The Milwaukee Brewers didn’t exactly win the offseason popularity contest with their fan base, making a series of trades that raised more eyebrows than cheers. But look a little closer, and there’s a clear method to the madness - one that’s all about bolstering pitching depth, even if it meant parting ways with some fan favorites.
Let’s break it down. The Brewers sent Isaac Collins and Nick Mears to the Royals for lefty Angel Zerpa.
Then came the bigger splash: Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers were dealt to the Mets in exchange for Jett Williams and right-hander Brandon Sproat. And finally, Caleb Durbin and two others were packaged off to Boston in return for three players - most notably, left-hander Kyle Harrison.
Now, losing Peralta - a longtime staple in Milwaukee’s rotation - stings. And both Collins and Durbin had strong rookie campaigns, finishing top four in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
But the Brewers weren’t just shuffling pieces for the sake of it. They were targeting arms.
And not just any arms - starters. The kind of depth that gives you options, flexibility, and insurance over a long, grueling season.
At this point, Milwaukee’s pitching depth is deep enough to fill out three full five-man rotations. Of course, only a select few will crack the Opening Day roster. But one of the more intriguing names in that mix is Harrison - a talented lefty who’s now entering what could be a pivotal year in his young career.
Harrison, 24, was once one of the crown jewels of the Giants’ farm system. He’s already logged parts of three seasons in the big leagues, with a career record of 9-9 and a 4.39 ERA.
There’s plenty to like in the profile: youth, upside, and team control through 2031. But there are also question marks - and 2026 could go a long way in determining which direction his career heads.
After a promising debut, Harrison was part of San Francisco’s rotation in 2024, finishing with a 4.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 118 strikeouts over 124.1 innings. But he lost the No. 5 starter job to Landon Roupp in the spring and was sent down to the minors. That’s where he was when the Giants included him in the blockbuster trade that sent Rafael Devers to San Francisco and Harrison to Boston.
Fast forward to this offseason, and he’s on the move again - this time to Milwaukee, where he’ll compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training. Last season, Harrison leaned heavily on a two-pitch mix: his fastball (58.7% usage) and his slurve (27.4%).
The issue? That slurve got hit - hard.
Opponents slugged .639 against it.
That’s led some analysts to question whether even the Brewers - a team with a well-earned reputation for developing pitchers - can help Harrison take the next step. Comparisons have been made to DL Hall, another lefty with big stuff who’s struggled to find consistency since arriving in Milwaukee.
But let’s pump the brakes on that comparison for a second.
First, the Brewers aren’t in a position where they need Harrison to be in the rotation right away. They’ve built out enough starting depth that they can afford to be patient. If Harrison doesn’t show the right stuff in Spring Training, he’ll start the year in Triple-A Nashville, where the Brewers can work with him, refine his arsenal, and give him the time he needs to develop.
Second, the Hall comparison doesn’t quite hold up. Yes, Hall had a rough 2024 - a 5.02 ERA in 13 games - but that came with injury issues that limited his availability.
When healthy last year, Hall looked more like the pitcher Milwaukee hoped he’d be, posting a 3.49 ERA in 20 appearances. And more importantly, the Brewers have figured out that Hall is better suited for a bullpen role - a move that’s helped him find his footing.
That’s what Milwaukee does so well. They don’t force square pegs into round holes.
They evaluate, they adjust, and they find the role that maximizes a player’s value. If Harrison’s future is in the bullpen, they’ll find it.
If it’s in the rotation, they’ll develop him accordingly.
So while 2026 might be a big year for Harrison, it’s not necessarily make or break - at least not in Milwaukee’s eyes. The Brewers have the depth and the developmental track record to give him every chance to succeed. And if there’s a team that can unlock the potential of a talented but inconsistent lefty, it’s this one.