Many Brewers fans were disappointed to see Gabe Kapler leave the team after his surprising 2008 season.  Kapler stepped in while Mike Cameron was serving his 25 game suspension to start the 2008 season and Tony Gwynn Jr. was struggling with the bat and injuries.  Casey McGehee seems to have taken advantage the same way Kapler did last year.  A season ending wrist injury to Rickie Weeks and the struggles of Bill Hall opened the door for someone on the bench to step up and the Brewers have been fortunate that McGehee seems to be that guy.

Milwaukee's infield is still a fluid situation with McGehee, Craig Counsell, Bill Hall and rookie Mat Gamel all filling multiple roles.  McGehee's sudden surge (.336/.400/.564, 125 PA) has been a stabilizing force, taking pressure off Gamel to be a impact hitter right away and using Hall situationally until he (hopefully) figures out how to hit again.  But can McGehee keep up this kind of production?

The 26-year old McGehee was claimed off waivers after spending 6 seasons in the Chicago Cubs minor league system.  He never put up remarkable numbers (career .279/.332/.409) and his best season was probably 2008 when he hit .296/.345/.429 in 550 PA with the Iowa Cubs.  For some reason, he's now hitting like a middle of the order bat.

The fact that Casey McGehee is carrying a .376 BABIP is certainly helping his cause.  McGehee is a line drive hitter and has carried pretty high BABIP numbers through the minors (.308-.341), but his current pace is high and should regress as the season moves forward.  He has a 22.8% line drive rate which is similar to Ryan Braun and higher than Prince Fielder.  It's not exceptionally high, but you start to find some pretty elite hitters who carry that kind of a line drive rate.

Ultimately the Brewers need to ride McGehee while he's hot.  ZiPS projects McGehee to hit .263/.313/.397 for the remainder of the season and finish with a respectable line of .287/.342/.450.  I'd be surprised if he maintained the numbers to be a starter in the major leagues, but he's cheap talent that the Brewers have the option of controlling for the immediate future.  He has shown some power, patience and the ability to play multiple positions, so he should be on the field regularly for the rest of the season and has the chance to stick on the roster beyond 2009.