2013 Brewers Infield Projections

Today is part two of a five-part series of projections being featured on ‘Roll Out the Barrel.’ From now until opening day, we will be highlighting every position and their projected 2013 numbers. Today we are taking a look at the Milwaukee infield.

March 19th- Outfielders

The Brewers return their entire infield from 2012 and their is a lot to be excited about across the diamond. Aramis Ramirez brings 15 years of experience to the hot corner and Rickie Weeks will be the Opening Day second baseman for the ninth time in Milwaukee. Corey Hart will start the year on the disabled list but Taylor Green and Alex Gonzalez are solid utility infielders. And Jean Segura will be the starting shortstop after flashing plenty of potential at the end of last season.

#9   Jean Segura   SS
	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLUG
R.O.T.B Blog	145	520	7	66	48	32	.286	.345	.398
Bill James	147	512	6	66	50	35	.291	.340	.388
ZiPS	127	535	9	61	57	26	.278	.326	.402

As the centerpiece coming back to the Brewers from the Zack Greinke trade, there is reason for excitement in Milwaukee for the first full season with Segura starting at shortstop. After getting off to a slow start when he came to the Crew, Segura finished his 2012 season batting .343 for the month of September with a .418 OBP in 22 games. One of the biggest areas that I expect Jean to improve upon this year is his activity on the base paths. After stealing only 7 bases in 2012, Segura has the potential to be a 30+ base stealer.

#23   Rickie Weeks   2B
	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLUG
R.O.T.B Blog	150	612	21	81	65	12	.263	.342	.452
Bill James	152	666	23	98	66	15	.248	.345	.429
ZiPS	133	587	22	77	63	11	.252	.345	.443

Its hard to think that this will be Weeks tenth season in the major leagues, the 30-year-old was drafted second overall in 2003. Weeks is one of the premier power hitting second baseman in the league as he has hit for 20+ home runs in each of the last three seasons. Rickie had a very slow start to the 2012 season, but he went on to bat .261 with 13 homers after the all-star break.

#16   Aramis Ramirez   3B
	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLUG
R.O.T.B Blog	156	630	24	77	99	4	.289	.347	.490
Bill James	150	617	27	81	102	5	.286	.350	.498
ZiPS	129	542	23	69	93	4	.280	.341	.494

Ramirez has been known as a slow starter, but the end result is well worth the wait. Aramis finished the 2012 season with a .300 batting average while hitting 27 home runs and driving in 105 runs. Ramirez was an extra-base hit machine last season as he 50 doubles and had a slugging percentage of .540. He did a great job of protecting Ryan Braun in the batting lineup after the departure of Prince Fielder. Aramis was also brilliant on defense a year ago and in my opinion was a snub for the NL Gold Glove award at third base.

#1   Corey Hart   1B
	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLUG
R.O.T.B Blog	122	478	19	60	66	8	.278	.332	.476
Bill James	150	624	27	89	85	8	.271	.334	.498
ZiPS	141	589	27	78	80	6	.265	.330	.485

Hart had surgery in January and it will force him to start the season on the disabled list. Doctors expect him to be out until mid-May but Corey is ahead of schedule on recovery and is eyeing a quicker return to the Brewers lineup. Hart has been one of the most successful power-hitting outfielders in baseball over the last three seasons, but made the switch to first base last season due to the injury of Mat Gamel.

#5   Taylor Green   IF
	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLUG
R.O.T.B Blog	42	102	3	11	14	2	.260	.340	.413

#11 Alex Gonzalez
	G	PA	HR	R	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	SLUG
R.O.T.B Blog	78	198	4	18	21	1	.253	.335	.397

*Bill James projections acquired from Baseball Info Solutions and The Bill James Handbook

*ZiPS Projections Courtesy of Dan Szymborski