The 25 greatest individual seasons in Milwaukee Brewers history

Throughout the Milwaukee Brewers' 58-year history, a number of stars have donned the Brew Crew's threads. From the greats of the 1980s to the stars that returned to the Brewers to the postseason in 2008 to those who have contributed to Milwaukee's current period of sustained success, there have been a number of legendary performances in franchise history.

Four MVPs (seen above) have come through Milwaukee, three (soon to be four) Cy Young award winners have pitched for the Brew Crew, and on three occasions, a Brewer has been named the Rookie of the Year. The history of uniquely impressive individual seasons in Milwaukee is growing every year. In fact, Brewers fans who followed the team in 2026 had the pleasure of witnessing one of the greatest pitching performances in franchise history, as flame-throwing ace Jacob Misiorowski dominated his competition throughout the season.

With Misiorowski's record-breaking season in mind, it felt like the perfect time to take a closer look at the 25 greatest individual seasons in franchise history. Is Miz's dominant 2026 campaign the greatest individual pitching performance in Brewers' history? How does it stack up against the MVP-winning seasons in franchise history? Let's dive into the rankings.

The 25 greatest individual seasons in Milwaukee Brewers history

25. John Axford 2011

When a relief pitcher earns Cy Young votes, it's noteworthy, but when a reliever receives MVP votes, it means they accomplished something truly unique (more on that later). John Axford's 2011 season didn't just earn him a top 10 finish in the NL Cy Young race; the "Ax Man," as the Brewers' fanbase affectionately called the Ontario native, received MVP votes for the record-breaking campaign he put together as Milwaukee's closer in 2011.

Axford made an impressive 74 appearances during the 2011 season and posted a 1.95 ERA. He collected 46 saves, which remains the Brewers' franchise record for the most in a single season, in 48 opportunities. Amazingly, Axford's two blown saves came before April 19, and the right-hander finished the season by converting an incredible 43 consecutive save opportunities, which also remains a franchise record to this day. Axford's 2011 season remains one of the most impressive from a reliever in Brewers history, and his franchise save records have withstood Milwaukee's recent stretch of All-Star closers.

24. Jonathan Lucroy 2014

Not only did Jonathan Lucroy post the best season ever by a Brewers' catcher in 2014, he turned in one of the most impressive all-around seasons in franchise history. Lucroy, who was drafted by the Brewers in 2007 and debuted in 2010 ahead of the team's highly successful 2011 season, hit his stride in 2014, racking up 53 doubles which led all of MLB and remains a franchise record to this day.

Lucroy caught an incredible 136 games in 2014 -- the most in the NL -- which resulted in 1182.1 innings behind the dish. Even still, he maintained a stellar .301 batting average, a career-high .837 OPS, and walked (66) nearly as often as he struck out (71). The Brewers' backstop was named to his first All-Star Game in 2014 and finished fourth in NL MVP voting, solidifying himself as one of the best catchers in franchise history.

23. Carlos Gómez 2013

The Brewers' stretch between their NLCS appearance in 2011 and their return to the League Championship Series in 2018 was largely unsuccessful. However, in addition to Lucroy's 2014 campaign, Carlos Gómez's two-year stretch in 2013 and 2014 was a bright spot during the Brewers' transitionary period. Gómez's 2013 season stands out as particularly impressive, especially when it comes to Wins Above Replacement (WAR), an all-encompassing statistic that takes into account defensive value, offensive value, and baserunning, and will be referenced frequently throughout this list. For more on bWAR specifically, which is the WAR calculation that will be used for this list, visit the primer linked below.

Baseball Reference's Wins Above Replacement explainer

The Brewers' center fielder put together one of the most valuable seasons in franchise history due to his combination of his defensive abilities, which won a Gold Glove, his baserunning skills, which produced 40 stolen bases, and his breakout at the plate, which led to 24 homers, 27 doubles, and a .284 batting average. Gómez's 7.6 bWAR during the 2013 season is the third most by a Brewers' position player in franchise history. The speedy outfielder was named an All-Star, finished ninth in NL MVP voting, and produced one of the best seasons from a center fielder in franchise history.

22. Pete Vuckovich 1982

Only three Brewers (soon to be four in 2026) have taken home a Cy Young Award throughout the 58-year history of the franchise. Ironically, two of those Cy Young Award-winning seasons came in consecutive years. After Rollie Fingers won the AL Cy Young (and MVP) as a relief pitcher in the split 1981 season, right-handed starter Pete Vuckovich took home the honor during Milwaukee's AL-pennant-winning 1982 season.

Given the rarity of Cy Young Awards throughout the franchise history, fans might be surprised to see Vuckovich's 1982 campaign this low on the list of best individual seasons in Brewers' history, but on paper, there are several other pitching seasons that out-perform Vuckovich's Cy Young campaign. That said, the then-29-year-old right-hander posted a 3.34 ERA and an impressive nine complete games in 30 starts during the memorable 1982 season. Oddly enough, however, Vuckovich nearly had as many walks (102) as strikeouts (105) during his Cy Young-winning season.

21. Teddy Higuera 1988

Speaking of impressive non-Cy Young-winning seasons from Brewers pitchers, left-hander Teddy Higuera's 1988 campaign belongs among the best in franchise history. Higuera was the clear-cut ace of the Brewers' 1988 squad, continuing what was an incredible start to his Major League career.

Two years after finishing in second place in the AL Cy Young Award voting, Higuera posted an incredible 2.45 ERA in 31 starts during the 1988 season. That 2.45 mark is the fourth-lowest in a single season by a qualified starting pitcher in franchise history. Higuera also racked up 192 strikeouts in 227.1 innings during a time when strikeout totals weren't nearly as high as they are today. Additionally, the southpaw's impressive 0.99 WHIP led all qualified AL pitchers in 1988. Somehow, despite this head-turning resume, Higuera didn't earn a single Cy Young vote during the 1988 campaign, but that doesn't change the fact that his performance was among the best in franchise history.

20. Ben Oglivie 1980

Outfielder Ben Oglivie joined the Brewers ahead of the 1978 season in a trade that sent Rich Folkers and Jim Slaton to the Detroit Tigers. Two years later, Oglivie was an All-Star and an MVP candidate. Oglivie certainly played an important role on the Brewers' AL-pennant-winning 1982 squad, but his best season in the majors was his 1980 campaign.

In 1980, Oglivie posted a .304 batting average with 41 homers, 26 doubles, and 118 RBI. Those 41 longballs were the most in the AL in 1980, and tied for the seventh-most in a single season in franchise history. Oglivie also led the league in international walks (19) during the 1980 season, showing just how feared he was by opposing pitchers. Oglivie was an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and finished 13th in MVP voting during the 1980 season.

19. Josh Hader 2018

A key piece of the Brewers' memorable 2018 season was their dominant relief corps, and while Jeremy Jeffress' All-Star campaign absolutely deserves a shoutout, it was left-hander Josh Hader who was the most dominant out of Milwaukee's 'pen that year. After being traded to the Brewers at the 2015 trade deadline, Hader made his debut in 2017, but his first full season in the majors in 2018 immediately solidified him as one of the best relievers in the sport and Brewers' franchise history.

Hader appeared in 55 games in 2018, but covered 81.1 innings, frequently covering multiple innings out of the Brewers' bullpen. He posted a 2.43 ERA, a 0.811 WHIP, and racked up 12 saves. However, the most impressive part of Hader's 2018 season were his gaudy strikeout numbers. In 81.1 innings, Hader collected a whopping 143 punchouts, giving him a 15.82 strikeout/nine inning rate that is most by a relief pitcher with at least 80 innings pitched in MLB history. Hader was an All-Star, finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting, and played a key role in the Brewers' NLCS run.

18. CC Sabathia 2008

The fact that a player who only played half of a season in Milwaukee appears on the list of the top 25 individual seasons in Brewers' franchise history, but that's just how dominant midseason trade acquisition CC Sabathia was for the Brewers in 2008. Sabathia, who has since been inducted into the Hall of Fame, was acquired by Milwaukee on July 7, and played an integral role in returning the Brewers to the postseason for the first time since 1982.

In 17 starts with the Brewers, Sabathia posted a 1.65 ERA, collected seven complete games and three shutouts, and started his tenure in Milwaukee with 13 consecutive quality starts. Perhaps the most impressive part of Sabathia's brief time in Milwaukee was the fact that despite being a free agent for the first time in his career at the end of the year, the southpaw made an incredible four starts during the final 13 days of the season, putting his arm on the line for the Brew Crew. To make matters even more impressive, Sabathia averaged 109 pitches in those final four starts and finished the season with a complete game victory over the Chicago Cubs that ultimately sent the Brewers to the playoffs.

17. Tommy Harper 1970

The Brewers' franchise began as the Seattle Pilots back in 1969, but after just one season, the team moved to Milwaukee. The best player for the Brewers in that inaugural season in Milwaukee was third baseman Tommy Harper. The 29-year-old Harper, who began his career with the Cincinnati Reds, put together by far the best season of his career, and one of the best seasons in franchise history during that 1970 campaign.

Harper crushed 31 homers, 35 doubles, and stole 38 bases. He posted a .296 batting average and an .899 OPS. His 7.4 bWAR during the 1970 season are the fourth most in a single season by a position player in franchise history, trailing only two MVP-winning seasons and Gómez's aforementioned 2013 season. Harper was named an All-Star and finished sixth in AL MVP voting. Additionally, while not a part of his 1970 season, the 73 bases that Harper stole for the Pilots in 1969 remain the most in a single season in franchise history.

16. Prince Fielder 2007

By most metrics, 2007 was not Prince Fielder's best season with the Brewers, but the prolific slugger was so dominant that even his second-best campaign appears on the list of the top 25 individual seasons in franchise history. Fielder, who debuted in 2005, was just 23 years old for a majority of the 2007 campaign, but he led the Brewers' offense in what was the franchise's first winning season since 1992.

Fielder crushed 50 homers, which remains the franchise record to this day and led the entire NL in 2007. Fielder's 87 extra-base hits during the 2007 season are also the most in a single season in franchise history. He also collected 119 RBI, posted a .288 batting average, and maintained an incredible .618 slugging percentage. Fielder's 1.013 OPS during the 2007 season is the third-best single season mark in franchise history, trailing only his 2009 season and Christian Yelich's 2019 season. Fielder was an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and finished third in NL MVP voting in 2007.

15. Cecil Cooper 1980

The original "Coop" who inspired Brewers fans' cheers for current shortstop Cooper Pratt, was slugging first baseman Cecil Cooper, who spent the final 11 years of his decorated 17-year career in Milwaukee. Cooper arrived in Milwaukee ahead of the 1977 season in an offseason trade that sent Bernie Carbo and George Scott to the Boston Red Sox. The then-27-year-old Cooper immediately made an impact on his new team, but it wasn't until the 1980 campaign that he unlocked his full potential.

Cooper led MLB with 122 RBI during the 1980 season and was atop the AL's leaderboard in total bases. He crushed 25 homers, 33 doubles, and posted an incredible .352 batting average. To make matters even more impressive, Cooper accomplished that incredible stat line while striking out just 42 times in 678 plate appearances, good for a 6.2% strikeout rate that ranked 10th best among qualified hitters in 1980. Cooper also won a Gold Glove for his defense at first base during the 1980 season. He was an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and finished fifth in AL MVP voting while helping lead the Brewers to their third consecutive winning season.

14. Corbin Burnes 2021

For 38 years after Vuckovich's 1982 season, the Brewers didn't have a Cy Young Award winner. However, right-hander Corbin Burnes changed that in 2021. Burnes, who just two years earlier posted an 8.82 ERA in 49 innings, was downright dominant during the 2021 campaign. He led all of MLB in ERA (2.43), strikeouts per nine innings (12.6), home runs per nine innings (0.9), and strikeout-to-walk rate (6.88).

Burnes collected an unbelievable 234 strikeouts, which are now the third most in a single season in franchise history behind Ben Sheets in 2004 and Jacob Misiorowski in 2026. His season ERA also ranks third in franchise history behind Miz and Mike Caldwell in 1978. Burnes also tossed a combined no-hitter, in which he covered eight innings and collected 14 strikeouts, in September of 2021 and spun a 15-strikeout gem against the Chicago Cubs one month earlier. Burnes was the NL Cy Young Award winner, made his first All-Star Game, and finished 15th in MVP voting during his incredible 2021 season.

13. Teddy Higuera 1986

Higuera's second appearance on this list is what bWAR deems the best season of his career. A year after finishing as the runner-up in the AL Rookie of the Year race to Chicago White Sox' legend Ozzie Guillen, Higuera carried the Brewers' rotation in his sophomore season. The 28-year-old southpaw made 34 starts and posted a 2.79 ERA in 248.1 innings -- that comes out to an average of about 7 1/3 innings per start.

It's perhaps unsurprising, given Higuera's innings total, that he tossed 15 complete games, four of which were shutouts. The most striking statistic of Higuera's 1986 season, however, is the 9.4 bWAR that he posted, which is the most from a pitcher in a single season in franchise history by more than a full win. Though not always the perfect indicator of a pitcher's value, bWAR like that can't be ignored. Higuera was an All-Star, received MVP votes, and if not for Roger Clemens' historic season, would have won the AL Cy Young Award as well.

12. Mike Caldwell 1978

Choosing between Higuera's 1986 season and Mike Caldwell's 1978 campaign is by no means easy, in large part due to the similarities of the two seasons. Like Higuera, Caldwell was a dominant workhorse for the Brewers in 1978, which was by far the best season during his 14-year major-league career. He made 37 appearances, 34 of which were starts, and covered a whopping 293.1 innings -- an incredible average of nearly eight innings per start.

Caldwell tossed 23 complete games in 1978, which led all of baseball and remains a Brewers franchise record to this day -- one that is unlikely to ever be broken. Six of those 23 complete games were shutouts, which is also a franchise record. In large part due to his 22 wins, another franchise record that remains in place to this day, Caldwell racked up 8.2 bWAR, which trails only Higuera's 1986 season. Like Higuera in 1986, however, Caldwell also finished second in the AL Cy Young Award race, losing to Ron Guidry of the New York Yankees, who was certainly deserving of the honor.

11. Rollie Fingers 1981

Only four relief pitchers in the history of MLB have ever won the MVP award, and it's possible, given recent voting trends, that the rare feat never happens again. However, regardless of whether or not it happens again, the Brewers are one of the four teams to have a relief pitcher MVP in their franchise history thanks to the incredible season Rollie Fingers put together in the shortened 1981 season. Due to a midseason players' strike, the 1981 season was only 109 games, but that didn't stop Fingers from posting the best season by a relief pitcher in Brewers' franchise history.

Fingers appeared in 47 games, but covered 78 innings, and allowed just nine earned runs all season, nine. That results in a 1.04 ERA, which Fingers paired with a 0.87 WHIP, and a 4.69 K/BB rate that led all qualified relievers. Fingers converted all 28 of his save opportunities, a commonality for the dominant right-hander, resulting in a league-leading save total in the 1981 season. Fingers was named an All-Star, the AL Cy Young, the AL MVP, now resides in the Hall of Fame, and is one of four players to have his number retired by the Brewers.

10. Prince Fielder 2009

As previously mentioned, despite 2007 being the year in which Prince Fielder set the record for the most single-season home runs in franchise history, it was not the slugging left-hander's best season in Milwaukee. That would be the 2009 campaign, during which Fielder played all 162 games, posted 6.3 bWAR, and produced some of the most impressive offensive numbers in franchise history.

For starters, Fielder collected an incredible 141 RBI in 2009, which led all of MLB and remains the franchise record to this day. Despite not reaching the 50-homer mark he set in 2007, Fielder still crushed 46 homers and paired it with 35 doubles. He walked 110 times, the second most in a season in franchise history (behind Fielder's 2010 season) and posted a 1.014 OPS which trails only Yelich's 2019 season for the best season-long mark in franchise history. Fielder was named to his second All-Star Game and finished fourth in NL MVP voting.

9. Paul Molitor 1987

"The Ignitor" had a number of seasons that could have been highlighted on this list, but his 1987 season, due to an incredible 39-game hitting streak, stands out among the rest. Not only that, but Molitor's best batting average, best on-base percentage, best slugging percentage, and highest MVP finish in a Brewers uniform all came during the 1987 season.

Molitor posted a ridiculous slash line of .353/.438/.566 during the 1987 season. Both his .353 batting average and .438 on-base percentage still hold the franchise record for the best in a single season, and his 1.003 OPS is the fourth-best in a single season in Brewers' history. Molitor led the AL in runs scored (114) and doubles (41) while collecting more walks (69) than strikeouts (67). Molitor was named a Silver Slugger, finished fifth in AL MVP voting, is now a Hall of Famer, and has his number retired in Milwaukee.

8. Ben Sheets 2004

There's undoubtedly an argument to be made that Ben Sheets' 2004 campaign is the best season by a pitcher in Brewers franchise history. Before the 2026 season, it was an even more popular stance to take. During an otherwise dark time in Brewers history, Sheets turned in a dominant 2004 season atop Milwaukee's starting rotation, in just his fourth full season in the major leagues.

At just 25 years old, Sheets posted a 2.70 ERA in 34 starts during the '04 season. He covered 237 innings in those 34 starts and collected a whopping 264 strikeouts, which remain the most in a single season in franchise history. However, Sheets didn't just pile up the punchouts; he hardly ever issued a walk as well. Sheets' 1.22 walks per nine innings are still the best in Brewers history as well. He racked up five complete games, one of which was an 18-strikeout (the most in a game in franchise history) gem against the Braves on May 16. Sheets was an All-Star, but somehow earned just one vote in the NL Cy Young race.

7. Robin Yount 1989

It's about time the greatest Brewer of all time appeared on this list. Robin Yount is the only two-time MVP in franchise history and posted a number of seasons that certainly could have made this list. His 1989 campaign, which earned him his second AL MVP award, may not be the second best in terms of overall bWAR, but it was certainly the second best -- trailing only 1982 -- when it comes to pure offensive output.

Yount posted a .318 batting average, an .896 OPS, a 152 OPS+, and 103 RBI, all of which were the second-best of his 20-year career. He also crushed 21 homers, piled up 38 doubles, and posted nine triples. Yount was named a Silver Slugger, the AL MVP, resides in baseball's Hall of Fame, has his number retired in Milwaukee, and is largely considered the best Brewer in franchise history. Expect to see his name again on this list.

6. Ryan Braun 2012

Like Yount's 1989 season, Ryan Braun's 2012 campaign wasn't the best of his career, but it undoubtedly deserves a spot among the best individual seasons in franchise history. Braun, who was coming off of his 2011 MVP season, led the NL in runs, home runs, OPS, and total bases during the 2012 season, but ended up finishing in second place in MVP voting due to Buster Posey's incredible performance with the San Francisco Giants.

Braun crushed 41 homers during the 2012 campaign, the most in a single season in his career, and paired that power output with a .319 batting average. He collected 112 RBI, 108 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases. Braun was named to his fifth consecutive All-Star Game, won his fifth consecutive Silver Slugger Award, and established himself as one of the all-time greats in Brewers history. More on Braun shortly.

5. Christian Yelich 2019

Each of Yount, Braun, and Christian Yelich had a clear best and second-best season in their careers, and of the trio, Yelich's "runner-up" season was the most impressive. Though Yount won the AL MVP in his second-best season, and Braun and Yelich each came up short, Yeli's 2019 season on paper was better than Braun's 2012 campaign and Yount's 1989 season.

Fresh off winning the NL MVP in his first season with the Brewers, Yelich, who was just recently named the first captain in franchise history, led the NL in batting average (.329), on-base percentage (.429), and slugging percentage (.671), and his 1.100 OPS remains the best single-season mark in franchise history. He paired that incredible slash line with 44 homers and 30 stolen bases, both of which are career-highs in a single season for Yelich. Named an All-Star and a Silver Slugger for the second straight season, the only reason Yelich didn't win his second consecutive MVP was a season-ending knee injury he suffered on September 10.

4. Jacob Misiorowski 2026

24-year-old flame-thrower Jacob Misiorowski turned in the best season by a Brewers pitcher during the 2026 season. No, he didn't break Higuera's bWAR record or Sheets' strikeout record, but there's no denying Misiorowski's season was the most uniquely impressive from a pitcher in the 58-year history of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Miz broke the franchise record for the best ERA (1.80), WHIP (0.80), and strikeouts per nine innings (13.0) in a single season. He did so, while setting every velocity record imaginable by a starting pitcher. The combination of his sub-2.00 ERA and 250+ strikeouts is one that only 12 other pitchers in MLB history have ever accomplished. It's only a matter of time before Misiorowski is named the NL Cy Young for the 2026 season, and the flame-throwing ace should receive plenty of MVP votes as well.

3. Christian Yelich 2018

While Yelich's second-best season ranks better than Braun and Yount's, his MVP-winning season trails the other two's career-best campaigns. That said, Yelich's 2018 season still goes down as one of the greatest in franchise history, and certainly the greatest debut season by a Brewer of all time. After being traded to the Brewers during the offseason, Yelich put together a solid first half in 2018 -- one that earned him an All-Star Game nod -- before his unbelievable second half performance vaulted him into another tier altogether.

Yelich finished the 2018 season with an incredible 7.3 bWAR, which was the result of league-leading offensive metrics, excellent baserunning abilities, and a defensive performance that earned him a spot among the Gold Glove finalists. At the plate, Yelich led the NL in batting average (.326), slugging percentage (.598), OPS (1.000), and total bases (343). He crushed 36 homers, 34 doubles, seven triples, and swiped 22 bases. Yelich missed out on being named a unanimous MVP by one vote, which went to New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom, who finished fifth in MVP voting. Unanimous or not, Yelich's 2018 season, and more specifically his second half of the campaign, won't ever be forgotten by Brewers fans.

2. Ryan Braun 2011

Three seasons after helping the Brewers break a demoralizing streak of missing the postseason, Ryan Braun led the Brew Crew to their first-ever NL Central division title, and, at the time, the most successful regular season in franchise history. Braun, who was already in the process of solidifying himself as a franchise legend despite it being just his fifth season in the league, was on the heels of three straight All-Star campaigns when he put together the best performance of his career in 2011.

The 27-year-old Braun crushed 33 homers, 38 doubles, and six triples, collected 111 RBI and 33 stolen bases, and led the NL with a .994 OPS. His 7.7 bWAR are the second most by a Brewers position player in franchise history. Braun was incredibly clutch during the 2011 season, as evidenced by his 6.8 situational wins added, which are the most in franchise history. A strong season from Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers prevented Braun from running away with the NL MVP, but he was nevertheless the clear-cut winner. Braun and the Brewers' legendary 2011 season, during which they came within two games of the World Series, will forever live as one of the most memorable in franchise history.

1. Robin Yount 1982

There's only one answer to the question "what was the greatest individual season in Brewers' franchise history?" and it's Robin Yount's 1982 season. Not only was Yount the leader of the most successful team in franchise history, but his 10.5 bWAR during his MVP-winning 1982 season are 2.8 more than the next highest total (Braun's 2011 season) in a single season. "The Kid" was truly incredible during the 1982 campaign.

Yount led MLB in hits (210), doubles (46), slugging percentage (.478), and OPS (.957). He paired those numbers with a .331 batting average, 114 RBI, 29 homers, and an incredible 12 triples. When the postseason rolled around, Yount was just as impressive, posting a .414 batting average throughout, and collecting four hits in two World Series games. Yount was an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glover, and, like Yelich in 2018, missed out on being a unanimous MVP by one vote, which went to Reggie Jackson who finished in sixth place. Yount is undoubtedly the greatest Brewer of all time, and his 1982 season continues to live in a tier of its own.

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