Former Wisconsin native Brewer reunites with Craig Counsell in Chicago

Wisconsin native and former Milwaukee Brewer Owen Miller is set for a familiar reunion, this time on the opposite side of a division rivalry. After spending two seasons in Milwaukee, the versatile utility player now finds himself in Chicago, reuniting with manager Craig Counsell -- Miller's skipper during the best season of his career in 2023.

Former Milwaukee Brewer Owen Miller agrees to minor league deal with Chicago Cubs

Born in Mequon, WI, Miller attended Ozaukee High School in Fredonia before playing his college ball at Illinois State University. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, but before he made his MLB debut, he was traded away -- a common trend for Padres prospects. Miller was included in a big trade with the Cleveland Guardians that sent Mike Clevinger to San Diego. The Wisconsin native made his MLB debut with Cleveland in 2021.

Miller joined the Brewers via trade in 2023 and wasted little time making an impact. A strong Spring Training earned him a regular spot in the lineup, where his defensive versatility made him a valuable everyday option. Under Counsell that season, he spent time at first base, second base, third base, left field, and right field.

The 2023 season also included the most productive offensive stretch of his career, as he stayed hot at the plate for nearly two and a half months. He entered June with a .331 batting average, but then cooled off significantly, hitting just .178 in July -- a downturn that ultimately led to a demotion to the minor leagues.

In 2024, Counsell left, and Pat Murphy took over the reins as manager. Miller was not able to carve out a role on that young Brewers squad and was subsequently traded to the Colorado Rockies prior to the 2025 campaign.

Miller appeared in just nine games for the Rockies in 2025 before entering free agency. Earlier this week, he signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs, a move that, given his previous success under Counsell, positions him well to potentially make an impact at some point in 2026.

While his recent seasons have been marked by inconsistency, Miller’s versatility, experience, and familiarity with Counsell give him a legitimate path back to relevance. If he can rediscover even a portion of the form he showed in Milwaukee, the Cubs’ low-risk signing could turn into a quietly valuable addition and add another interesting chapter to the Brewers and Cubs recent rivalry that already features several former Brewers players reuniting with Counsell.