Brewers Enter Spring Training with Eyes on a Fourth Straight Division Title-and a Handful of Key Questions
The Milwaukee Brewers are no strangers to winning the NL Central lately, and as they head into Spring Training with sights set on a fourth straight division crown, there’s no shortage of intrigue surrounding the roster. Manager Pat Murphy isn’t shying away from the uncertainty either.
In fact, he welcomes it. As he told MLB Network recently, the open competition “keeps players hungry”-and in a clubhouse like Milwaukee’s, that hunger might be just what fuels another playoff push.
From third base to the bullpen to the outfield depth chart, several roster spots are very much up for grabs. The next few weeks in Arizona will go a long way in shaping what this 2026 Brewers team looks like come Opening Day. Let’s dig into four of the biggest questions facing the club as camp gets underway.
1. Is Luis Rengifo the Opening Day Answer at Third Base?
The Brewers have made a habit of zigging when everyone expects them to zag, and third base is shaping up to be another classic case. For a while, it looked like newly acquired infield/outfield prospect Jett Williams might get an early shot at the hot corner. With Caleb Durbin traded, the door seemed open-despite the fact that Williams, like Durbin before him, has never actually played third base in a pro game.
Then came the signing of Luis Rengifo, a veteran utility man with seven years of big-league experience and plenty of reps at third. Rengifo’s arrival adds a steady hand to the mix, and with a wave of infield prospects-think Jesús Made, Luis Peña, Cooper Pratt, Andrew Fischer, and Brock Wilken-still developing, the move makes strategic sense. He’s a bridge, a reliable placeholder until one of those young guns is ready.
But is he more than that? Rengifo brings positional versatility and a solid track record, and if he shows well this spring, he could very well be the guy at third when the Brewers open the season. Whether he holds the job long-term is another question entirely, but right now, he’s in prime position to claim it-if he can fend off the competition.
2. Will the Brewers Start Jett Williams’ Service Time Clock Right Away?
Speaking of Williams, the Brewers have a decision to make-and it’s not just about where he plays, but when he plays.
Williams isn’t on the 40-man roster yet, but he is eligible for the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI). That’s important.
If he makes the team out of camp, logs a full year of service time, and finishes as Rookie of the Year or in the top three of MVP voting, the Brewers could snag a valuable compensatory draft pick in 2027. That kind of upside matters, especially in a year when Milwaukee has fewer high picks than they did in 2025.
The 20-year-old has the tools to make an impression in camp-offensive pop, defensive versatility, and the kind of athleticism that plays all over the diamond. But Milwaukee has never been a team to rush its prospects, and it’s possible they opt for a more measured approach. Starting the season with Rengifo in the infield and giving Williams a few more weeks-or months-in the minors wouldn’t be out of character.
Still, if Williams forces the issue, the Brewers may have no choice but to let the clock start ticking.
3. What’s the Plan for Catcher Jeferson Quero?
Jeferson Quero’s development is one of the more intriguing storylines in camp. The 23-year-old catcher is two years removed from surgery to repair a torn labrum-an injury he suffered diving back to first base in his very first Triple-A game back in 2024.
Then came a hamstring issue that delayed his 2025 season until June. Despite all that, Quero managed to put together a strong showing: a .271/.361/.478 slash line, 11 homers, 32 walks, and just 40 strikeouts in 69 games.
Before the Brewers brought back veteran Gary Sánchez, Quero was one of only two catchers on the 40-man roster, which made it seem like he had a real shot at backing up William Contreras. Now?
That path is a little murkier. But make no mistake-Quero is coming.
Whether it’s midseason or later in the year, he’s expected to make his big-league debut at some point in 2026.
And with Contreras entering his final year of team control after this season, his future in Milwaukee is very much in question. If the Brewers decide to explore trade options down the line, getting Quero some MLB experience this year becomes even more important. He’s not just the future behind the plate-he might be the near future.
4. Who Claims the Fourth Outfielder Role?
The Brewers’ outfield picture is mostly set. Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick are locked into starting roles, and Christian Yelich is penciled in at designated hitter. Garrett Mitchell, when healthy, has been the go-to for the third outfield spot-and there’s no indication that changes heading into 2026.
But Mitchell’s injury history makes the fourth outfielder spot more than just a bench role. It’s a job that could come with significant playing time, and Milwaukee has a few candidates in the mix.
Blake Perkins has been the guy the last two seasons, and consistency counts for something. But Brandon Lockridge, acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the Padres, made a strong impression after stepping in for an injured Chourio in August-and even earned a postseason start. That kind of trust from the coaching staff doesn’t go unnoticed.
Then there’s Akil Baddoo, a former second-round pick signed this offseason who brings speed, pop, and a fresh start. He’ll be eager to prove himself in a new setting, and the Brewers wouldn’t have brought him in if they didn’t see potential value.
It’s a three-man race, and all three bring something different to the table. Perkins has the experience, Lockridge has recent momentum, and Baddoo has the upside. The Brewers will let the competition play out, and whoever steps up may find themselves playing a much bigger role than just “fourth outfielder.”
The Bottom Line
Spring Training is always about competition, but in Milwaukee this year, it’s more than just a formality. The Brewers are trying to extend their NL Central reign, and they’ll need to make some tough calls to get there.
Pat Murphy likes it that way. He wants his players battling for spots, pushing each other, staying sharp.
Whether it’s Rengifo holding down third, Williams forcing his way onto the roster, Quero making his MLB debut, or the outfield depth shaking out in unexpected ways, the Brewers are entering 2026 with a roster that’s still taking shape-but a culture that’s already built to compete.
And if recent history is any indication, they’ll be right in the thick of things come October.