Brewers’ Black Making Strong Case For ’26 Roster

Black inflicted all of his damage on the Athletics in the first five innings of the game. He opened the scoring in the second inning by blasting a two-run homer, then followed that up with an unusual three-run single in the third inning. In his last at-bat, he delivered an RBI double down the rightfield line. All told, his six RBI vaulted him to the top of the team’s stat board in just one game.

Through his first three Cactus League games, Black has five hits in just eight at-bats. He knows, however, that he has a lot of work to do to be a full-time Brewer this summer.

“Anytime you have a big day at the yard,” he said following the game, “it will put a big smile on your face. It’s just one day. I have to build on it.”

The 25-year-old, who hails from Toronto, will have a bit of a detour before he can taste an opening day-roster spot. Black will represent Canada along with Brewers teammate Rob Zastryzny in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, which will commence next week.

With first base and left field as his primary positions, Black may have to branch out to other spots if he wants to nail down a roster spot. He currently stands third out of three first basemen behind Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers. It is an even thicker logjam in left field; as of Wednesday, he is at the bottom of the chart among the seven players at that position.

The place where he may get an extended look this spring is third base. Since incumbent Caleb Durbin was traded to Boston last month, the hot corner became a source of intrigue in and around the Brewers’ camp. Newcomers Luis Rengifo, David Hamilton, and Jett Williams are currently listed as the top three options there. Black’s bat may force the Milwaukee brass to reconsider his current fielding positions, and third base would be a natural switch if they decide that course.

End Of My Brewers Rant: Offense Will Decide Black’s Roster Fate

If Black can maintain his hot streak at the plate, the Brewers will most certainly find a spot for him, a sentiment echoed by his manager.

“Black has enough power to be an everyday player, there’s no doubt,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “But how that comes out, it’s all about how he develops as a hitter. We knew he has it in there.”

Maybe being amongst the best and brightest the game has to offer during his stint with Team Canada next month will solidify Black’s confidence in his game. If he continues to hit as he has thus far in Phoenix, however, he will not have to rely on belief in himself alone.