Our 1-25 ranking of the 2018 Milwaukee Brewers roster

Todd Rosiak, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel beat writer covering the Milwaukee Brewers, provides his analysis of the team's projected 25-man opening day roster. The rankings are based on each player's value to the team.

Major-league rosters don't need to be set until 10:30 a.m. Central on Thursday. Based on previous seasons, there's likely to be some shuffling toward the bottom of the roster before then.

1. Christian Yelich, OF

Entering the prime of his career, Yelich can both hit and field at a high level.

2. Lorenzo Cain, CF

Veteran presence at the plate, in center field and in the clubhouse will be huge.

3. Chase Anderson, RHP

Anderson has gone from fringe starter to team's top option in one year's time.

4. Zach Davies, RHP

Goal will be to avoid the slow start that hampered him early in 2017.

5. Corey Knebel, RHP

Aiming for another dominant campaign as closer, but the bar is set awfully high.

6. Orlando Arcia, SS

Seeking to build off an impressive first full season in the major leagues.

7. Travis Shaw, 3B

Quiet and confident, Shaw is a stabilizing force in the middle of Milwaukee's lineup.

8. Ryan Braun, OF/1B

Pivotal year for the veteran, who needs to stay healthy and master a new position.

9. Manny Piña, C

Underrated backstop does it all for the Brewers.

10. Jhoulys Chacín, RHP

He'll be seeking lots of ground balls again this year – a must at Miller Park.

11. Eric Thames, 1B

Consistency, fewer strikeouts and better success against LHP are all goals.

12. Josh Hader, LHP

Figures to be a huge weapon in what's become a bullpen-centric game.

13. Domingo Santana, RF

How will he react to sporadic playing time caused by the Brewers' outfield glut?

14. Eric Sogard, INF

His pesky at-bats and ability to get on base at a high rate are his best assets.

15. Hernán Pérez, UTIL

They don't get more versatile than Pérez, who can start at or back up almost any spot.

16. Jonathan Villar, INF

Switch-hitter whose speed can be transformational – if he can get on base.

17. Brent Suter, LHP

Soft tosser who begins in the rotation but figures to again be a valuable swingman.

18. Matt Albers, RHP

Coming off a terrific spring, Albers will be one of the team's most important relievers.

19. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP

Venerable veteran who can fill a multitude of roles out of the bullpen.

20. Brandon Woodruff, RHP

Team is eager to see what its top starting-pitching prospect can do from the outset.

21. Jacob Barnes, RHP

Arm isn't in question but effectiveness is. Back-end bullpen option when going right.

22. Oliver Drake, RHP

Ability to get left-handed hitters out is important with only one LHP in the bullpen.

23. Jett Bandy, C

Needs to show he can produce without the timeshare he was part of early in 2017.

24. Jesús Aguilar, 1B

Popular, affable slugger is talented, but lack of positional versatility hurts in NL.

25. J.J. Hoover, RHP

Veteran reliever squeezes his way onto the roster after not allowing a spring run.

* RHP Jimmy Nelson, C Stephen Vogt and LHP Boone Logan will open the season on the disabled list.

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