Christian Yelich enters the 2023 baseball season as a 10-year MLB veteran. The 31-year-old Yelich, begins his sixth season with the Brewers after a five-year career in Miami.
Yelich has had a rollercoaster ride with the Brewers. The highs have included a 2018 National League MVP, two batting crowns in 2018 and 2019, and an N.L. MVP runner-up spot in 2019. The lows have been batting averages of .205, .248 and .252 in the last three years and significant decline in his power numbers.
Taking that all into consideration, here’s the question: Is Christian Yelich a Top 10 all-time hitter in Milwaukee Brewers’ franchise history?
How many more years will Christian Yelich play in Milwaukee?
It’s anyone’s guess how much longer Yelich will play in Milwaukee. His current contract runs through 2028, meaning he could potentially play another six years with the Brewers. With a great crop of young outfielders knocking on the door, however, Yelich could find himself as trade bait in the near future.
But back to the question… Yelich has played in 606 games for the Brewers. According to baseball-reference.com, Yelich is one of 31 everyday players to achieve this goal. How does Yelich’s stats compare with these other 30 Brewers hitters in their first 600 games with the Brewers?
Batting stats comparison for first 600 games with the Brewers
Here’s a look at where Yelich stands numbers-wise (several hitting stats) in comparison to other Brewers players in their first 600 games with the Brewers. For example, Yelich ranks tied for first (with Paul Molitor) in runs scored with 423, and his .385 on-base percentage ranks first among the 31 Brewers.
Runs Scored: Tied for 1st, 423
Hits: 7th, 629
Doubles: 13th, 114
Triples: 8th, 17
Home Runs: Tied for 6th, 113
Runs Batted In: 13th, 334
Batting Average: Tied for 8th, .284
On-Base Percentage: 1st, .385
Slugging Percentage: 6th, .504
OPS (on-base plus slugging): 3rd, .889
If you look at career batting numbers for the Brewers franchise, Yelich does not enter the Top 10 in such categories as runs, hits, doubles, triple, home runs and RBIs because of having only five years in a Brewers uniform. Where he does stand in the Top 10 for career batting stats is in batting average (10th), on-base percentage (2nd), slugging percentage (4th) and OPS (tied for 3rd).
So, what is your thought? Is he currently a Top 10 hitter in Brewers franchise, or is it too early to call?
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @Statsontapp and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content.
