Milwaukee Brewers infielder Brice Turang hit a walk-off home run on May 12 to complete the team’s three-game sweep over the New York Yankees, drawing praise from players and coaches. Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge said, “He’s one of my favorite players to watch in the game right now. He’s going to be a bright young star in this game for a long time.”
Turang’s recent performance has positioned him among baseball’s elite. Since August of last year, he has ranked fourth in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), trailing only Shohei Ohtani, Judge, and Bobby Witt Jr. Over 87 games since last August, Turang has posted a .312 batting average with 18 home runs and 13 stolen bases.
Drafted by Milwaukee in the first round of the 2018 Draft, Turang initially was known for his speed and defense but has steadily improved his offensive production each season. In his first Major League Baseball season, he had a .585 OPS over 137 games. By this year, his numbers have climbed significantly; through 35 games in the current season he is hitting .298 with six home runs.
Turang credited mechanical changes at the plate before the 2025 season for his improved results. He increased his bat speed by more than four miles per hour between seasons and saw corresponding gains in hard-hit rate and exit velocity.
His breakout also coincided with participation on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster earlier this year. Judge said that Turang asked questions about preparation during their time together at the tournament: “I loved how he wanted to learn how we do things.” Brewers manager Pat Murphy added: “He’s got a ton of confidence in his game… The kid just keeps taking steps every time.”
Looking ahead, Turang said about joining Team USA: “I’m really excited to learn from those guys and then compete against other countries. It’s going to be a great experience.” As Milwaukee continues its strong season, Turang is expected to remain an important contributor.
