The Milwaukee Brewers kept a familiar family thread going in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, selecting high school shortstop Trey Ebel in the first round.
The pick stood out because several analysts believed Ebel was projected outside the first round, which made Milwaukee’s decision a notable one for a club that has built a reputation for finding value in the draft. It also extended the Brewers’ connection to the Ebel family after they selected Trey’s older brother, Brady Ebel, with the No. 32 pick in the 2025 draft and signed him for $2.75 million.
Why the Brewers went this direction
The immediate reaction around the pick centered on fit. Ebel has been described as a bat-to-ball player with limited flashy tools, but that profile can still appeal to a Brewers front office that has often favored players who are more polished than spectacular.
Keith Law said Ebel “doesn’t have a carrying tool” but gets strong marks for his instincts on both sides of the ball, while also noting that he likes Trey’s hit tool a little more than he liked Brady’s. That is a meaningful distinction for Milwaukee, because the Brewers are not just betting on athletic upside here. They appear to be betting on feel, contact ability and baseball instincts.
Mike Avisa made the family link part of the evaluation, calling Ebel “very Brewers coded” as a bat-to-ball player with just OK power potential, good defensive chops and baseball smarts. He also noted that Ebel could eventually wind up at second base long-term.
How Trey compares to Brady
The brother comparison is now part of the story, and it gives the pick more texture. Jonathan Mayo said some evaluators believe Trey is a more complete player than Brady, with the chance to really hit and a good chance to stick at shortstop. That is a strong complement to the Brewers’ previous move, especially with the brothers now set to be reunited in Milwaukee’s system.
Dan Mullen framed the pick as another example of Milwaukee leaning into a familiar type. He said there is clearly something the Brewers front office likes about the Ebel family, and that Trey looks like the sort of player Milwaukee has a history of turning into a key contributor on a perennial contender.
That is the broader takeaway here. The Brewers did not just draft a name connected to the organization. They added another player who fits a pattern they seem to trust: not a lot of flashy tools, but enough baseball skill to make the investment look sensible if the bat keeps moving forward.
For now, the decision gives Milwaukee another high-upside family connection and another chance to prove that its draft model can keep finding players who outperform outside expectations.
