With the clock ticking down on Willy Adames\u2019 time in Milwaukee, the Brewers\u2019 front office\u2014and fans\u2014are turning their attention to who might fill the void at shortstop. While it\u2019s a tough pill to swallow, the Brewers seem to have already come to terms with the fact that Adames won\u2019t be returning in 2025. So, the burning question isn\u2019t if they\u2019ll bring him back, but who will step up to take his place at one of baseball\u2019s most crucial defensive positions?<\/p>\n
Luckily for Milwaukee, they\u2019ve got some promising talent waiting in the wings: Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz. Turang, a homegrown talent and first-round pick from 2018, has quickly made a name for himself with two solid years in the Major Leagues.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s coming off a season where he snagged a Gold Glove at second base and even clinched the Platinum Glove as the National League\u2019s top fielder. If you\u2019re looking for a standout candidate to command shortstop, Turang\u2019s resume makes a mighty strong case.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, there\u2019s Joey Ortiz, a fresh face in Milwaukee following his move from Baltimore in last year\u2019s Corbin Burnes trade. While Ortiz might not have the Gold Glove hardware just yet, he\u2019s got plenty of swagger in his defensive toolkit\u2014think range, quickness, and a throwing arm that could go toe-to-toe with any shortstop in the game.<\/p>\n
Pat Murphy, the Brewers\u2019 esteemed NL Manager of the Year, recently weighed in on the brewing debate during an appearance on Foul Territory. While acknowledging Turang\u2019s clear capability at shortstop, Murphy\u2019s candid insights seem to tip the scales toward Ortiz for the role.<\/p>\n
He hinted, \u201cThe decision will be one or the other. My tendency is probably to leave Brice alone because he\u2019s as special as you can see at second base.\u201d<\/p>\n
Murphy\u2019s philosophy is steeped in the belief that if something isn\u2019t broken, why try to fix it? Turang has proven his prowess at second base\u2014his Gold Glove is a testament to that.<\/p>\n
Why risk tampering with success when you have another competent solution like Ortiz ready to step up at shortstop? The move could set the stage for a formidable double-play duo in Milwaukee for years to come.<\/p>\n
And let\u2019s talk lineup dynamics. Ortiz hasn\u2019t exactly been the power hitter you\u2019d traditionally want at third base, but his move to shortstop provides an opportunity for the Brewers to bolster their offensive game elsewhere. With Adames\u2019 impressive tally of 32 home runs and 112 RBIs no longer part of the equation, Milwaukee has the chance to seek out a power-hitting corner infielder to fill that gap.<\/p>\n
While it remains to be seen who will officially don the shortstop mantle when spring training rolls around, all signs point to Ortiz stepping up. Murphy\u2019s no games, no guessing approach has made it clear: he\u2019s thinking of Ortiz as Milwaukee\u2019s shortstop for the upcoming season. And as Brewer fans gear up for 2025, they do so knowing their infield is in good hands, primed and ready to face what\u2019s ahead.<\/p>\n
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With the clock ticking down on Willy Adames\u2019 time in Milwaukee, the Brewers\u2019 front office\u2014and fans\u2014are turning their attention to who might fill the void at shortstop…. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11331,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n