At this point in the season, teams generally should know which players are lineup regulars. With Rhys Hoskins coming off the injured list, they find themselves with a rare luxury: too much talent at first base. Hoskins is a proven bat, Andrew Vaughn has been a consistent RBI threat, and Jake Bauers can switch-hit and provide power and versatility. The challenge for Manager Pat Murphy is balancing out all three without hurting lineup production or team chemistry. Given that all three players bring different skills to the lineup and only one of them can play the position, the Brewers have a good problem at first base.
Rhys Hoskins Was Originally The Everyday First Baseman Embed from Getty Images
For much of the season, the Milwaukee Brewers’ first base position was locked up by Rhys Hoskins. In 82 games, the 32-year-old was slashing .242/.340/.428 with 12 home runs, 42 RBI, and an OPS of .769. However, during an early July game against the Miami Marlins at Loan Depot Park, Hoskins sustained a thumb injury that would force him to leave the game. The injury would force Rhys Hoskins to miss six weeks of the season. With Milwaukee’s main power bat sidelined, many people wondered how the Brewers’ offense would navigate that portion of the season.
Andrew Vaughn Took Over The Position Embed from Getty Images
Before Hoskins’ injury, the Milwaukee Brewers made what was then a mid-season minor trade. Due to top prospect Jacob Misiorowski being called up, the team intended to move incumbent starter Aaron Civale to the bullpen. Civale refused and wanted to remain in the starting rotation and requested a trade. Milwaukee shipped him to the Chicago White Sox for former first-round pick and struggling first baseman Andrew Vaughn. This trade was merely viewed as a move to shore up depth at first base. However, one can argue now that the trade for Andrew Vaughn might be the best move of the entire season.
In his debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Vaughn homered in his first at-bat and hasn’t looked back and has since become Milwaukee’s everyday first baseman. Since coming to Milwaukee, Andrew Vaughn has seemingly revitalized his career and become the Brewers’ regular first baseman. In 54 games as a Brewer, Vaughn has slashed a scorching .304/.367/.492 with nine homers, 41 RBI, and an OPS of .860. The 28-year-old has been especially dangerous with runners in scoring position and against left-handed pitchers.
Jake Bauers Has Made Key Contributions As Well Embed from Getty Images
While not a standout player or lineup regular, Jake Bauers has been a key contributor for the Brewers in 2025. In 74 games, the journeyman is slashing .224/.337/.398 with seven homers, 27 RBI, and an OPS of .734. He’s become a valuable bat off the bench with his ability to switch hit. Bauers also gives the team versatility by not only being able to play first base, but also the corner outfield spots. This has provided the team with flexibility in late-game situations or rest days. The 29-year-old’s contributions should not be understated.
An Exciting Yet Challenging Problem For Pat Murphy Embed from Getty Images
Given that the Brewers have three productive first basemen on their team, this gives Manager Pat Murphy an exciting and yet difficult challenge. He must balance the playing time between Andrew Vaughn, Rhys Hoskins, and Jake Bauers without hurting lineup production and chemistry. So far, Murphy’s approach has been a mix of individual player performance and platoon matchups. Vaughn is still the everyday first baseman, but Hoskins rotates in against favorable matchups, and Bauers is used strategically as a pinch-hitter, defensive replacement, or to allow the team to rest a lineup regular. This has allowed the Brewers to exploit matchup advantages
The Brewers Can Use This To Their Advantage In The Postseason Embed from Getty Images
While most teams are in a hurry to fill gaps at first base, the Brewers’ problem is one of luxury. Milwaukee has three first basemen in Andrew Vaughn, Rhys Hoskins, and Jake Bauers, who’ve all been solid contributors in 2025. However, only one of them can be the starting first baseman in a game. While Vaughn is still the everyday first baseman, Pat Murphy’s challenge has been to find ways to get Hoskins and Bauers into the lineup without hurting productivity and chemistry. With all three players having productive seasons and bringing different skills to the lineup, this could pay dividends in the postseason.
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