Players are officially reporting to camp in Arizona, and the Brewers are set to begin defending their NL Central crown.
With most of the roster returning, the team is counting on its established stars to carry the load once again. But there are also a few under-the-radar candidates on the roster with hopes of becoming impact players.
Here’s a look at five potential breakout players for 2022.
Luís Urías
How did the team’s reigning leader in games played, plate appearances, and hits make this list? Well, it’s the potential he showed as a true difference maker in the season’s second half that leaves the organization hopeful for even more.
In 64 games after the All-Star break, the Mexico native showed off both an ability to get on base and hit for extra bases while slashing .266/.367/.483 – good for an .850 OPS. In that span, he ranked tied for second on the team with 11 homers and led all Brewers with 33 RBI.
Perhaps most impressively, Urías performed at a high level despite not having a set role. With injuries and other roster considerations affecting the infield, he split time at third base, shortstop, and second base in 2021. Urías also sacrificed some playing time throughout the year as manager Craig Counsell opted for lefty options against right-handed pitching.
With the designated hitter coming to the NL in 2022, Urías may find himself with more of a set position, likely as the team’s regular third-baseman. Look for Urías to try to carry over his late-season success with a more established role.
Eric Lauer
The Brewers trio of aces – Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta – deservingly carry a fearsome reputation around baseball. But lefty starter Eric Lauer is also a candidate to make a huge impact on the mound in 2022.
Lauer put together an excellent season in 2021, boasting a 3.19 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and a 134 ERA+. Yet, like Urías, Lauer’s second-half performance indicates even bigger things may be in store for the fifth-year pro.
With a deceptive mix of fastballs, cutters, and breaking balls, Lauer flat-out dominated opposing hitters after the All-Star break. In 11 starts, he compiled an stingy 2.60 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, allowing only 18 earned runs in the process.
Heading into camp, Lauer is expected to play a significant role in the Brewers rotation. If he can build off his late-season success, the Milwaukee staff may be even more dominant in 2022.
Aaron Ashby
Ashby has emerged as a trendy name in prospect circles this offseason -- and for good reason.
The lefty went through some growing pains during his debut season, but showed some serious flashes out the Brewers bullpen late in the year.
Ashby put together a dominant 11-game stretch in August and September, delivering a 1.78 ERA to go along with 38 strikeouts in 30.1 innings. The rookie was able to consistently fool hitters with a wipeout slider, holding them to a miniscule .077 average against the pitch.
To take the next step, Ashby will need to improve his control, especially with his fastball, and limit big innings. But if he can maintain his 29.3 strikeout percentage – or close to it – he should remain an enticing option for Counsell in 2022.
Rowdy Tellez
Tellez emerged as a fan favorite for his clutch-time heroics – including two postseason home runs – after being acquired from Toronto mid-season. Now, he looks to emerge as a mainstay in the middle of the Brewers order.
After a rough start with the Blue Jays in 2021, Tellez looked the part in 56 games with Milwaukee. The lefty first baseman slashed .272/.333/.481 with the Brewers, delivering seven homers in the process. However, he missed out on an everyday playing time while sharing first-base duties with Eduardo Escobar and Daniel Vogelbach.
With the new DH rule in effect, Tellez finally has the opportunity to seize an everyday role – rather than just at-bats against right-handed pitching. His numbers from last year are encouraging in that respect, as he compiled a solid .276 average against lefties.
Tellez’s role will ultimately come down to how much he hits. But with more opportunities in the hitter-friendly confines of American Family Field, don’t be surprised if he’s a key contributor in 2022.
Ethan Small
The Brewers first-round pick from 2019, Small has yet to earn an MLB call-up. He was on track to be in the big-league mix last season, but he was derailed by a late-season hand injury.
While it’s unlikely Small cracks the Opening Day roster, he still has a chance to make his Brewers debut in 2022 – and be an impact player when he does.
After a dominant start to the year with Double-A Biloxi, Small continued to excel after being promoted to Triple-A. He finished the year with an excellent 2.06 ERA over 35 innings in Nashville.
Small’s success continued into the offseason with a lights-out stint in the Dominican Winter League. In five starts, Small stifled his opponents en route to a 1.80 ERA.
It remains to be seen when Small will get his opportunity, and he may go through some growing pains once he does. But with his ability to limit runs and hard contact, Small has the chance to emerge as a key piece of the Brewers staff down the stretch.