Yesterday's spring overreactions got me thinking. If we were to estimate the opening day roster, just what would it look like today? The position players might be easy to figure out, but the pitching staff still has a lot of question marks about who looks like they'll be in the clubhouse on March 26th, when the Crew takes on the South Siders.
But let's try!
Catchers (2)
William Contreras and Gary Sanchez. Barring injury, this seems like the most likely outcome. Without offering an opinion on the Sanchez vs. Jeferson Quero. A left-handed power bat with nearly 3000 big league at-bats, it's El Gary's to lose.
Infield (6)
Starters from first to third; Andrew Vaughn, Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz, Luis Rengifo. Brewer's Manager Pat Murphy's comments regarding Joey Ortiz during this offseason likely shore up the fact that it's Ortiz' spot to lose, and his defense may indicate that's the right call - but if he doesn't hit he will lose it.
On the bench - Jake Bauers and David Hamilton. This feels a bit thin, but it's difficult to envision Jett Williams starting the season in the bigs. Hamilton has a ton of versatility, and Bauers has established as an acceptable enough pinch-hit and lefty platoon partner to the right handed hitting Andrew Vaughn. It's not hard to see Tyler Black stepping into that lefty pinch-hit and platoon role at some point this season as well.
Outfield (6)
Pencil in Sal Frelick and Jackson Chourio, with Christian Yelich as the designated hitter. Blake Perkins' is too good defensively, and too fast to think he won't start the season in the big leagues. Akil Baddoo signed a major league contract so there's probably a reason for that. And Garrett Mitchell starts the season in Milwaukee, likely as the every day center fielder to see if he can stay healthy.
Starting Pitchers (5)
Ok, this is going to be a tough one to figure out with any degree of confidence. With a couple of off days in the first week of the season my main goal is that my starting pitcher and relief pitcher count adds up to 12. I don't think Brewers have any interest in opening the season with 13 or 14 pitchers on the roster.
So for starters, let's go with Brandon Woodruff - although it's starting to look like he may start the season on the disbaled list- followed by Quinn Priester, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, and Kyle Harrison. Sure. Sounds as good as anything. I wouldn't be surprised to see Misiorwoski get the Johan Santana treatment and start the season as a bulk reliever and move into the starting roatation later to preserve his inning counts.
Relief Pitchers (7)
Let's start with the sure things, Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill, Jared Koenig, Grant Anderson, and Aaron Ashby. Again, barring injury, it's safer to say those five guys are locks to make the opening day roster. After that trade acquisition and yet another lefty in Angel Zerpa. DL Hall likely makes the opening day roster as well, in big part because of his ability to go multiple innings.
The Lineup
This will almost certainly be wrong, but why not try.
2B - Brice Turang
RF - Jackson Chourio
C - William Contraras
DH - Christian Yelich
1B - Andrew Vaughn
LF - Sal Frelick
3B - Luis Rengifo
CF - Garrett Mitchell
SS - Joey Ortiz
SP - Brandon Woodruff
Less than four weeks away my friends.
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