Brice Turang ‘earned’ Brewers’ Opening Day roster spot
PHOENIX (BVM) – Over the last few years, Brice Turang has been a name Milwaukee Brewers fans have been excited about for the future. Now, the 21st overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft has finally earned his chance in the big leagues.
On Monday, the Brewers announced that Turang had made the team’s Opening Day roster through a video posted on social media in which manager Craig Counsell, alongside general manager Matt Arnold, delivered the good news to the Brewers’ fifth-ranked prospect.
“You gave us a tough call, and they always tell me, when you’re gonna deliver bad news, just spit it out,” Counsell said. “So I think what we’re gonna do, is we’re gonna option you to Chicago.”
“Do you want to play Opening Day?”
“Absolutely.”The moment Brice Turang found out he’s heading to the Big Leagues 👏#ThisIsMyCrew | @BRiCEcTuRANG pic.twitter.com/8AZrNVTYtR
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 27, 2023
While Counsell tried to disguise the good news in a joking matter, Chicago is of course where the Brewers will begin the 2023 season at Wrigley Field against the Cubs on Thursday, meaning Turang has finally reached the big leagues.
“Congratulations, I’m happy for you,” Counsell continued. “You earned it man, you earned it … You wanna play opening day?”
Turang responded with “absolutely” to Counsell’s Opening Day question as he continued to process finally achieving his big league dream. The talented prospect further expressed what it means to him to be on the Brewers’ 2023 roster in an interview shortly after he learned the news.
“It just doesn’t feel real,” Turang said. “I have no words … We got two more days of spring left, and it’s kind of starting to sink in more and more as the days go on. But calling my family, calling my mom and dad, that’s where the emotions kind of kicked in there.
“Your whole life, that’s your goal. That’s all you look forward to … Now I got the news, and it’s going to be reality. It’s time to keep going, and it’s baseball.”
During the spring, the 6-foot infielder has batted .282 with 11 hits, one home run, four RBIs and three steals. He has also proven to be a strong defensive presence in the infield for the Brew Crew.
Flashing the leather 👀
Perhaps the two best fielding prospects in the @Brewers system, Brice Turang (No. 5) and Garrett Mitchell (No. 4) brought their Major League-ready gloves to the ballpark today. pic.twitter.com/uOODxRw1Ol
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 7, 2023
Last season, playing in Nashville with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate, Turang batted .286 with a .772 OPS, hitting 13 home runs while racking up 78 RBIs and 89 runs. He was also named the Sounds’ team MVP.
M👏V👏P👏
As voted on by his teammates, the 2022 honor goes to @BRiCEcTuRANG. #HitCity pic.twitter.com/LpLlUcYwa7
— Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) September 21, 2022
Late last week, the Brewers announced that they would be moving on from longtime second-base prospect Keston Hiura, signaling a potential opening for Turang to make the team’s 2023 roster. On Monday, Hiura was officially designated for assignment.
Turang now joins a lineup that could be more potent than it has in past seasons. He will join one of the Brewers’ other top prospects, Garrett Mitchell, as well as some new additions Milwaukee brought in over the offseason including Brian Anderson, Jesse Winker and William Contreras. The lineup will also still feature power hitters Rowdy Tellez and Willy Adames, as well as former MVP Christian Yelich.
Combined with a starting rotation that still boasts a dominant top three of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta, and a solid bullpen led by closer Devin Williams, the Brewers will be looking to get back to the top of the NL Central after missing the postseason for the first time in five years in 2022.
With Turang now in the fold, perhaps the team’s fortunes will be different in 2023.
