Brewers' David Hamilton Battling for Third Base Role

The speedy infielder is competing with Luis Rengifo for playing time at the hot corner.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:26pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball player sliding into third base, with the player's body and the base broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.A cubist interpretation of the battle for the Brewers' third base job between the speed of David Hamilton and the experience of Luis Rengifo.San Marcos Today

David Hamilton, a 28-year-old infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, is in a battle for the starting third base job with veteran Luis Rengifo. Hamilton, known for his speed, had a strong spring training and is considered a leading candidate to share time at the position with Rengifo to start the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The Brewers' third base situation is an important position battle to watch as the team looks to improve on an 11-8 start to the season. Hamilton's speed and on-base skills could provide a valuable spark if he can earn consistent playing time, while Rengifo brings more experience and power to the position.

The details

Hamilton played in 91 games for the Boston Red Sox last season, hitting .198 with 6 home runs and 22 stolen bases. This spring, he has impressed the Brewers' coaching staff by batting .298 with 1 home run, 5 stolen bases, and an .833 OPS. Rengifo, who signed a 1-year, $3.5 million deal with Milwaukee in the offseason, is expected to be the primary third baseman, but the left-handed hitting Hamilton could earn starts against right-handed pitchers.

  • On Opening Day, Hamilton started at third base and batted seventh against the Chicago White Sox.
  • Through the first 20 games of the season, the Brewers have a 12-8 record.

The players

David Hamilton

A 28-year-old infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, known for his speed and on-base skills.

Luis Rengifo

A veteran infielder who signed a 1-year, $3.5 million deal with the Brewers in the offseason and is expected to be the primary third baseman.

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What they’re saying

“Hamilton is a 'leading candidate' to share playing time at third base with Luis Rengifo.”

— Adam McCalvy, MLB.com reporter

What’s next

The Brewers will continue to evaluate Hamilton and Rengifo's performance at third base throughout the early part of the season to determine the optimal playing time split at the position.

The takeaway

The battle for the Brewers' third base job is an intriguing one, with the speedy Hamilton looking to earn more playing time alongside the more experienced Rengifo. Hamilton's strong spring training has put him in the mix, and his ability to get on base and create havoc on the basepaths could make him a valuable asset if he can secure regular at-bats.