The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the World Series, but they could be even better next year.
For the first half of the season, the Brewers had a clear flaw, and it was the left side of their infield. However, rookie Cooper Pratt has been great at shortstop, and Joey Ortiz turned his season around at third base. However, they could get even better on the infield next season with Jesús Made, baseball's top prospect. Offensively, it can be argued that he's already better than Ortiz. His natural position is shortstop, but the Brewers have a track record of moving shortstops to second or third base in the big leagues.
Made would be an upgrade at a premium position on a team that's already great. He is still in Double-A, but it's not a stretch to say he could debut next season. He's only 19 years old, but he's one of the best infield prospects in recent years.
The infield could lose Jake Bauers, who may have priced himself out of Milwaukee's range after a stellar season. However, they have Andrew Vaughn, who hit .306 in 104 games this year. He was supposed to be the starting first baseman, but missed the early part of the year with an injury, and Bauers was simply too hot to bench.
On top of the infield adding Made, the starting rotation will also be even better next year. Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson will be back, but the team should also get Kyle Harrison back in the mix. Harrison had a 2.57 ERA in his first 15 starts, but a forearm strain derailed his season. He never looked the same after, but the offseason should allow him to get healthy again. He was an All-Star candidate before the injury, and still figures to be a key part of the future.
The Brewers will also get Quinn Priester back from injury. He posted a 3.32 ERA for the Brewers last season and was one of their best pitchers. They managed to get through this season without him, but adding him back will certainly help. Robert Gasser finished the regular season strong and has posted two terrific postseason starts. Having this version of him from the onset will also help.
In the outfield, the Brewers already have four young, talented players, headlined by Jackson Chourio. Garrett Mitchell looked great this year as well, and should only get better after finally playing a full season in The Show. Sal Frelick and Luis Lara figure to be a steady platoon in right field, with both playing elite defense.
On top of all of that, the Brewers could also get contributions from prospects Tyson Hardin, Blake Burke, Jeferson Quero and Coleman Crow, providing better depth than they had this year.
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