Here’s a bold statement to kick things off: Spring training is a breeding ground for surprises, and this year’s non-roster invites for the Brewers are no exception. But here’s where it gets controversial—while many names are flying under the radar, only a select few have a real shot at cracking the roster. So, who among these underdogs stands the best chance of making the cut? Let’s dive in.
On an unusually warm Sunday, we’re revisiting the excitement of spring training with a fresh question. A few weeks ago, we asked which prospect you’re most eager to see this season (https://www.brewcrewball.com/milwaukee-brewers-discussions/76268/brew-crew-ball-daily-question-which-prospect-are-you-most-looking-forward-to-seeing-this-spring), and just last Friday, Dave highlighted some dark horse candidates (https://www.brewcrewball.com/milwaukee-brewers-news/76672/3-dark-horse-brewers-roster-candidates-to-watch-in-spring-training) that got us all talking. Now, the spotlight shifts to the non-roster invites—specifically, which one has the best odds of joining the Brewers?
This spring, there’s a whopping 18 non-roster players vying for attention (https://go.skimresources.com/?id=1025X1734621&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com%2Fbrewers%2Froster%2Fnri), and as Dave pointed out, there’s always a surprise or two in the mix. While I won’t dissect every single player—or revisit the three Dave already covered—I’ll spotlight a few names worth watching.
Among the lesser-known prospects, one familiar face stands out: pitcher Peter Strzelecki. Signed to a minor league deal with a spring invite earlier this week, Strzelecki isn’t new to the Crew. He pitched for Milwaukee in 2022 and 2023 before being traded to the Diamondbacks at the deadline. His journey since then has been a rollercoaster—just one appearance with Arizona, followed by 10 outings with Cleveland in 2024, and a less-than-stellar 2025 season split between Triple-A Indianapolis (Pittsburgh’s affiliate) and Durham (Tampa Bay’s affiliate), where he posted a 9.41 ERA over 22 innings. Can he rebound and reclaim a spot with the Brewers? Only time will tell.
And this is the part most people miss—catcher Reese McGuire was once a strong contender, but the recent addition of Gary Sánchez has muddied the waters for his roster chances. Meanwhile, newcomer Jett Williams is a prospect to keep an eye on, potentially competing for a utility infield/outfield role. Outfielder Greg Jones, however, faces an uphill battle, as Milwaukee’s depth chart is stacked with talent ahead of him.
So, who do you think has the best shot at making the team out of spring training? Is it Strzelecki’s redemption story, Williams’ versatility, or someone else entirely? Here’s where it gets even more controversial—could the Brewers surprise us all by giving a nod to a completely unexpected player? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and join the conversation as we continue to dissect these possibilities throughout spring training. Got a question you’d like us to tackle in a future BCB Daily Question? Drop it below—we might just feature it later this month!
