The Milwaukee Brewers have not exactly been crushing it on the left side of the infield. Neither shortstop nor third base has been a strong suit so far this season following Willy Adames’ free agency departure. The team has sought help in unlikely places and, for the most part, has not found it, resulting in a league-worst or second-worst ranking at either position. As bad as it has been, it has been even worse depending on whom the Brewers have put there. The protagonist of one epically bad experiment, however, journeyman Vinny Capra, has found an opportunity elsewhere.
Capra Unable to Pull Off Feel-Good Plotline After Making Team This Spring
After being designated for assignment last week, Capra was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox, giving him another chance, on his fourth team in as many major league seasons, for an eventual call up. In addition to his 11 starts at the hot corner (and one at short) this season in Milwaukee, Capra garnered 9 plate appearances in 2024.
With the Brewers in 2025, he hit just .074 in 54 at bats. Now 28 years old, he has seen 96 trips to the plate in his career, posting a .105 batting average.
It would have been a nice story had he carved out a spot for himself after making the Opening Day cut. When Milwaukee kicked off the year against the Yankees, he started at third and hit his first career home run off Carlos Rodon, in his first at bat of the season.
Alas, it would only go downhill from there for the spring training surprise. After picking up another hit and RBI in game number two, he mustered one knock in his next 40 at bats. He last appeared for the Brewers on May 7, going 0-4. Capra is a good representation of Milwaukee’s collective struggles at third base.
Milwaukee Brewers Ice Cold at the Hot Corner
Before waiving Capra, the Brewers demoted third baseman Oliver Dunn to the minors a few weeks into the season. Dunn was hitting .167 with a .222 slugging percentage in 36 at bats.
Since then, Caleb Durbin has gotten the bulk of the reps at third, but he has fared little better, hitting .187 with one homerun. He has also graded out poorly on defense.
Joey Ortiz, a productive third baseman in 2024, has been forced to man shortstop. He is hitting .179 and has accrued -1.0 Wins Above Replacement. In short, that side of the field is a disaster. Hopefully both Capra and the Brewers can figure things out.
Milwaukee returns home to host the Twins tomorrow at 7:10 CT.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
