'Great story' Andruw Monasterio seeks to reclaim third-base job he earned last season with Brewers

PHOENIX – Last year at this time, Andruw Monasterio was just another face in the clubhouse.

Sure, the Milwaukee Brewers believed he held some promise as he entered his second season in the organization. But enough to break though to the major leagues for the first time and become a significant contributor?

Not so much.

“It's great story because we really didn't know,” manager Pat Murphy said of the infielder, who went from non-roster invitee to major-league debut in late May. “I would always say to the coaches, ‘Let's not spend a lot of extra time with guys who aren’t going to be on our roster. Like, let's focus in on the guys we forecast to be with us.’”

Monasterio was called up from Class AAA Nashville in the wake of the freak concussion suffered by shortstop Willy Adames. He provided coverage at shortstop and second base but eventually settled in at third, and by the end of the season he’d made 51 of his 78 starts at third.

The native of Caracas, Venezuela, surprised everyone, flirting with a .300 average in early August before eventually finishing at .259 with three home runs and 27 runs batted in. He also played commendably in the field, accounting for two outs above average and six defensive runs saved at the hot corner.

“Monasterio broke through,” Murphy said. “You know, he just kept playing good. And then when he came to the big leagues, he was underrated for us.

“He did a great job.”

Monasterio will take another swing at the third-base job this spring as he auditions for Murphy along with the likes of Joey Ortiz, Owen Miller, Tyler Black, Oliver Dunn and non-roster invitee Christian Arroyo.

Brock Wilken, the Brewers’ first-round pick last July, is also in camp and considered the team’s third baseman of the future but won’t be expected to truly be in the mix for another year.

Here are four observations about Milwaukee’s third-base situation.

Andruw Monasterio is looking to do more damage

Physically speaking, Monasterio measured in like a second baseman last season at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds. Compare that to Wilken’s 6-4, 225-pound frame – one that is more prototypical for playing every day (and anchoring a lineup) – at third.

Following the Brewers’ ouster in the National League wild-card round last October, Monasterio set forth adding more strength and bulk to his frame. He reported to Maryvale weighing around 200 – big enough to notice the change but not overly muscled up like former Brewer Luis Urías was a few springs ago.

His goal is to get at least a few more of the six balls he hit off or right to the wall last season to go over the fence in 2024.

“I saw my videos and my pictures from home plate and I didn’t have good support for my lower half,” said Monasterio, who also took up yoga and incorporated more agility training into his workouts. “I was just focusing this offseason on trying to get bigger and more powerful.

“I think I got a good result.”

While Monasterio didn’t offer much in the way of slugging (.348) he was decent at making contact, which was at times a difficult chore for the rest of the lineup. Murphy took umbrage when it was suggested Monasterio was an average offensive player.

“I beg to differ,” he said. “I'd say he's an above average-offensive player for what he brings to the table and what he's being asked to do. His ball-strike was exceptional. He got big hits at big times, in the biggest of situations. I bet his percentage of quality at-bats in those big situations (was high) the way I would I view it – the quality of swinging at the right pitch, hard contact, understanding the situation.”

Defensively, Monasterio doesn’t possess a cannon arm but showed he could field on the move and make quick reads – both musts to be a regular at third.

“He was above average defensively,” Murphy said. “I think everything was kind of new for him and he slowed himself down. I think he's quality defensive player.”

Tyler Black will need to drill down on third base

The Brewers, as they like to do, moved Black all around defensively in his first couple minor-league seasons as he made double-digit starts at first, second and third base as well as in center field.

But the 103 starts he made at third were far and away his most, and that’s where Black’s best shot at making the team out of camp will come (with limited time at first base mixed in).

As the Brewers' fourth-rated prospect, Black had a breakout 2023 in which he batted .284 with 18 homers and 73 RBI while compiling an OPS of .930 after stints at both Class AA Biloxi and Class AAA Nashville.

Speed was also a big part of Black's game as he stole 55 bases in 67 tries.

"Guys that can produce offensively find their way on the team," Murphy said of the 2021 first-round pick (33rd overall). "So, if he's got great offensive production, we're going to try to find a defensive spot that he can excel at. And because he's new to us, we're going to have to spend some extra time figuring that out.

"I believe in the kid, I guarantee that."

A big factor in Black putting up big numbers last season was the fact he was able to remain healthy. Major injuries hampered him during his first couple years in the organization, although in a way those maladies underscored the hard-nosed nature of his game.

Black will need to pick and choose his spots more carefully now that he's a step away from the majors. But Murphy admires the way the Toronto native isn't afraid to stick his nose in there and compete.

“A gamer for me is a guy who's kind of relentless, you know? Doesn't let one negative moment or one pitch affect the next pitch and that type of thing. Just kind of stays relentless,” Murphy said. “His best AB might be his last of the day.

“I like the kid. Really, he's a favorite of mine.”

Christian Arroyo has a real shot to stick

Of all the external non-roster invitees the Brewers brought to camp, Arroyo might have the best chance at sticking on the opening-day roster.

He has the ability to play every infield spot as well as in the outfield, a decent amount of major-league experience (295 games split between four organizations coming in) and passable offensive numbers (.252/24/120/.693) since breaking into the majors in 2017.

Arroyo will see the bulk of his playing time this spring at third base, Murphy said, with some first base thrown in. He's made 44 starts at third in his career and a pair at first.

"I've heard great things," Murphy said. "I've got a lot of friends that know him well in the game and they believe in him. They say he's a ballplayer. I thought it was a great signing on our part.

"He's a baseball player. The situation calls for a line drive, the situation calls for a sac fly, the situation calls for you to hit the ball the other way – I think he can do all that. I think the situation we're in now with so many young players, (the non-roster invitees) have got a good opportunity to stand out."

Joey Ortiz, Owen Miller lead the rest of the group

There's no question expectations are high for Ortiz, who was acquired in the Corbin Burnes trade. It's possible to see a scenario in which he bounces between third and second base with his defense his calling card and his ability to hit consistently the final hurdle he needs to clear.

Then there's Miller, who has made 18 of his 22 major-league starts at third base for the Brewers.

Like Arroyo, the Ozaukee High School product can play all over the diamond and is also a right-handed hitter. Unlike Arroyo, Miller has one minor-league option left, potentially working against him in his quest to make the opening-day roster while Arroyo has none.

Minor-leaguer Oliver Dunn is on the 40-man roster after being acquired via trade early in the offseason but is likely going to need more seasoning before he seriously enters the fray as a third baseman-second baseman.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Andruw Monasterio seeks to reclaim Milwaukee Brewers' third-base job