One September callup we want for each MLB team

Milwaukee Brewers: Lewis Brinson

The NL Central title is still very much up for grabs, as is a Wild Card, and the Brewers show no signs of collapsing in September. With just enough veteran guidance from Ryan Braun, Travis Shaw and Eric Thames, and youthful ignorance and exuberance, there is no reason for Milwaukee to believe they should not be viewed as a serious playoff contender.

The Brewers have weathered two long losing streaks in the second half, but have bounced back each time to get right back into the thick of things in the pennant race. Their top three starters of Chase Anderson, Jimmy Nelson and Zach Davies can match up well against anyone in the league. Davies surprisingly leads the NL in wins with 15 and has a 2.28 ERA in the second half. The bullpen has been lifted by the presence of rookie Josh Hader who has struck out 11.7 per nine since his debut.

This is a good team, and if the Cubs are sleeping on the Brewers as a legitimate threat to take them down, watch out. Significant weaknesses are hard to find looking at the current 25-man roster. If there’s one thing manager Craig Counsell should be looking for, it’s a speedy supersub off the bench to bump Ryan Braun to the bench for defensive reasons in the late innings.

Lewis Brinson will eventually be more than a defensive replacement, but that’s what the Brewers need him for as they chase a playoff spot in 2017. Brinson failed after being given a chance to start the year with the Brewers, hitting .106 in 55 plate appearances, but his season went well at Triple-A after he was optioned. He is a legitimate five-tool prospect who can give the Brewers valuable speed down the stretch.

Brinson is working back from a hamstring strain right now, but the Brewers have not ruled out calling him back up if he heals in time.