Brewers' 2026 first-rounder Trey Ebel steps in for brother Brady ... a month later
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Trey Ebel may have a steak dinner in his future.
The Brewers' 2026 first-rounder replaced older brother Brady Ebel in the middle of an at-bat for Single-A Wilson in a game that actually started on July 19. Brady was no longer with the Warbirds after being promoted to High-A Wisconsin last week. Wilson went on to beat Hickory, 12-4, at Wilson Ballpark after the contest began at L.P. Frans Stadium.
When the game resumed Tuesday afternoon, Trey stepped in for Brady, MLB's No. 98 prospect, who worked a 2-0 count before rain and lightning sent the contest into a delay in the first inning last month. Trey (MIL No. 17) won the six-pitch plate appearance and a free pass to first base.
"I was in the cage this morning, and when they sent out what we're gonna do for the game, I was like, 'No way! This is crazy,'" Trey said after the game. "How cool is that? I don't know if that's been done before, having the younger brother finish [an older brother's] at-bat. I'm super stoked."
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time a player pinch-hit for his sibling in the Majors was for the Orioles on Sept. 18, 2018, when Corban Joseph entered the game for Caleb Joseph.
Both Ebel brothers scored in the win. Brady -- the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 Draft -- was the second batter of the game. He was plunked by righty Daniel Keaney (Rangers), stole a base and scored on a single by Juan Martinez. In the eighth, Trey walked again and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Jones (MIL No. 25).
The 17-year-old shortstop planned to call his older brother Tuesday night to discuss the best place for dinner -- and the reward for finishing his plate appearance -- when the two reunite next month.
"Should I go like a big one, some steak or something?" Trey laughed. "I may tell him to take me out for a steak, some mac and cheese."
The brothers hail from a baseball family. Their father, Dino Ebel, is the third base coach for the Dodgers, serving on staff since 2019 after 13 seasons as a coach for the Angels. Their mother, Shannon, has been on the move this month, attending Brady's games last week before heading to North Carolina to see Trey on Tuesday.
"I called my dad and let him know, and he was like, 'Really? That's pretty cool,'" Trey said. "My dad was super stoked and my mom was even happy too."
Brady was officially promoted to the Timber Rattlers the day Trey arrived for his pro debut. Brady, the Brewers' No. 4 prospect, entered the week with a .256/.412/.414 slash line across two levels this season.
"Brady just led the way for me," Trey said. "Obviously, growing up in the game with our dad, we know a little bit more. I think the biggest thing he's told me was just stay on your routine and continue to control the zone like we both always do. He goes, 'You're gonna get a lot of at-bats. You get a hit, or you fail, look for the next at-bat. Always have the thought of succeeding.' So we're just keeping it simple."
Trey has looked forward to seeing his brother again after the completion of their seasons, when they will join other Brewers prospects in Arizona for instructs. Trey has posted a slash line of .250/.471/.292 with seven runs, four RBIs and 10 walks through his first 34 plate appearances.
"It's everything that I expected," he said. "I was just mostly excited to be in professional baseball, get the opportunity to come out and play. That's just the main thing: continue to work hard, continue to have fun and see how much better I can get over the course of these next years."