The Brewers have a whole new perspective on first base when compared to our 2023 first base preview.
Following a great season in 2022, Rowdy Tellez had a lacklustre year before joining the Pirates as a free agency this past fall. Keston Hiura was selected to his fourth MiLB All-Star team, demonstrating his continuous development as a AAAA talent. After choosing free agency, he eventually inked a minor-league contract with the Tigers. Luke Voit was brought in specifically to bat against lefties, but he never really worked out in Milwaukee, struggling against them and being cut after only two months.
Only Owen Miller is still in the lineup out of the five players from the preview of the previous season (Josh VanMeter left for the Yankees). In his debut season with Milwaukee, Miller played primarily second base but also saw some time at first base due to Tellez’s injury. In addition, the Brewers added prospects Tyler Black and Wes Clarke as well as Rhys Hoskins and Jake Bauers.
Despite missing the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear, Hoskins was among the most offensively productive first basemen in his six seasons before. Hoskins has played in 667 games across those seasons.A hitter with a 125 OPS+ who is 242/.353/.492 and has 148 home runs, 405 RBIs, 588 hits, and 392 runs scored. Despite his mediocre defence (eight defensive runs saved in 496 games at first base), he has the power to make up for it.
Additionally, he gives Milwaukee the option of using him as a regular designated hitter, which they might decide to do in case Hoskins has any difficulties healing from his injury. Hoskins is expected to have another strong season by Baseball Reference, but playing in 267 fewer plate appearances. He will hit.247/.330/.481, collect 13 home runs, 35 RBIs, 58 hits, and 34 runs.
Similar to Hoskins, Bauers is a power-first baseman who has made 183 appearances at first base and has a lifetime defensive run save percentage of -2. Bauers hasn’t achieved much success in the major leagues, in contrast to Hoskins. Bauers is a career player with 412 games played with the Rays, Guardians, Mariners, and Yankees.211/.302/.361 (80 OPS+) hitter with 257 hits, 39 home runs, 140 RBIs, and 149 runs scored.
With 183 games at first base, 168 games in the outfield, and 51 games as the designated hitter in his career, he does provide a good amount of versatility. Baseball Reference projects that he will play more than Hoskins this season, with a hitting line that includes 11 home runs, 34 RBIs, 36 runs scored, and 67 hits (.224/.301/.385).
