Forgotten Brewers Outfielder Could Make or Break Season

Garrett Mitchell's health will be key for Milwaukee's playoff hopes.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Milwaukee Brewers are looking to build on their strong regular season performance last year, but a lot may depend on the health and production of outfielder Garrett Mitchell. Mitchell has shown promise but has struggled with injuries, missing significant time over the past three seasons. If he can stay healthy, he could be a valuable piece for the Brewers as they try to unseat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Brewers don't have a roster full of big power hitters, so they need complementary players like Mitchell to step up and contribute. His ability to stay on the field and provide above-average offense and defense in center field could be crucial to the team's postseason aspirations.

The details

Mitchell is a former first-round draft pick who has shown the potential to be an impact player, but injuries have limited his playing time. He only had 68 at-bats last season and hasn't appeared in a game since July due to an oblique strain and a shoulder injury. The Brewers are hoping Mitchell can have a normal spring training and ramp-up to the 2026 season.

  • Mitchell last played in a game in July 2025.
  • Mitchell has spent time on the 60-day IL in each of the last three seasons.

The players

Garrett Mitchell

A 27-year-old outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers who has shown promise but has struggled with injuries over the past three seasons.

Freddy Peralta

A pitcher who was traded from the Brewers to the New York Mets in the offseason.

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What they’re saying

“Mitchell is an above-average hitter (career 112 OPS+) and a plus defender in center field, but he only took 68 at-bats last season, and we haven't seen him in a game setting since July, when he re-injured his shoulder while on a rehab assignment for an oblique strain. In fact, Mitchell has spent time on the 60-day IL in each of the last three seasons. This feels like a make-or-break year for the 27-year-old former first-round Draft pick, who is expected to have a normal ramp-up into Spring Training.”

— Jared Greenspan, MLB.com writer (MLB.com)

The takeaway

The Brewers' success in 2026 may hinge on whether Garrett Mitchell can finally stay healthy and provide the team with the offensive and defensive boost they need in center field. If he can't, it could be a make-or-break year for the former first-round pick.