Originally published March 27, 2025
Our Brewers head into the 2025 season with a roster reshaped by departures, none more glaring than shortstop Willie Adames, now swinging for the San Francisco Giants. Brandon Woodruff, a cornerstone of the rotation, won’t return from injury until midseason. And the bullpen? It’s missing its All-Star closer, Devin Williams, traded away this offseason. After back-to-back NL Central titles, the question looms: Can this team still compete—and win—without those stars? Can manager Pat Murphy, who worked wonders in his first year, pull it off again?
The Brewers’ final roster cuts are in, and what’s left is a blend of proven talent, untested youth, and a whole lot of hope. Let’s dig into the position groups and see what Milwaukee’s got cooking for 2025.
Starting Pitchers
The rotation leans heavily on Freddy Peralta, who logged a 3.68 ERA across 173.2 innings in 2024, fanning 200 batters. He’s the ace by default until Woodruff heals up. Joining him are Nestor Cortes, a trade acquisition with a knack for eating innings; Aaron Civale, steady if unspectacular with a 4.10 ERA last year; Tobias Myers, who showed flashes with a 3.00 ERA in 25 outings; and Robert Gasser, a prospect stepping into the spotlight after a taste of the majors. Manager Pat Murphy isn’t mincing words about Peralta’s role, saying on Brewers.com, “I’m ready to lead this group and help us compete every fifth day.” Without Woodruff’s mid-90s heat early on, this group’s got to grind. Depth’s there, but brilliance? That’s the gamble.
Bullpen
Devin Williams’ exit to the Yankees leaves a ninth-inning void, and Trevor Megill’s the man tapped to fill it. He posted a stingy 2.72 ERA over 49 appearances in 2024, a breakout worth banking on. The rest of the pen includes Abner Uribe, a fireballer still finding consistency; Joel Payamps, reliable with a 3.09 ERA last season; Jared Koenig, a lefty with grit; Bryan Hudson, who dazzled early in ‘24 before fading; Elvis Peguero, a sinker-slider workhorse; and newcomers like Connor Thomas and Nick Mears. Murphy’s bullish on the group, telling Brewers.com, “We’ve got young arms ready to step up, and I’m confident in their ability to handle late innings.” If Megill locks down saves and Uribe harnesses his stuff, this crew could surprise. If not, those late leads might slip away.
Infielders
Adames’ departure—32 homers, 112 RBIs in 2024—stings, but Joey Ortiz slides over to shortstop with confidence. He hit .247 with 11 homers last year and told Brewers.com, “I’m ready to take on shortstop and help this team win.” Rhys Hoskins returns at first, bringing 26 homers despite a .214 average. Brice Turang, a Gold Glove second baseman, hit .254 with 32 steals, while Oliver Dunn and Vinny Capra platoon at third, offering defense over pop. Depth comes from Tyler Black and Andruw Monasterio, both versatile but unproven. Ortiz’s glove and Hoskins’ power give this unit a pulse, but it’s a far cry from Adames’ thump.
Outfielders
Christian Yelich, still an All-Star when healthy, hit .315 with 11 homers in 73 games last year. He’s the anchor, promising on Brewers.com, “I’m focused on staying healthy and driving this group.” Jackson Chourio, a 20-year-old phenom, smashed 22 homers and stole 21 bases in ‘24. Garrett Mitchell, if his legs hold up, brings speed and a .259 bat, while Sal Frelick’s Gold Glove arm in right rounds out the starters. Blake Perkins backs them up with hustle. This group’s got upside—Chourio could go 30-30—but Yelich’s back surgery looms large. Health’s the key, as it always is with a team whose payroll leaves it little margin of error.
The Verdict
Can they compete? Maybe. The rotation’s got enough arms to keep games close, and the bullpen’s youth might just click. But the start of the season could be rough, and how that impacts a young team is anyone’s guess. The infield’s scrappy, and the outfield’s loaded with potential. Murphy’s knack for squeezing wins out of unlikely lineups—he led Milwaukee to 93 victories in 2024—offers hope. “We’ve built a roster to fight, and I believe in this group’s heart,” he said on Brewers.com.
But winning the division again? That’s tougher. The Cubs and Cardinals won’t roll over, and those early months without Woodruff could be long ones. If Peralta dominates, Megill closes, and Chourio explodes, they’ve got a shot. If not, it’s wildcard or bust. If Peralta descends into a .500 pitcher or worse, bet on bust.
Murphy did it once. The roster’s different, the stakes are high, and the NL Central’s watching. Time to see if the magic’s still there.
We’ll be around for all 162 games, and praying for more.
