Brewers June 13 trade has gained massive significance 2 Jul 7, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (28) hits a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Brewers' June 13 trade has gained massive significance

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Tyler Koerth | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 9:28 AM ET

A month ago, the Milwaukee Brewers received a request for a trade from starting pitcher Aaron Civale. Sparking this decision was the Brewers electing to move Civale to the bullpen, a role he had never been in at the MLB level throughout his seven year career.

The Brewers ended up quickly finding a trade partner as Civale was shipped to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for first baseman/designated hitter Andrew Vaughn. At the time, Vaughn was in the White Sox’s minor league system as early season struggles sparked a demotion. Upon coming to Milwaukee, Vaughn similarly was sent to Triple-A.

Once Vaughn arrived at the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, all he did was hit. Through 16 games he accumulated 15 hits, which included seven going for extra bases, and 16 RBI. His hot start did not go unnoticed because when Rhys Hoskins injured his thumb applying a tag at first base, Vaughn was immediately called up.

Milwaukee Brewers June 13 trade for Andrew Vaughn has gained massive significance

Brewers June 13 trade has gained massive significance 1 Jul 7, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Brewers report Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel indicated that Rhys Hoskins has a sprained thumb UCL. He is being treated conservatively in a brace and is targeting a mid-to-late August return. This means that Milwaukee will be without Hoskins, who has a 116 OPS+ this year, for at least the next six to seven weeks.

Thankfully, Vaughn has already stepped up in a big way for the Brewers. In his first at-bat with the team, he launched a three run home run, becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to go deep in his first at-bat.

Andrew Vaughn 3-Run BOMB in his first at-bat as a Brewer

Is this the change of scenery he needed? pic.twitter.com/FqFv215vIr

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) July 7, 2025

With Vaughn under team control through the 2026 season, it appears that Milwaukee is going to give him the reins at first base while Hoskins is out injured. The other option is left-handed hitting Jake Bauers, who in limited playing time this year has put up solid numbers.

In hindsight, what initially seemed like a low-profile transaction of trading an unhappy pitcher for a struggling veteran, has quickly become a pivotal moment in the Brewers’ season. Andrew Vaughn’s resurgence in Triple-A and his timely promotion to the big league roster could not have come at a better time. Hopefully this June 13 trade continues to prove to be a savvy move and have meaningful implications on Milwaukee’s push for the playoffs.

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

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