to Rhys Hoskins and a Potential successor in 2026. Oliver Dunn had solid moments last season after being picked up in a trade from the Phillies, but his year was cut short due to a back injury. Andruw Monasterio, an infielder last season, posted modest offensive numbers. There is also a chance Sal Frelick could move third base, as initially planned in the previous year, however, after winning a Gold Glove in right field it would be a tough sell to move Frelick to the infield. Durbin and Dunn have the best chance to earn the job but, another potential outcome is Joey Ortiz staying at third base, depending on the shortstop battle.

Shortstop: Wanted

 the departure of Willy Adames in free agency has left a hole at shortstop, Milwaukee has two plug-and-play options to fill this position: Joey Ortiz and Brice Turang.

Fifth starter position 

The competition for the fifth starter position lost some of its intensity last week when DL Hall arrived at camp with an injury that will set him back, making him likely to start the season on the IL. As a result, the fifth starter spot seems to be Aaron Ashby's to lose. Ashby had a slow start last year while recovering from shoulder surgery but rebounded late in the season to become a force in the bullpen. The Brewers are now eyeing his return to the rotation, and if he continues to trend upward, he is likely to secure the spot as Hall and Brandon Woodruff recover from injuries.

Who is starting this year?

As it stands, assuming good health, there are five locks for the Brewers bullpen to start the year: Trevor Megill, Jared Koenig, Joel Payamps, Nick Mears, and Bryan Hudson. That leaves three spots reaming, with legitimate candidates including Elvin Rodriguez, Tyler Alexander, Elvis Peguero, Connor Thomas, Abner Uribe, Grant Wolfram, Vinny Nittoli, J.B. Bukauskas, and Tyler Jay. Rodriguez and Alexander are strong contenders for the long relief role, but don't count out Deivi Garcia a non-roster invite and former top 100 prospect. Thomas, selected by the Brewers in the Rule 5 draft, must either be carried on the 26-man roster or offered back to the St. Louis Cardinals.