The outfield’s composition hasn’t altered much since our 2023 outfield forecast, but top prospect Jackson Chourio could have a quicker effect than anticipated after agreeing to a huge eight-year, $82-million contract in the winter.
Though Chourio, who turns 20 today, is undoubtedly the youngest player on the outfield, the other players are also rather young. While Blake Perkins (27), Sal Frelick (23), Garrett Mitchell (25), and Joey Wiemer (25), are all still in their mid-20s, Christian Yelich (32) offers the veteran presence as the expected starting left fielder.
Let’s examine Milwaukee’s outfield depth going into 2024.
In the outfield, Yelich is expected to be Milwaukee’s staple after two consecutive seasons in which he played in more than 140 games. Yelich rebounded after a couple below-average years in 2023 to hit.278/.370/.447 in 144 games with 19 home runs, 76 RBIs, 153 hits, 106 runs, and 28 steals in 31 attempts.He started 121 games for Milwaukee in left field and had an above-average offensive season along with mediocre defense. Now that he is 32 years old, Yelich’s health will be crucial because, if he stays well, he can play every day in left field or as the DH. He has three hits, including a triple, three runs scored, and two drives in in five games this spring. Baseball Reference projects him to have a.260/.357/.410 line in 2024 with 15 home runs, 63 RBIs, 131 hits, 89 runs, and 20 steals. That is a slight regression.
Mitchell, who missed almost the whole season last year, is having a big prove-it year with Milwaukee. With the Brewers, he made his major league debut in late 2022. During the course of 28 games, he hit.311/.373/.459 (134 OPS+), with two home runs, nine RBIs, three doubles, and eight steals. In 16 games, he hit.259/.306/.466 with three home runs and six RBIs, getting off to a strong start in 2023. However, a shoulder ailment kept him off of the field until the last weekend of the season.
