What we learned about every player on the Brewers’ 40-man roster during spring training

PHOENIX — The Brewers will soon finalize their Opening Day roster. There are only three spring training games left, including two exhibitions against the Rangers at Globe Life Field, so a clearer picture has developed on every player. And even though decisions will be made for the initial version of the 2021 Brewers, alterations aren’t too far behind; it’s worth knowing the layers of depth.

Here is everything we learned about each member of the Brewers’ 40-man roster — plus notable non-roster invitees — in Arizona during spring training.

Catchers

Omar Narváez: With towering home runs and doubles, Narváez resembled his pre-2020 profile as a hitter. Adjustments made with hitting instructor Andy Haines helped Narváez stay back, meaning he is seeing the ball longer and better recognizing pitches. That’s how he slugged without being overly aggressive; he drew a handful of walks. It’s worth remembering, though, that in summer camp last year, Narváez hit well before scuffling during the season. Behind the plate this spring, Narváez continued to be good at framing pitches. In one of Corbin Burnes’ outings against the Angels, Narváez set up low but was still able to snatch a high pitch and bring it down for a called third strike.

Manny Piña: In his first at-bat during the Brewers’ opening spring training game, Piña crushed a 2-and-2 pitch to left field for a home run. From there, he just kept hitting. Piña’s offense was an underrated aspect of his game over the last couple of seasons. The defensive prowess is well known. Most importantly, he’s healthy after undergoing knee surgery last September. As one scout said, “Piña just looks really good on both sides of the ball.”

Jacob Nottingham: Back from a thumb injury that required offseason surgery, Nottingham hasn’t caught in a spring training game. He took his first at-bats in a scrimmage on March 12. In actual games, he appeared as a designated hitter and was 1 for 12 (home run) heading into the final weekend. His readiness for Opening Day is a question.

Luke Maile: With Nottingham compromised, Maile operated as the Brewers’ third catcher. With Nottingham out of options, perhaps it was a smart move in the winter to sign Maile. He has familiarized himself with the pitching staff. Pitchers have enjoyed throwing to him; Burnes, Brett Anderson and others commented on how little they had to shake him off.

Mario Feliciano: Feliciano isn’t expected to see action in the majors this season, but showed consistent power with a few doubles and triples into the outfield gaps.

Infielders

Keston Hiura: Hiura experienced some growing pains at first base. He has done a better job lately of reading balls hit to the right side, knowing which ones to chase and when to retreat to the base. But he’s committed a couple of errors, including one on a throw. In one game, Hiura looked awkward when trying to catch pickoff attempts from Burnes — not the easiest assignment. In another, he lost a pop fly to the sun. Hiura struck out 14 times in his first 39 plate appearances but drove the ball well whenever he connected. He got hot late, going 9 for 22 with three home runs during a nine-game stretch. Hiura played every game at first base until making a cameo at second base, his former position, on March 26. If Kolten Wong were to miss a game, Hiura could be an option at second base.

Daniel Vogelbach: Without a designated hitter in the National League, Vogelbach is reduced to a left-handed power bat off the bench if the Brewers choose to keep him on their roster. He’s logged more than 25 innings at first base this spring and has looked serviceable, making a couple of nice picks. He hit only one home run but drew the second-most walks. The Brewers believe Vogelbach is a good offensive player. President of baseball operations David Stearns said he saw a fit on the roster for Vogelbach, before adding that a decision hasn’t been made.

Kolten Wong: Wong has three lead-off home runs. Against right-handers, Wong, a left-handed batter, is a good bet to bat leadoff. Wong may offer some additional pop at American Family Field. But manager Craig Counsell recently pointed to round number: 100 runs. Wong is arguably the best defensive second baseman in baseball, but that sometimes overshadows his offense and base-running abilities.

Luis Urías: Urías has appeared at only shortstop. After acquiring Urías in a trade with the Padres in the 2019 offseason, the Brewers wanted to see what he could do at the position. A left hamstring issue sidelined Urías for eight days, but he returned on March 14 and has since looked good offensively. While batting leadoff one game, Urías showed strong pitch recognition, laying off several breaking balls that ended up being good takes. Counsell and Stearns have been noncommittal on their shortstop plans beyond saying both Urías and Orlando Arcia can play the position.

Orlando Arcia: The team’s Opening Day starting shortstop the last four years, Arcia split his time at shortstop and third base this spring. Initially, Arcia said he was slightly uncomfortable at third and needed time to adjust to the reaction time required at the position. Arcia made a couple of errors early, including one on a poor throw, but has since settled in well at the position. He could split time at third base and shortstop during the regular season. Arcia has been one of only a few Brewers who struggled to hit this spring; he was batting .189 heading into Friday.

Travis Shaw: When they added him to the 40-man roster on March 16, the Brewers essentially guaranteed Shaw a spot on the Opening Day roster. He presents something they wouldn’t otherwise have: a left-handed power bat at a thin position. He profiles as the starting third baseman against right-handers with possibly Arcia or someone else spelling him against lefties. Shaw made an adjustment a couple of weeks into spring and has since been driving the ball more consistently with harder contact. He hit a home run last week that traveled beyond the sidewalk and berms in right field. Shaw’s defense looked suspect at times; in a game against the Padres, he bounced a ball to second base after fielding a grounder to him at third base. Without options with a more consistent track record, the Brewers are betting on the bat.

Daniel Robertson: Robertson provided a steady presence throughout spring with consistently good at-bats. He’s been solid yet unspectacular at everything. His zone control is probably the one thing that really stands out. He drew the most walks. Robertson played mostly second base but also spent time at first base, shortstop, third base and left field. As an example of how adept he’s been anywhere he plays, Robertson made a diving stop on a hard-hit ball in his only game at first base.

Mark Mathias: The Brewers placed Mathias, a utility type, on the 60-day injured list on March 16 because of a torn labrum. Mathias expected a rehabilitation of three to four months “at the least.” Prior to the injury, he split time at third base and second base. Mathias wasn’t expected to be on the Opening Day roster, but the Brewers anticipate he will contribute plenty after his 2020 debut.

Tim Lopes: The Brewers placed Lopes, another utility type, on the 60-day injured list on March 8. He played seven innings at second base and two innings at third base.

Outfielders

Christian Yelich: After a disappointing 2020, Yelich’s OPS heading into the final weekend was 1.351, which is to say he’s back to looking like himself. Counsell put it succinctly after a game last week in which Yelich crushed a 2-and-0 pitch over the batter’s eye in center field: “I think he’s in a pretty good place right now.”

Lorenzo Cain: A quad injury sidelined Cain until March 20. He went 1 for 3 in his first game that day and played center field. He hasn’t played anywhere else in his four games. Cain handled high velocity but said he still needs to get used to breaking balls after so much time away from live pitching. It’s unclear if Cain will be ready for the Opening Day roster, but Counsell and Cain have both been optimistic about his chances.

Jackie Bradley Jr.: In one of his first games in right field, on March 20, a ball caromed off the wall oddly, trickling away from Bradley. A runner was a couple of steps off second base when Bradley picked up the ball. The runner didn’t go. A good thing. Bradley fired a strike on a line to third base. Yes, the gifted defender, a Gold Glove center fielder, can play right field. But when will he? Bradley has dealt with wrist inflammation and hasn’t played since March 21. He expected to play on Saturday. Bradley should be fine for Opening Day.

Avisaíl García: One scout said of García, “How do you keep him on the bench?” García is expected to get plenty of plate appearances even after the arrival of Bradley crowding the outfield group. García arrived in camp 35 pounds lighter, hit consistently — three home runs after hitting only two in 53 games last season — and has played his typically solid defense.

Billy McKinney: After a slow start, McKinney, who is out of options, heated up with four home runs. While playing both left field and right field, McKinney demonstrated a strong arm and made a couple of diving catches. He logged eight innings at first base. The power and positional flexibility make him an intriguing candidate for a final roster spot.

Tyrone Taylor: It seems like the only contact Taylor makes is the loud kind. Taylor racked up a team-high 12 hits in his first 37 at-bats with two home runs. It’s unlikely that Taylor, who played all three outfield spots, makes the Opening Day roster because he has options remaining, but Counsell referred to the 27-year-old as someone who is “making a statement that he’s a major leaguer.” Taylor has impressed in spring training as one of the top performers.

Corey Ray: Balls and strikes have long been Ray’s problem. Taylor beat Ray out for a call-up last summer. This spring, Ray is 4 for 17 with seven strikeouts and six walks. He played all three outfield positions and made a nice sliding catch on Thursday against the Giants while playing center field.

Derek Fisher: Fisher hasn’t played since leaving a game on March 14 because of a hamstring injury. Fisher is out of options. In nine games, he went 6 for 22 with a home run and played mostly center field.

Starting pitchers

Brandon Woodruff: For the first time since Yovani Gallardo started a franchise-record five in a row from 2010-14, a Brewers pitcher will start the opener in consecutive seasons, and it’s Woodruff. In an economical start, Woodruff needed only 68 pitches to get through six innings against a Cleveland lineup heavy with left-handed batters. The fastball has always been a weapon with other offerings sprinkled in, but look for the offspeed pitches to be even more effective this season.

Corbin Burnes: An enhanced repertoire for Burnes? Again? Burnes this spring has prioritized the curveball and change-up. Against the Dodgers last week, the change-up was particularly effective. Burnes said he is in a good spot with both off-speed pitches and plans to utilize them once the season starts.

Adrian Houser: Lately, falling behind in counts has doomed Houser. He induced ground balls, which is a good sign, but he isn’t getting enough swings-and-misses. In the offseason, Houser worked on locating his slider and change-up to make them more enticing to hitters. Last year, those pitches were thrown too far out of the zone. Houser lines up as the Brewers’ No. 3 starter to begin the season.

Brett Anderson: Anderson pitched 5 2/3 innings on Thursday, his latest outing in what has been a terrific spring. In 15 innings overall, he has 12 strikeouts and two walks. The contact is usually soft and on the ground. Most important, Anderson is healthy.

Freddy Peralta: With an evolving repertoire that includes a slider and change-up, Peralta earned the fifth-starter job to being the season. It’s possible he shifts back to the bullpen at some point. But Counsell said he expected Peralta to throw more innings this season than in any other (Peralta’s high is 85). Peralta was stretched out all spring and was outstanding in every start. He maintained his stuff and was locked in deeper into games. Whether he can consistently do that during the season is a question. One example was Friday against the White Sox when he struck out Andrew Vaughn with a breaking ball to end the fifth inning. But in the sixth, he allowed two straight hits to start the frame.

Josh Lindblom: Lindblom will start the season in the bullpen, but Counsell said the team expects the right-hander to make starts by the end of April. Lindblom focused on his splitter and slider. Lindblom’s fastball plays better when he can throw those two pitches competitively — either locating them as strikes or making them enticing enough to swing at. The splitter was a key pitch for Lindblom while playing in Korea. He threw it last year only 10 percent of the time. But it might be a weapon in 2021.

Eric Lauer: Lauer, who has options remaining, dealt with a shoulder injury all of last season. He walked seven and allowed three home runs across three short appearances. The guess here is Lauer will again spend time at the alternate site.

Alec Bettinger: Bettinger, who hasn’t pitched above Double A yet, threw in the Brewers’ first scrimmage of spring training, but then experienced elbow soreness. He hasn’t pitched in a spring training game. He is throwing bullpens, however.

Dylan File: File underwent surgery on Feb. 4 to repair a stress fracture in his right elbow. He is expected to be out for approximately four months from the date of the surgery.

Relievers

Josh Hader: On multiple occasions, right-handed batters whiffed Hader’s back-foot slider. The latest example took place Friday against White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal, who whiffed on one for a second strike. Next, Hader froze Grandal with a 95 mph fastball inside for a strikeout. Hader also worked hard at making the change-up a pitch he can trust this season. He hasn’t used it in games since becoming a reliever. Like last year, Hader will operate in the role of traditional closer.

Devin Williams: In his first spring training game, on March 20, Williams hit 98 mph, got some whiffs on his change-up and sprinkled in three sliders, a pitch he threw in the minor leagues but didn’t use in his stellar 2020 season. The Brewers took things slowly with Williams after a shoulder injury prevented him from pitching in the playoffs. He expects to be ready for Opening Day.

Brent Suter: Suter said he was depressed over the winter after he uncharacteristically walked five in 1 1/3 innings against the Dodgers in Game 1 of a wild-card series. He said he didn’t feel better until the first day of spring training. He has since put the outing behind him. Suter is back to attacking the strike zone and working quickly. He also added a couple of new wrinkles, including a slider. He struck out nine and walked only one in 8 1/3 innings.

Eric Yardley: Yardley led the Brewers in appearances last season and is seemingly still a lock for the Opening Day roster despite an inconsistent spring. Yardley started slowly with an inning against the Angels on March 8 ruled over before the side was retired. Afterward, he was back to getting outs and stranding runners. But on Friday, he allowed a long home run to White Sox third baseman Yoán Moncada, with the ball soaring beyond right field and onto a back field.

Justin Topa: To some extent, soft contact for infield singles and some tight strike zones inflated Topa’s numbers, including his ERA, which is over 12.00. The Brewers like Topa a lot, and it sounds like he is a prime candidate for their bullpen, but he is going to need to generate more swings-and-misses. Counsell pointed out that his slider moves across the zone so much, it is a tricky pitch for an umpire. His breaking pitches looked sharp during his initial outings, and they should complement his high-powered fastball.

Ray Black: In a sign that he was healthy, Black touched 99 mph and threw a scoreless inning against the Giants on Thursday. It was his first game since March 5 after being sidelined because of elbow inflammation. Black is out of options so the guess here is he will be on the Opening Day roster.

Drew Rasmussen: Whether he was starting or relieving, Rasmussen excelled. His fastball consistently sat at 98 mph. One highlight, in particular, was a strikeout against the Padres’ Fernando Tatis on a slider. In that game, Rasmussen also utilized a change-up and curveball. In 8 1/3 innings, he walked five and struck out 11. The expectation is for him to be the right-handed version of Suter: perform a hybrid role and be able to get through a batting order once.

J.P. Feyereisen: Has any Brewers reliever performed better than Feyereisen? He changed the grip of his change-up — a pitch he started using last year — and has learned how to more effectively mix it in. In 8 2/3 innings, Feyereisen has 15 strikeouts. He allowed one earned run, one hit and two walks. Feyereisen has options, so he’s not an automatic fit for the Opening Day roster, but as one scout put it, “Feyereisen definitely has earned it.”

Angel Perdomo: Perdomo’s consistency with throwing strikes provided one of the highlights of spring. The left-hander could soon find his way into the bullpen. Against the Diamondbacks on March 19, the Brewers scored seven runs in a long eighth inning as Perdomo warmed up. Despite a marathon half-inning preceding his appearance, Perdomo entered and immediately struck out the side.

Phil Bickford: Similar to last spring training, Bickford consistently pitched well. Since his first outing on March 2 against the A’s (a 1-2-3 inning), Bickford has been effective using his up-chute fastball. He likely won’t make the Opening Day roster but should help the Brewers’ bullpen this season.

Bobby Wahl: In the latest unfortunate development for the right-hander with an injury history, Wahl will start the season on the injured list because of an oblique strain. Wahl, 29, pitched only three innings.

Notable non-roster invitees/minor-leaguers in camp

Brad Boxberger: The Brewers released Boxberger on Friday instead of adding him to the 40-man roster or paying a $100,000 retention bonus. Stearns said the team hopes to re-sign the veteran to a minor-league deal. Boxberger allowed five runs with some hard contact in a game against the Mariners, but bounced back against the Rockies with three strikeouts while touching 94 mph. He walked one with 11 strikeouts in eight innings.

Jordan Zimmermann: Like Boxberger, the Brewers released Zimmermann on Friday, but hope to re-sign him. If that were to happen, Zimmermann would be a length option, where he’d pitch at the front of games or as a multi-inning option in the bullpen. He allowed four earned runs and nine hits in six innings.

Jace Peterson: A thumb injury this spring slowed Peterson. Since he wasn’t projected to make the Opening Day roster, the Brewers took things slowly with the veteran. Like last year, though, Peterson would be a candidate for the roster if there are injuries.

Zach Green: Green should give the Brewers some depth in the minors at the corner infield spots — two thin positions. He made a diving stop last week at first base and scooped a low throw on Friday to end an inning with two runners on. He has flashed some power with two home runs.

Pablo Reyes: Early on, Reyes impressed Counsell with his ball-strike recognition. He made plenty of hard contact. He played second base, shortstop, third base and left field.

Hoby Milner: The Brewers don’t have many left-handed options in their bullpen. Milner received some attention for throwing seven scoreless innings. Against the Rockies on Wednesday, he was again sharp in 1 2/3 innings.

Blaine Hardy: Because he missed last season after undergoing an elbow procedure, the Brewers always had the long haul in mind with Hardy, who didn’t appear in a game until a “B” game against the Angels on March 8. As a veteran left-hander, Hardy could end up contributing for the Brewers at some point early in the season. He allowed one earned run, six hits and one walk with three strikeouts in four innings over four appearances.

Dylan Cozens: Cozens (two home runs) could be a decent depth option at some point in the corner outfield spots because he offers power.

Dustin Peterson: Late in games, Peterson made a couple of nice stops at first base, where he has logged all his 29 innings. He was 3 for 11 with two doubles heading into the final weekend.

Miguel Sánchez: With a good change-up, Sánchez racked up whiffs in a few early games. Considering the number of innings the Brewers need this year, Counsell said, Sánchez is definitely a guy on the Brewers’ radar for down the road.

Clayton Andrews: A new rule for spring training allowed pitchers to re-enter, and Andrews has often been called upon to spell a starter in a jam, rapidly closing in on a pitch count. Andrews did well in the role and it’s possible the left-hander debuts in 2021.

Leo Crawford: Crawford, acquired in a trade from the Dodgers for Corey Knebel, has been used similar to the way the Brewers deployed Andrews. And like Andrews, Crawford mostly performed well. With some deception in his delivery, Crawford struck out five in his first three innings, including a punch out against Cubs star Kris Bryant.

(Photo: Norm Hall / Getty Images)