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Poll: Mark Reynolds, Will Smith should make Opening Day roster

Reynolds would play first base, while Smith settles into a bullpen role.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

This week's Brew Crew Ball Tracking Poll was open from noon Monday through the day Tuesday, and received 194 responses. Here are some notable results:

  • 42% of voters picked Mark Reynolds from a list of six candidates to serve as the Brewers' primary first baseman. Juan Francisco (23%) was the only other candidate to get more than 10% of the vote.
  • Assuming Will Smith doesn't end up in the starting rotation, 77% of voters favored keeping him on the MLB roster as a reliever. Meanwhile, the majority of voters opted to send both Tyler Thornburg (55%) and Jimmy Nelson (82%) back to Nashville to start.
  • 39% of voters favor a "soft platoon" at second base to open the season, with Rickie Weeks starting against left handed pitchers and some righties and Scooter Gennett getting the other starts.
  • 84% of voters approve of the job Doug Melvin is doing as general manager, up from 52% in December.

The full results are below.

Which of these players do you think should be the Brewers' primary first baseman?

Response Votes %
Mark Reynolds 81 42%
Juan Francisco 44 23%
Undecided 25 13%
Lyle Overbay 14 7%
Someone else 12 6%
Sean Halton 9 5%
Hunter Morris 6 3%
Jason Rogers 3 2%

How should the Brewers handle playing time at second base?

Response Votes %
A "soft platoon," with Weeks starting against lefties and some righties. 76 39%
Scooter Gennett should play most days or every day. 39 20%
A "firm platoon," with Gennett always starting against righties and Weeks always starting against lefties. 38 20%
Rickie Weeks should play most days or every day. 27 14%
Undecided 8 4%
Something else 6 3%

Would you approve if the Brewers open the season with Kyle Lohse, Yovani Gallardo, Matt Garza, Wily Peralta and Marco Estrada in the starting rotation?

Response Votes %
Yes 186 96%
No 3 2%
Undecided 5 3%

If Tyler Thornburg isn't in the starting rotation to open the season, what should the Brewers do with him?

Response Votes %
Keep him on the major league roster as a reliever. 80 41%
Send him to the minors to work as a starter. 107 55%
Send him to the minors to work in relief. 0 0%
Attempt to trade him. 1 1%
Undecided 6 3%

If Will Smith isn't in the starting rotation to open the season, what should the Brewers do with him?

Response Votes %
Keep him on the major league roster as a reliever. 150 77%
Send him to the minors to work as a starter. 27 14%
Send him to the minors to work in relief. 6 3%
Attempt to trade him. 3 2%
Undecided 8 4%

If Jimmy Nelson isn't in the starting rotation to open the season, what should the Brewers do with him?

Response Votes %
Keep him on the major league roster as a reliever. 8 4%
Send him to the minors to work as a starter. 159 82%
Send him to the minors to work in relief. 15 8%
Attempt to trade him. 1 1%
Undecided 11 6%

Do you approve of the job Doug Melvin is doing as general manager of the Brewers?

Response Votes % % on Dec. 18 Diff
Yes 162 84% 52% +32%
No 14 7% 26% -19%
Undecided 18 9% 22% -13%

Do you approve of the job Ron Roenicke is doing as manager of the Brewers?

Response Votes % % on Sep. 25 Diff
Yes 127 65% 52% +13%
No 28 14% 32% -18%
Undecided 39 20% 15% +5%