Most Brewers fans enjoyed the bulk of the 2025 season, with the team setting a franchise record for wins and beating the Cubs in the National League Division Series (a bit of payback for the Cubs signing away Craig Counsell in the 2023-2024 offseason). The 2025 NLCS, where the team ran out of gas, is more forgettable, but the Brewers could avoid that by rethinking their bench.

The Brewers usually operate with the maximum allowed 13 pitchers, leaving them 13 position players. Nine position players are spoken for in the everyday lineup, thanks to the National League catching up with the times and adopting the designated hitter. That leaves four spots on the bench. How should Milwaukee use them?

One will obviously have to be for the backup catcher. But the Brewers should think out of the box when it comes to the other three. Instead of just having the conventional approach of a fourth outfielder, a backup infielder, and a platoon option at first base (who may or may not be able to handle corner outfield spots), the team may want to turn to versatility instead.

How well can this work? The 2018 season provides an example: Javier Baez, then with the Cubs. He mostly played at second base, third base, and shortstop, but he also saw action as a pinch-hitter and first baseman that year, and in the two previous seasons had been at corner outfield spots. He posted 6.8 Wins Above Replacement that year, per Baseball-Reference, and was the runner-up in the NL MVP race to Christian Yelich. He’s dropped off the face of the earth offensively with the Tigers, but his versatility still propelled him to 1.9 WAR in 2025, again via Baseball-Reference.

The recently traded Isaac Collins could’ve been another example. While he mostly held down left field in 2025, he also saw action at second base, third base, center field, and right field during his professional time with the Brewers (counting the minor leagues).

Believe it or not, between the 40-man roster and the non-roster invitees as of Jan. 31, the Brewers could assemble a supersub bench. Here are some of the contenders.

Williams is part of the return Milwaukee netted in the Freddy Peralta trade, and multiple Brewers may already be nervous about him. The reason why is pretty obvious. His bat profiles as a very potent one – one that adds power to superb OBP skills, speed, and versatility. It’s not hard to imagine him on Milwaukee’s bench in 2026, covering all three outfield positions, as well as shortstop, second base, and third base. He’s a more versatile version of Baez – and that could be very valuable indeed.

Seigler has mostly played infield the last two seasons, but he originally came up as a catcher and also saw action there for Triple-A Nashville in 2025. Given the durability of William Contreras, Seigler might be a choice to take a third catcher role, simply because he could contribute elsewhere on the field, including on the pitching mound, occasionally, keeping him from getting rusty.

Monasterio has seen less action in 2024 and 2025 combined than he did in his rookie campaign of 2023. However, he brings a competent bat to the plate, and his versatility (playing all four infield positions and left field) is an asset as well. While his offensive floor has been high, he’s also not a likely Silver Slugger candidate, either. Still, he’s reliable.

Black’s biggest problem has been the lack of a defensive home. The Brewers have tried him at second base, center field, third base, first base, left field, right field, and he’s even seen action at designated hitter. As a supersub, his experience all over the diamond could allow him to give other Brewers a rest, while not sacrificing as much on offense. His bat has never really been in question, just the ability to hold a single position down on defense.

Garcia received an invitation to the big-league camp after first signing as an international free agent in July 2019. At one point seen as the Brewers’ shortstop of the future alongside catcher of the future Jeferson Quero, he seemed to stall out after injuries and high strikeout totals, while Cooper Pratt and Jesus Made emerged ahead of him at shortstop. However, he seemed to put his bat together more in 2025, his age-22 season, and he’s now morphed into a very versatile player, handling all three outfield spots as well as second base, third base, and shortstop. His defense, speed, and even occasional pop aren’t in question, just the consistency of his hit-to-contact tool. He’s also only 23 years old.

By turning to supersubs with higher offensive performance who could play all over, the Brewers might be able to become even more potent in the playoffs, having given players like Sal Frelick, Brice Turang, Caleb Durbin, and Jackson Chourio a chance to rest during the regular season, but also having the option to ride a “hot hand” with minimal disruption.

Do you think the Brewers should turn to supersubs on the bench? Let us know in the comments below!