The Brewers Are Finally Seeing Some Lefties. It’s Andruw Monasterio Time…
After facing two consecutive left-handed pitchers, the Milwaukee Brewers are still tied for the fewest games against left-handed starters this season. However, this trend is changing, allowing players like Andruw Monasterio to contribute more significantly.
Monasterio has had a fluctuating season, bouncing between Nashville and the Brewers’ bench. Despite being healthy, he’s only had 74 plate appearances across both MLB and Triple-A. To compare, eight other Brewers have at least double that number, with William Contreras and Willy Adames approaching three times as many.
Monasterio’s performance has been underwhelming, with a significant power outage since last July, and he’s hitting .220/.351/.305 in his combined appearances. However, he reached base four times in the last two games against left-handed Miami Marlins pitchers, including hitting a much-needed home run. With another lefty starting for Miami on Wednesday, Monasterio might get a third consecutive start. Despite Joey Ortiz’s emergence, there’s room for Monasterio, a solid Venezuelan player, when the Brewers face left-handed pitchers.
This year, Milwaukee has faced left-handed starters only nine times, with Wednesday being the 10th. The Cubs and Guardians are also facing their 10th lefty, but other teams have seen more, like the Phillies (20) and the Marlins (18). This limited exposure makes it challenging for players like Monasterio, who are on the short side of a platoon and need more consistent playing time to excel.
Brice Turang poses another challenge to Monasterio’s playing time. Turang’s performance dipped from a strong April to a more average May, but his defensive skills and speed keep him in the lineup against right-handers. Monasterio is likely to get some opportunities against lefties, but Turang might also start those games for lineup balance. This makes it difficult for Monasterio to perform at his best, as the team’s priority is winning games rather than optimizing his playing time.
Despite this, it’s crucial to keep bench players like Monasterio ready and engaged. Unlike teams with star-studded lineups that can play regulars daily, the Brewers need contributions from all their players to aim for 90-plus wins. Monasterio could be their best option against lefties throughout the season, and finding him more opportunities, even in less favorable matchups, might be necessary. His recent performance in Miami shows he’s making the most of his chances despite the limited and sporadic playing time.
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