Mitchell shining in Brewers’ postseason
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MILWAUKEE -- Garrett Mitchell spent his first four major league seasons fighting through injuries, including a shoulder issue that prevented him from joining the Milwaukee Brewers’ playoff run last year.
Finally healthy for a full year, Mitchell is playing a vital role in the Brewers’ push for their first World Series title.
Mitchell, 28, was the best player on the field in Milwaukee’s NL Division Series title-clinching victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. He created an indelible moment in Brewers history in the eighth inning by catching a fly ball from Manny Machado at the center-field wall before it could reach the seats and become a tying homer.
The former UCLA star from Orange, California, is eager to help the Brewers in their NL Championship Series rematch with the the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who swept Milwaukee last year. The best-of-seven series starts Sunday night in Milwaukee.
“I think we have a different type of confidence and belief in ourselves together as a team,” Mitchell said as the Brewers celebrated the NLDS title. “It’s just like a quiet, subtle confidence. It’s not showboaty.”
One major difference in this rematch is that the Brewers have Mitchell in the lineup. Last year, Mitchell played just 25 games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
Mitchell never played more than 69 games any of his first four years in the majors as he dealt with a variety of injuries that included issues with his shoulder, oblique and finger.
The 145 regular-season games he appeared in for Milwaukee this season exceeded his combined total from 2022-25 (141). Mitchell hit .262 with a .354 on-base percentage, 11 homers, 65 RBIs and 14 steals.
In Milwaukee’s 3-1 Game 4 NLDS victory at San Diego, Mitchell went 2 for 4. He tripled and scored the go-ahead run in the fifth inning before preserving the Brewers’ lead with his remarkable catch at the wall.
“He’s been phenomenal, and no one could have predicted this, either,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said before the postseason.
From left, the Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick celebrate after the Brewers defeated the Padres in Game 4 of their National League Division Series on Wednesday in San Diego. (AP photo)