When it comes to trades in Major League Baseball, no other sport quite compares. With restrictions on which draft picks can be moved-only Competitive Balance Round A or B selections are tradable-teams often build deals around prospects. Whether those prospects are knocking on the big-league door, still developing in the minors, or simply in need of a fresh start, they're the currency of MLB's trade market.
The Milwaukee Brewers have leaned into that system over the past year, striking a pair of notable trades with the Boston Red Sox that included Competitive Balance picks heading to Boston. The first came back in April, when Milwaukee shipped off a Round A pick to land right-hander Quinn Priester. The second, more recent move was a bit more complex: the Brewers sent a Round B pick, infielder Caleb Durbin, and much of their remaining infield depth to Boston in return for left-handers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, along with infielder David Hamilton.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Unlike the Priester deal, where the Brewers still had multiple high-leverage picks in their back pocket, this second trade came at a time when Milwaukee’s draft capital was already thinning out.
In 2025, the Brewers were sitting pretty with five picks inside the top 100. That included a compensation pick after the first round thanks to Willy Adames signing with the Giants, and a supplementary second-rounder after failing to sign Chris Levonas the year prior.
But in 2026, the board looks a lot different.
Brewers’ 2026 Draft Capital: Thinner, But Still Valuable
After the Caleb Durbin trade, Milwaukee’s draft board for 2026 is notably lighter at the top. They’ll have just two selections inside the top 100: the 25th overall pick in the first round, and the 66th pick in the second.
Their third-round selection doesn’t come until No. 102.
Before the trade, the Brewers were set to pick 67th overall in Competitive Balance Round B. That pick now belongs to Boston, who needed to replenish their draft assets after forfeiting their second-rounder for signing Ranger Suárez-a player who had received a qualifying offer from the Phillies.
There’s also a slight wrinkle: if Zac Gallen declines his qualifying offer and signs elsewhere, Milwaukee’s Competitive Balance B pick could’ve slid back to 68. Either way, it’s out of their hands now.
That’s a significant shift. When they traded for Priester, Milwaukee could afford to part with a Round A pick because they still had four other top-100 selections.
This time around, they’re working with a much thinner margin for error. That means every pick they do have in the 2026 draft carries even more weight-and the front office will need to be surgical in how they approach it.
Full Breakdown: Brewers’ 2026 MLB Draft Picks
Here’s how the Brewers’ draft board looks following the Durbin trade:
- Round 1: No. 25 overall
- Competitive Balance Round A: No selection
- Round 2: No. 66
- Competitive Balance Round B: No selection
- Round 3: No.
102
- Round 4: No.
131
- Round 5: No. 164 (final round where compensatory picks may still affect positioning)
- Rounds 6-20: Brewers will pick 28th in each round
So what does this all mean? In short, Milwaukee’s margin for error in the 2026 draft is slimmer than it was a year ago.
Without Competitive Balance selections to boost their early-round haul, the Brewers will need to hit on their existing picks-especially that first-rounder at No. 25 and the second-rounder at No. 66.
These are the types of drafts that can define a franchise’s trajectory. With fewer swings at premium talent, the Brewers will need to make each one count.