The New York Yankees got an early Christmas present in December 2024 when they traded pitcher Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin for ace closer Devin Williams. The Yankees got one of the elite high-leverage relievers in baseball while giving up a middle-of-the-rotation starter and a top infield prospect who had already burned through two organizations and had only a half-season at Triple-A.

The trade reviews were mixed, as Williams had been a two-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year winner in his six years in Milwaukee. What would the Brewers do without the ‘Airbender?’ But in return, they received a southpaw starter who was expected to plug into the rotation and an prospect who was expected to battle for a starting job in the infield. Sounds like a win-win.

Early on, the pundits were speculating where Durbin would fit into the Brewers roster. Although he played a similar amount of innings at second and third in the minors, the only opening the Brewers had was at the hot corner. The Crew had three players in camp with major-league experience at third base in Andruw Monasterio, Oliver Dunn and Vinny Capra. Durbin would need to show his wares and show them well to win this battle.

“Durbin is exciting as a fresh face in the Brewers camp: hard, gritty and with a variety of ways in which he can impact the game. Whether he’s truly an everyday player over a long stretch remains to be seen.”
–Jake McKibbin, Brewer Fanatic, December 17, 2024 (Can Caleb Durbin and Oliver Dunn Man the Hot Corner for the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers?)

Durbin did a nice job during the spring, batting .259/.339/.407 in 54 at-bats, but his competitors all posted superior stats. Dunn (.340/.400/.560), Capra (.292/.358/.729), and Monasterio (.382/.488/.647) all proved they were worthy of Opening Day roster spots.

Unsurprisingly, Durbin started the season at Triple-A Nashville, along with Monasterio, while Capra and Dunn split the starts at third base for the Brewers as the season began. 

Capra and Dunn began the campaign a combined 9-for-67 (.134) and Dunn was sent down to Nashville in mid-April while Durbin was called up from the Music City after hitting .278/.316/.481 across 54 at-bats. Durbin made his MLB debut on April 18, going 2-for-4 in a 5-3 victory over the nomadic Athletics at Miller Park. The Caleb Durbin Era had begun.

Three weeks later, Capra was claimed on waivers by the Chicago White Sox, but by that time Durbin had solidified his hold on the third base job. Unfortunately for the Brewers, Cortes didn’t do as well on the mound, as he made only two starts before going on the IL with an elbow injury. He and Jose Quintana went to the San Diego Padres for Brandon Lockridge at the end of July.

“The limits on his power potential are very real. There’s a perceived risk that he’ll have the bat knocked out of his hands. Light-hitting guys like him have to be patient, so they can force their way on base with the occasional walk even though pitchers are unafraid of them.”
–Matthew Trueblood, Brewer Fanatic, December 16, 2024 (Caleb Durbin Runs the Bases Like He’s Being Chased, and It Rocks)

Durbin homered in his 12th at-bat, going deep against fierce southpaw Robbie Ray on April 21 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Little by little, Durbin got better at drawing walks in the middle of the season, taking free passes at a rate of 9.2% in June and July, which is considered average to above-average, according to FanGraphs. He was plunked 14 times by the All-Star break, making his OBP look a little bit better. 

“Caleb Durbin steals bases with a ferocious, fearless abandon. If he can stay healthy and get on base enough to matter, he might very well eclipse the 50 steals Turang amassed in 2024.”
–Matthew Trueblood, Brewer Fanatic, December 16, 2024 (Caleb Durbin Runs the Bases Like He’s Being Chased, and It Rocks)

The diminutive Durbin stole 11 of 17 bases in his first five months and then showed his speed and savvy when he pilfered seven bags without getting caught in September. With a year under his belt, that SB total of 18 could rise, but now he has to get acclimated to the pitchers and catchers in the American League. But the potential is there for him to join the running crew that includes Trevor Story, Jarren Duran, and Ceddanne Rafaela, all of whom stole at least 20 bases last season.

“Durbin might be wise to get slightly more aggressive in his lower half. That’s the only way he’ll hit even for 10-homer power or rack up doubles and triples at the rate generally required of a modern hitter. For now, however, it’s hard to argue with the way he’s organized his swing. If he can keep drawing walks (two so far) and being plunked at a rate totaling three times that at which he strikes out, he doesn’t have to hit for any power to have value.”
–Matthew Trueblood, Brewer Fanatic, April 30, 2025 (So Far, Caleb Durbin is Choosing Contact (Lots of It) Over Power (Like, Any at All))

Durbin hit exactly one home run in his first six weeks and finished the season with 11 jacks. He finished the season with 25 two-base hits and oddly enough for a speedy, line drive hitter, ended with zero triples. That 2B total should rise this year at Fenway, which according to Baseball Savant, is the best doubles park in baseball. The home run number could increase as well, with the Green Monster beckoning.

“However, with his speed, contact and plate discipline, even 10 home runs would enable him to be a capable offensive threat—if his defense can remain up to scratch alongside that.”
–Jake McKibbin, Brewer Fanatic, December 17, 2024 (Can Caleb Durbin and Oliver Dunn Man the Hot Corner for the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers?)

The scrappy Durbin came to the Brewers with two uncertainties: where he would play, and how well he would play there. After the Capra/Dunn experiment went up in flames, the Brewers put Durbin at third and told him to go to work. Although he wasn’t always pretty playing in the dirt, the numbers say differently. Durbin ranked tied for fifth at third base with Matt Chapman–a five-time Gold Glove winner–with +5 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). His +1 Statcast Fielding Run Value placed him seventh at the hot corner.

His 2025 season wasn’t perfect, but he performed well in nine postseason games, batting .276/.364/.414. Brewers fans will miss him, but we will all cheer him on while he plays for the Red Sox.

Unless he is playing against Milwaukee, which will happen at Fenway from April 6-8.