There is always lots of attention focused on who makes the Milwaukee Brewers’ opening day roster, which is totally understandable.
But every season there seems to be a group of players – some known, others not so much – that through injury or various other circumstance ends up among the team’s 26 active players and fills a role.
This year won’t be any different for the Brewers, who cycled through 56 players in 2025. That list includes prospects such as Caleb Durbin, Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson and Chad Patrick as well as lesser-known veterans such as Drew Avans, Steward Berroa, Daz Cameron, Vinny Capra, Oliver Dunn, Erick Fedde, Connor Thomas and Bruce Zimmermann.
Who are some of the most likely prospects and non-prospects to get the call to the major leagues in 2026?
Here’s a list of some of the best bets.
Prospects
Tyler Black
Chosen 33rd by the Brewers in the 2021 draft, Black has had a dynamite spring that included a stint with Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. The 25-year-old infielder has flashed increased aggressiveness at the plate, which has complemented his strong ball-strike discernment.
Shane Drohan
The 27-year-old is one of two left-handed starters that came over from the Boston Red Sox in the Durbin trade. Drohan has yet to make his major league debut, but based on how well he showed in camp he likely won’t have to wait too long.
Robert Gasser
Now fully back from his 2024 Tommy John surgery, Gasser simply needs to begin once again logging consistent starts and innings at Class AAA Nashville for his inevitable callup.
Logan Henderson
Henderson showed well in his first opportunity in the majors in 2025, going 3-0 with a 1.78 eared run average and 0.99 WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) in five starts. But he is once again being slowed by an injury – this time another right elbow issue that’s not believed to be serious.
Tate Kuehner
A 25-year-old, seventh-round pick out of Louisville in 2023, the left-handed Kuehner made only two Cactus League appearances before being reassigned to minor league camp March 8 – but he impressed. He needs a little more seasoning at Nashville first.
Jeferson Quero
If William Contreras or Gary Sánchez get sidelined by injury, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 23-year-old get the call for his major league debut. The Brewers see Quero as their future everyday receiver after Contreras departs.
Carlos Rodriguez
Rodriguez has gotten tastes of the majors in each of the previous two seasons, making a combined seven appearances including three starts in 2024. Still only 24, the right-hander provides valuable depth as a swingman.
Jett Williams
Williams is an infielder with the ability to play center field who came over from the New York Mets in the Freddy Peralta trade. An injury kept Williams from showing his entire skill set this spring, but his talents are such that he’s likely to ascend to the majors quickly.
Craig Yoho
The right-hander has largely mastered the minor leagues with his nasty changeup. Now, can he learn the lessons from a tough debut season in 2025 and show he can compete on a regular basis in a major league bullpen?
Non-prospects
Akil Baddoo
A thigh injury suffered later in camp knocked Baddoo out of contention, but there’s a lot to like – 347 games of major league experience, the ability to play all three outfield positions, speed and power from his left-handed bat.
Blake Perkins, outfielder
Perkins proved in 2024 he can be a game-changer defensively in center field. In a better place physically and mentally after a brutal 2025, the switch hitter seeks to contribute once again in a reserve role.
Drew Rom
A minor-league invitee to camp, the left-hander is a one-time former prospect who started eight games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023. These types of pitchers always seem to work their way into a few starts for the Brewers (like Zimmermann did last season).
Peter Strzelecki
It would be a true feel-good story if Strzelecki made it all the way back to Milwaukee after being traded away in 2023. Don’t bet against the right-hander, considering his experience, mindset and reunion with the organization that got the most out of him initially.
Jacob Waguespack
The big right-hander counts 14 starts among his 31 appearances in the majors since 2019. The non-roster invitee had a great spring, allowing one earned run in seven appearances.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When the Brewers need replacements, these players will get the calls
Reporting by Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
