Haudricourt: Thames' return is something to welcome, not fret about, with erratic Brewers offense

PHILADELPHIA – With Eric Thames expected to return from a thumb injury sometime during the Milwaukee Brewers’ next home stand, the fretting already has begun about what’s going to happen at first base.

This is the same fretting we heard when the season began, except the focus then was on Jesús Aguilar and how manager Craig Counsell would get him at-bats off the bench, especially with leftfielder Ryan Braun dabbling at first base.

I’m here to tell you the fretting wasn’t necessary back then, and it’s not necessary now, either. Yes, Aguilar has prospered with regular playing time at first base during the month-plus Thames has been out with a torn ligament in his left thumb.

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But there’s no such thing as having too many good players, and Craig Counsell isn’t about to become the first manager to complain about such riches.

For one thing, Braun’s status as a regular player appears to have changed since he returned from the disabled list with a mid-back injury in late May. The Brewers have played 14 games since Braun’s return, and he started nine of them.

For the most part, Counsell has used Braun on a day-on, day-off schedule. Braun has started consecutive games only three times since returning, including the interleague series last weekend in Chicago when the designated hitter was in use, allowing for an extra hitter.

Counsell has used Braun sparingly for a couple of reasons. He still is battling several nagging health issues, including the ongoing struggles with his back. Braun also has not forced the issue by going on an offensive tear that makes it impossible for Counsell to keep his bat out of the lineup.

Statistically, the 34-year-old Braun is having the worst season of his career. Before breaking loose Friday night with two homers and five RBI against the Phillies, he was batting .229 with a .291 on-base percentage and .408 slugging percentage, resulting in an OPS (.699) more than 200 points below his career norm entering the season.

Braun has talked about hitting into poor luck throughout the season and there are numbers to back up that assertion. He had a .261 batting average on balls put in play, far below his .329 career norm, and a 22.3% line-drive rate, highest of his career.

But Braun also had a 22.3% strikeout rate, his highest ever. Slowed by nagging injuries and sometimes hitting in poor luck, he hasn’t been able to carry the club offensively as in the past, two early-season game-winning homers notwithstanding.

Braun has fared much better against left-handed pitchers (.877 OPS) than righties (.631), so Counsell tries to get him in there whenever the Brewers face a lefty. But there has been no indication since Braun returned from the DL that Counsell plans to start him several games in a row.

That practice allows Counsell to give Christian Yelich starts in left field, where he is more comfortable. Thames, who provides more balance to the lineup with left-handed power, might see occasional action in left as well beyond starts at first base.

It won’t hurt to give Aguilar some rest, either. After a torrid May in which he smacked eight homers with 22 RBI and a .9820 OPS, he cooled off in the first five games of June, batting .211 with one homer and two RBI. Aguilar’s overall production remains a tremendous bright spot in an erratic offense, so Counsell will find ways to get him at-bats.

Yelich and Lorenzo Cain have met every expectation at the top of the lineup, so there are no problems there. But the clutch hitting disappeared on this road trip, resulting in four losses in the first five games, though most lineups likely would struggle against Cleveland’s top starters, Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco.

So, let’s take a look, position by position, at the offensive production the Brewers are getting, to see where things are OK and where things need a boost (all statistics entering the weekend):

First base

Thanks not only to Aguilar’s emergence but also the early home-run pace set by Thames, the Brewers are in good standing. Their .934 OPS at the position ranks second in the majors as do their 18 home runs, and Milwaukee first basemen lead the majors with 52 RBI. Status: OK.

Second base

Jonathan Villar has performed much better than a year ago, when he had a woeful .655 OPS in 122 games and prompted general manager David Stearns to trade for Neil Walker for the stretch run. Others who have played the position have not fared as well, however, resulting in an overall .685 OPS, ranking 19th in the majors. Status: OK but room for improvement.

Shortstop

Orlando Arcia’s hitting became so dreadful the Brewers decided to wake him up with a demotion to the minors. That move was short-lived when his replacement, Tyler Saladino, suffered a badly sprained ankle and went on the disabled list. Arcia was recalled and contributed a game-winning hit in his first at-bat, but his plate discipline remains awful (eight walks for the season) and opponents have stopped throwing him strikes. Not surprisingly, production at that position ranks last (.513 OPS) in the big leagues. Status: Not OK.

Third base

Travis Shaw has experienced some skids this season but remains one of the top sluggers and run producers at his position. The left-handed hitter has struggled more against lefties (.547 OPS) this season, but he still remains a constant threat to go deep and drive in runs. The Brewers rank eighth in the majors with a .823 OPS at the position, so there are no worries there. Status: OK.

Catcher

Production has dropped considerably at this position from a year ago, mostly because Manny Piña has been unable to get going at the plate but also because left-handed counterpart Stephen Vogt was lost for the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery. There was an offensive upgrade when backup Jett Bandy was sent out and Erik Kratz was acquired, but Brewers catchers have only 15 RBI, tied for lowest in the majors. Status: Not OK.

Left field

Braun has dragged down the numbers while Yelich has done his part to raise them. But the fact remains that six HRs and 23 RBI don’t cut it at what is considered an offensive position. The Brewers’ .655 OPS ranks 23rd among the 30 clubs. Status: Not OK.

Center field

You have to give credit to Cain for adjusting his game to fit the unfamiliar role of leadoff hitter. He is taking more pitches than ever and his 14.7% walk rate is by far the highest of his career (it was 8.4% last season in Kansas City). He has been an on-base machine (.389) and it’s no surprise the Brewers rank fourth in the majors with a .847 OPS at the position. Status: OK.

Right field

Yelich has played 18 games in right (.925 OPS), helping the overall numbers at the position. But nobody can figure out what has happened to Domingo Santana’s power. Last season, Santana hit 30 home runs and compiled a .505 slugging percentage. This season, he is on pace for nine home runs and has a .362 slugging percentage. With that drag, the Brewers are smack in the middle at No. 15 with a .729 OPS. Status: Not OK.

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There already is a debate raging as to whether the Brewers will need to acquire pitching or offensive help before the July 31 deadline, or both. Thames’ return should boost the latter, despite the fretting.