The Brewers’ Blueprint: How a Small-Market Team Conquered MLB with Shrewd Trades and Unsung Heroes

The Milwaukee Brewers have a secret. They have the best winning percentage in all of Major League Baseball and are on the verge of breaking a franchise record for wins. They are a relentless, confident force that, after years of being underestimated, seems poised to make a deep run into October. But how did they do it? The answer is not through star-studded free-agent signings or a parade of top draft picks, but through a masterful combination of shrewd trades, clever player development, and finding diamonds in the rough.

While the Brewers' success is often attributed to "pocket pancakes" or "the power of friendship," a closer look at their roster reveals a fascinating strategy. Contrary to the common belief that small-market teams must rely heavily on homegrown talent, Milwaukee has built its core by acquiring and developing players from other organizations. In fact, a majority of their 40-man roster was assembled through trades and minor league free-agent signings, a model that sets them apart from most of the league.

Let's dive into the stories of seven of these key players—a collection of castoffs, prospects, and career journeymen who have come together to form baseball’s most improbable powerhouse.

Found Money: Seven Journeys to Milwaukee

1. Andrew Vaughn, 1B

• The Lesson: It's never too late for a top prospect to find his swing. Andrew Vaughn was once the third-overall pick in the 2019 Draft, but his time with the White Sox was marred by inconsistent play. After struggling badly, he was traded to Milwaukee for a pitcher who wanted out. At the time of the deal, Vaughn was hitting just .189 with a .531 OPS. But after a quick stint in Triple-A, a new approach in Milwaukee's system has transformed him. Vaughn is now slashing .348 with a 1.041 OPS for the Brewers. The team is an astonishing 26-4 since his arrival, a testament to how new coaching and a winning culture can unlock a player's potential.

2. Isaac Collins, OF

• The Lesson: You can find value in the most unexpected places. Isaac Collins' path to the Majors is one of the most unusual in baseball. A former ninth-round pick, he was plucked from the Rockies organization in the Minor League Rule 5 Draft. Now 28 years old, he is playing like a Rookie of the Year candidate, with a .387 on-base percentage that ranks among the league's elite. Collins' success is built on his keen eye at the plate, evidenced by an elite chase rate, and an equally impressive glove in the outfield, where his reaction time ranks third-best in baseball.

3. William Contreras, C

• The Lesson: Being the third team in a three-team trade can be a masterstroke. Contreras’s story is a shining example of the Brewers’ front office at its best. In a complex three-team trade, the Brewers turned an outfielder who had little future with the club into one of baseball's best backstops, along with a valuable reliever. Over the last three seasons, Milwaukee has had the most valuable catching situation in baseball, a direct result of this widely praised deal.

4. Quinn Priester, P

• The Lesson: Underneath a bad ERA, there can be a dominant pitcher waiting to be unlocked. Quinn Priester, a former first-round pick of the Pirates, struggled mightily in his early career, posting a 6.46 ERA in parts of two years. However, Milwaukee’s deep dive into his pitch data revealed an intriguing talent. After being traded to the Brewers, Priester stopped throwing his four-seam fastball entirely. The results were immediate and stunning: he has thrown 118 2/3 innings of 3.49 ERA baseball for the team, becoming a key member of their rotation.

5. Jared Koenig, P

• The Lesson: There is more than one way to get to the Majors. Jared Koenig's journey is one of pure perseverance. After being drafted and not signed, he spent years in independent leagues and in Australia before making his affiliated domestic debut in 2021. He eventually signed a Minor League deal with the Brewers, and now, at 31, he is a valuable lefty reliever with a 2.86 ERA, thanks in large part to one of the most valuable sinkers in the game.

6. Blake Perkins, OF

• The Lesson: The value of an elite glove can't be overstated. When star outfielder Jackson Chourio went down with an injury, his replacement was a player on his fourth organization, one who missed most of the season with an injury of his own. Blake Perkins's defense, however, has always been special. Since taking over as the full-time center fielder, his defense has been a game-changer, including a game-ending throw to home plate that perfectly showcased his elite arm strength and instincts.

7. Brice Turang, 2B

• The Lesson: Even an established player can make an internal jump. While a Brewers first-round pick, Brice Turang is a perfect example of a player making a major leap in his career. After being nearly unplayable as a rookie, he has made a series of mechanical changes—including a shorter stance and a re-incorporated leg kick—that have led to a massive increase in his hard-hit rate. He is now an objectively above-average hitter with almost as many extra-base hits in 2025 (33) as he had in all of last season.

A Cohesive Unit of Overlooked Talent

The Brewers' roster is a cohesive unit of overlooked talent. Players like Chad Patrick, a pitcher acquired in a no-name trade who became the 2024 International League Pitcher of the Year, and Nick Mears, a waiver claim who became a key part of this year’s bullpen, are just a few more examples of the team's ability to find value. The team is a testament to the fact that you don't need a roster of superstars to win; you just need to find the right players and put them in a position to succeed. The Brewers aren't just winning—they are a masterclass in modern roster construction.