The Milwaukee Brewers find themselves leading a division that’s shaping up to be fiercely competitive in the near future. Alongside the Brewers, the Cubs and Cardinals are solidly positioned in their contention windows, with the Reds and Pirates slowly crafting teams poised for long-term success.
This season, the Brewers leaned heavily on their young talent, including Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Brice Turang, and Tobias Myers. Among this promising group, Chourio and Myers stood out, especially as this year marked the beginning of their big league journeys.
These rookies seized the spotlight, making significant contributions on both ends of the game—a rare feat for newcomers to the majors.
It’s no surprise that Milwaukee has a knack for developing impactful rookies. In fact, the franchise boasts three Rookie of the Year award winners in its storied history. Let’s indulge in a bit of nostalgia and piece together an all-time Brewers rookie lineup that showcases some of the finest inaugural performances the team has ever witnessed.
Catcher – Darrell Porter
Behind the plate, it’s a tight race between Darrell Porter and BJ Surhoff, but Porter gets the nod.
Back in 1973, Porter impressed with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs over 117 games, culminating in a formidable .820 OPS and 133 OPS+. His efforts earned him a third-place finish in the Rookie of the Year voting.
First Base – Prince Fielder
A fan favorite, Prince Fielder made his presence felt with a brief stint in 2005 before taking a full-time role in 2006. Racking up 28 homers and 81 RBIs, he posted an .831 OPS and 110 OPS+, making it clear why he’s remembered fondly, even if he only ranked seventh in the Rookie of the Year race amidst a strong rookie class.
Second Base – Keston Hiura
Though his career didn’t quite meet early expectations, Keston Hiura made waves during an 84-game spell in 2019.
He slugged his way to 44 extra-base hits, 49 RBIs, and 51 runs, with a robust .303 average and .938 OPS. Unfortunately, his smaller sample size left him outside the Rookie of the Year discussion.
Third Base – Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun started his career at third base before transitioning to left field, but his rookie stats are impossible to overlook. Winning the Rookie of the Year, Braun smashed 34 home runs and racked up 97 RBIs in just 113 games, leading the National League with a .634 slugging percentage and boasting a 154 OPS+.
Shortstop – Pat Listach
Another Rookie of the Year winner, Pat Listach earned his stripes in 1992, even if the award was debatable given Kenny Lofton’s performance that year.
Listach’s rookie season remains remarkable in Brewers’ history for his 54 stolen bases, .290 average, and solid defense over 149 games.
Left Field – Danny Walton
The choice narrows down to Danny Walton for left field, unless some lineup creativity places Braun here. In 1970, Walton made an impact with 17 home runs, a .790 OPS, and 117 OPS+ over 117 games, marking a significant contribution in his first major league go-round.
Center Field – Scott Podsednik
Scott Podsednik’s 2003 rookie campaign dazzled as he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. Becoming just the fourth rookie to hit .300, steal 40 bases, and score 100 or more runs, Podsednik was a mainstay in the Brewers lineup, combining speed and a knack for getting on base practically every day.
Right Field – Jackson Chourio
Even amid a packed rookie competition in 2024, Jackson Chourio didn’t go unnoticed.
Contributing 21 home runs, 22 stolen bases, and a .275 average, with a .791 OPS across 148 games, Chourio quickly became a Milwaukee favorite. Secured for the foreseeable future, his trajectory promises an exciting era ahead in Brewers history.
Starting Pitcher – Cal Eldred
In 1992, Pat Listach might have nabbed the Rookie of the Year, but Cal Eldred made a compelling case for himself. Despite only 14 starts, Eldred dominated with a 1.79 ERA and 2.81 FIP over 100.1 innings, boasting an impressive 217 ERA+—a testament to his extraordinary mound presence that season.
Closer – Devin Williams
Devin Williams’ 2020 breakout season remains one for the ages.
Winning Rookie of the Year and garnering Cy Young and MVP votes in a pandemic-shortened season, Williams allowed just one earned run in 27 innings, fanning 53 while walking just nine across 22 appearances.
His electrifying performance sets a high bar for Brewers relievers to come.
This lineup showcases the bright sparks that have come through the Brewers’ system, each player leaving a unique imprint on the franchise’s history during their rookie outings.
