The Milwaukee Brewers are 26-17 and in first place in the National League Central Division. They lead the Chicago Cubs by one-and-a-half games, the Pittsburgh Pirates by seven-and-a-half games and the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds by eight games. Amazingly, Milwaukee has been able to accomplish a high level of early regular season success despite relying on many rookies and young players to play major roles on the team.
On Wednesday, for example, Robert Gasser and Jackson Chourio, both rookies, made both franchise and MLB history in the Brewers’ 10-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Of the five home runs that Milwaukee hit in the win, three of them were hit by members of their young core: Chourio, Sal Frelick, and Joey Ortiz.
As good as the rookies and young players have been, though, they have been complimentary pieces to the established veterans that Milwaukee already had and decided to build their team around. Recently, two of these veterans were named on a list of the best 50 Major League players to build a team around.
Milwaukee Brewers Catcher William Contreras Was Ranked 47th
![2 Milwaukee Brewers Named on Top-50 List of Best Players to Build a Team Around 2 Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Brewers vs Mariners, Brewers Game, Brewers News, William Contreras](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_22958174_168400517_lowres-scaled-e1713712864269.jpg)
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report is the one who recently wrote an article ranking the top 50 players in Major League Baseball that would the best players to build a team around.
He ranked Brewers catcher William Contreras 47th, just behind New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Vlope and ahead of Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners pitchers Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller.
Of Contreras, Reuter writes:
“Ketel Marte and William Contreras are both among the best offensive players in baseball at their respective positions, and also currently the best offensive players on their team.”
The 26-year old Contreras is currently hitting .359/.434/.553 with six home runs and 34 RBI. His 39 runs scored this season lead the Majors.
In his three seasons prior to this year, spent with the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee, Contreras has won a World Series, was named an All-Star, and won a Silver Slugger.
Indeed, there are many who consider him to be the best catcher in baseball right now.
Milwaukee Brewers Starting Pitcher Freddy Peralta Was Ranked 36th
![2 Milwaukee Brewers Named on Top-50 List of Best Players to Build a Team Around 3 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_22793052_168400517_lowres-scaled.jpg)
Brewers ace Freddy Peralta was ranked 36th on Reuter’s list, ahead of a group of well-known players: Dylan Cease, Freddie Freeman, and Zach Wheeler among them.
Of Peralta, Reuter wrote:
“Freddy Peralta and Dylan Cease are two of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball, and they are also still on the young end of the established front-line starter spectrum relative to some of the other top starters on this list.”
Peralta, 28 years old, has shown that he is both a reliable starting pitcher and a certified ace. He is currently 3-1 on the season with a 3.63 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Peralta has struck out 58 batters this season, which is tied for 11th in the Majors. His 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings lead the National League.
Two Milwaukee Brewers Players Were Named as Honorable Mentions
![2 Milwaukee Brewers Named on Top-50 List of Best Players to Build a Team Around 4 Milwaukee Brewers, Jackson Chouio](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_23280894_168400517_lowres.jpg)
Prior to naming his top 50 Major League players to build a team around, Reuter listed some players that just missed the cut or were too young and inexperienced. Jackson Chourio was named among the players that someday soon could be considered franchise cornerstones.
Later, Reuter listed players that were pretty good, but not good enough to be considered cornerstones. Among these players was Brewers shortstop Willy Adames.
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