The new management team of GM Doug Melvin and field manager Ned Yost
have one of the most difficult challenges in baseball ahead of them.
But they ran a smooth camp, and the players really like Yost and new
pitching coach Mike Maddux (Greg's brother), so that's a start.

Strengths
The best part about the Brewers last season was their bullpen, and as
long as the rotation can give them a respectable amount of innings to
the pen doesn't wear down, the relief corps should be stellar again.
Mike DeJean, Valerio De los Santos, Luis Vizcaino, Mike Mathews, Mike
Buddie and Curtis Leskanic are enough to pull the Brew Crew toward
respectability if enough other things go right.

Weaknesses
There simply aren't enough bona fide major-leaguers on the roster to
make the Brewers competitive. There isn't much power -- only San
Diego had fewer home runs than the Brewers in 2002.

Difference Maker
Richie Sexson is the one legitimate bopper in a lineups of hopefuls,
might-bes and fill-ins. Outfielder Geoff Jenkins can add to that
number of legitimate swingers, but he has been nursing a sprained
wrist suffered early in the camp.

Prospect on the Rise
Billy Hall. The Brewers think highly of their shortstop prospect,
though he's not yet ready and Royce Clayton will open the season
there.

Prediction
Sixth. It will be a miracle if the Brewers finish any higher.