The Milwaukee Brewers currently sit on top of the National League Central with a 69-52 record, nine games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds. Unfortunately, they received some bad news on Thursday, as Yelich decided to undergo back surgery and is done for the year.
Yelich expressed on his personal social platform this decision is the best option left on the table after trying many other forms of rehabilitation.
In 315 plate appearances this season, Yelich slashed .315/.406/.504 with a 12.7% walk rate, 18.4% strikeout rate and .189 ISO. He hit 11 home runs and stole 21 bases. The strikeout rate was a career-low while the ISO was the highest since 2020. The .315 batting average was the first time above .300 since 2020 as well.
Not all is doom and gloom, though, as rookie sensation Jackson Chourio has filled in nicely for Yelich in left field. Since Yelich went down, Chourio has slashed .347/.388/.547 with a 5% walk rate, 15% strikeout rate and .200 ISO in 80 plate appearances. He has hit four home runs and stolen four bases over that span. The BABIP is elevated at .373, so some regression will likely come, but the exit velocity is a healthy 90.3 mph.
He’s only 20 years old and playing in his first MLB season, so it’s within the range of outcomes that he continues to get better.
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