Caleb Durbin didn’t just turn a corner in June - he looked like a different hitter altogether.
That’s a sharp change from where things stood on May 23, when Durbin was sitting as the worst hitter in Major League Baseball. His 34 wRC+ was tracking toward one of the lowest marks ever for a qualified hitter, a pace that would have put him in the company of Matt Wallbeck in the strike-shortened 1994 season. In a full season, the last hitter to finish lower was Billy Hunter on the 1953 Saint Louis Browns.
At that point, the struggles were impossible to ignore. And while Boston Red Sox fans were looking at the Brewers’ side of the trade and seeing Kyle Harrison dealing to a 1.77 ERA in 45.2 innings, Durbin was still trying to find his footing.
That trade also sent David Hamilton and Andruw Monasterio to Milwaukee, and both have struggled offensively in 2026. Shane Drohan was another part of the deal, and he has settled in as an excellent swingman. Anthony Seigler was the final piece, and he was recently promoted to the Red Sox, where he already has 0.8 bWAR in 15 games.
But Durbin’s June has changed the conversation. Before June 10, he had only one home run.
Since then, he has hit seven, and he’s suddenly been one of the best hitters in the league. Add in 85th-percentile OAA and plus-10 DRS at third base, and the picture is pretty clear: Durbin has gone from a major concern to a player who looks transformed.
In Other News...
Brewers Suddenly Face A Bigger Infield Decision Than Anyone Expected
David Hamiltons exit against the Cardinals turned what looked like a routine infield shuffle into a more complicated roster question for Milwaukee. Pat Murphy said the left hamstring tightness could take some time to heal, leaving the Brewers to sort out how they want to cover the spot while Hamilton is out and the rest of the infield keeps moving around.
One name already in the mix is Jett Williams, the clubs No. 5 prospect, who has yet to make his major league debut but has been productive at Triple-A this season. The Brewers have also been using Joey Ortiz at third base with Cooper Pratt at shortstop, so any move would have to fit into a lineup card that is already changing shape as they wait on Hamiltons recovery. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Suddenly Look Linked To A Proven Late-Inning Difference Maker
With the trade deadline approaching, Milwaukees bullpen situation has started to draw more attention, and the search for late-inning help has naturally pushed the Brewers toward the relief market. Boston left-hander Aroldis Chapman has emerged as a name to watch because he has been effective this season, pairing a 2.36 ERA with a high strikeout rate while working in a late-game role for the Red Sox.
For a Brewers club dealing with multiple bullpen injuries, that kind of track record makes obvious sense on paper. Chapman has also piled up 18 saves in 26.2 innings, which only adds to the appeal if Milwaukee decides it needs another arm it can trust in the final innings, though how aggressive the front office wants to be still leaves plenty of room for the deadline to shape the answer. [Read more 🡒]