2025 Milwaukee Brewers player grades
Here are our Milwaukee Brewers player grades for 2025, based on analysis by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Brewers beat writers Todd Rosiak and Curt Hogg.
ORLANDO – Brice Turang can now add another line to his growing résumé of accomplishments: Team USA member in the World Baseball Classic.
The Milwaukee Brewers second baseman was announced along with Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith on Tuesday, Dec. 9, as the newest additions to a Team USA squad already brimming with talent.
“When this came up and I thought there was a chance, I was really excited about it,” Turang said. “Then when I found out it was me, I was like, ‘Oh, man!’ Very, very excited, very grateful.
“It’s going to be fun.”
Turang, 26, is coming off a 2025 season in which he set new offensive standards for himself with a .288 average, 18 home runs and 81 runs batted in while compiling an on-base plus slugging of .794 over 156 games – a performance that helped him account for 5.6 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference.
He also finished as a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in the National League at second base a year after winning the Platinum Glove Award as the NL’s best overall defender in 2024.
“I think for me, watching his second half, he kind of exploded from a power standpoint,” Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said. “But I’m not even concerned about the power. It’s more just the confidence that he has and he plays with. The ability to do everything on the field. He’s a Platinum Glove winner. He can steal a bag.
“Talking to him, he seems like he wants the moment. I thought it was a pretty easy add for us. And, I’m big on pitching and defense. The top of the order is going to score you your runs, and I just feel like I’m going to sleep good at night knowing he’s at second base, turning double plays and just kind of a lockdown guy.”
Team USA general manager Michael Hill indicated that beyond Turang’s obvious physical talents, his selection was also about “fit.”
“We’ve got every player in the United States available to us,” he said. “But we didn’t necessarily need a team full of superstars. We needed a team full of good players who could fit together, play defense, who could steal a bag when we need it.
“We’re looking to build the most complete roster we can for Mark, and we want to make sure he’s got that flexibility, that versatility, speed, defense, hit ability, power – every element – and Brice is one of those players. We’ve got Aaron Judge, who’s one of the best in the game, but it takes all types of talent to win in this tournament.”
Turang and the rest of the players announced as joining Team USA on Tuesday will join an already star-studded group that includes the Yankees’ Judge (captain), Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes.
“It’s really cool, getting to play with some of these guys on other teams,” Turang said. “Aaron Judge being one of the guys, and Bobby Witt, even though I grew up playing with him. Sometimes it doesn’t feel real, but I still get those moments – even playing every day with (the Brewers).
“Like, ‘Man,this is so awesome.’ It’s so cool that I’ve gotten to experience all this stuff.”
Team USA won the WBC for the first and only time in 2017.
While Turang is the first Brewers player publicly known to have committed to playing in the WBC for his native country, there no doubt will be others. Players also can play for teams based on family heritage, which will no doubt be the case for several of Turang’s Milwaukee teammates.
“Yeah, of course,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “Sal [Frelick], I’m sure they’ll want him to play [for Team Italy]. [Jackson] Chourio, right [Team Venezuela]? You’d think William [Contreras] for sure [Team Venezuela]. I think Great Britain wants Caleb Durbin to play.”
In 2023, the last time the WBC was played, 15 major- and minor-league players from the Milwaukee organization took part, with closer Devin Williams pitching for Team USA.
Of that group, only two players remain: Frelick and right-hander Carlos Rodriguez (Team Nicaragua).
Turang and Team USA open the WBC against Team Brazil in Pool B play on March 6 at Daikin Park in Houston.
This story was updated to add new information.