While the Milwaukee Brewers trading for William Contreras was a huge get, many fans still questioned what the team’s hitting would look like. It was no secret that the departures of Kolten Wong, Hunter Renfroe and Andrew McCutchen, among others, would hurt an already poor lineup. In late February, the Brewers made a pair of spring training signings with one of those being former New York Yankee and San Diego Padre Luke Voit.
While Voit’s production has declined steadily since two solid years with the Yankees in 2019 and 2020, his signing still brought excitement to plenty of Brewers fans. Voit had a fantastic spring training but the Brewers needed a little more time and flexibility to decide if they could/would keep Voit. After Voit pushed his opt-out clause back to give the Brewers time, many hoped the Crew wouldn’t let him get away.
On Monday, the Milwaukee Brewers signed first baseman Luke Voit to a one-year contract with a club option in 2024.
Luke Voit: Brewers Spring Training Standout
Luke Voit has participated in spring training five times for four different teams. This year’s performance with the Brewers was his best by a long shot. Over 14 games, he hit .316 with two home runs and a .526 slugging percentage. Previously, his bests in those categories were a .288 average and a .442 slugging percentage.
The Brewers have always had power bats in their lineups, but they haven’t been able to get consistent hitting from them. The ability to have a player that can hit any pitch into the stands is great, but one that can also consistently find himself able to get on base with regular base hits as well is incredibly valuable. While spring training stats don’t guarantee anything, there is plenty to be excited about with how well Voit has looked recently.
Can Voit Turn Back the Clock?
In 2019 and 2020, Luke Voit had the best seasons of his career as a New York Yankee. He hit above .260 with at least 20 home runs and 52 RBIs in both seasons. While those numbers don’t seem like much, he only played a combined 174 games over those two seasons due to injury and a stacked Yankees lineup.
With the shift now banned and the designated hitter rule in effect, Voit can give the Brewers some serious pop in the lineup. Just imagine a lineup with both Rowdy Tellez and Luke Voit. Add in all-star William Contreras and the Brewers suddenly have a solid offensive lineup that doesn’t even take into account Christian Yelich or any of their rookies.
Luke Voit doesn’t need to do much to be a success for the Brewers. With a one-year deal and a club option for next year, the Brewers are out nothing if this move doesn’t pan out. However, if Voit can even be close to what he was in 2019 and 2020, and the pitching can stay healthy, Brewers fans may once again have a lot to cheer for come September and October.
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