The Curious Case of Sal Frelick: Why Patience Might Be the Brewers' Best Play
Baseball is a game of narratives, and right now, Sal Frelick’s story isn’t a pretty one. The Brewers outfielder is in the midst of a season that’s raising more questions than answers. His struggles at the plate are evident, and his once-reliable defense has taken a nosedive. Add to that the recent signing of Luis Lara, who’s tearing it up in Triple-A, and you’ve got a recipe for speculation. Is Frelick’s time in Milwaukee running out?
Personally, I think it’s too early to write him off. What makes this particularly fascinating is how quickly public opinion can shift in sports. Last season, Frelick was a Gold Glove winner and a solid contributor at the plate. Now, he’s an easy target for criticism. But here’s the thing: baseball is a game of adjustments, and Frelick’s situation is far more nuanced than it seems.
The Offense: A Tale of Ground Balls and Missed Opportunities
Let’s start with the numbers. Frelick’s Statcast page is a sea of blue—not a good sign. His exit velocities, barrel percentages, and expected slugging are all in the bottom 10%. But what’s striking is that these metrics weren’t much better last year, either. So, what’s changed?
One thing that immediately stands out is his ground ball rate. Last season, Frelick was hitting ground balls at a league-average rate. This year, it’s skyrocketed to 53.8%. What this really suggests is that Frelick is topping the ball far too often, resulting in weak grounders that rarely find gaps. His launch angle has dropped from 12.1 degrees last year to 8.3 degrees this season—well below the league average.
From my perspective, this isn’t a case of Frelick suddenly forgetting how to hit. It’s more about a mechanical issue that’s causing him to hit over the top of the ball. What many people don’t realize is that Frelick’s square-up percentage is actually elite. He’s making solid contact—he’s just not elevating it. If you take a step back and think about it, this is a fixable problem. A tweak in his swing path could bring him back to the player who finished seventh in the league in batting average last season.
But here’s the catch: Frelick has no margin for error. His lack of power means he needs to hit line drives to be effective. Ground balls, especially weak ones, are his worst enemy. This raises a deeper question: Is Frelick’s 2025 performance the anomaly, or is this year’s version the true reflection of his abilities? I lean toward the former, but it’s a debate worth having.
The Defense: A Mystery Worth Solving
Frelick’s defensive decline is even more puzzling. Last year, he was in the 85th percentile in fielding run value. This year, he’s plummeted to the 28th percentile. His range is down, his arm strength is diminished, and the eye test confirms what the metrics suggest: something is off.
The speculation is that Frelick is playing hurt. He’s known for his all-out style, and there’s been visible discomfort during games. But here’s where it gets interesting: his sprint speed is still in the 86th percentile. If it’s an injury, it’s not affecting his legs. A detail that I find especially interesting is the possibility of an oblique issue, which could explain his weakened throws but doesn’t fully account for his decline in range.
In my opinion, the Brewers need to get to the bottom of this. If Frelick is injured, he shouldn’t be on the field. But if it’s a matter of rust or mechanics, there’s a chance he can bounce back. Defense is often about confidence, and Frelick’s struggles at the plate could be spilling over into his fielding.
The Bigger Picture: Why Frelick Deserves More Time
Here’s the thing: Sal Frelick is 26 years old. He’s not a prospect anymore, but he’s also not a veteran on his last legs. He’s a young player with two solid major-league seasons under his belt, including a 3.6 fWAR campaign last year. He’s a hard worker, a great teammate, and someone who’s earned the trust of his coaches.
Luis Lara is an exciting prospect, no doubt. But he’s unproven at the major-league level. Handing him the keys to right field based on Triple-A performance is a gamble. Frelick, on the other hand, has shown he can be a valuable player when he’s right.
What this really suggests is that the Brewers should give Frelick the time to figure things out. If he’s injured, shut him down. If it’s a mechanical issue, let him work through it. Baseball is a game of failure, and players who succeed are the ones who learn from it.
Final Thoughts: Patience Over Panic
In a results-driven league, patience is a rare commodity. But Frelick’s case is a reminder that not every slump is terminal. Personally, I think he’s too talented and too young to give up on. The Brewers have invested in him, and he’s shown enough to warrant further investment.
If you take a step back and think about it, Frelick’s struggles are an opportunity—a chance to see if he can make the adjustments needed to thrive. Baseball is as much a mental game as it is physical, and how Frelick responds to this adversity will define his career.
So, let’s hold off on the Luis Lara coronation for now. Sal Frelick deserves more time. And if he can turn things around, the Brewers might just have a key piece for their future after all.
