Sal Frelick's struggles this season have sparked a debate among Brewers fans and analysts. While some are calling for his demotion, I believe Frelick deserves more time to prove himself. This article delves into Frelick's offensive and defensive woes, explores potential causes, and argues for patience.
Offensive Struggles
Frelick's 2026 season has been a stark contrast to his 2025 campaign. His Statcast metrics paint a concerning picture, with poor exit velocities, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage. However, a closer look reveals that Frelick's struggles are not entirely new. He was similarly underperforming in these categories last year, yet managed to post a solid .288/.351/.405 batting line.
What's different this year? Frelick's ground ball percentage has skyrocketed, and he's topping the ball more often. This accounts for his poor launch angles, low BABIP, and overall decline in performance. Frelick's inability to maximize his square-up percentage is a major concern, as it directly impacts his exit velocity and overall hitting prowess.
The fact that Frelick's struggles are not isolated to the plate is alarming. His defensive metrics, particularly his arm value and strength, have taken a hit this season. While there's speculation that Frelick is playing hurt, his sprint speed remains intact, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of his defensive decline.
Defensive Concerns
Frelick's defensive struggles are even more concerning. His range and arm strength have diminished, and he's now in the 48th percentile in range and 9th percentile in arm value. This is a significant drop from his 2024 and 2025 performances, where he was in the 85th and 79th percentiles, respectively.
The question remains: is Frelick injured? While his pain reactions during games suggest a potential injury, his sprint speed and overall speed remain intact. It's possible that Frelick is dealing with an upper-body injury, but it's unclear how this would affect his defensive abilities.
Patience is Key
Despite Frelick's struggles, I believe he deserves more time. At 26 years old, he's still relatively young, and his 2025 performance was impressive, earning him a 3.6 fWAR. Frelick is a hard worker and a great teammate, and he's shown signs of improvement in June.
While Lara's emergence in Nashville is exciting, Frelick's demotion may not be the best solution. Lara is no sure thing, and Frelick's 71 OPS+ this season is not far off from Lara's performance. The Brewers should give Frelick the chance to turn things around, as he's earned it.
In conclusion, Sal Frelick's struggles this season are concerning, but they don't necessarily spell the end of his Brewers career. With patience and the right adjustments, Frelick can still be a valuable asset to the team. It's time to give him the benefit of the doubt and see if he can bounce back.
