Sal Frelick's Struggles: A Closer Look at a Brewers' Player in Need of a Turnaround
The Milwaukee Brewers' Sal Frelick is facing a challenging season, marked by poor performance at the plate and in the field. Despite his struggles, the 26-year-old player has earned some patience, and there are reasons to believe he can turn things around.
Offense: A Repeat of Last Season?
Frelick's 2026 season has been characterized by a lack of power and a high ground ball percentage. His exit velocities, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage are all below the league average, indicating a struggle to maximize his potential. Interestingly, these issues were present last season as well, with Frelick hitting .288/.351/.405. However, he has shown improvement in not striking out and squaring up the ball, suggesting that some adjustments could help him regain his form.
The key problem is his tendency to hit over the top of the ball, resulting in a high ground ball percentage and low launch angles. This has led to a poor batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and a lack of power. Frelick's low exit velocity and barrel percentage further emphasize the need for improvement. The question remains whether his struggles are due to luck or a repeatable approach, and how much wiggle room he has to make adjustments.
Defense: A Diminished Performance
The defensive concerns are even more alarming. Frelick's performance in the field has taken a significant dip, with Statcast's Outs Above Average (OAA) and Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) metrics indicating a poor 2026 season. His range and arm strength have both decreased, and he is now in the 9th percentile in arm value and 44th in arm strength. The speculation is that Frelick might be playing hurt, but the lack of impact on his sprint speed is intriguing.
Patience and Opportunity
Despite the concerns, Frelick has earned some patience. With two years of solid major-league baseball experience and a 3.6 fWAR last season, he is a valuable asset to the Brewers. His work ethic and status as Pat Murphy's favorite indicate a player with a strong character. The team should give him the opportunity to turn things around, especially considering his defensive improvements in June.
In conclusion, Sal Frelick's season has been a rollercoaster, but there are reasons to remain optimistic. With the right adjustments and a bit of patience, he can regain his form and become a key player for the Brewers. The team's decision to bring in Luis Lara adds an interesting dynamic, but Frelick's potential should not be overlooked.
