We are just inching ourselves closer and closer to Opening Day and the roster is just starting to take shape. In the last couple days we’ve let Iribarren and Halama go and I’m sure there are more cuts to come.

The Brewers will enter the season with a lot of new faces over last year. I’m excited because it should ciase some much needed line-up changes. There has been talk about Macha batting the pitcher in the 8th spot this year and I’m not sure it’s the best move. The Brewers did not see much success with it the last time they tried it but that was a different team. I’m not going to go as far to say I hate it and it won’t work, I’m just not a fan of the idea. Last month Adam McCalvy posted on his Brew Beat blog a possible Brewers lineup of Weeks, McGehee, Braun, Fielder, Hart, Zaun, Gomez, Pitcher, Escobar. It’s probably how it will turn out but I think it should look something like this.

1. Carlos Gomez- CF

We finally have a guy who fits the idea of a leadoff hiter. I try not to take too much stock into Spring Training stats but this is quite telling. Gomez has been on base 10 times (9 hits, one walk) and has 7 stolen bases without being caught. He doesn’t walk all that much and strikes out a bit too much but that’s not too different then Weeks the last few years. I’ll touch more on that alter.

2. Alcedis Escobar- SS

I love speed at the top of the lineup and with Gomez and Escobar going 1-2 we’ll have a ton of speed at the top. Escobar handles the bat better then we advertised and should be able to move runners over when need be. Escobar can steal bases and create havoc on the base paths as the pitchers are trying to focus on getting Braun and Fielder out.

3. Ryan Braun- LF

This is a no brainer and it needs no explanation.

4. Prince Fielder- 1B

See comment for Braun.

5. Casey McGehee- 3B

McGahee thrived in this spot last year. If runners are on base and pitchers decide to pitch around Fielder to get to McGehee he can put the ball in play. He has average to good power but there should be enough speed on, sans Prince, the base paths where he just needs to put the ball in play to drive in runs.

6. Rickie Weeks- 2B

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge Rickie Weeks fan. I’m well aware he’s had his struggles and I don’t deny that. I could always go to the “he shouldn’t be hitting leadoff” argument to defend him. This is the first year he can move back in the lineup and attack the ball. He had to be patient at the top of the order and I think it really affected him. In this spot he can relax a bit because the pressure to get on base isn’t there anymore. Weeks has an electric bat and can hit to all fields and I think could really be a great run producer in this spot. 

7. Greg Zaun- C

Zaun doesn’t provide a lot at the plate. He does seem to be able to put the ball in play and not strike out a lot. With a guy like Weeks in front of him he has the experience to be patient at the plate to allow Weeks to steal a base or two.

8. Corey Hart- RF

This seems a little low for Hart but I like him in this spot. Hitting in front of the pitcher is not easy and Hart has struggled in the past with striking out. Hopefully by placing Hart here it will force him to be a little more patient. If Hart does get on in most cases the pitcher is going to lay down a bunt. It’d pay off to have a guy with speed in front of him. Hart could easily steal 2nd and be bunted over to third as the line-up turns over. If Zaun is placed in this spot this is not an option at all and could lead to a double play on a poor bunt.

Just as the lineup should look quite different from last year the starting rotation had a nice makeover as well. I honestly have no idea how it’s going to look come Opening Day but here’s how I think it should look.

Yovani Gallardo

The ace of the staff and should start opening day this year, and should have last year.

Randy Wolf

Veteran pitcher who is a good number two type guy. He’s good enough to shut teams down and at the very least give the Brewers a chance to win every time he takes the mound.

Doug Davis

Davis is an innings eater which is great to have in the middle of the rotation. He isn’t going to blow anyone away but he can strike guys out and go deep in games. He walks too many guys and can get touched up at times but is consistent.

Dave Bush

I’ve always liked Bush. He has shown that his stuff is good enough to shut teams down. He strikes guys out and can eat up innings. With him and Davis back to back in the rotation it should provide some rest for the bullpen for a couple of games.

Manny Parra

If his command is on he could pitch out of the two spot on any team. If he’s not on he’s not even average. I know it’s the Spring but he’s looked really good so far. I made it clear in an earlier blog (Parra the Key to the Playoffs) what I think about Parra. Putting him in this spot takes some pressure off of him, which should help him in the long run.

So you might be asking “Where is Jeff Suppan?”. Spring Training or not he’s given up 5 home runs already in just 9 innings. The rest of the staff has given up just 6 home runs combined. Suppan had his worst year last year and to be honest I don’t see him turning it around. So Suppan out of the pen you ask? No. I think it’s time for the Brewers to swallow their pride and just let him go. We’re paying him regardless so we might as well pay him to not cost us games. Plus I wouldn’t even have him as next in line. Chris Narvason is really pitching well and should start the season as the long reliever and ready to start in case of an injury.

So there you have it. The Brewers lineup will probably look nothing like how I have it but they say they want to run more and this lineup should allow them to do just that. As for the rotation I have no idea. I know at least the top three guys and after that, no clue.

 

-Ross

 

Random Baseball Thought

Dear Ben Sheets,

Well done on that 8 run, 0 outs outting the other day.

Sincerely,

Brewer Nation