Milwaukee Brewers Offensive Overview
The Milwaukee Brewers had an impressive 2011 season when they took home the National League Central. However , they could not translate that success into a World Series showing as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated them in the National League Championship Series. This team lost Prince Fielder in the winter, but with Ryan Braun not being made to serve a 50 game suspension the Brewers caught a little break for this season. Check to verify how we think that they end up in the division with our MLB projections for 2012.
Projected Lineup
Jonathan Lucroy (Catcher) - There are a large amount of reasons for Milwaukee to be thrilled about their 25-year-old back stop. Lucroy batted .265 with 12 homers and 59 RBI in 136 games last season. The power stats are only going to get better with age, and his defense is improving. Overall, the guy has a lot of potential for the future.
Mat Gamel (First Base) - Gamel wasn't able to interpret his minor league stats to the big leagues in 2011. While he hit 28 homers and drove in 98 RBI in the minors last season, he utterly unsatisfied with Milwaukee, batting just 3 for 26 in 10 games. He probably did belt 2 homers, and if he'll step in and hit 20 homers this season, it would exceed Milwaukee's expectations for him.
Rickie Weeks (2nd Base) - Rickie Weeks is one of the rising talents at 2nd base, and he is going to be counted on to step up with the departure of Fielder. An ankle injury hampered his 2011 year, but he was still able to offer excellent production of 20 homers and 49 RBI in 113 games. If he can enjoy health, the All-Star has the chance to put up giant stats in 2012.
Alex Gonzalez (Shortstop) - Gonzalez's main role in the lineup is to boost one of the league's worst defensive units. He will not be counted on to do much offensively, as he hit just .241 in 149 games with the Atlanta Braves last year. He has hit 38 home runs over the last two seasons, so he's not really that important a culpability on the offensive end.
Aramis Ramirez (3rd Base) - The Brewers are hoping the addition of Ramirez can help ease the loss of Fielder in the middle of the lineup. A good Ramirez is still one of the game's best-hitting 3rd basemen. In 149 games last year, he hit .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI with the Chicago Cubs. He could be in for a massive season hitting cleanup behind Braun.
Ryan Braun (Left Field) - Joined with the exit of Fielder, the Brewers would be in difficulty if Braun's 50-game suspension was not lifted. But now they are primed to remain one of the top offensive teams in the National League. Braun is coming off an impressive season in which he hit .332 with 33 homers, 111 RBI and 33 stolen bases. The Brewers predict him to have a slight dropoff, but he's still good for around .310 average with 30 home runs and 100 RBI.
Nyjer Morgan (Center Field) - Morgan put up a pretty amazing season last year. He batted .304, which was 2nd on the team only to Braun, and is precisely what the Brewers want from their No. 2 hitter.
Corey Hart (Right Field) - In 130 games for the Brewers last year, Hart hit .285 with 26 home runs and 63 RBI, which suggests he has hit 58 homers over the past 2 seasons. His speed is on the fall, as he had just 7 stolen bases in each one of the last 2 years, but his power is rare for a leadoff hitter.
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