The Template is responsible for producing a better version of Christian Yelich than the original calcs, so there's that positive!
Lineup: The Brewers lineup is better in 2019 than it was in 2018's set, featuring several All Decade-level players and PLENTY of pop from top to bottom. Overall, they've got a 50 HR power guy followed by four dudes with 32-29 HR pop and another who can get to 30 HRs on a marginally lucky season. Even Lorenzo Cain is getting in on the HR action, but sadly is down to an OB 7 after a rough year. Love that +3 in CF though! Yelich is Bob's choice for MVP and he's got a STUD card... there are no words for how happy it makes me to see this perfect card go to work!! He's supported by Grandal (OB 10, Hr at 18), Heura (OB 9, HR at 17), and Thames (OB 8, HR at 16). All three will join Yelich on the All Decade team. Ryan Braun had a throwback year of sorts, hitting for much great OB with significant pop! Moustakas sadly fell off a lot late, but he's still got that 30 HR power with his OB 7, HR at 15 range. Rounding is out is Arcia, who is flashy at times but sucks.
Bench: A couple of useful outfielders that aren't much of a replacement for Yelich, yet somehow let the Brewers make the playoffs. Grisham should be -3 in LF/RF.
Rotation: "Look at how they massacred my boys" was my initial thought, but honestly the Template did a good job capturing the Brewers. I'm bummed that they don't have Gio Gonzalez and his Tier 3, C4 on at 17 card to bolster the rotation, but it's a completely justified omission since he only had 87 IP. Time to pray for the PR version! Woodruff snagged an ACE level card this year and I'm hyped to use it. Zach Davies supports him with a solid Tier 3 card, proving the rotation isn't really that awful. Chase Anderson also put up a solid Tier 4 card that'll work well at the bottom of drafted rotations. People love that Control 4 for relatively cheap. Last is Jordan Lyles, who sadly gives up a double and HR thanks to his woeful pitching prior to the Brewers... dude was a Tier 2 ace for Counsell somehow, guy avoided rolling high on his chart while consistently getting control -- what a manger!
Bullpen: Josh Hader got the much deserved HR on his chart this year... dude was a long-ball machine. Honestly, such a frustrating player as a fan (not just for the tweets), but he gets lauded as the best reliever while feeling like a liability to a nervous fan in clutch situations... just like the NLDS! UGH. Despite being a vaunted bullpen going into the playoffs, Suter and Pomeranz didn't make the Template cut and deprive the Brewers of their best setup arms. Junior Guerra gives up two doubles, which completely limits his effectiveness but I guess he's cheaper to draft? The rest are Control 2 guys who can get out low OB hitters but are going to get gauged from time to time. Real shame how Jeffress collapsed, but that's classic year-to-year reliever volatility for you! Overall, this bullpen goes to show what an amazing manager (roller?) Counsell is to turn this collection of duds into a "omg the Brewers have an unstoppable bullpen" narrative entering the postseason.
Definitely a downgrade from last season, and also a definite example of why Criag Counsel >>> Mike Schildt in the managerial ability department. Counsel has been robbed of Manager of the Year twice now, but hopefully his magic continues next season.
That Yelich card is FILTHY. It's the 20th best position player (all Bond iterations included) card every made at 6.98 runs.
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