SPORTS LINE
The Milwaukee Brewers have a very exciting team this season.
Despite not being expected to contend in 2024 due to Corbin Burnes being traded and Brandon Woodruff being out for the year, the Brewers have achieved a 36-23 record and are seven games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central Division. To get to this point, Milwaukee has had to rely on contributions from many young players, some of them who are rookies. Fans have witnessed standout performances from young players like rookie National League Rookie of the Month Joey Ortiz. The Detroit Tigers just released a former Brewer on Monday and Milwaukee fans want Keston Hiura back. He has a lot of room to improve but was also the Brewers’ first-round pick. Despite fan clamor, the Brewers face a dilemma with Hiura’s defensive limitations and existing prospects in the organization.
The release of Keston Hiura has stirred fan emotions, but the Brewers must weigh the practical challenges of reintegrating him into the team amidst his positional constraints. Brewers infielder, Joey Ortiz has become the seventh different player in franchise history since the year 2000 to win a Rookie of the Month award. After an outstanding month of May, Joey Ortiz was the recipient of the Rookie of the Month award. During the month of May, Joey Ortiz finished first (minimum 20 at-bats) among rookies in runs (16), doubles (T-7), home runs (4), on-base percentage (.391), slugging percentage (.597), and on-base plus slugging percentage (.978). He also slashed.307/.391/.587 that included 12 extra base hits. He also walked nine times and struck out on just 11 occasions.
When the Brewers parted ways with Corbin Burnes in February of 2024 they received Joey Ortiz, and a 2024 MLB draft pick in return. So far, this trade seems to be paying very well for the Brewers. Joey Ortiz has drawn 23 free passes while striking out just 25 times. If Ortiz can keep up this level of success, it’s not out of the question to think that he could be in serious contention for Rookie of the Year at season’s end.
