The Brewers’ Struggles at First Base

The Milwaukee Brewers have faced a consistent challenge in finding reliable first base play over the past decade. Since Prince Fielder’s tenure in the early 2010s, the team has not had a standout player at the position for more than a single season. The regular first baseman hasn’t achieved a WAR of 1.0 or higher since Eric Thames in 2019. Despite winning the NL Central in four of the last five years, the club has frequently relied on journeyman players and platoon bats at first base during this time.

Andrew Vaughn: A Potential Solution

Andrew Vaughn might be the answer the Brewers have been looking for. His mid-June trade from the White Sox seemed to spark a revival for the former third overall pick. Vaughn’s career hit a low point in May when he was demoted by Chicago after hitting .189 in the first two months of the season. The White Sox then traded him to the Brewers for Aaron Civale, which highlighted his value at the time.

Rhys Hoskins’ thumb injury in early July created an opportunity for Vaughn to join the major league club. He quickly made an impact, launching a three-run homer off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in his first at-bat with the Brewers. Vaughn went on to post a 1.157 OPS in July. After hitting five home runs in 48 games with the White Sox to start the season, he matched that feat in his first 15 games with the Brewers.

Vaughn’s performance dipped in August, slashing .250/.320/.375 with six extra-base hits in 29 games. However, a day off at the start of September helped him regain his form, as he hit .368 with a .509 SLG over the last month of the season. His performance was sufficient to push Hoskins off the NLDS roster. Vaughn had a solid series against the Cubs, hitting two homers and driving in four runs. Unfortunately, he went 0-for-12 in a four-game NLCS sweep by the Dodgers.

Despite the hitless series, Vaughn is the top candidate to hold down first base for the Brewers in 2026. The club did not pick up its end of the mutual option with Hoskins, leaving Vaughn and Jake Bauers as the primary first basemen. Catcher William Contreras and utilityman Andruw Monasterio also have some experience at the position. It seems like Vaughn’s job is secure, but he has a history of mediocrity.

Vaughn’s Improvement and Potential

Vaughn’s success in Milwaukee could be attributed to a change of scenery, but there are clear signs of improvement. He maintained a career-high hard-hit rate of 46.6%, but it wasn’t translating into production. The Brewers were able to help Vaughn turn his hard contact into better results. He posted career bests in line drive rate (25.2%), pull rate (37.5%), and pulled air rate (18%) this past season. These improvements, while still around league average, show progress.

Vaughn also made significant strides in plate discipline with the Brewers. His strikeout rate dropped from 22.3% with the White Sox to 14.6% with the Brewers, and his walk rate increased to 9.4%. This marks a notable shift for a player who hadn’t had a walk rate above 7% since his rookie season in 2021.

The Supporting Offense

Milwaukee’s offense in 2025 took a unique shape, with no regular player having an OPS over .800 for the full season. However, the team finished third in scoring behind only the Yankees and Dodgers. The supporting offensive environment could allow Vaughn to exist as a moderately productive piece. This is similar to what he was in Chicago, where his worst year resulted in a 93 wRC+.

Vaughn could form a strong platoon with Bauers at first base, given his consistent performance against left-handed pitchers. If Vaughn regresses, the lineup could still support him. The Brewers have had success with players like Hoskins, Rowdy Tellez, and Daniel Vogelbach in the past.

Backup Options

If Vaughn struggles, the Brewers may turn to Tyler Black. The 25-year-old has shown promise in the minors but has only made 23 appearances in the majors. Black struggled in his brief 2024 debut and only played a handful of games with the Brewers this past season. Questions remain about his ability to consistently make contact at the highest level and his defensive fit at first base.

Another potential option is Luke Adams, a 21-year-old who reached Double-A by the end of last season. He put up a stellar 157 wRC+ across three minor league levels in 2025 and continued his strong performance in the Arizona Fall League. Adams could be next up if Vaughn falters and Black doesn’t get the nod.

Conclusion

The Brewers’ future at first base hinges on Vaughn’s continued improvement. With a supportive offensive environment and potential backups in place, the team is positioned to navigate the 2026 season with confidence. Whether Vaughn can maintain his recent success or face challenges, the Brewers will need to monitor his performance closely as they look to build a competitive roster.