Brewers unlikely to bench .529 OPS infielder despite pair of fun prospect options

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Brewers unlikely to bench .529 OPS infielder despite pair of fun prospect options originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Milwaukee Brewers have been one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season, and that's with a few roster spots being major red flags so far.

While some more bullpen help might be needed, the real issues for the Brewers in 2026 are the entire left side of the infield. Shortstop and third base are not producing, and one of the main reasons for that is struggling infielder Joey Ortiz.

He has a .529 OPS this season, and could very well be benched. But, according to ESPN's David Schoenfield, despite the Brewers having two very fun options to replace Ortiz waiting in the minors, Milwaukee is unlikely to make such a change right now.

Joey Ortiz is unlikely to get benched for pair of fun prospects​

"His job looks safe for now," Schoenfield writes. Ortiz, despite posting a .529 OPS and a 52 OPS+ in 44 games across 133 plate appearances, isn't going anywhere.

What makes this expected decision from the Brewers a bit frustrating is the pair of prospects that could be called up to the big leagues and likely provide an instant spark.

Jesus Made, the top prospect in baseball, would, as Schonefield notes, "take over at third base (maybe even if the second half of 2026)..."

While he'd be a great addition to help potentially take some playing time away from Ortiz and the pair of Luis Rengifo and David Hamilton, Made isn't likely to be called up soon, nor is he expected to reduce Ortiz's playing time when he is called up.

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The real prospect who could be a negative impact on Ortiz would be Cooper Pratt, the infielder who signed a $50.75 million contract before ever setting foot into the Majors.

However, thanks to a .229 batting average with an OPS of .743, Schoenfield believes, "it seems unlikely he replaces Ortiz this season."

This is a bit frustrating for the Brewers, as instead of trying to resolve the biggest issue on the roster, it appears as if they are just going to stand pat and not make a change to upgrade from a spot that's posing a significant issue to the team offensively.

Milwaukee is looking likely to stick with Ortiz for a while longer, that is, until Pratt starts to thrive at the minor league level, as he's the long-term plan at the shortstop position.

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