The Milwaukee Brewers started their 2024 Spring Training almost two and a half weeks ago. Since then, they compiled a 3-7 record ranking near the bottom of the Cactus League. Even though it’s a slow start, Spring Training does not prove how the regular season will play out.
This Brewers team looks quite different than they did last season. On January 26th, the team signed first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a two-year 34-million-dollar contract. A few days later, Milwaukee traded ace Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. Instead of losing Corbin in free agency, the Brewers decided to trade him instead. Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said this when the trade occurred,
“Any time you trade a guy like Corbin, it’s always a difficult decision,” Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said. “I think the overarching theme here is that we’re excited about the players we’re getting back. And the reality of our situation is that we had one year left with Corbin. I think Corbin had been pretty public about how this was going to be his last year as a Brewer.”
After this trade, Milwaukee went out and signed right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis and catcher Gary Sanchez.
The NL Central Division could be one up for grabs, which means the Brewers should take the opportunity this season to crush their opponents with great pitching and home runs compiled from left to right field. Shortstop Willy Adames led the team with 24 homers last season, will he do it again in 2024? During the 2023 campaign, the 28-year-old Dominican shortstop gave confidence to a younger Dominican teammate Abner Uribe, who was struggling during the seventh inning in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Also, Adames and Brewers teammate Freddy Peralta interacted with a ton of fans during a tailgate event last August!
Milwaukee Brewers Three Potential Home Run Leaders for the 2024 Season
1. Rhys Hoskins
Last year during Spring Training, Hoskins suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and would undergo surgery, missing the entire 2023 season. Yesterday, in the Brewers’ 13-5 loss against the San Francisco Giants, Rhys hit his first home run in over a year!
He’s here and he’s perfect https://t.co/mD3WBnlVs0 pic.twitter.com/pch5ibAMCP
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 5, 2024
During the 2022 season, Hoskins played 156 games with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 589 at-bats he recorded 145 hits, two stolen bases, 30 home runs, and 79 RBIs, with a .246 batting average. His regular season play was an instrumental reason why the Phillies were able to make the postseason, and the World Series losing in six games to the Houston Astros. The 30-year-old first baseman, now with the Brewers, has a chance to revive his career after his devastating injury, while potentially leading Milwaukee back on top of the NL Central.
Rhys Hoskins, after playing in his first spring training game since tearing his ACL last March 23: pic.twitter.com/6alcCB46BR
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) March 1, 2024
2. Willy Adames
In 149 games played last season, Adames put up 120 hits, five stolen bases, 24 home runs, and 80 RBIs. Willy led the Brewers in home runs, and RBIs, helping the team finish with a 92-70 regular season record. Although the 28-year-old shortstop went four for seven in the National League Wild Card Series, he only had one RBI, which did not help Milwaukee get past the future 2023 National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks.
He’s entering the prime of his career and should be looking to take this team back on top. Adames did have a verbal exchange with manager Craig Counsell, but with the regular season approaching us, the two should have patched things up by now. If he can single-handedly focus on baseball, and being a leader to this franchise, there’s no doubt, Adames will have an awesome 2024 season.
3. Christian Yelich
The 2018 National League MVP has considerably dropped in performance over the past couple of seasons. Last season, Yelich made improvements over his 2021 and 2022 campaigns, but we’ve seen the Brewers top guy put the league on notice at one point. The three-time Silver-Slugger played 144 games last season, where he recorded 153 hits, 28 stolen bases, 19 home runs, and 76 RBIs with a .276 batting average. He ranked second on the Brewers last season in both hits and home runs.
Christian may not be the same player he once was, but there are always comebacks for a reason. 2024 could be a magical spark for the 32-year-old former MVP. If Yelich can put up over 30 home runs like he did with the Brewers back in the 2018, and 2019 seasons, the two-time all-star will have the league on notice once again.
