Brice Turang, the 25-year-old second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers, offers a versatile mix of skills that make him a key player on the field and a useful pick in fantasy baseball. Born November 21, 1999, in Corona, California, Turang was selected 21st overall by the Brewers in the 2018 MLB Draft straight out of Santiago High School, where he first caught scouts’ attention as a promising talent.

At 6’0” and 190 lbs, the left-handed batter and right-handed thrower has established himself as a defense-first infielder with quick feet and a developing knack at the plate.

Turang’s glove work is top-notch, as proven by his 2024 Gold Glove and Platinum Glove awards. Scouts have consistently noted his sharp instincts, fluid movements, and reliable hands, which let him turn difficult plays into highlights at both shortstop and second base. His wide range, quick side-to-side movement, and solid arm—rated a 55 on the 20-80 scouting scale—help him manage challenging grounders, while his knack for positioning keeps him ahead of the play. Though he can handle shortstop, he’s found a home at second base, starting 152 games there in 2024.

There still is a chance he is moved to short, as of March 7, Manager Pat Murphy has not decided whether he or last year’s Third Baseman Joey Ortiz will make the switch, replacing Willy Adames.

At the plate, Turang has grown into a contact-driven hitter, perfect for the leadoff spot or lower in the lineup. His ability to put the ball in play is remarkable—in his junior year of high school, he struck out just once in 101 at-bats, and in 2024, he posted a .254 batting average with a .294 wOBA. He hits line drives to all parts of the field, with an average exit velocity of 87 mph and a hard-hit rate of 29.7% in 2024. Power isn’t his strength, with only 7 home runs and a 2.4% barrel rate last year, but he’s improved against fastballs, batting .366 with a .411 wOBA early in 2024. Turang prioritizes reaching base (.319 OBP in 2024), which lets him use his speed to pressure defenses.

Turang’s speed is his best asset, often rated between 60 and 70 on the scouting scale. In 2024, he stole 50 bases—third-most in the majors—while getting caught just 6 times, a stat fans on X often point to when comparing his efficiency to players like Elly De La Cruz. He gets from home to first in 4.03 to 4.13 seconds, and his long strides make him a constant threat to swipe bags, keeping pitchers on edge.

Turang fits best as a leadoff or bottom-of-the-order hitter, using his ability to get on base and his quickness to disrupt opponents. However, his limited power holds him back in fantasy leagues, and he has trouble against left-handed pitchers, hitting just .193 with a .281 OBP in 2024. Scouts say he’ll need to keep his batting average up to stay an everyday player but Brewers’ coaches do not have these doubts. His dependable defense and base-running skills make him a steady contributor, with the potential to be an occasional All-Star if his hitting keeps improving.

For teams needing speed and a glove-first middle infielder—or fantasy players looking for stolen bases—Turang is a strong match, though he’s best paired with power hitters to balance a lineup.

Turang’s got baseball in his DNA. His dad, Brian, logged a couple seasons with the Mariners back in the day, so Brice grew up knowing the grind.

Flash back to March 30, 2023—Opening Day at Wrigley. Turang’s first big-league hit comes off Marcus Stroman, a crisp single. He finishes his rookie year with a .218 average, 26 stolen bases, and a vibe that says, “I’m here, but I’m not done.” Fast forward to 2024, and he’s leveled up. As of early September, he found himself hitting .258 over 130 games, with 40 steals and a knack for making the routine look easy at second. That’s the kind of stat line that doesn’t scream MVP but kept the Brewers in the fight. He would go on to steal 50 and help the Brewers win the NL Central.

Remember this moment: September 15, 2024, against the Reds at home. Tie game, eighth inning, tension thick. Turang steps up, battles a reliever with a filthy slider, and rips a double to right. He’s standing on second before the dust settles, and two pitches later, he’s crossing the plate with the go-ahead run. Brewers win 4-3. It’s not a Hollywood homer, but it’s Turang in a nutshell—gritty, timely, and all about the team.

Whether at second or short, the Brewers are hoping for more of the same in 2025.

Originally published 2.8.25