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The Milwaukee Brewers were hoping that 2009 would see them build on a solid 2008 season, which was highlighted by their first playoff appearance since 1982. Instead, the season was marred by disappointing numbers from some key hitters and a myriad of problems in the pitching rotation. Solid contributions from Yovani Gallardo, Ryan Braun, and Prince Fielder are expected again in 2010, but it's the cast of non-stars that will truly determine whether Milwaukee can return to the playoffs or will spend another October away from the yeasty confines of Miller Park.

Hitters

Casey McGehee - IF
The Brewers found a silver lining among the struggles of infielders Bill Hall and J.J. Hardy and the injury to second baseman Rickie Weeks last season, and it came from a largely unknown 26 year-old utility player named Casey McGehee. McGehee spent six solid but unspectacular seasons as a member of the Chicago Cubs' farm system before putting together a very nice spring at the plate and making the 2009 Brewer roster as a backup infielder. He saw occasional playing time behind Hall but became an everyday player when Rickie Weeks went down with a season-ending wrist injury in mid-May. McGehee surpassed all expectations and hit .301 with 16 home runs and 66 RBI in just 394 plate appearances, giving the Brewers enough confidence to part ways with Bill Hall (who hit 35 homers back in 2006) and hand him the starting third baseman job. It's unlikely McGehee will continue his furious hitting pace in 2010, but if he can log a solid offensive season at the hot corner, he could be a major part of a potent Milwaukee lineup. His numbers wouldn't be more than just okay as a fantasy third baseman, but he should still have second base eligibility in most fantasy leagues and is an above-average option for that pesky MI spot this season. Mat Gamel may eventually supplant him, but for now it's McGehee's job.

Corey Hart - OF
Rightfielder Corey Hart is a fascinating major league player, and not just because he's an easy target for jokes about wearing sunglasses at night. Hart was not a particularly touted prospect until he emerged in his first full season back in 2007, where he hit .295 with 24 home runs, 81 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. His 2008 season didn't quite meet that expectation but was still grounds enough to think that Hart was an annual 20-20 (HR/SB) guy, with the potential for growth and an everyday job in a solid Milwaukee lineup. However, 2009 saw Hart struggle with injuries and lack of production, leading to just 12 home runs and 11 steals, with a .260 batting average. The popular opinion among baseball analysts is that Hart will rebound this season and could post big numbers if everything falls into place. For fantasy owners, he could be a relatively cheap power-speed combo and is one of the best roto sleepers this year.

Alcides Escobar - SS
While J.J. Hardy was putting up a stinker of a hitting line for Milwaukee in 2009, Alcides Escobar was steadily asserting himself as Milwaukee's top hitting prospect for AAA Nashville. In 109 games, Escobar hit .298 with 76 runs and 42 stolen bases while playing an excellent shortstop, eventually forcing the Milwaukee brass to trade Hardy to slightly colder pastures up in Minnesota this off-season. Escobar enters 2010 as an uncontested starter and a frontrunner for National League Rookie of the Year (he just barely maintained his eligibility for the award). The Brewers aren't really known for letting their players rack up big stolen base numbers, but Escobar should have plenty of opportunities to get on base and score runs off of the slugging prowess of Milwaukee's heavy hitters in 2010, and should still be good for over 20 steals.

Pitchers

Randy Wolf - SP
The biggest off-season free agent signing for the Brew crew was the acquisition of 33 year-old lefthander Randy Wolf, a long-time Philadelphia Philly who spent the last two seasons with San Diego and Los Angeles. In 2009, Wolf posted an impressive 3.23 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP, going 11-7 and striking out 160 hitters in 214.1 innings (34 starts). Gallardo remains the ace of the Milwaukee staff, but Wolf will certainly be relied on to provide some consistency from a rotation that really struggled in 2009. While it's unlikely he'll match his ERA and WHIP numbers now that he's pitching in the NL Central, a season that matches his career averages could put him in line for a big win total in 2010.

Doug Davis - SP
Brewers fans will welcome a familiar face back this season, as lefty Doug Davis returns to the club he spent over three seasons with before departing for Arizona via trade in late 2006. Davis lost some time while battling cancer back in 2008, but has consistently posted ERAs just over 4.00 throughout most of his career, despite high walk totals. Davis started his career with the Texas Rangers but didn't emerge as a legitimate major league pitcher until 2004, when he posted a 12-win season for Milwaukee, with a 3.39 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 207.1 innings (34 starts). If he can play near his potential in 2010, he could be a very solid mid-rotation hurler for Milwaukee, something they severely lacked in 2009. He could even be a nice fantasy option at the end of your roster, assuming he keeps putting up good strikeout numbers.

LaTroy Hawkins - RP
Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman will finally have someone near his age to reminisce with out in the bullpen now, with 37 year-old reliever LaTroy Hawkins entering the fold for Milwaukee. Solid seasons from relievers Todd Coffey and Mitch Stetter kept the Brewers in a lot of games in 2009, but their workload was very heavy (78 and 71 appearances, respectively) and the addition of a veteran setup man will surely help them out in 2010. Furthermore, Hawkins aptly filled in for Houston Astros closer Jose Valverde last season (logging 11 saves) and would likely be the first option if the 42 year-old Hoffman is forced to miss any time due to injury. His 2.13 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 63.1 innings made him an expensive signing for Milwaukee, but one that could pay huge dividends if he can match that level of success again. He's a great option in fantasy leagues that count holds too, as he grabbed 19 last year when he wasn't working as the closer.

The 2010 season is an important one for the Brewers, as their core of young hitters will be matched with some consistent veteran pitchers for what fans and front office officials hope will be a winning combination. If they can avoid the injury bug and see solid contributions from their newly-anointed young starters and their veteran pitching additions, they should be among the best of the NL Central division and have a playoff push brewing in Milwaukee this year.