The Milwaukee Brewers (55-44) are a dangerous team heading into August.
As of Wednesday night, they are in first place of the NL Central, with three games over their divisional rival in the St. Louis Cardinals (52-47). The Chicago Cubs, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds are currently non-factors in the race for the NL Central. The Brewers have the fourth-best record in the National League.
Milwakuee has won five of their last six games since coming out of the All-Star break and are coming off a two-game home sweep against the Minnesota Twins. On Wednesday night, the Brewers defeated the Twins at home 10-4. On Thursday morning, ESPN had the Brewers ranked eighth in their MLB Power Rankings.
Milwaukee are fifth in runs accounted for (459) and tied for 19th in fielding percentage (.984). They have several players that make them a team to watch out for in the MLB, including former Camden Fairview Cardinals outfielder Jonathan Davis.
After starting the 2022 MLB Season with the Brewers' AAA team, the Nashville Sounds, the Brewers activated Davis to the 40-man roster on June 18. He has since been one of the most consistent and efficient outfielders in a loaded outfield for the Brewers.
On June 29 against the Tampa Bay Rays, Davis made an unbelivable catch that caused him to trend on Twitter for his big play. He was featured on several ESPN highlights and shows like "Pardon The Interruption." And his big plays didn't stop there as he recently a fantastic putout in the Brewers' 7-6 win over the Twins this past Tuesday.
In 26 games played for the Brewers this season, Davis has accounted for nine runs, one double hit, three RBIs, seven stolen bases (fourth on the team), 12 walks, 19 stikeouts and 16 total bases. In 62 at-bats, he has accounted for a .242 batting-average (seventh on the team) and an on-base percentage of .365 (third on the team). While he isn't known to be a great batter, he can get on base and help set up big scoring situations for the Brewers' big hitters.
Davis' biggest strength as a player is his fielding game, as he is remarked by the team, his teammates and media outlets that cover Milwaukee consistently as one of the best fielders on the team. In 204 innings played since June 18, Davis has accounted for 42 putouts and a fielding percentage of .977 while only allowing one error.
Davis shares the outfield with a talented group that includes five-time All-Star and 2012 Gold Glove winning right fielder Andrew McCutchen, two-time All-Star and 2014 Gold Glove winning left fielder Christian Yelich, right fielder Hunter Renfroe and center fielder Tyrone Taylor. McCutchen is the player that the Brewers will have at designated hitter while Renfroe plays right fielder, or Minnesota will alternate them between games.
The Brewers will alternate having Davis or Taylor as the starting center fielder between games in a series. Taylor is the more consistent batter that can make some big plays, but Davis is the more reliable and consistent outfielder in his month and a half in the Major Leagues this season.
With the MLB Trade Deadline coming up on Aug. 2, the Brewers have been reportedly on the hunt for another reliable batter. SNY MLB insider reported on Monday that the Brewers have shown interest in trading for Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell. The Brewers were also interested in Kansas City Royals left outfielder Andrew Benintendi before the New York Yankees traded for him on Wednesday night.
While the Brewers are a great power-hitting team with 136 home runs (fourth in the league) and can create runs at 459 (fifth in the league), they need more reliable hitters throughout different series. The Brewers are tied for 21st in the league in batting-average (.238). Milwaukee needs more depth of consistent hitters that can get on base.
With two months left in the regular season, the Brewers look to continue their path towards their second consecutive NL Central Divisional title and their fourth divisional title in franchise history. The Brewers are set to take on the Boston Red Sox (49-50) in a three-game road series starting this Friday. Davis is set to a be a critical piece for the Brewers in this matchup against high-caliber batters like Trevor Story and Rafeal Devers.