Spring is in the air in Milwaukee. We’re obsessing over batting practice and bullpen sessions. It all means one thing: baseball is officially back.

This time, the Crew returns with a new skipper, a revamped roster and a wave of young talent looking to make an impression.

Here’s what to watch for as the Brewers begin Cactus League action down at American Family Fields of Phoenix.

How Will the Rotation Take Shape?

After dealing Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Joey Ortiz (IF), DL Hall (LHP) and a competitive balance pick, the Brewers must find a way fill nearly 200 innings pitched from a season ago. While the club did bring back Brandon Woodruff, he’s not expected to be back on the mound until 2025.

Freddy Peralta and Wade Miley are the de-facto No. 1 and No. 2 starters in the Brewers rotation. Behind them, the team can go multiple routes. Veteran options include newly acquired Jakob Junis (110 career starts), Joe Ross (76 career starts) or Colin Rea (49 career starts).

Otherwise, the Brewers could look to a variety of younger arms. DL Hall and Jacob Misiorowski are two of the most dangerous flamethrowers in the organization but lack Big League experience, as Hall has logged just 33 career innings and Misiorowski is yet to crack the Show. After a strong season at Triple-A Nashville, Robert Gasser could be a logical choice as well. Aaron Ashby may be the x-factor of it all, depending on the status of his recovery.

One thing remains true: Milwaukee almost always finds a way to get the most out of their arms. Make sure to keep an eye on an intriguing rotation battle as Spring Training heats up.

All Eyes on Jackson Chourio

This spring, the Brewers are joined by one of the top prospects in all of baseball, 19-year-old Jackson Chourio.

Milwaukee inked Chourio to a record-breaking 8-year, $82 million contract for a player without MLB experience this offseason, committing to the teenage phenom as a key cog in the organizations’ future before he’s even taken his first MLB at-bat.

Now, many Brewers fans get to see Jackson Chourio’s tools on display. Chourio’s natural skills as an outfielder and speed demon are sure to transfer, but he’s yet to face MLB pitching. The phenom has adjusted well at each level of the minors and his power numbers are elite for his age. With a sky-high prospect pedigree, the question becomes: how will Chourio battle seasoned vets?

Whether Chourio cracks the Opening Day roster is yet to be determined, but getting to watch one of the game’s most touted prospects compete should be a treat for Brewers fans, nonetheless.

Sal Frelick the Infielder?

Along with the Brewers reporting for Spring Training came an interesting development: the team is testing Sal Frelick as a potential option at the hot corner or second base.

Frelick was a stud in the outfield last season, collecting a highlight reel of soaring grabs. And so far, he’s looking like a natural utility man – a key piece of any team.

Outfielders Christian Yelich, Garrett Mitchell, Joey Wiemer and potentially Jackson Chourio are all quality defenders who could command playing time, so utilizing Frelick as an infielder could be an interesting way to get him into the lineup throughout his sophomore season.

For a team that prioritizes defense as a massive part of its identity, this is not a small shift. But if Sal Frelick can have a strong spring as an infielder, it would unlock a new level of versatility for the club.