The Brewers have struggled to find competent first base play for the entirety of this decade. Not since Prince Fielder in the early 2010s has the club had a standout contributor at the position for more than a season. Milwaukee’s regular first baseman (by games played) hasn’t exceeded 1.0 WAR (per Baseball Reference) in a season since Eric Thames in 2019. The team has won the NL Central in four of the last five years, but they’ve shuffled through journeymen and platoon bats at the cold corner during that span.
Andrew Vaughn might be the answer. A mid-June trade from the White Sox seemed to revive the former third overall pick. Vaughn’s underwhelming career hit rock bottom in May, when he was demoted by Chicago after hitting .189 over the first two months of the season. The White Sox dealt him to the Brewers for Aaron Civale, which says a lot about his value at the time.
Rhys Hoskins sprained his thumb in early July, opening the door for a Vaughn promotion. He joined the big-league club and immediately hit the ground running. Vaughn launched a three-run homer off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in his first at-bat with the Brewers. He went on to post a 1.157 OPS in July. After hitting five home runs in 48 games with the White Sox to start the season, Vaughn left the yard five times in his first 15 games with the Brewers.
Vaughn cooled off considerably in August, slashing .250/.320/.375. He managed just six extra-base hits in 29 games. A day off to begin September seemed to do Vaughn some good, as he heated back up to close the season. The 27-year-old hit .368 with a .509 SLG over the last month of the campaign. His performance was enough to bump Hoskins off the NLDS roster. Vaughn had a solid series against the Cubs, popping two homers and driving in four runs. He then went 0-for-12 in a four-game NLCS sweep by the Dodgers.
Despite the hitless series against the L.A., Vaughn heads into 2026 as the top candidate to hold down first base for the Brewers. The club didn’t pick up its end of the mutual option with Hoskins, so Vaughn and Jake Bauers are the only primary first basemen on the roster. Catcher William Contreras and utilityman Andruw Monasterio also have a bit of experience at the position. It seems like Vaughn’s job to lose, but he’s got a lengthy MLB track record of mediocrity. Here’s how first base could play out for Milwaukee in 2026…
Vaughn runs away with the job
The reason behind Vaughn’s takeoff in Milwaukee could be as simple as a change of scenery for a former top pick on a struggling team. However, he did make some clear improvements this past season. He’d always hit the ball hard (46.6% career hard-hit rate), it just hadn’t translated into much production. The guy getting 60 raw power grades as Chicago’s top prospect never hit more than 21 home runs with the club.
Milwaukee was able to get Vaughn to turn his hard contact into better results in multiple ways. The young slugger posted career bests in line drive rate (25.2%), pull rate (37.5%), and pulled air rate (18%) this past season. Those marks are still right around league average, but they’re a solid improvement on Vaughn’s previous work. He also ranked in the 85th percentile in launch angle sweet spot rate and in the 92nd percentile in squared-up rate.
It wasn’t just the batted balls, either. Vaughn took significant steps forward in terms of plate discipline with Milwaukee. After striking out a career-worst 22.3% of the time with Chicago to open the year, he cut that number to 14.6% with the Brewers. He also pushed his walk rate up to 9.4%. Vaughn hasn’t had a walk rate above 7% since his rookie season in 2021.
There’s a chance July and September were the “new” Vaughn, and he’s just going to be a high-.800s OPS bat for the duration of his prime. The pedigree was evident, considering his legendary college career and the draft capital invested in acquiring him. It just took five years and a new home to make good on it.
Vaughn regresses, but the lineup makes up for it
Milwaukee’s offense took a unique shape in 2025. The club didn’t have a regular with an OPS over .800 for the full season, but also had just one everyday player with a mark below .700 (glove-first Joey Ortiz at .593). The result was a team that finished third in scoring behind only the Yankees and Dodgers. Isaac Collins was dealt to Kansas City, but the rest of the group should be back next season. Barring an offseason addition, some combination of Bauers, Garrett Mitchell, and Blake Perkins will fill the void left by Collins in the outfield.
The supportive offensive environment could allow Vaughn to exist in the lineup as a moderately productive piece. That’s basically what he was in Chicago. He never had a truly standout season, but his worst year with the team still resulted in a 93 wRC+. At the very least, he could form a strong platoon with Bauers at first base. Vaughn has always hit lefties, even in his White Sox days. He has a career .787 OPS against southpaws, compared to .702 versus righties.
This outcome hasn’t hindered Milwaukee in the past, as they’ve gotten by with decent contributions from the likes of Hoskins, Rowdy Tellez, and Daniel Vogelbach. Vaughn is set to hit free agency after the 2027 season. Milwaukee could ride this out at a reasonable price and let him walk when the time comes. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects Vaughn to make $7.8MM in arbitration this year.
Tyler Black, come on down
Vaughn was unplayable as recently as May of this past season. Those struggles briefly returned in August with the Brewers. A player getting a jolt after going from the cellar to a competitive club, then reverting to previous form, certainly wouldn’t be an unheard-of outcome.
A Vaughn flameout would likely lead to a renewed opportunity for Black. The 25-year-old has put together solid results in the minors, but has only made 23 appearances in the majors. Black struggled in his brief 2024 debut, then only played a handful of games with the Brewers this past season.
There are questions about Black’s ability to consistently make contact at the highest level. He also might not be a long-term defensive fit at first base (or anywhere else). It just seems like Milwaukee needs to exhaust Black as a possibility before it’s too late. He’s down to one minor league option. He’s already in his mid-20s. MLB.com had Black ranked fourth among the Brewers prospects as recently as 2024. He had a 117 wRC+ at Triple-A that year. He’s shown enough to get an extended look in the big leagues.
If it’s not Black waiting in the wings, maybe it’s Luke Adams? The 21-year-old reached Double-A by the end of last season. He put up a stellar 157 wRC+ across three minor league levels in 2025. Adams kept it rolling in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 1.039 OPS in 16 games. MLB.com has Adams at No. 8 in Milwaukee’s prospect rankings heading into next season. He could be next up if Vaughn falters and Black doesn’t get the nod.
Photo courtesy of Benny Sieu, Imagn Images
It’s Vaughn so long as he keeps hitting…
Play Vaughn, hope he can continue his production. People forget that this guy was a top pick (2019 1st round 3rd pick). Definitely has the talent, just needs to put it all together next season.
People forget that? It was basically the only fact anyone brought up about Vaughn for years.
“Peope forget” means “I didn’t know”
Vaughn’s position to start.
Brewers could trade Trevor Megill for Triston Casas and a prospect as a backup plan. Tyler Black does not impress.
Tyler Black really hasn’t been given that much of a runway to impress.
Sad this guy didnt do his research properly because by mid-season first will be manned by mostly Black and Burke with Conteras sprinkled in. Burke will end up being the regular firstbaseman by September, then he will man it for the next 6 years. Will be a Sean Casey type.
Wow. You know all that from your research? Must be nice being able to predict the future. Can I get some lotto numbers from you?
Careful. With his predictions, those lotto numbers he gives will be 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 and 1.
As good a chance as any other lotto ticket numbers.
Mrs. Burke, thanks for supporting your son.
If Vaughn is leading the team in RBI’s mid season which he might, u think 1B will be manned by other players? WOW. Get a serious grip on reality
He’s never heard of a “prospect “ he didn’t like.
You really do deserve the criticism you are getting with that smug attitude of yours. You didnt research anything. You’re reading chicken bones.
I did not know that you could research the future. AI has come a long way.
They might pick up Nate Lowe as some vet insurance.
I think lowe is heading to the Rockies he did not have a good 2025
Would be hard to fit him on the roster unless they are moving on from Bauers, and I dont think they’d have tendered him if they viewed Nate Lowe as an upgrade
Haven’t you heard? They have checked in on Bo Bichette and will move him to 1B!
Granted had a much better situation on pennant contender and most fans who followed his struggles in Chicago were happy to see him thrive in Milwaukee, as he’s a good guy. But at some point the player has to be accountable as well. Such a copout to say the losing environment caused him to struggle, when its underperformance from guys you count on, who lead to the sorry environment. If anything, the club was too patient with him. This isn’t some scrappy 26th Craig Counsell type (the player) who suddenly thrived in the right environment. It’s the #3 guy in the draft.
Vaughn over Black 7 days a week… Twice on Sunday
double header?
Tyler Black is not the long-term answer at 1B for the Brewers. Black is much more likely to make a roster as a bat first guy who can “play” the 4 corners.
Brewers also have Adams, Boeve, Burke, and Bitonti who all have big upside at the plate down in the farm.
1B is Vaughn’s job right now. If he regresses back to the 100 wRC+ hitter we know him as, the Brewers will probably start giving their prospects a shot.
Id agree, Bitonti, Burke and Boeve all interesting prospects. Bitonti’s hit tool is better than advertised and he has big power. Burke a similar hitter as Bitonti. Boeve more of a contact hitter. All three good prospects but the Brewers future at 1B likely Andrew Fischer. A pair of years with Vaughn and Fischer will be ready for some PAs.
The Killer B’s
100 wRC? More like 85
Vaughn has never put up a wRC+ below 93. He is a career 101 wRC+ guy.
I’ve been waiting for him to figure it out for years now – it’s not happening. Hard to call him bat first, since he can’t hit at the MLB level, and he’s not good enough at any position to even consider him utility. Baseball is tough, and he’s finding that out.
It doesn’t matter what the Brewers do. Everything they do turns to gold.
I think the brewers figured out even with prince. They dont need to invest in 1st toooooo heavily to be a contender. They seem fine patching the hole instead of finding the answer. Why not try to fill the easiest spot on the diamond with cheap scrap heap style stuff. Id rather spend on trash since fielder than be like the Astros handing out 20 mil a yr to abreu and walker and the likes than have massive holes somewhere else.
Nick Castellanos
Likely not a good option at first base. Or on the field. He’s pretty much a DH
Just think of how cool it will be when he hits 12 homers over the course of the season at home and the guy goes down the beer slide.
Vaughn got out of a terrible situation in Chicago and blossomed.
After 2026 first base should be manned by Christian Yelich. His defense in the OF is declining so throw him at first and move on.
He barely played LF in 2025. At this point he’s already a full time DH to protect his back. 100+ RBI and 29 HR not a bad outcome. You won’t see him at 1B.
Bad bad bad simpleton take : “got out of a terrible situation and blossomed”. Maybe consider he was in a terrible situation in part because he was terrible, raking a .400 OPS despite being handed a plum position in the heart of the lineup with an org that showed him nothing but patience. What is an organization supposed to do, bat him leadoff? Only play on selective Wednesdays against 5th starters and bullpen days to boost his confidence? You’re the #3 pick in the draft. Your job is to rake like you did as a Golden Spikes winner. Rake.
Simpleton is unnecessary. Who was hitting ahead of him and behind him? You don’t think that stuff matters? How about the coaching staff, clubhouse morale? I think we’re all hoping a change of scenery helps the kid unlock the talent he clearly has, and I’d expect most Brewers fans are looking forward to seeing what he can do here in a full year.
I don’t know. Sheets got way better after he left also. He had a 105 ops+ last year and has a 94 in his career.
I saw some of your other comments dumpster.
All I can say is, there are some wonderful decaffeinated coffees out there.
And, bless your heart.
Vaughn’s improved play was supposedly due to the Brewers emphasizing swing selection with him. I agree its lazy just dunking on the White Sox, some teams are just better fits for guys, there have been a few pitchers that blossomed after getting out of Milwaukee, and no one thinks the Brewers are terrible at pitcher dev because of it.
Heck, the White Sox just turned a guy the Brewers wouldnt give a 40 man spot into a solid starter
Stinks he hurt his knee.
Yeli at 1B would be great, frees up the DH spot, but he hasnt even been able to hold up at DH the last 2 years, so really doubtful his back will hold up there
Dont think Adams is an option next year, but I really like him for 27. Traditional scouts dont seem high on him, but tools like BA’s roboscout are consistently very high on him.
Hes got an elite eye, it seems clear now that he can draw alot of hbp, it wasnt just Class A pitching, and he will be a very good defender that may even be able to handle 3B
Vayghns job until Andrew Fischer gets called up
Fischer looked pretty good at 3B too according to Logenhagen
It seems like Black has been failing as a prospect since the Pilots moved to Milwaukee.
I really think when the Sox moved him to left field after Eloy Jimenez got hurt a few days before the season started, it really messed Vaughn up and stunted his growth both offensively and defensively.
Didn’t bother Gavin Sheets as much tho
“Milwaukee’s regular first baseman (by games played) hasn’t exceeded 1.0 WAR (per Baseball Reference) in a season since Eric Thames in 2019.”
Fascinating that Vaughn managed a 1.3 bWAR in MIL in 64 games yet finished with a -0.5 bWAR on the season.
I always thought Mountcastle could be a Milwaukee favorite, and I think he’d like the city. He could be a big fish.
He could be the Abe Froman, a sausage king, make that Brautwurst king of Mil waw kay
There’s no way the Brewers are taking on his projected arb salary. The guy had an 83 OPS+ last season.
Who.
Let the dogs out. Who. Who. Who. Who.
Depending health of Quero, think we see Contreras playing 1st more often. Vaughn clearly plays 1st the most often. Overall his ’25 season was average for him. White Sox just got the bad portion.
I don’t see Quero up until midseason at the earliest unless he years the cover off the ball.
Who’s Milwaukee’s backup catcher? You know at one point he was ahead of Chourio in the minors. Backup catcher. Contreras attempts to play everyday. There will be that trade idea with Contreras future since it’ll be his next to last season of team control moment soon. Yada yada Brewers traded X so where does a Contreras trade for Milw fit? Quero needs ML experience.
Between no immediate need, a player in Contreras that plays every day, and wanting the service time, they’ll want him to get consistent reps somewhere while also giving him additional time after his surgery. I think there will be at last two backups brought in for ST and Quero starts the season at AAA.
I’m a Sox fan who’s watched Andrew Vaughn since he came into the league. He is an extremely streaky hitter. He’s is terrible for a month or two and hot for a month or two. That’s who he is. When you look at his production over the entire 2025 season, he slashed .254/.307/.411. His career slash line is .253/.310/.414. He did what he does every season. He has a career 101 OPS+.
I don’t really follow the Brewers. I know they are consistently a playoff contender. So, I would assume their lineup should be able to sustain a streaky hitter who will finish the season with a .724 OPS, 101 OPS+, and a slightly above or below 0 WAR. That’s what Andrew Vaughn does every season.
How is this even a question? Mercy
All you saw from him with the white Sox was a franchise that failed him. The Brewers made some changes and saw an immediate improvement.
Vaughn appears so grindy doesn’t look like hes ever having fun. Like a hairless sphinx cat shedding from all the worry. In contrast Bennytendi has thst permanent Cheshire cat grin on his face
Let Vaughn play himself out of the position
If they hand that job to Vaughn, the front office should be replaced in its entirety. May as well dish Peralta for A ball prospects at that point.
Why
Miguel Sano has been demolishing the ball in the winter league
Mayo or mountcastle from the Orioles may be worth a a trade
Mayo is Sweet Caroline in reverse, or if you live in the Land Down Under where the toilets flush counter clockwise: So Bad! So Bad! So Bad!
Mayo could be the answer. Mountcastle is so overrated here and will carry an arbitration salary that he doesn’t deserve.
Mountcastle for Peralta, who says no?
Negatory
Probably Orioles?
Probably Brewers?
The Brewers would hang up the phone immediately. Horrible trade for them.
People are sleeping on Bauers. Mid season he tweaked his swing and he felt he was swinging as good as ever. He hit .360 through September and had a good playoffs. And he’s by far the best defensive first baseman on the team. I think it will continue to be a shared position with Vaughn, who will get most of the ABs if he continues to improve.
The Brewers do seem to love him.
You can’t steal first base. Unless youre the Brewers. Well played Brewhahas, well played.
Source: trust me bro
To say Vaughn was unhappy in Chicago is an understatement. The clubhouse was in shambles when he left and you had lots of “high school” cliques amongst players. The ones Chicago acquired immediately were sulking and the established ones were look at me and there for a paycheck. Vaughn had just gotten married, blew through the minors without much seasoning and doing this all on his own. There was no team concept, and Vaughn hated every bit of it. He’s not a clubhouse rah rah guy, but a silent assassin type. He’s also a bit of a red a$$, country kid. He fishes and hunts and he had no one or nowhere to breathe amongst that clubhouse. He’s a Northern California kid. Sonoma County. About as far away from Chiraq as it gets. I’ve said many times here that he needed a change of scenery and let him exhale and not be the focus of the entire team in a place he’s comfortable outside of the game.
He got that in Milwaukee. Kid is stoked to be there and loves the atmosphere and if he ultimately never becomes a superstar like he was ticketed for, my guess is he will be at least a solid contributor with way better numbers outside of Chicago.
Again, gonna have to trust me on this one.
He Raked… how is this a question or why would anyone write about it? Mercy
Right? The first year since 2010 that this article didn’t need to be written.
White Sox did him dirty early on coupled w playing with the worst team in the history of the game,ie 121 L’s. Misfit Culture and Leadership.
Change of scenery is good.
Robbing and Stealing.
Jake Bauers had a terrific September, with an OPS over 1.100, and would be a Gold Glove candidate if he were a regular, so he shouldn’t be given short shrift. The Vaughn-Bauers platoon makes perfect sense to start the season. Tyler Black will need to find a new home because his greatest strength is drawing walks.
Zzzzzzzzzzzz