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Brewers Reshape Coaching Staff for 2026, Add Daniel Vogelbach to Hitting Group
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- Brewers Reshape Coaching Staff for 2026, Add Daniel Vogelbach to Hitting Group
(© David Kohl-Imagn Images)
The Milwaukee Brewers officially unveiled their coaching staff for the 2026 season, and the announcement signals a notable reworking of the club's offensive leadership. Headlining the changes is the addition of former Brewers first baseman Daniel Vogelbach , who joins the major league staff as a hitting coach after recently concluding his playing career.
The most significant shift within the hitting department sees Eric Theisen elevated to lead hitting coach. Theisen had previously served as an assistant and now steps into a more prominent role overseeing the Brewers' offensive philosophy. Veteran coach Al LeBoeuf, who missed time during the 2025 season while dealing with a prostate cancer diagnosis, will not return to the major league staff but remains with the organization in a yet-to-be-defined capacity. Milwaukee supplemented Theisen's promotion by adding Vogelbach and Guillermo Martinez as assistant hitting coaches, giving the staff a blend of recent playing experience and long-established coaching expertise.
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Vogelbach is the most recognizable new face. The left-handed slugger spent parts of nine major league seasons from 2016 through 2024, including a two-year stint in Milwaukee. While his batting average was rarely a strength, Vogelbach built a reputation for exceptional plate discipline and raw power, finishing his career with more walks than strikeouts in several seasons and posting a career on-base percentage well above league average. Following his retirement, he briefly worked in the Pirates' baseball operations department, making this his first on-field coaching assignment. The Brewers are betting that Vogelbach's understanding of modern hitting approaches and pitcher tendencies will translate effectively to player instruction.
Martinez brings a very different résumé. Now entering his 15th season in professional coaching, the 41-year-old previously served as the Toronto Blue Jays ' hitting coach for six seasons before returning to the Cubs ' system in 2025 at the Double-A level. His experience working with both developing hitters and established big leaguers adds stability to a staff undergoing transition, and his familiarity with data-driven hitting philosophies aligns with Milwaukee's organizational approach.
Beyond the hitting group, the Brewers also adjusted responsibilities across the rest of the staff. Third base coach Jason Lane has been promoted to offense and strategy coordinator, a role that expands his influence beyond in-game baserunning decisions. Infield instructor Matt Erickson will now also handle third base coaching duties. On the pitching side, assistant Jim Henderson has been elevated to pitching coordinator, while Juan Sandoval moves up from the minor league ranks to fill Henderson's former position.
Additional changes include the arrival of Spencer Allen as first base coach. Allen, previously Milwaukee's director of player development, replaces Julio Borbon, who—along with LeBoeuf—will remain in the organization. Allen's background includes a stint as head coach at Northwestern before joining the Brewers in 2022.
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While the staff overhaul is extensive, much of it stems from internal promotions rather than outside departures.
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