PHOENIX -- The core of the Brewers club that won a franchise-record 97 games and a third straight National League Central title remains intact at Spring Training, but a trio of offseason trades brought six new names to the mix.
Here’s a snapshot of each of them as we settle in ahead of the first official full-team workout.
LHP Kyle Harrison
The centerpiece of the trade that sent Caleb Durbin to the Red Sox, Harrison joins the Brewers looking to lock up a rotation spot. The 24-year-old was a top prospect with the Giants before breaking into the big leagues with San Francisco in 2023. He made 35 starts over 2 1/2 seasons there before being sent to Boston last year in the Rafael Devers trade.
President of baseball operations Matt Arnold and Co. were thrilled to pry Harrison away from the Red Sox, and they are hoping this addition pays off in much the way Quinn Priester did a season ago.
Harrison said he has seen how the Brewers have shown a tendency to get the most out of pitchers, often finding ways to improve their effectiveness.
"I'm just excited to get better and learn,” Harrison said. “I have nothing but great things to say about this organization."
LHP Shane Drohan
Drohan also came over in the Durbin trade. He joins the Brewers as their No. 30 prospect, but Arnold thinks the ceiling is much higher. Drohan’s Minor League career has been slowed by arm injuries, most recently missing three months with a left shoulder strain last season. But when he was healthy in ‘25, he posted a 2.27 ERA with 67 K’s in 47 2/3 innings at Triple-A.
Drohan has made 89 starts in five seasons, but he is ready for any role the Brewers have in mind if it means making his big league dream come true.
"If they want me to start from the jump, obviously I'm in. If they want me to come out of the bullpen, I'm in,” Drohan said. “I just want to be a big leaguer and help the team win."
INF David Hamilton
Hamilton was drafted by the Brewers in 2019, then traded to Boston two years later in the deal that brought Hunter Renfroe to Milwaukee.
Hamilton returns to the Brewers as the final piece of the Durbin trade. He has shown a bat that is slightly below league average (79 career OPS+), but he has displayed the defensive versatility and speed tool that the organization covets. Hamilton will be in the third-base mix, but his best chance at the Opening Day roster is likely in a utility role.
INF/OF Jett Williams
Williams, the Brewers’ No. 3 prospect and No. 51 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 in the game, came over in the trade that sent Freddy Peralta to the Mets. He has shown he can play second base, shortstop and center field, and he said he has already started working in at third base this spring.
Williams is definitely in the mix at the hot corner. But his ability to play shortstop might make him the front-runner to grab a utility role.
“I played multiple positions with the Mets, and I’m pretty comfortable at short, second and center, so now I guess I’ll get comfortable at third,” Williams said. “I don’t really care where I play, I just want to play.”
Williams has shown surprising pop considering his 5-foot-7 frame. But where he really stands out is his speed tool, as evidenced by his 90 stolen bases in 294 Minor League games.
RHP Brandon Sproat
Sproat, the Brewers’ No. 6 prospect and No. 100 overall, was the other piece in the Peralta trade. He had a fast rise through the Mets’ Minor League system, striking out 244 in 237 1/3 innings before breaking into the big leagues last September.
Sproat said his approach against hitters is simple.
"I just go right at 'em,” Sproat said. “Just, 'Here it is,' as hard as I can, just compete."
Sproat is looking to put that on display in Milwaukee soon.
LHP Angel Zerpa
Zerpa, acquired from Kansas City for reliever Nick Mears and utility man Isaac Collins, made 129 appearances for the Royals over the past two seasons while posting an ERA+ of 102.
Zerpa is looking to lock down a lefty-leverage role in the bullpen, but not before joining new teammate and countryman William Contreras on Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
“I'm proud to be representing Venezuela with him and looking forward to getting to know him more," Zerpa said.