Brewers Spring Training 2010: The Good and The Bad

We are about a week and a half into spring training and I would like to take a moment to mention the few things that have intrigued me thus far. 

Some things that I haveve noticed so far are good and some not so good.  Let's start with the good.

In the off season, Doug Melvin made it very clear what he thought the team needed pitching.  Last season the Brewers starting pitching staff was nothing short of awful.  Melvin made three significant signings in Randy Wolf, Doug Davis, and LaTroy Hawkins.

So far Wolf and Davis have been very impressive with a combined eight innings pitched and only one earned run. I know that it is early and that these are only spring training games, but after what we saw last year this is very exciting.

So far both Dave Bush and Manny Parra have had great outings. 

This is worth noting because both of these guys are going to be fighting for the last two spots in the rotation.  It seems that manager Ken Macha is already set on Gallardo, Wolf, and Davis as the one, two, and three starters. The other two spots will be between Bush, Parra, Jeff Suppan, and Chris Narveson.

While Bush and Parra have been pitching well, Suppan has been terrible!  This guy is scheduled to make 12.5 million dollars this year and to say that he has been a disappointment in his time with Milwaukee would be a major understatement. 

It will be very interesting to see what the Brewers decide to do as opening day comes closer.

While the pitching last year for Milwaukee crumbled, the offense seemed to be clicking.  Despite having a team ERA of 5.37, the Brewers still managed to finish with a 80-82 record.  This was due in large part to what is arguably the best one-two punch in baseball, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder.

Fielder and Braun will be back this year and they should be just as good, if not better than last year.  There are a few key position players that should have a major impact on the team come opening day.

So far, Rickie Weeks has shown the same explosiveness that he seemed to have early last season before injuring his wrist. 

Playing across from Weeks will be a new face, Alcides Escobar.  Escobar has been known for his defense and not so much for his bat, but so far he has posted a team best .455 batting average.  Escobar will be under a little bit of pressure as the Brewers traded former all-star J.J. Hardy in order to make room for him.

One of the more interesting signings of the off season was that of outfielder Jim Edmonds. 

Edmonds took the year off from baseball last season and there was question as to whether or not he could still contribute at his age. So far, Edmonds has batted .353 with 3 RBIs and 1 HR.  If he makes the team, he could be a major role player coming off of the Brewers bench. 

I am sure that as April 5th gets closer, there will be many more interesting storylines that develop.  As for now, Brewer fans have got to be excited for the way that the team has looked so far.