Fansided

Milwaukee Brewers 2015 season preview and predictions

By Robby Sabo

Sep 17, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) looks on during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) looks on during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Sep 5, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) reacts after striking out in the fifth inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) reacts after striking out in the fifth inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

3 Players to Watch

  1. OF Ryan Braun
  2. SS Jean Segura
  3. SP Matt Garza

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize which players are important to Milwaukee’s success in 2015.

Their leader and face of the franchise, Ryan Braun, has seen a dip in productivity since 2012 – one season removed from taking home one of the more acclaimed honors in sports: the NL MVP.

In 2012 the man went bananas. He threw up a league leading 41 homeruns and 112 runs batted in while hitting a ridiculous .319.

Then, all madness surrounding the club occurred as Braun was suspended for the final 65 games of the season which costed him roughly $3.5 million.

It turned out to be one of the biggest disgraces baseball fans had ever laid eyes on. Not only did Braun lie about using, but he attacked the morals of an innocent man who handled the urine sample.

Since, Braun has done very little in the bigs. Last season, in his first full season since the controversy, saw him produce to a much lighter level then we’re accustomed to – 18 homeruns, 81 runs batted in and a .266 average.

More from Milwaukee Brewers

Another major disappointment in 2014 came in the form of shortstop Jean Segura. This kid broke out in a major way during 2013. He showed speed (44 stolen bases), decent patience (.329 on base), and a little pop (12 homeruns).

The problem was how dominant he was during the first half, as he struggled mightily during the second half of the season. This carried into 2014 as Segura ranked in the top three in the sports as it concerned individual disappointments (as fantasy owners across America can attest to). His .246 average and five homeruns cannot be what he puts up in 2014 if the Brewers want to field a formidable lineup.

If we give the Brewers lineup a B grade, then the pitching staff as a while could easily receive the porous grade of a D.

Veteran starter Matt Garza will be leaned on heavily to change that grade. During his magical 2008 run with the Tampa Bay Rays he displayed an ability to come up huge in the big spot. Unfortunately, for Tampa, Chicago and Milwaukee, it hasn’t translated to every day success.

Next: Keys for Success

More from FanSided

Home/Milwaukee Brewers