Milwaukee Brewers hire former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman and hitting coach

The Brewers announced their coaching staff for the upcoming 2026 season, and includes a familiar name.

Former Blue Jays first baseman Daniel Vogelbach, who played with the Brewers from 2020-21, has been hired as a hitting coach.

Vogelbach will joining former Blue Jays hitting coach Guillermo Martinez, while assistant hitting coach Eric Theisen has been elevated to the lead hitting coach role.

Vogelbach is the most recognizable newcomer. He played in parts of nine major league seasons from 2016-24, hitting a combined .219/.340/.405 with 81 home runs in just under 2000 plate appearances.

Vogelbach rarely hit for average but always possessed superlative pitch recognition (career 15.1% walk rate) and considerable raw power.

Vogelbach served as a hitting coach for Pittsburgh last season, before the Pirates decided to shake up their coaching staff.

Martinez, 41, was the Blue Jays' hitting coach from 2019-24. He's spent several seasons as a minor league hitting coach and hitting coordinator with both the Blue Jays and the Cubs.

After departing Toronto's major league staff following the 2024 season, he returned for a second stint in the Cubs' ranks, serving as a hitting coach with their Double-A club.

He's now back in the majors with just the third organization as he heads into his 15th season of professional coaching.

Also read on Blue Jays Central :
San Francisco Giants sign former Toronto Blue Jays utility infielder