Pre-Spring Training Brewers 2023 Predictions

[Brewcrew82]

With pitchers and catchers due to meet this coming week, I thought it might be fun to make some season predictions before spring training and then do the usual predictions right before Opening Day. Here are some of the categories I had in mind:

Spring Training MVP: Christian Yelich

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): Sal Frelick

Surprise OD roster omission(s): Mike Brosseau

Breakout(s): Sal Frelick, Jake Cousins

Disappointment(s): Garrett Mitchell, Eric Lauer

Bounceback(s): Jesse Winker, Freddy Peralta (165 innings, 3.00-3.25 ERA, 200+Ks)

Season MVP: Willy Adames

Cy Young: Corbin Burnes

Reliever of the Year: Devin Williams

Rookie of the Year: Sal Frelick

Bold Prediction: Chourio debuts in August, becomes mainstay at top of the order a la 2018 Juan Soto...

Brewers Record: 90-72

Postseason? Yes (Wild Card)

 

[wiguy94]

Spring Training MVP: Keston Hiura

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): Blake Perkins

Surprise OD roster omission(s): Mike Brosseau

Breakout(s): Peter Strzelecki, Rowdy Tellez, Luis Urias

Disappointment(s): Aaron Ashby

Bounceback(s): Jesse Winker, Freddy Peralta (healthier)

Season MVP: Corbin Burnes

Cy Young: Corbin Burnes

Reliever of the Year: Devin Williams

Rookie of the Year: Sal Frelick

Bold Prediction: Rowdy finishes third in 1B Silver Slugger voting

Brewers Record: 92-70

Postseason? Yes 

[Sixtolezcano]

 

Spring Training MVP: Jackson Chourio

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): Cam Robinson

Surprise OD roster omission(s): Owen Miller

Breakout(s): Christian Yelich (🤞), Garrett Mitchell

Disappointment(s): Sal Frelick

Bounceback(s): Freddy Peralta, Luis Urias

Season MVP: William Contreras

Cy Young: Brandon Woodruff

Reliever of the Year: Devin Williams

Rookie of the Year: Garrett Mitchell

Bold Prediction: Joel Payamps will be set-up reliever to Williams, Joey Wiemer will be brought up late in the year due to injury and will hit 6 homers in Sept. - Oct.

Brewers record: 85-77

Playoffs: Yes

[brooks_quichenick]

Spring Training MVP: Sal Frelick

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): Sal Frelick

Surprise OD roster omission(s): Owen Miller

Breakout(s): Joey Wiemer, Peter Strzelecki (becomes our 7th-8th inning guy)

Disappointment(s): Aaron Ashby

Bounceback(s): Christian Yelich, Abraham Toro, Freddie Peralta

Season MVP: Christian Yelich

Cy Young: Corbin Burnes

Reliever of the Year: Devin Williams

Rookie of the Year: Joey Wiemer

Bold Prediction: Joey Wiemer is up earlier than planned, ends up as the everyday RF

Brewers Record: 93-69

Postseason? Yes (Division champs)

[brewcrewdue80]

Definitely going to be hard for the players who are playing in the WBC to be Spring Training MVPs.  They'll have what,? maybe 10 games to do it.  We'll get a good look at Turang since Adames, Toro, and Urias are participating.  Hiura seems like at 1b/2b vs Spring Training pitching would be a positional MVP favorite with the launch pads in AZ.  Could be a fun battle with Mitchell, Yelich, and Wiemer as the two prospects are the mix of game Yelich has produced at the ML both ways. 

As to the so friggin' early season projections?  Let's make it through Spring Training healthy and see what last move they make prior to Opening day.  You have to believe someone among the OFs are traded.  Maybe from SP.

[KeithStone53151]

Spring Training MVP: Jesse winker

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): none

Surprise OD roster omission(s): none

Breakout(s): Garrett Mitchell, Freddy peralta

Disappointment(s): Christian yelich 

Bounceback(s): Keston hiura, Luis urias

Season MVP: Corbin burnes

Cy Young: Corbin Burnes

Reliever of the Year: Devin Williams

Rookie of the Year: Garrett Mitchell

Bold Prediction: Christian yelich loses his starting spot in the lineup in July/August. I'm well aware of how big a deal it would be to bench a 200 million player, I still think it happens. In my opinion he's not hungry or motivated in comparison to the rest of the league. Classic case of guy got paid and is coasting. I'm expecting a career worst year.

Brewers Record: 94-68

Postseason? Yes

[bensheeps]

Spring Training MVP: Garrett Mitchell - with many of the other regulars playing in the WBC, Mitchell will get plenty of at bats.

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): Sal Frelick

Surprise OD roster omission(s): Owen Miller (although I don't know if this is a great surprise)

Breakout(s): Sal Frelick, Peter Strzelecki

Disappointment(s): Brian Anderson

Bounceback(s): Jesse Winker, Christian Yelich

Season MVP: Christian Yelich

Cy Young: Corbin Burnes

Reliever of the Year: Devin Williams

Rookie of the Year: Sal Frelick

Bold Prediction: Abraham Toro has his best MLB season to date and ends up being a regular with Brian Anderson disappointing.

Brewers Record: 90-72

Postseason? Yes

[CheeseheadInQC]

Spring Training MVP: Keston Hiura - This seems bizarrely inevitable

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): Gus Varland - They figure out a way to keep the Rule 5 pick

Surprise OD roster omission(s): Peter Strzelecki - Nothing against Strzelecki, but between Varland and all the guys without options, unless injuries pop up, it seems possible he or Cousins will start in AAA and, well, see below

Breakout(s): Abraham Toro, Jake Cousins

Disappointment(s): Brian Anderson, the lefty they inevitably sign between now and the start of the season

Bounceback(s): Jesse Winker, Freddy Peralta

Season MVP: Corbin Burnes

Cy Young: Corbin Burnes

Reliever of the Year: Jake Cousins - OK, so I wanted to have one more answer no one had said yet

Rookie of the Year: Sal Frelick

Bold Prediction: Abraham Toro ends up being a top 15 3rd baseman.

Brewers Record: 89-73

Postseason? Yes

[nate82]

 Spring Training MVP: Jesse Winker

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): Brice Turang

Surprise OD roster omission(s): None

Breakout(s): Abner Uribe, Cam Robinson

Disappointment(s): Devin Williams, Brian Anderson

Bounceback(s): Jesse Winker, Victor Caratini, Matt Bush

Season MVP: Luis Urias

Cy Young: Corbin Burnes

Reliever of the Year: Abner Uribe (Devin Williams completely fails at the closer spot and Uribe takes it over in June racking up 35 saves and a 11.0 K/9)

Rookie of the Year: Abner Uribe

Bold Prediction: Burnes is traded in June to the Phillies for RHP Griff McGarry, RHP Andrew Painter and 1B/OF Jordan Viars.  The Brewers start out the season on a cold streak which puts them 20 games behind the Cubs in the Central on June 1st.  The Cubs go on to lose the division by 1 game to the Cardinals.  Cardinals win the division going 81-81 and are swept out of the first round. 

Brewers Record: 70-92

Postseason? No

[wiguy94]

18 minutes ago, nate82 said:

Bold Prediction: The Brewers start out the season on a cold streak which puts them 20 games behind the Cubs in the Central on June 1st.  The Cubs go on to lose the division by 1 game to the Cardinals.  Cardinals win the division going 81-81 and are swept out of the first round. 

That's one heck of a bold prediction. Brewers will have 55 games played through the end of May. For us to be 20 games behind the Cubs/Cards it would involve us being something like 15-40 and the Cards/Cubs both being around 35-20. 

The biggest divisional gap from 1st to last through 55 games last season was 16.5, so you are predicting the Brewers to be around a 40 win full season pace and both the Cubs and Cards to be around a 100 win full season pace through 55 games but then having all 3 teams between 70 and 81 wins? 

[nate82]

9 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

That's one heck of a bold prediction. Brewers will have 55 games played through the end of May. For us to be 20 games behind the Cubs/Cards it would involve us being something like 15-40 and the Cards/Cubs both being around 35-20. 

The biggest divisional gap from 1st to last through 55 games last season was 16.5, so you are predicting the Brewers to be around a 40 win full season pace and both the Cubs and Cards to be around a 100 win full season pace through 55 games but then having all 3 teams between 70 and 81 wins? 

It said bold prediction not mild or realistic.

[wiguy94]

9 minutes ago, nate82 said:

It said bold prediction not mild or realistic.

Painter would be one heck of a consolation prize for a terrible season.

[nate82]

2 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

Painter would be one heck of a consolation prize for a terrible season.

Yes that trade is somewhat like the Gomez and Fiers trade to the Astros though with it being more top heavy with Painter and McGarry.  It would setup the Brewers for the next 5-years pitching wise.  The Brewers could also extend Woodruff then and pair him with Painter, Peralta, Ashby, Gasser and Small.  Not to mention McGarry who could become an ace in the bullpen or if he ever gets his walks down he could be an ace in the rotation. 

[BigWoo53]

Spring Training MVP: Keston Hiura/Luke Voit

Surprise OD roster inclusion(s): Gus Varland

Surprise OD roster omission(s): Mike Brosseau, Owen Miller

Breakout(s): Abner Uribe, Jake Cousins

Disappointment(s): Brian Anderson, Eric Lauer

Bounceback(s): Jesse Winker, Freddy Peralta

Season MVP: Rowdy Tellez

Cy Young: Brandon Woodruff

Reliever of the Year: Matt Bush 

Rookie of the Year: Garrett Mitchell, Cam Devanney (My hope he plays well in AAA and comes up and balls out at 3B)

Bold Prediction: Keston Hiura or Luke Voit hit 25+ HR and Jesse Winker has a very nice season making the Brewers DH spot fire vs. RHP or LHP. I also think Matt Bush becomes a lights out setup guy. 

Brewers Record: 87-75

Postseason? Yes (Wild Card)

[clancyphile]

Spring Training MVP: Garrett Mitchell

Surprise OD inclusion: Brice Turang

Surprise OD omissions: Owen Miller and Abraham Toro

Breakouts: Turang, Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Joey Wiemer

Disappointments: Ashby, Matt Bush

Bouncebacks: Christian Yelich, Jesse Winker, Willy Adames, and Freddy Peralta, Jakes Cousins

Season MVP: Yelich

Cy Young: Burnes

Rolaids Reliever of the Year: Jake Cousins

Rookie of the Year: Sal Frelick, Brice Turang, and Joey Wiemer (3-way-tie)

Bold Predictions: Frelick and Wiemer force the issue early on, and the Brewers deal Winker and Anderson to clear space for the rookies. Ultimately, no Brewer wins NL Rookie of the Year as they all split votes. The team stuns fans as the front office reaches agreement on a Burnes extension with massive deferred money, but the MLBPA intervenes in an attempt to void the contract - prompting massive controversy not seen since the near-trade of A-Rod to the Red Sox after 2003. The Brewers ultimately sign Woodruff and Adames to extensions, and legal action allows the Brewers' deal with Burnes to move forward, but MLBPA's name is mud with many Brewers fans.

Brewers record: 101-61, 1st place NL Central

Postseason: Yes (WS Champions)

[liveforoctober]

Surprise roster addition: Caleb Boushley breaks camp with the Suter role in the bullpen.

[brewcrewdue80]

That after game 1 I come to realize I was pronouncing both Frelick and Wiemer last names wrong.  Frelick like relic and not free. Wiemer like we and not die or lie. 😅

[wibadgers23]

19 hours ago, brewcrewdue80 said:

That after game 1 I come to realize I was pronouncing both Frelick and Wiemer last names wrong.  Frelick like relic and not free. Wiemer like we and not die or lie. 😅

Pretty sure it's pronounced like FREE-lick.  There's a handy thread in the minor league forums with a number of pronunciations.

 

 

[brewcrewdue80]

56 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

Pretty sure it's pronounced like FREE-lick.  There's a handy thread in the minor league forums with a number of pronunciations.

 

 

That's how I was pronouncing. All the annunciations I've been hearing his named pronounced as F-relic. Dodgers replay of the game. Watching video of on people discussing the Brewers OF prospects.  I prefer Freelick version vs Frelic version. Same with Wie-mer over We-mer.  Maybe that's from Michelle Wie annunciation to say Wiemer that way?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Come on, y'all, most of you are from Wisconsin. Wiemer is a super-German name, you gotta stick the landing here or you lose bratwurst rights for a year.

[YodaDaSoda]

Little late to this, but I wanted to see how spring training started off before doing it.

 

Spring Training MVP: Garrett Mitchell

Surprise OD inclusion: Owen Miller

Surprise OD omissions: Abraham Toro, Jake Cousins

Breakouts: Mitchell, Wiemer, Frelick and Turang

Disappointments: Ashby, Bush, Luke Voit

Bouncebacks: Christian Yelich, Jesse Winker

Season MVP: Burnes

Cy Young: Burnes

Reliever of the Year: Devin Williams

Rookie of the Year: Garrett Mitchell

Bold Predictions: Brewers are around .500 and are barely holding on to 2nd place in the division by the deadline. ESPN and all of the major outlets predict the Brewers to have a firesale, but they end up trading for Bryan Reynolds, who takes over right field and helps lead the Brewers to a division win.

Brewers record: 93-69, 1st place NL Central

Postseason: Yes (Lose NLCS)

[Jake McKibbin]

Spring Training MVP: Joey Wiemer

Surprise OD inclusion: Keston Hiura (Don't ask me how, it's a gut feeling)

Surprise OD omissions: Abraham Toro (working down the minors, think he'll be a good player next season)

Breakouts: Wiemer, Frelick, Turang

Disappointments: Brian Anderson

Bouncebacks: Tellez (By end of the season you'll see why), Winker

Season MVP: Willy Adames (if he's put in the middle of the order)

Cy Young: Woodruff

Reliever of the Year: Peter Strezlecki

Rookie of the Year: Garrett Mitchell (by virtue of plate appearances and that speed boiii)

Bold Predictions: Cardinals get an injury to Arenado, realise their pitching sucks, and finish 3rd behind the Cubs

Brewers record: 95-67

Postseason: I'm a believer baby