The Brewers have a history of defying expectations, and if the 2026 ZiPS projections are any indication, they might be ready to do it again. Dan Szymborski’s long-running projection system has become a staple in offseason baseball analysis, offering a data-driven look at how players might perform in the upcoming year. But when it comes to Milwaukee, even ZiPS admits it’s playing a bit of catch-up.
That’s because the Brewers continue to stockpile young, developing talent - and talent like that doesn’t always fit neatly into a projection model. Between breakout candidates, roster depth, and prospects on the verge, Milwaukee’s future is hard to pin down.
Still, the 2026 ZiPS projections offer some bold predictions - and a few eye-openers - for what might be ahead. Let’s break down three of the most intriguing storylines.
1. Luis Lara Projected for a Major Role in Milwaukee’s Outfield
The Brewers’ outfield is already brimming with potential. Sal Frelick and Jackson Chourio are penciled in as everyday starters, and there’s a logjam behind them featuring Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins, Brandon Lockridge, and Akil Baddoo. But according to ZiPS, the player who could rise above them all in 2026 is Luis Lara.
Lara isn’t just a name to watch - he’s a name the projection system believes will play a major role. ZiPS has him logging 600 plate appearances in 2026.
That’s more than Frelick, more than Christian Yelich, and more than just about anyone not named William Contreras or Willy Adames. It’s a bold call for a 21-year-old who hasn’t taken a single Triple-A at-bat and isn’t even on the Brewers’ 40-man roster yet.
But there’s some logic behind the leap. Lara closed out the 2025 season in Double-A with a red-hot September, posting a .921 OPS and showing off the speed, contact ability, and defensive instincts that make him such a compelling fit in Milwaukee’s system.
He’s not just fast - he’s smart on the basepaths. He doesn’t just make contact - he controls the zone.
And defensively, he’s already flashing tools that could make him a plus glove in center field.
Still, 600 plate appearances is a big number. For Lara to reach that, he’d likely need to not only make the Opening Day roster but lock down a starting job early - or benefit from a series of injuries ahead of him.
That feels unlikely in 2026, but don’t be surprised if Lara forces his way into the conversation sooner rather than later. Even if he doesn’t break camp with the club, his skill set makes him a strong candidate to take over a fourth outfielder role - and maybe more - by season’s end.
2. Jesús Made and Cooper Pratt Both Projected to Debut - and Play a Lot
ZiPS isn’t shy about projecting aggressive timelines for Brewers prospects, and that’s especially true in the middle infield. According to the model, both Jesús Made and Cooper Pratt are slated for MLB debuts in 2026 - and not just cup-of-coffee cameos. ZiPS has each of them surpassing 500 plate appearances.
That’s a huge ask, especially considering where they finished 2025. Pratt spent the full season in Double-A, while Made joined him there for just a few weeks.
Neither has seen Triple-A yet, and both are still refining their offensive games. In most organizations, that’s a sign they’re at least a year away.
But the door isn’t completely closed. The wildcard here is Joey Ortiz.
The Brewers’ current starting shortstop brings elite defense, but ZiPS isn’t optimistic about his bat. If Ortiz struggles at the plate and either Pratt or Made catches fire in the upper minors, the team could be forced to make a move.
That said, Milwaukee tends to be patient with its top prospects - especially those in up-the-middle positions. Expect the Brewers to give Ortiz a real shot to lock down the job before turning to their young guns.
If either Pratt or Made does debut in 2026, it’s more likely to be a late-season call-up than a full-time role. Still, the fact that ZiPS is projecting such significant playing time shows just how high the ceiling is for both players.
3. A Surprise Trio of Pitching Prospects Projected for Big Roles
Every year, it seems like a new Brewers pitcher comes out of nowhere to make a major impact. In 2025, it was Chad Patrick making 23 starts.
The year before, Tobias Myers surprised with 25. According to ZiPS, 2026 could bring another round of unexpected contributors - this time from a trio that’s barely on the radar.
KC Hunt, Tate Kuehner, and Bret Wichrowski aren’t household names, and only Kuehner pitched above Double-A in 2025. But ZiPS has all three making 21 starts for the Brewers in 2026.
That’s a hefty projection, even accounting for the model’s tendency to overestimate total starts (it often adds up to more than 162 for a team’s rotation). Still, the message is clear: Milwaukee’s depth could be tested, and these arms are closer to the big leagues than you might think.
It’s not that far-fetched when you consider how the Brewers operate. They’ve built a reputation for developing pitching talent and aren’t afraid to give unheralded arms a shot when opportunity knocks. Injuries, innings limits, or performance issues could open the door for any of these three to step in - just like Patrick and Myers did before them.
That said, the safer bets to break out in 2026 are probably Logan Henderson or Robert Gasser. Both are more established in the upper minors and have the stuff to stick in a big-league rotation.
But don’t sleep on Hunt, Kuehner, or Wichrowski. If recent history is any guide, one of them could be next in line to surprise.
Final Thoughts
The Brewers have made a habit of outperforming expectations, and the 2026 ZiPS projections suggest that trend could continue - but maybe not in the ways fans expect. Whether it’s Luis Lara jumping the line in the outfield, middle infielders like Pratt and Made making early debuts, or a trio of under-the-radar pitchers stepping into rotation roles, Milwaukee’s depth and development pipeline remain their biggest strengths.
Not every projection will come true - they rarely do. But what ZiPS does offer is a glimpse into the possibilities. And for a team like the Brewers, possibilities are exactly what make them so dangerous.