From Plate to Dugout: Daniel Vogelbach Joins Milwaukee Brewers Coaching Staff

The Milwaukee Brewers are making headlines with a significant overhaul to their coaching staff ahead of the 2026 MLB season, and a familiar, fan-favorite name is returning to American Family Field. Former major league first baseman Daniel Vogelbach, known for his prodigious power and selective eye at the plate, has been appointed as a new hitting coach, marking his first full-time coaching assignment since retiring from play.

Vogelbach, who previously donned a Brewers uniform from 2020-21, brings a unique perspective to the coaching ranks. His playing career, spanning parts of nine seasons from 2016-24, saw him post a career .219/.340/.405 slash line with 81 home runs. While rarely hitting for average, Vogelbach was celebrated for his exceptional pitch recognition (a career 15.1% walk rate) and considerable raw power – attributes that could be invaluable for developing offensive talent.

A Strategic Shakeup in the Hitting Department

Vogelbach’s arrival is part of a broader, strategic restructuring within the Brewers’ hitting development team. This internal reshuffle aims to inject fresh energy and expertise into the club’s offensive strategy:

• Eric Theisen has been elevated from assistant hitting coach to the crucial role of Lead Hitting Coach.
• Joining Vogelbach as a new assistant hitting coach is Guillermo Martinez, a veteran coach with extensive experience, including a stint as the Blue Jays’ hitting coach from 2019-24 and several seasons in minor league development for both the Blue Jays and Cubs.
• Former lead hitting coach Al LeBoeuf, who faced health challenges in 2025, will remain within the organization in an unspecified role, continuing his long-standing commitment to the Brewers.

Broader Staff Enhancements Across the Board

The changes extend beyond the hitting coaches, indicating a comprehensive approach to staff optimization:

• Jason Lane moves from third base coach to the newly created position of “Offense and Strategy Coordinator,” highlighting an increased focus on integrated game planning.
• Matt Erickson will take over as the club’s third base coach, in addition to his duties as infield coach.
• Assistant pitching coach Jim Henderson steps into the role of “Pitching Coordinator,” overseeing the development and strategy for the team’s pitchers.
• Filling Henderson’s former spot is Juan Sandoval, promoted after serving as a minor league pitching coach and coordinator, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to internal talent.
• Spencer Allen, previously Milwaukee’s director of player development and a former head coach at Northwestern, makes the jump to the major league staff as first base coach, replacing Julio Borbon.

These strategic promotions and new hires signal the Brewers’ dedication to fostering growth from within and bringing in targeted external expertise to strengthen their core coaching capabilities. Both Julio Borbon and Al LeBoeuf, though transitioning from their previous major league roles, will continue to contribute to the Brewers organization, underscoring a cohesive long-term vision.

Vogelbach’s Potential Impact

While some may humorously recall Daniel Vogelbach’s larger-than-life presence and occasional base-running adventures, his career statistics reveal a player with an elite skill set for plate discipline and power hitting. These are precisely the qualities teams strive to develop in their hitters. His recent experience as a special assistant in baseball operations for the Pirates further broadened his understanding of the game from an organizational perspective, making him a well-rounded addition to the Brewers’ developmental pipeline.

His return to Milwaukee as a hitting coach is generating buzz. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how his unique insights and recent player experience translate into guiding the next generation of Brewers sluggers. With a reshaped coaching staff ready to implement new strategies, the 2026 season promises to be an exciting chapter for the Milwaukee Brewers as they aim to optimize their offensive and strategic approach on the diamond.

For more details on the Milwaukee Brewers and other MLB news, visit MLB.com.

To explore Daniel Vogelbach’s career statistics, you can visit Baseball-Reference.com.