Getting into some of the bigger question marks on Milwaukee’s 2025 roster
Looking back at our third base preview from 2024, the set of players for the Brewers hasn’t changed much, but the order is very different. We had Andruw Monasterio as the projected starter a year ago, followed by Joey Ortiz, Oliver Dunn, Vinny Capra, Tyler Black, and Sal Frelick.
With Ortiz now the assumed shortstop, we’ve removed him from this year’s third base preview. Dunn, Monasterio, and newly-acquired Caleb Durbin all figure to compete (or even share) the position this year, with Capra and Frelick still in the fold, though it seems likely Frelick will remain in the outfield full time, barring a surprise. Milwaukee also has former friend Mark Canha at spring training as a minor league signee, meaning he has a chance to join the active roster as a utility option between first base, third base, and the outfield.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at Milwaukee’s third base depth heading into 2025.
Oliver Dunn
I already wrote a bit about Dunn in our second base preview from last week, but I’ll add here that he’s primarily appeared throughout his career as a third baseman, and the Brewers’ depth chart lists him as the starter.
Through 26 at-bats this spring, Dunn has nine hits, including three doubles and a homer with five runs scored and a pair of steals. Assuming he remains healthy, I’d expect him to start in the majors as some sort of a platoon with Durbin or another one of the righties below (Durbin, Monasterio, Capra, and Canha are all right-handed batters).
Andruw Monasterio
As with Dunn, I already wrote quite a bit about Monasterio in the second base preview. He had a disappointing 2024 after a solid rookie campaign, and he doesn’t offer as much upside as some of the others listed here.
Still, he’s making his case for the Opening Day roster with a red-hot spring, going 5-for-13 with a double and homer, four runs scored, and a steal.
Caleb Durbin
Having now yet made his MLB debut, Durbin should be expected to break camp with the major league squad as he figures to be in the infield fold, as he’s able to play second base, shortstop, and third base.
Durbin’s had a more disappointing spring, however, hitting .172/.273/.379 with five hits in 29 at-bats, though he’s hit a pair of homers, scored seven runs, and two steals. Even if he doesn’t start the season in the majors, I’d still expect Durbin to make his debut early in the season.
Vinny Capra
Capra currently seems like the odd man out among the infielders here, but like Monasterio, he’s making his case this spring as he’s hitting .318/.348/.909 with four homers, a double, and nine RBIs. Without any minor league options, though, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Capra start the season with the Brewers over Durbin or Monasterio, either of whom could start at Triple-A Nashville.
Still, Capra’s leash may be short, as he hasn’t had much major league success (career .156/.250/.219 with five hits in 32 at-bats). With a promising young player like Durbin waiting in the wings, Capra could be an early season DFA candidate with a disappointing start.
Sal Frelick
Frelick, 25 in April, has had a pair of solid years with the Brewers, hitting .255/.326/.339 with five homers, 56 RBIs, 95 runs, and 25 steals across 202 career games while providing plus-plus defense. An experiment at third base last spring, Frelick ultimately appeared in just two games in the infield a year ago. Given his strong outfield defense, it seems unlikely at best that Frelick ends up at third base this year.
Still, I’ll include him here for two reasons: 1) he might be the best candidate among the options listed here; and 2) if the Brewers can get healthy seasons from other outfielders like Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, Garrett Mitchell, and Blake Perkins (who’s already sidelined for a chunk of time), this may be the best way to keep everybody in the lineup and capitalize with the best defense.
Frelick has hit .364/.462/.545 with eight hits in 22 at-bats this spring, including a homer and a double. He’s also stole three bags, driven in five, and scored seven runs while walking four times and not striking out. He’s projected by Baseball Reference to make 484 plate appearances in 2025, hitting .259/.329/.363 with six homers, 41 RBIs, 62 runs, and 16 steals in his third MLB season.
Mark Canha
Canha, now 36, is a former friend fighting for another chance in the majors after a mediocre season between the Tigers and Giants. After hitting .287/.373/.427 with five homers, 33 RBIs, 23 runs, and four steals in 50 games for Milwaukee down the stretch in 2023, Canha hit .242/.344/.346 with seven homers, 42 RBIs, 46 runs, and seven steals across 125 games in 2024.
A minor league signee by the Crew, Canha can play first base, third base, and in the outfield. He’s had a rough go this spring, going just 1-for-9 with a double, though he has drawn four walks for a .111/.429/.222 line.
Canha is projected to get plenty of MLB playing time this year, as BR has him finishing the year with 482 plate appearances and hitting .248/.341/.376 with 10 homers, 51 RBIs, 52 runs, and eight steals.