The Milwaukee Brewers are exceeding expectations this season, and a major reason is the breakout performance of second baseman Brice Turang. While stars like Christian Yelich and Freddy Peralta contribute, Turang's rise has been particularly impressive, even if it's been somewhat under the national radar.
Turang's Power Surge: A Deep Dive
Owen Jonas of Reviewing the Brew highlights Turang's significant leap this year, arguing it surpasses even his 2024 breakout. The most notable improvement? Power hitting.
Turang has already blasted 13 home runs this season, a considerable jump from his previous totals (6 in 2023, 7 in 2024). However, the underlying metrics paint an even more compelling picture. According to FanGraphs, Turang's hard-hit rate (batted balls with an exit velocity of 95 mph or higher) has skyrocketed.
Key Stats:
- 2023: 26.0% hard-hit rate
- 2024: 29.4% hard-hit rate
- 2025: 45.3% hard-hit rate
This dramatic increase in hard-hit balls translates to a significant improvement in Turang's slugging percentage, jumping from .349 last year to .418 this season. This represents a substantial increase compared to the smaller jump between 2023 and 2024.
Turang's development at the plate, coupled with his already stellar defense (Platinum Glove winner), positions him as a potential franchise cornerstone for the Brewers. Can he maintain this level of performance and lead Milwaukee to a championship?