The Milwaukee Brewers have spent years searching for stability at first base. Their latest attempt centers on Andrew Vaughn, a former highly touted prospect who showed flashes of real impact after arriving from the Chicago White Sox.
This article explores Vaughn’s late-season surge and what the underlying numbers say about its legitimacy. The Brewers are also hedging their bets with internal options in case his production cools off.
Brewers Still Chasing Stability at First Base
Since Prince Fielder left, first base has been a revolving door in Milwaukee. The Brewers have fielded competitive teams and productive lineups, but they haven’t received consistent, above-average output at the position in over a decade.
The last Brewers first baseman to clear even 1.0 WAR in a season was Eric Thames in 2019. Since then, the club has tried veterans, platoons, and short-term fixes. None of them have really stuck.
Enter Andrew Vaughn
That context made the mid-June trade for Andrew Vaughn particularly intriguing. Milwaukee acquired him from the White Sox in exchange for veteran right-hander Aaron Civale, and Vaughn immediately became the frontrunner for the everyday first base job.
He wasted no time making an impression. Vaughn launched a three-run homer in his first at-bat as a Brewer—a preview of what would be a highly productive, if uneven, second half.
A Tale of Two Halves in Milwaukee
Vaughn’s offensive output followed a clear arc after the trade. July was his high-water mark, when he posted a scorching 1.157 OPS and looked like a cornerstone bat in the middle of the order.
August brought regression, as pitchers adjusted and his contact quality dipped. Still, Vaughn rebounded in September, hitting .368 with a .509 slugging percentage to finish the year on an encouraging note.
Underlying Metrics Offer Hope
Beyond the surface stats, Vaughn’s batted-ball profile in Milwaukee showed meaningful improvement:
Equally important, Vaughn made a leap in plate discipline. He slashed his strikeout rate from 22.3% with Chicago to 14.6% in Milwaukee while boosting his walk rate to 9.4%.
For a hitter whose value hinges on quality contact, those gains matter.
Risk, Reward, and the Contract Clock
Despite the late surge, skeptics remain. Vaughn’s broader MLB track record is uneven, and flashes of production have often been followed by extended cold spells.
He’s also inching toward free agency, with control running through 2027. Arbitration projections peg his upcoming salary around $7.8 million—a reasonable figure, though not insignificant for a small-market club.
Brewers Built to Absorb Regression
Even if Vaughn settles back into league-average production, the Brewers can survive it. In 2025, Milwaukee ranked third in runs scored, despite not having a single regular finish with an OPS north of .800.
The depth of the lineup and the team’s emphasis on run creation through multiple contributors gives them flexibility if Vaughn falters.
Internal Competition Waiting in the Wings
Milwaukee isn’t putting all its eggs in one basket. Several alternatives could factor into the first-base mix:
Prospects as Insurance
Tyler Black remains an internal option after strong minor-league numbers, though his résumé includes just 23 big-league appearances and open questions about contact consistency and defense.
More intriguing long term is Luke Adams, a 21-year-old who posted a 157 wRC+ across three minor-league levels in 2025. If Vaughn’s renaissance proves fleeting, Adams could force the issue sooner rather than later.
Job to Lose — for Now
Right now, it looks like the Brewers want to give Vaughn the first base job and just see what happens. They’re rolling the dice a bit.
He’s shown some improvement lately, and there’s more lineup support around him. If Vaughn’s late-season gains stick, Milwaukee could really benefit.
If things head south, they’ve got backup plans ready. That’s not a bad spot to be in, honestly.
Here is the source article for this story: The Brewers’ First Base Possibilities
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s