Who's Been Putting up Big Numbers? 10 Key Stats From the Brewers First Half

July 8th, 2022

With the Brewers sitting in first place in the National League Central, a fair share of fantastic first-half performances have propelled the team into the driver's seat heading into mid-July.

As stars like Corbin Burnes and Josh Hader have their sights set on the All-Star Game, it’s been a combination of the team’s magnificence on the mound and power at the plate that’s led them to a 47-37 record.

Here’s a look at whose numbers have stood out throughout the first half of the season.

1. Devin Williams’ FIP

The Brewers go-to setup man has been lights-out so far in 2022. Through 35 appearances, Williams has registered a 1.50 FIP (Field Independent Pitching), a stat that isolates outcomes within a pitcher’s control like strikeouts, walks and home runs. Williams ranks fourth in FIP among National League relievers (min 20 IP), a sign he’s outperforming his already sparkling 1.99 ERA.

2. Yelich’s Stolen Bases

Through three months of baseball, Yelich has already stolen as many bases (13) as he did in the past two seasons combined. Of the nine National League players with 10 or more stolen bases this season, Yelich is the only one who is yet to be thrown out.

3. Burnes’ Strikeouts

Corbin Burnes has put together a second-consecutive All-Star level season. With 134 strikeouts, Burnes has topped all of MLB. Leading the League in strikeouts would be a first for the reigning Cy Young winner despite that he led MLB in strikeout rate in 2021.

4. Adames’ Outs Above Average

MLB’s home run leader at shortstop has also performed excellently at a premium defensive position. Adames ranks second among all shortstops in outs above average, a range-based metric that accounts for the number of plays made and the difficulty of plays made.

5. Renfroe’s Defensive Runs Saved

Renfroe has sent a message to the rest of the league: do not run on him. Despite two separate stints on the injured list, Hunter Renfroe has totaled elite defensive numbers -- his 10 defensive runs saved this season have only added to his feared reputation in right field.

6. Hoby Milner’s Ground Ball Rate

Pitching in front of All-Stars Josh Hader and Devin Williams, Hoby Milner has provided valuable innings for an elite Brewers bullpen. Among qualified National League relievers, the lefty has induced a top-10 ground ball rate of 53.9 percent.

7. Rowdy’s Isolated Power

Entering Friday, Rowdy sits on the cusp of a Brewers record: his last 10 hits have all been for extra-bases, needing just one more to own the club record for most consecutive extra-base hits. His knack for slugging homers and finding the gap has led to an ISO of .248 -- ranking sixth among MLB first basemen.

8. Boxberger’s Left-on-Base Percentage

After an electric performance against the Cubs on July 4, Boxberger’s ability as a magician with men on base deserves to be recognized. He’s slammed the door on opponents all season, as he’s logged an 88.1 left on base percentage – making him a go-to arm in high leverage situations.

9. Caratini’s OPS

Victor Caratini has been a pleasant surprise in the Brewers lineup this season. The catcher leads the team in multiple hitting metrics, including OPS (.821) and wRC+ (131). After joining the club in April, Caratini has carved out a sizable role for himself thanks in large part to an impressive offensive showing through early July.

10. 27 Road Wins

The best teams in the League find a way to win consistently on the road, especially come playoff time. With 27 wins away from American Family Field this season, the Brewers are tied for first in MLB in this category.