The Milwaukee Brewers offense has struggled during the second month of the 2023 season. During this stretch the Brew Crew ranks 27th out of the 30 MLB teams in wRC+ at 82. They have lost offensive pieces like Garrett Mitchell, Luke Voit, and Willy Adames, but the overarching theme is that other veteran players are not performing up to their standards.
One player that has started the season off slow is outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker. The Brewers acquired him via trade when they flipped Kolten Wong to Seattle. Expectations for him were high given his previous statistics in American Family Field and National League Central. Additionally he had successfully undergone off-season knee and neck surgery.
Unfortunately after 108 at-bats as a Milwaukee Brewer Jesse Winker has just a .204/.315/.231 slash line. He has just three extra base hits on the season and is still searching for his first home run. The Brewers have had him batting second in the lineup for a vast majority of games, but with just a .566 OPS and 66 wRC+ he is now being moved down in the lineup.
Here is what Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell had to say regarding Jesse Winker’s slow start to the season.
Craig Counsell, who is known for having a longer leash with veteran players, urged continued patience with Jesse Winker.
“He’s struggled, but there’s players that have the upside that you’ve got to stick with them because it’s a player that has done really special things in this league not long ago, and he’s been through a lot. It hasn’t started out the way he wanted it to, but we’re in a position where we need to keep devoting at-bats to him and try to get him going.”
It will be interesting to see how long the Brewers and Craig Counsell stick with Jesse Winker. The team is still on top of the National League Central, but is just two games over .500.
Get the latest Trade Rumors Milwaukee Brewers and learn about the struggles of veteran hitter Jesse Winker and manager Craig Counsell’s perspective on the situation.
Follow me on Twitter @tylerkoerth. 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!. We cover the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Wisconsin Badgers.
Frequently Asked Question’s
When did Jesse Winker make his debut?
Jesse Winker made his highly anticipated MLB debut on April 14, 2017, in a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers. Winker entered the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning, proving his skills and potential as he embarked on his professional career.
What position does Jesse Winker play?
Jesse Winker primarily plays baseball as an outfielder. He is famous for playng in both left field and right field for the Cincinnati Reds. However, he is currently playing as left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.