5 rookies set to have important roles on Brewers' 2026 postseason roster

Throughout this ongoing "Golden Era" of Milwaukee Brewers baseball, where the organization has made the playoffs eight out of the last nine years and has secured four straight division titles, rookies have played pivotal roles both in the regular season and playoffs.

Back in 2018, rookie Brandon Woodruff not only impressed on the bump in his first postseason appearance, but he also launched a signature home run off future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the NLCS. That postseason also featured fellow rookies Corbin Burnes, who was a dominant bullpen weapon, and Freddy Peralta, who tossed three scoreless innings in Game 4 of the NLCS, which ultimately lasted 13 innings.

In 2021, rookie Aaron Ashby emerged as another valuable pitching weapon, appearing in two playoff games that year before earning a significant contract extension the following season. The 2023 postseason marked the rookie campaigns of Sal Frelick, Brice Turang, and Abner Uribe, while 2024 saw the additions of Jackson Chourio and Tobias Myers. Both delivered when Milwaukee needed them most; Chourio came through with a multi-homer performance in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the New York Mets, and Myers turned in five scoreless innings in Game 3.

Then came last season, when rookies Caleb Durbin, Jacob Misiorowski, Isaac Collins, and Chad Patrick all stepped into the postseason spotlight. Misiorowski was particularly impressive in a relief role, allowing just two earned runs across 12.0 innings, including four crucial innings in an elimination game against the Chicago Cubs. Patrick, meanwhile, appeared to feed off the intensity of the postseason, seeing a significant spike in velocity that quickly turned heads and showcased another dimension to his arsenal. Durbin, meanwhile, quietly collected eight hits, three of which went for extra bases, in 29 at-bats during last year's playoff run.

In 2026, five Brewers rookies will be looking to continue this organizational trend of young players stepping onto the October stage and making an immediate impact.

Quintet of rookies set to play significant roles in the Milwaukee Brewers' 2026 postseason run

1. RHP Logan Henderson

Despite making his MLB debut in 2025, Logan Henderson made just five starts last year, allowing him to retain his rookie status heading into 2026. Henderson was not part of the Brewers’ postseason push a year ago, but he has since emerged as a major piece of the rotation. He enters this stretch riding a streak of 22 consecutive outings to begin his career while allowing three or fewer earned runs, just one shy of Zac Gallen’s MLB record. With the way he has pitched this season, Henderson is well positioned to take the ball as Milwaukee’s No. 2 starter come playoff time.

2. SS Cooper Pratt

When Cooper Pratt made his MLB debut three months ago, there were questions about whether his bat was ready for the big leagues. Pratt has quickly answered them, currently carrying a .276 batting average and .343 on-base percentage while looking especially impressive over the past three weeks. Pratt has reached base safely in 13 of his last 16 games, including seven in a row before Saturday night's contest in Baltimore. The rookie shortstop has established himself as a reliable presence at the bottom of the lineup, and Brewers fans should therefore expect Pratt to hold down the shortstop position throughout the postseason.

3. LHP Shane Drohan

27-year-old rookie Shane Drohan has tackled every challenge that's been thrown his way during his rookie campaign. The versatile swingman has covered the second most innings on the team this year, excelling as a relief pitcher back in May before he was asked to fill a need in the starting rotation when the calendar flipped to June. Come October, Drohan could be used situationally in matchups, provide length, or even be used in high-leverage situations, making him a key piece of the Brewers' postseason pitching staff.

4. OF Luis Lara

Luis Lara’s first few months in the big leagues have been action-packed, featuring several highlight-reel catches at the wall and a walk-off hit at the plate. The athletic young outfielder has already shown a knack for making an impact when the game is on the line, giving the Brewers another weapon they can turn to in critical moments. That could make Lara especially valuable late in playoff games, particularly when Milwaukee is protecting a lead and defense takes precedence.

5. LHP Robert Gasser

Southpaw Robert Gasser made his debut back in 2024, but due to a limited amount of service time -- the result of undergoing Tommy John surgery shortly after his debut -- Gasser technically maintains his rookie status in 2026. While he may have been on the postseason roster bubble earlier in the season, Gasser's recent performance has all but guaranteed him a spot on the playoff roster, and depending on how Kyle Harrison and Dustin May perform down the stretch, the rookie left-hander could even be Milwaukee's No. 3 starter in October.

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