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Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What to Expect from Brewers Infielder Caleb Durbin

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 6:02 PM ET

Months after a torrid performance in the Arizona Fall League, Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin will make his MLB debut. The 25-year-old Durbin has been reportedly promoted to the Brewers, replacing infielder Oliver Dunn on the MLB roster.

A Look at Durbin

Caleb Durbin became the third player to be drafted out of Washington University (MO), a Division III school in the UAA, when Atlanta picked him in the 14th round four years ago. Durbin was a toolsy prospect, one who stole 20 bases in his final year at Washington and posted a .477 career on-base percentage.

He didn’t last long in the Braves’ system, though. Durbin was traded along with Indigo Diaz to the Yankees in December 2022 as part of the Lucas Luetge deal. New York (AL) grabbed him after he posted a .352 OBP the year earlier between Low-A and High-A.

Since then, Durbin’s steadily risen up the ranks. The 25-year-old hit .304/.395/.427 (.822) between High-A and Double-A in 2023, then posted a career-best 10 home runs, along with a .839 OPS across 90 games last season, spent mostly at Triple-A.

Durbin then truly broke out in the Arizona Fall League last year. The 25-year-old batted .312 with five home runs and an AFL-record 29 stolen bases over 24 games. He earned high praise from Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who called Durbin a “hard-nosed, tough player.”

That performance earned Durbin a spot on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. But, he was packaged along with Nestor Cortes to Milwaukee in the Devin Williams trade.

He batted .278 with two home runs before his reported promotion.

Durbin showcased good tools in the Minors. To not much shock given the numbers, Durbin is a plus stolen-base threat who can extend singles into doubles. The Brewer infielder also has a knack for putting ball in play. Durbin doesn’t whiff much, as he missed on pitched just 16.2% of the time in Triple-A.

There’s not a ton of power in Durbin’s 5’7” build.. But he can get a hold of pitches at times, giving him the chance to be a double-digit home run hitter.

Defensively, Durbin played all over the field with the Yankees. New York gave him work at second, third, and short, plus left and center field. With Nashville (AAA) this season, the Brewers had Durbin play mostly at third. However, he did get two starts at second base.

Per reports, the Brewers will promote Caleb Durbin after demoting Oliver Dunn to Triple-A on April 17.

Analysis

It’s the second time in the past week the Brewers promote one of their better prospects to the MLB level. Earlier, the Brewers moved up pitcher Logan Henderson after a great start with Nashville.

Milwaukee tried to make it work with Oliver Dunn, the ex-Yankee & Phillie farmhand acquired two winters ago after a loud 2023 in the Minors. However, Dunn — a hitter with a long stroke and trouble catching up to fastballs — hasn’t hit much at the MLB level to this point. Dunn posted 30%+ Whiff% rates on fastballs in 2024-25 and hit .167/.205/.222 (.427 OPS) as the Brewers’ primary third baseman this season.

Now, the Brewers will give Durbin, a very different hitter with a very different approach, a shot to replace Joey Ortiz — now the Brewers’ shortstop — at the hot corner.

Durbin profiles as a bottom-of-the-order bat who can get on base and set up for the top of the lineup. Which, should help for a Brewers team that sat 17th in on-base percentage (.307) heading into play on April 17.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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