Daniel Vogelbach Set To Join Coaching Staff Of Milwaukee Brewers

If there is one thing baseball fans in Milwaukee love, it’s a cult hero. And frankly, few players have achieved that status quite like Daniel Vogelbach. The lovable, beefy slugger who captured hearts with his majestic blasts and infectious dugout energy is coming home. But this time, he isn’t grabbing a bat to pinch-hit in the ninth inning.

The Brewers announced on Monday that Vogelbach is officially rejoining the organization as an assistant hitting coach for the 2026 season. It is a move that feels equal parts nostalgic and strategic, adding a massive personality to Manager Pat Murphy’s staff.

A Hero’s Welcome For Vogelbach

Now 33 years old, Vogelbach is trading his helmet for a stopwatch and a notebook. He isn’t coming in cold, either. He spent last season getting his feet wet with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a special assistant for hitting. Clearly, the coaching bug bit him hard, and Milwaukee is the perfect landing spot for his next chapter.

Major Changes To 2026 Staff

While the headlines will rightfully focus on Vogelbach, this is actually part of a much larger reorganization under Murphy. The Brewers are shuffling the deck significantly to stay competitive in the NL Central.

Eric Theisen, who was on the staff last year, is getting the bump to “lead hitting coach.” He will be the man in charge of the offensive philosophy, steering a three-man crew that includes Vogelbach and newcomer Guillermo Martinez. Martinez, 41, brings a wealth of experience from the Cubs and Blue Jays systems, having spent last year with Double-A Knoxville.

On the pitching side, Jim Henderson is moving up the ladder from assistant pitching coach to “pitching coordinator,” while Jason Lane is moving from the third-base coaching box to a more cerebral role as “offense and strategy coordinator.” Taking over Lane’s spot at third base will be Wisconsin native Matt Erickson.

Why This Move Matters

Bringing back a guy like Vogelbach isn’t just a PR stunt to sell tickets. Hitting in the big leagues is as much mental as it is physical. It’s a grind. Having a coach who has been there recently, who understands the pressure of a pinch-hit at-bat in September, and who keeps the clubhouse loose is invaluable.

The Brewers are betting that Vogelbach’s mix of recent playing experience and high-energy personality will connect with young hitters in a way that traditional coaching sometimes misses.