Milwaukee Brewers Daily Fantasy Team Preview 2017

2016 Recap & 2017 Outlook

Milwaukee is in the midst of a rebuild of some sorts, if you can truly call it that. Orlando Arcia, Keon Broxton, and Domingo Santana are the younger names who made appearances last season. They went out and added Eric Thames, who was overseas in the last few seasons. They also traded for Tyler Thornburg, and received Travis Shaw. The third baseman hit .242 with 16 home runs in Boston last season. Jonathan Villar made a huge impact in the fantasy world, stealing 62 bases, but also hitting over .280, with 19 home runs. Milwaukee's rotation is in shambles, and actually overachieved last season, with a middle of the league ERA. With no changes to the rotation, we should see plenty of stacking opportunities, and a lot more results.

Offseason Moves

Additions: Eric Thames, Travis Shaw, Jett Bandy

Subtractions:

Park Factors

Miller Park was top ten in home runs last season, but 17th in runs. A lot of that had to do with Milwaukee's offense. They were extremely strikeout prone, but had a middle of the road team ISO. With regression coming for the rotation, runs should be up at Miller Park. Over a longer span of time, we saw an increase in runs here, compared to just a one year sample size. The indoor stadium enhances home runs from both sides of the plate, but left-handers had a significant edge, with a 1.55 park factor. Right-handers had a 1.11.

Projected Lineup

2016 Statistics Used

Projected Rotation

Pitching Outlook & Notes

DFS Rotation Grade: D

DFS Studs:

Junior Guerra was the only serviceable arm in this rotation last season, however a repeat of last year is unlikely. With a 2.81 ERA, a .250 BABIP and 4.29 xFIP, Guerra was a bit lucky. Guerra had a pedestrian groundball rate, and left-handed hitters had a 39% hardball rate off him last season. Picking on him is much wiser than picking him.

The other names here are guys to pick on as well. No names here will be viable options, especially in their home park. Stay away.

Lineup Outlook & Notes

DFS Stacking Grade: B-

DFS Studs: Ryan Braun, Jonathan Villar

Ryan Braun and Jonathan Villar were the more consistent options from this Milwaukee side, while role players and platoon bats split shares in and out of various lineup spots. Braun has produced back to back strong seasons, and while he is aging, he still hits in a premier ballpark, and is a strong bat. His groundball rate was his highest of his career, so the 28.8% HR/FB is unsustainable. Braun should still hover around 25 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Villar turned himself into a premier fantasy player, hitting 19 home runs, and stealing 62 bases. I wouldn't bet against Villar to repeat another solid season. This Brewers offense might not be as bad as last season with him leading off.

Milwaukee has some other intriguing options this season, especially their younger bats. Keon Broxton has a 20-20 ceiling, but the strikeout rate remains the biggest knock against him. In 75 games last season, he had 23 SB and nine home runs. He also carried a 36.1% strikeout rate. He will certainly be a boom or bust candidate until that changes. Hernan Perez' 2017 status is uncertain, but he showed power and speed like the rest of the Brewers bats. He hit 13 homers, and had 34 SB in 430 PA. However, the addition of Travis Shaw creates a position battle between the two. Shaw will benefit from the move from Fenway to Miller Park, but he slipped big time in the second half.