Brewers’ Caleb Durbin Eyes First-Ever MLB Opening Day Roster

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To see second baseman Caleb Durbin included along with lefthander Nestor Cortes in the Brewers’ Dec. 13 trade of Devin Williams to the Yankees was no surprise to those who follow the team closely.

The 25-year-old Durbin is versatile, a great baserunner and hard-nosed—three characteristics that Milwaukee covets.

“When we were considering the trade, I know our people understood what kind of guy we would be getting,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “And he fits a team that plays the way we’ve played recently.”

This year, Durbin might find himself in his first-ever Opening Day lineup.

Following the free agent departure of Willy Adames, the Brewers need a new shortstop. Second baseman Brice Turang and shortstop Joey Ortiz will compete for the job.

For his part, Durbin played second, third and short for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season—as well as left and center field—and carried that versatility to the Arizona Fall League.

“I got a lot more time at third base to get comfortable over there and solidify my confidence,” Durbin said about his key development in 2024. “Feeling like I can be a plus defender there, and at the same time getting those really valuable game reps in the outfield.”

The Braves drafted Durbin in the 14th round in 2021 out of Washington University and traded him to the Yankees for Lucas Luetge after the 2022 season. Durbin played in 82 Triple-A games last season—he missed two months with a broken wrist—and hit .287/.396/.471 with 10 home runs and 29 stolen bases.

In 24 games in the AFL, he produced a .976 OPS and he set the league record with 29 stolen bases.

On a Brewers team that finished second in the majors in stolen bases in 2024, Durbin’s speed is a skill that will help him.

“He’s not blazing fast,” Murphy said. “He’s just a really good baseball player.”

MICRO BREWS

— Catcher Jeferson Quero, whose 2024 season was finished after one plate appearance for Triple-A Nashville when he badly separated his right shoulder on a head-first slide and subsequently needed surgery, is on track to be ready for the start of spring training.

“I would say everything that we’ve outlined for Jeferson and his return to play looks to be tracking to make him available for 2025, which we’re super excited about,” Brewers vice president of player development Cam Castro said midway through the offseason.

— This spring could be considered make or break for corner infielder/outfielder Tyler Black.

Drafted 33rd overall in 2021 out of Wright State, Black overcame myriad injuries in subsequent seasons to finally make his MLB debut in 2024. But with Milwaukee willing only to let him play first base or DH, Black’s opportunities were limited and he hit just .204 in 18 games over three separate callups.

With a superior command of the strike zone and great speed, Black could make himself into a factor if he can prove to the Brewers he can field competently at both first and third base at spring training. It’s likely he’ll find some opportunities in the outfield as well.

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