The Brewers need to shore up their lineup

Yes, a major counter to the notion that the Milwaukee Brewers need to either deal or option Travis Shaw is: Well, what about his confidence and his value to the ball club’s chemistry?

That’s certainly integral, but there will be a time, in the coming weeks, in which the organization will be confronted with an indubitable entanglement: If Shaw is to be the means to an end, in order to acquire another player, or call-up someone, where does that leave a slew of talented minor leaguers and second baseman Mike Moustakas, who, of course, has been playing out of position to comfort Shaw.

Now, it’s time to consider, on April 22, all the possibilities.

Sans this last Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the veteran hitter has started every game involving an opposing right-handed pitcher, while only sitting three (of a potential six) games in which a southpaw has taken the opposing bump.

Since becoming a Brewer three years ago, these are Shaw’s traditional batting splits in March and April combined: .256/.299/.533 (2017), .243/.336/.458 (2018), .178/.277/.247 (this year). Sure, he’s never gotten on base less than this year, but he’s continually picked up his game by the time the summer months have rolled around: his BA and OPS have soared, following the first five weeks (.288 and .888 in 79 career May games).

Perhaps, the Crew let Shaw find his confidence, only to deal second baseman Mike Moustakas, who is raking in $10 million for 2019 (with a mutual option at this season’s end), at the trade deadline. This would allow highly coveted, 22-year-old prospect Keston Hiura, whose skills are still marinating in San Antonio (the team’s Triple-A affiliate), to take over. One major concern with that, though — especially for a team that ranks fifth in the Majors in strikeouts — is Hiura has struck out in nearly 36 percent of his plate appearances this season, which compounds its detriment after factoring in that he rarely draws walks (1.5 percent this season, and sub-8.5 throughout his minor league career).

Shaw, who is struggling to pull the ball, should not be discounted, as he’s still hitting the ball hard, as, in this young season, his line drive percentage is the highest it’s been in his Major League career (21.7 percent). What is a major concern, though, is his inability to make contact with pitches inside the zone. On the flip, Moustakas offers a much-needed jolt, as his bat collides with pitches at a rate 13 percent higher than his counterpart.

In the field, when at second base or third base, UZR, which intimates how many runs better or worse that player has been relative to the average player at this position, favors “Moose” (0.1), who is a convert, over Shaw (-1.6), who has played nearly all of his major-league defensive innings at third.

Still, it should be noted, that, throughout their respective careers, the two are similar with their first gathering step, and both have exhibited great range at third, despite Moustakas being slightly better at turning double plays and having a quicker release.

Meanwhile, Hiura doesn’t offer much in the baserunning department, and, given his height (5-foot-11) and lack of superb arm strength, he will be grounded at second base for most of his career. Calling up the former first-round pick right now would be a commitment, because of these considerations and how they affect this year’s team. When the Brewers were a reeling franchise all but three seasons ago, they were dealt a similar hand with their current shortstop (and, then-hopeful cornerstone) Orlando Arcia.

During the winter following the 2015 season, when Arcia was still in the minor league ranks, Jean Segura was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks to make room for the rising star. This was one of the first notable deals orchestrated by Milwaukee general manager David Stearns, who is notorious for being cognizant and heavily involved in calling up prospects and sending down struggling vets.

This current affair isn’t beyond recall, but one has to consider the other infield prospects littered throughout the organization, aside from top-ranked Hiura: Brice Turang (shortstop in Class-A), Mauricio Dubon (shortstop in Triple-A), Lucas Erceg (third baseman in Triple-A), among others. Stearns is afforded, unlike many general managers, the privilege to commandeer a strong organization that isn’t top-heavy, and, thusly, can throw a name of elite prospects into the trade bucket for an upgrade, if trading either Shaw or Moustakas turns into grasping at nothing but straws.

In the interim, it appears likely that Moustakas will get his chance to continue at second, even while he nurses a fractured finger, and Stearns will let the beloved Shaw get an opportunity to iron out his all-around slump at third. If the current feeling of caprice subsists, however, look for Shaw to be optioned outright to Triple-A San Antonio.