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Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Brewers hitting lineup: potential changes to consider

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Apr 11, 2026 3:13 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers are 8-5 after their loss to their frustrating loss to the Washington Nationals are Friday night. It was Milwaukee’s third consecutive loss, but the good news is that they are still tied for first place in the National League Central Division. Bookmaker sportsbook must be having a field day with the shifting odds for each NL Central team.

While it is still early, there already some potential changes that could be made, particularly in the batting order. Of course, the Brewers are playing without two of their best hitters from a year ago in Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn. Both are currently sidelined with hand injuries.

Even though their return will surely boost the offense, it may be time for Milwaukee to consider the following changes.

David Hamilton should be playing over Luis Rengifo at third base

Brewers hitting lineup: potential changes to consider 1 Apr 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) bunts against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Milwaukee made a complete reset a the third base position when they traded Caleb Durbin (and others) to the Boston Red Sox for Kyle Harrison, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan. While they planned on having Hamilton play the position a bit in 2026, they also signed Luis Rengifo in free agency to play there as well.

A switch hitter, Rengifo has played just about everyday so far this season, but he is not producing at the plate. Through 13 games, he is hitting .154/.214/.256 with two RBI.

Hamilton has played just as many games as Rengifo has, but has moved around the infield in an effort to get himself playing time and some days off for his teammates. He is hitting .222/.432/.222 with three RBI and four stolen bases.

Even though Hamilton does not have a high batting average, his on-base percentage is over .400 thanks to how often he walks. The Brewers’ infielder has walked nine times already this season, and has struck out only four times.

Sal Frelick should bat lead-off instead of Brice Turang

Through the first 13 games of the season, Sal Frelick is hitting .225/.354/.350 with a home run and three RBI. Brice Turang, meanwhile, is hitting .275/.420/.500 with a home run and seven RBI.

Clearly, Milwaukee’s Gold Glove second baseman is off to a better start at the plate, and that is exactly why the Brewers should bat Frelick lead-off instead of Turang. Last year, when batting leadoff, Frelick hit .309/.369/.476 with nine home runs and 37 RBI. Turang, on the other hand, hit .274/.347/.423 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI.

Typically, Frelick has been batting low in the order, which is where Turang was at his best last year. He had his best batting numbers in 2025 when hitting seventh (.355/.396/.591 with five home runs and 22 RBI).

Perhaps moving Frelick up to the lead-off spot might give him the spark he needs to get his bat going, while also giving Turang the opportunity to make an impact (just lower in the order).

As mentioned, the return of Chourio in a couple of weeks, and Vaughn later, will help provide a boost to the offense. That being said, these are moves the team could make right now to help start generating some more runs.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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