Could The Brewers Soar With A Supersub Bench?

[Harold Hutchison]

Image courtesy of © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images / © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Most Brewers fans enjoyed the bulk of the 2025 season, with the team setting a franchise record for wins and beating the Cubs in the National League Division Series (a bit of payback for the Cubs signing away Craig Counsell in the 2023-2024 offseason). The 2025 NLCS, where the team ran out of gas, is more forgettable, but the Brewers could avoid that by rethinking their bench.

The Brewers usually operate with the maximum allowed 13 pitchers, leaving them 13 position players. Nine position players are spoken for in the everyday lineup, thanks to the National League catching up with the times and adopting the designated hitter. That leaves four spots on the bench. How should Milwaukee use them?

One will obviously have to be for the backup catcher. But the Brewers should think out of the box when it comes to the other three. Instead of just having the conventional approach of a fourth outfielder, a backup infielder, and a platoon option at first base (who may or may not be able to handle corner outfield spots), the team may want to turn to versatility instead.

How well can this work? The 2018 season provides an example: Javier Baez, then with the Cubs. He mostly played at second base, third base, and shortstop, but he also saw action as a pinch-hitter and first baseman that year, and in the two previous seasons had been at corner outfield spots. He posted 6.8 Wins Above Replacement that year, per Baseball-Reference, and was the runner-up in the NL MVP race to Christian Yelich. He's dropped off the face of the earth offensively with the Tigers, but his versatility still propelled him to 1.9 WAR in 2025, again via Baseball-Reference.

The recently traded Isaac Collins could’ve been another example. While he mostly held down left field in 2025, he also saw action at second base, third base, center field, and right field during his professional time with the Brewers (counting the minor leagues).

Believe it or not, between the 40-man roster and the non-roster invitees as of Jan. 31, the Brewers could assemble a supersub bench. Here are some of the contenders.

Jett Williams

Williams is part of the return Milwaukee netted in the Freddy Peralta trade, and multiple Brewers may already be nervous about him. The reason why is pretty obvious. His bat profiles as a very potent one – one that adds power to superb OBP skills, speed, and versatility. It’s not hard to imagine him on Milwaukee’s bench in 2026, covering all three outfield positions, as well as shortstop, second base, and third base. He’s a more versatile version of Baez – and that could be very valuable indeed.

Anthony Seigler

Seigler has mostly played infield the last two seasons, but he originally came up as a catcher and also saw action there for Triple-A Nashville in 2025. Given the durability of William Contreras, Seigler might be a choice to take a third catcher role, simply because he could contribute elsewhere on the field, including on the pitching mound, occasionally, keeping him from getting rusty.

Andruw Monasterio

Monasterio has seen less action in 2024 and 2025 combined than he did in his rookie campaign of 2023. However, he brings a competent bat to the plate, and his versatility (playing all four infield positions and left field) is an asset as well. While his offensive floor has been high, he’s also not a likely Silver Slugger candidate, either. Still, he's reliable.

Tyler Black

Black’s biggest problem has been the lack of a defensive home. The Brewers have tried him at second base, center field, third base, first base, left field, right field, and he’s even seen action at designated hitter. As a supersub, his experience all over the diamond could allow him to give other Brewers a rest, while not sacrificing as much on offense. His bat has never really been in question, just the ability to hold a single position down on defense.

Eduardo Garcia

Garcia received an invitation to the big-league camp after first signing as an international free agent in July 2019. At one point seen as the Brewers’ shortstop of the future alongside catcher of the future Jeferson Quero, he seemed to stall out after injuries and high strikeout totals, while Cooper Pratt and Jesus Made emerged ahead of him at shortstop. However, he seemed to put his bat together more in 2025, his age-22 season, and he’s now morphed into a very versatile player, handling all three outfield spots as well as second base, third base, and shortstop. His defense, speed, and even occasional pop aren’t in question, just the consistency of his hit-to-contact tool. He's also only 23 years old.

By turning to supersubs with higher offensive performance who could play all over, the Brewers might be able to become even more potent in the playoffs, having given players like Sal Frelick, Brice Turang, Caleb Durbin, and Jackson Chourio a chance to rest during the regular season, but also having the option to ride a "hot hand" with minimal disruption.

Do you think the Brewers should turn to supersubs on the bench? Let us know in the comments below!

View full article

[SF70]

Williams has a major issue with his throwing accuracy at SS, according to Eric Longenhagen. So unless Longenhagen is way off on his scouting of Williams at short, he has a lot to prove there. Imo, he needs more seasoning down below anyhow, so I don’t think he’s a realistic option for the big-club until well into the season at best.

Seigler is not a catcher. Emergency yes. And maybe one of the best “emergency catcher” in the bigs, but not someone that’s going to spell the backup catcher or eliminate the need for a backup catcher. Did you watch him try to catch in the 1 inning stint he had last season in MKE?

Black has an opportunity to re-establish himself as a prospect again with Nashville. Hoping he has a big year there and can become a decent trade-chip at the deadline.

 

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 hours ago, SF70 said:

Williams has a major issue with his throwing accuracy at SS, according to Eric Longenhagen. So unless Longenhagen is way off on his scouting of Williams at short, he has a lot to prove there. Imo, he needs more seasoning down below anyhow, so I don’t think he’s a realistic option for the big-club until well into the season at best.

Seigler is not a catcher. Emergency yes. And maybe one of the best “emergency catcher” in the bigs, but not someone that’s going to spell the backup catcher or eliminate the need for a backup catcher. Did you watch him try to catch in the 1 inning stint he had last season in MKE?

Black has an opportunity to re-establish himself as a prospect again with Nashville. Hoping he has a big year there and can become a decent trade-chip at the deadline.

 

I remember that inning Siegler had behind the plate. Not pretty. He's still on my radar due to his versatility & I thought the quality of many of his ABs were in contrast to the paltry results, but as a catcher yeah, emergency at best.

Black is still intriguing in an enigmatic sort of way. I feel positional versatility could help him find a niche, but that versatility is stemming from trying to find a position he can play adequately more than from anything else. I agree it would be nice to see him settle into some kind of role at Nashville & just HIT.

[eddiemathews]

4 hours ago, SF70 said:

Williams has a major issue with his throwing accuracy at SS, according to Eric Longenhagen. So unless Longenhagen is way off on his scouting of Williams at short, he has a lot to prove there. Imo, he needs more seasoning down below anyhow, so I don’t think he’s a realistic option for the big-club until well into the season at best.

Seigler is not a catcher. Emergency yes. And maybe one of the best “emergency catcher” in the bigs, but not someone that’s going to spell the backup catcher or eliminate the need for a backup catcher. Did you watch him try to catch in the 1 inning stint he had last season in MKE?

Black has an opportunity to re-establish himself as a prospect again with Nashville. Hoping he has a big year there and can become a decent trade-chip at the deadline.

 

I guess Williams could play second with Turang moving to short. Depends on how his bat shows this spring. JoeyO can make decisions easier by regaining some semblance of competence at the plate.

Bauers is going to be on the roster, and I expect a good season from him.

Of course, Mitchell is the wild card. Maybe they get lucky, but they have to be prepared to replace him. (Of course, they have to be prepared to replace everybody, but...)

They have a ton of fast outfielders that aren't good bats in the minors. I don't understand all of the redundancy. 

[Harold Hutchison]

7 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I remember that inning Siegler had behind the plate. Not pretty. He's still on my radar due to his versatility & I thought the quality of many of his ABs were in contrast to the paltry results, but as a catcher yeah, emergency at best.

Black is still intriguing in an enigmatic sort of way. I feel positional versatility could help him find a niche, but that versatility is stemming from trying to find a position he can play adequately more than from anything else. I agree it would be nice to see him settle into some kind of role at Nashville & just HIT.

Seigler had another 22 starts behind the plate for Nashville, which is about what a MLB backup could get in 2026 behind a durable catcher like Contreras.

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 hours ago, Harold Hutchison said:

Seigler had another 22 starts behind the plate for Nashville, which is about what a MLB backup could get in 2026 behind a durable catcher like Contreras.

That would give Contreras 140 starts. Yadier Molina, who seemed to never take a day off when in his prime, reached that total once in his career. But regardless of that I see nothing that suggests the organization views Seigler the catcher as anything more than a #3 guy as you suggested in the article. 

If he makes the team it'll be primarily as an extra option at 2B-3B-OF-PH-PR. His ability to go behind the plate is quite secondary.

[SandyTolan]

Is it fair to evaluate Siegler's chances to be a backup C based on a single inning with the Brewers. I get that he looked bad, but again, a single inning...

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 hours ago, SandyTolan said:

Is it fair to evaluate Siegler's chances to be a backup C based on a single inning with the Brewers. I get that he looked bad, but again, a single inning...

Maybe not, but the Yankees organization moved him off C for an entire minor league season before he came here. Given how valuable it can be to have someone be able to step back there, I think that's significant.

[Team Canada]

Well, we don't have to debate Siegler's role anymore...