The path to shaping the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2026 roster is about to become more clear, but here’s where controversy might emerge—some may believe these non-roster invitees are the future stars, while others argue they might never make the cut. And this is the part most people miss: the journey from spring training invitee to Opening Day mainstays is often unpredictable and filled with surprises.
Just a few weeks ahead of the Brewers’ spring training kickoff, the team is preparing to move from offseason routines to competitive on-field action. On February 12, pitchers and catchers will gather at American Family Fields of Phoenix to officially start spring training. This signals the beginning of the team’s intensive preparations for the 2026 season. The full squad’s first practice session is set for February 17, leading up to the first spring game against the Cleveland Guardians scheduled for February 21.
Before these events unfold, Brewers’ executives, led by Matt Arnold, are likely weighing their last few strategic moves. Currently, the team’s 40-man roster holds only 38 players, which leaves room for potential additions or adjustments. These last-minute tweaks could cause some shifts in the projected Opening Day lineup, which, at this moment, looks quite similar to last year's roster—except for the absence of Freddy Peralta, who will no doubt be missed at the top of the rotation.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: the Brewers’ non-roster invitees—players who are not officially on the 40-man roster but have been invited to spring training—could play a crucial role in shaping the team’s future. While the team recently brought in several promising prospects like Jesús Made and Cooper Pratt, these young talents are not necessarily the most likely candidates to make the Opening Day roster. Instead, the focus is on players the Brewers signed to minor league contracts this offseason, offering those athletes an opportunity to prove themselves alongside established stars with the hope of earning a spot in Milwaukee’s major league lineup.
Historically, Milwaukee has been known to give chances to such players—former non-roster invitees like Jared Koenig and Jake Bauers were once in this position and gradually earned prominent roles on the team. Their success stories serve as inspiration and a reminder that spring training can be a launching pad for careers.
Now, let’s explore the top three non-roster invitees who most likely have a shot at cracking the Brewers’ Opening Day roster in 2026.
1. Catcher Reese McGuire
A position to watch closely this spring is the backup catcher role. It’s currently an open competition primarily between the top prospect, Jeferson Quero—and veteran Reese McGuire, who the team signed to a minor league deal just last week. Although Quero is on the 40-man roster and holds the early advantage, McGuire’s experience might give him the edge in this race.
Quero’s readiness for the majors is under question, mainly because he’s still recovering from significant shoulder surgery that sidelined him during much of 2024 and part of 2025. This injury has affected his arm strength—the aspect he previously excelled in—and his overall hitting metrics, such as exit velocities. Due to this, the Brewers may prefer to delay his debut at Triple-A until he is fully back to form, allowing him to get consistent at-bats and further develop, possibly debuting in the majors during the 2026 season.
An added layer of strategic reasoning involves service time. By delaying Quero’s MLB debut until at least the second month, the Brewers could gain an extra year of team control, which is a significant factor in long-term roster planning. Considering that McGuire has already provided dependable backup services over eight seasons, it’s more probable he will serve as William Contreras’s backup at the start of the season rather than Quero.
2. Infielder Eddys Leonard
Beyond McGuire, the chances of other non-roster players making the team are slim unless unforeseen injuries occur. Still, Eddys Leonard, who signed with the Brewers on November 11, has a legitimate shot if the team doesn’t make any further infield acquisitions.
Leonard, a 25-year-old infielder, showcased impressive power last season by slugging 20 homers for Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate. His versatility allows him to play primarily at shortstop, but he’s capable of handling multiple infield positions, which makes him a valuable utility option. The Brewers moved quickly to sign him after the 2025 season, indicating they see potential in his profile and believe he could contribute at the MLB level.
A noteworthy detail is that Leonard has exhausted his minor league options; he spent three years on the 40-man roster and more than 20 days on a Triple-A roster each of those years. This means he can’t be easily shuttled back and forth without exposing him to waivers. In contrast, players like Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler still have minor league options remaining and can be moved between the minors and majors without losing their roster spots.
If Leonard performs exceptionally well this spring, he could surpass Monasterio and Seigler for that utility infielder spot, especially given his power-hitting ability, which differentiates him from his competitors.
3. Right-Handed Pitcher Gerson Garabito
For Gerson Garabito, cracking the opening day roster would probably require injuries to several pitchers ahead of him—most spring training storylines do involve unexpected injuries, after all. Several pitchers who made the roster last year were initially considered long shots before spring, simply because of the high injury rates among pitchers.
Garabito, a 30-year-old right-hander, stands out due to his intriguing pitching arsenal. Although last season was challenging in affiliated ball, he found success in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), posting a solid 2.64 ERA and striking out 84 batters over nearly 80 innings. His repertoire includes two types of fastballs and a mix of secondary pitches like a curveball, slider, and changeup—tools that allow him to generate soft contact through precise location.
While Garabito has primarily worked as a starter in Korea, most of his short MLB stints have been out of the bullpen. This duality could be advantageous; if injuries occur, the Brewers might consider him for bullpen duty. Currently, the team has a limited number of right-handed pitchers in their projected roster, making Garabito a promising candidate if he impresses during spring training.
Most likely, he will begin the season with Nashville’s AAA affiliate and be called up later in the year as a reliable arm if needed. His previous experience and adjusted approach in KBO give him a compelling case to be part of the organization’s pitching depth in 2026.
In conclusion, spring training is always a season of optimism and intense competition, especially for those on the fringes like non-roster invitees. Some will rise unexpectedly, others may fall short, and a few might just prove that the path from minor league contracts to Major League impact is more accessible than many believe. Do you think these three players have what it takes to surprise us all and make the Opening Day roster? Or are there hidden gems yet to be revealed? Share your thoughts and predictions below—spring training always keeps us guessing.
