Fantasy Baseball: Milwaukee Brewers 2015 Fantasy Outlook

Sep 12, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) hits a double in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. The Brewers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Here we are! Pitchers and catchers have reported, and Spring Training is in full swing (pun intended). Most of us will start having fantasy baseball drafts very soon, and we here at Fantasy CPR are no different. It is time to dust off the notes from last season, and check out which players could have an impact on your fantasy league.

2015 Milwaukee Brewers Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Jonathan Lucroy (.301, 13HR, 69RBI, 4SB)
1B: Adam Lind (.321, 6HR, 40RBI, 0SB in 96 games with Toronto)
2B: Scooter Gennett (.289, 9HR, 54RBI, 6SB)
SS: Jean Segura (.246, 5HR, 31RBI, 20SB)
3B: Aramis Ramirez (.285, 15HR, 66RBI, 3SB)
LF: Khris Davis (.244, 22HR, 69RBI, 4SB)
CF: Carlos Gomez (.284, 23HR, 73RBI, 34SB)
RF: Ryan Braun (.266, 19HR, 81RBI, 11SB)

Lucroy is often the second catcher taken in drafts behind Buster Posey. I would honestly rank the Reds’ Devin Mesoraco just ahead of him, but you can’t go wrong with Lucroy either. .300 hitters at catcher anywhere are rare, let alone catchers. He has decent power and tied for the most steals at the position. He will get days off like all catchers do, but he is going to be an All-Star for your fantasy team for 130-140 games. He is worth a sixth or seventh round pick.

Lind showed a new approach last year with the Blue Jays. He was in a platoon, and that brought out the best in him. He doesn’t have the power that he once showed, but he has proven that he can maintain a high average and drive balls to the gap. It is yet to be see whether the Brewers will platoon him with Lucroy at first. I imagine they will and start Martin Maldonado (.234, 4HR, 16RBI, 0SB in 111 at bats) behind the plate against left handers. At any rate, I love Lind as a late round pick in standard leagues. I don’t think the power is completely gone, and I think he can hit around .275. He should be a great option at the CI position.

There is always a chance that Jason Rogers makes the trip north with the team since he has had a really good spring so far. If he does, there is a chance that he earns a platoon with Lind.

Scooter Gennett stole the second base job from Rickie Weeks last year and never let go. None of his stats wow you, but I sure can make room for a second baseman that hits .290 and could get me a dozen homers and ten steals. He is worth taking in the late rounds of standard leagues if you wait on a second baseman. He sure won’t hurt you.

Segura had a trying 2014 season on and off the field. He lost his toddler son to an illness, and was never the same. Nor could you expect him to be. His true value likely lies between his breakout 2013 season and his tragic 2014 season. That would mean roughly a .270 average with nine homers and 30 steals. That makes him worth a pick in the middle rounds of standard leagues. He has had a good spring, which has him moving up some draft boards.

Aramis Ramirez no longer has 30 homer power, nor will he hit .300. However, if you miss out on a top third baseman, he will still hit around .275 or so and get near 20 home runs. That makes him a solid mid round player in standard leagues. He has no upside, but solid veterans can help you win leagues.

Khris Davis was a cheap source of homers last year, but he hurt your average some. The power is legit, and he is having a very nice spring, so maybe he can hit closer to his .288 career minor league average. He is a decent later round option for standard leagues, with the potential to be a little better.

Gomez’s numbers were nearly identical in 2013 and 2014. He is not a fluke. He will hit around 20 homers with the potential to steal 40 bases. He is also likely to hit .284 again. All kidding aside, Gomez is a good pick early in the second round, and a great place to start your outfield.

Braun has not been the same since

he quit taking steroids

2012. His 2013 season was shortened by injury and suspension. Last year, something just seemed…..off. Naysayers will say that he was a chemically-enhanced MVP. His production since then has lent credence to that. He has had a good spring though, so some sort of rebound may be in order. Just make sure you don’t pay for the 2012 version of Braun. Draft him somewhere in the middle rounds.

Next: How Does The Rotation Look?

Sep 16, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Wily Peralta (38) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

2015 Milwaukee Brewers Projected Starting Rotation:

Kyle Lohse (13-9, 3.54 ERA, 141K)
Matt Garza (8-8, 3.64 ERA, 126K)
Wily Peralta (17-11, 3.53 ERA, 154K)
Mike Fiers (6-5, 2.13 ERA, 76K in 10 starts)
Jimmy Nelson (2-9, 4.93 ERA, 57K in 12 starts)
Francisco Rodriguez (5-5, 3.04 ERA, 73K, 44/49 saves)

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The only thing that really jumps off the page is the lack of an ace. Former Twins Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza are solid veterans, but are in the downside of their careers. Garza is not going to be an ace again. Both of them are better suited for streaming options in standard leagues. They should be a part of the back end of rotations in leagues of 12 teams or larger.

Peralta looks like an ace in the making. He won 17 games last year, and has been dominant this spring. The wins total is not likely to increase, but his ERA should be in the low 3’s, and he should rack up around 150-175 strikeouts. That makes him a good pitcher for the middle of your fantasy rotation.

Mike Fiers was terrific after his call up last year, but has struggled in the spring. He is young, so there still could be some growing pains, but he should be solid at the back end of your rotation. he is not going to finish with a 2.13 ERA this year, but he should keep it around 3.

Nelson showed flashes of what he was capable of last year, but he was ultimately banished to the bullpen. The Brewers don’t have anyone pushing Nelson for the spot, so it looks like they are going to roll with him. Based on his minor league numbers, he still has potential. Those of you in standard leagues should stay away. If you have a bench slot available in deeper leagues, you can take a flier on him late in your draft and hope that this is the year he figures it out. I am not sure I would start him in every game though.

Johnny Hellweg has a chance to join the rotation at some point this season, but his miserable spring lands him in the minors to start with. He has decent stuff, but lack of quality secondary pitches could relegate him to bullpen duty.

The prospect with the greatest chance to make a splash for the Brewers this year is Corey Knebel. He was acquired in the deal for Yovani Gallardo. He is the closer of the future, and is the main reason that Francisco Rodriguez is likely to be traded by the end of July. Knebel had a solid spring. but will likely start the year in the minors so the team can show off K-Rod to potential suitors. If you draft Rodriguez, just be aware that he might not be a closer wherever he ends up. You will get a solid couple of months out of him though.

Knebel could be worth stashing in deep leagues if you are desperate for saves. There is a good chance that the Brewers bring him up early and let him work the eighth inning behind Rodriguez for a while. If that happens, he could be a nice boost to your strikeout and WHIP totals. He has fanned 104 hitters in 76.1 minor league innings, and has a WHIP of 0.90 to go with his 1.65 ERA in the minors.

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR as our team by team preview continues! Next up: the Pittsburgh Pirates!

Next: Top Five Sleepers For 2015

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