2 Brewers players who are already earning more playing time, 2 who deserve less

Just over a month into the 2026 season, the Milwaukee Brewers are still searching for the right balance with their roster and lineup combinations, which is why manager Pat Murphy has rolled out a different lineup every single night.

Injuries to key contributors such as Jackson Chourio, Andrew Vaughn, and Christian Yelich have certainly forced Murphy to shuffle things around, but player performance has also played a role in those decisions. Some players are beginning to make strong cases for larger roles, while others are struggling to justify the opportunities they continue to receive, as pressure mounts due to Chourio and Vaughn returning as soon as Monday, May 4.

In this piece, we take a look at two Brewers players who are already forcing their way into more playing time and should continue to see their roles expand, along with two others who have done the opposite and may deserve fewer opportunities moving forward.

Two Milwaukee Brewers players who are already earning more playing time

1. INF David Hamilton

Since his arrival, Murphy has been high on David Hamilton, even pointing to him as a candidate for a major leap this season. That belief has shown in the opportunities Hamilton has received, as he’s already appeared in 27 of the team’s first 32 games while seeing time at both third base and shortstop.

The most noticeable growth in Hamilton’s game has been his improved approach at the plate, particularly his willingness to get on base. In 2025 with the Boston Red Sox, he drew just 13 walks across 91 games, but he already has 12 this season alone, helping him post an impressive .359 on-base percentage. If he can maintain steady, league-average defense while continuing to reach base at this rate, he should have a secure role in the lineup all year long.

2. OF/1B/DH Tyler Black

In years past, Tyler Black would get the occasional call-up from the Milwaukee Brewers, spend minimal time with the big-league club, and then be sent back to Triple-A to continue doing what he does best: putting the bat on the ball, getting on base, and creating pressure on the bases with his speed. Those skills have always fit the Brewers’ identity, but opportunities at the MLB level were limited.

This year, however, Black is finally getting a legitimate run of playing time, and he’s making the most of it. Through his first six games, he’s already collected nine hits, including four doubles, along with a walk. His elite bat-to-ball skills have been on full display, and he’s provided an immediate spark to a lineup that has been searching for consistent offensive energy.

Two Milwaukee Brewers players who already deserve less playing time

1. SS Joey Ortiz

Starting fresh in 2026, it was easy to give Joey Ortiz the benefit of the doubt after a down year at the plate in 2025, especially considering his strong production in 2024, when he drove in 60 runs and hit 11 home runs.

However, he has struggled to regain that form this season. Ortiz is currently hitting below the Mendoza Line at .197 and is still searching for his first extra-base hit of the year. What initially looked like a temporary slump is beginning to feel more concerning, as his offensive struggles continue to mount and his long-term outlook in the majors increasingly leans toward a defensive replacement rather than an everyday bat.

2. OF Blake Perkins

In previous years, Blake Perkins functioned as a fourth outfielder for the Brewers, often seeing more playing time than his depth-chart role suggested thanks to injuries to players like Garrett Mitchell and Jackson Chourio.

This season, however, Perkins has slid into more of a fifth-outfielder role, with Brandon Lockridge ahead of him, and consistent at-bats have been much harder to come by. That lack of rhythm appears to be carrying over to the plate, where his offensive production has struggled to find any real traction.

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