Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Young core helping the Brewers exceed expectations in 2024

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated Jun 10, 2024 9:04 AM ET

Entering the 2024 season, the Milwaukee Brewers were given little chance to compete in the National League Central division due to moves made in the offseason.

After 65 games and a 38-27 record, they rest comfortably atop the NL Central with a six-and-a-half game lead and showing no signs of looking back.

The team has been led by outfielder Christian Yelich, who is once again healthy, and catcher William Contreras. But the Brewers are also enjoying some unexpected big years from a duo of young infielders.

Those infielders are second-year second baseman Brice Turang and rookie third baseman Joey Ortiz, who they acquired in the trade that sent former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles.

After a rough rookie season in 2013, Turang has burst onto the scene in 2024.

Slashing .306/.369/.421 with 17 extra-base hits, 24 RBI and 23 stolen bases, Turang is in the top 10 in the MLB in both batting average and stolen bases while being one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball.

Brice Turang is the real deal #Brewers // #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/qi4MlvqKQb
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) June 8, 2024

Not only excelling on offense, Turang has been one of the best defenders at second base and will be a Gold Glove candidate when the season ends.

Turang ranks fourth in the NL with a 2.9 WAR, trailing only Arizona Diamondback second baseman Ketel Marte and Los Angeles Dodgers superstar tandem shortstop Mookie Betts and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in that category.

Ortiz is coming off a big season in Triple-A, where he slashed .321/.378/.507 with 43 extra-base hits and 58 RBI in 88 games before earning his first taste of the MLB last season.

He has handled the transition to the majors with flying colors, earning the National League Rookie of the Month in May.

Joey Ortiz: .307/.391/.587, 12 XBH, 12 RBI
Luis Gil: 6-0, 38.2 IP, 44 K, 0.70 ERA

Your NL and AL Rookies of the Month for May! pic.twitter.com/RcjssqFqJg
— MLB (@MLB) June 3, 2024

In 58 games this season, Ortiz is slashing .284/.379/.467 with 19 extra-base hits and 23 RBI while posting an MLB-leading 1.9 WAR amongst rookie hitters.

Like Turang, Ortiz has also shown great defensive ability with a .975 fielding percentage, only committing three errors on the season.

The Brewers will hope that Turang and Ortiz can keep up this production as they look to make a postseason run in 2024.

Michael Carpenter

Michael is a California kid, living in Arizona as a graduate of The Cronkite School of Journalism, Forks Up. He believes Yadier Molina will be in the Hall, and Dez caught it. Michael njoys spending his free time with his amazing wife and two beautiful daughters or playing video games. You can find him on Twitter @_MCSports.

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