The Milwaukee Brewers designated outfielder/infielder Jihwan Bae for assignment on Saturday, clearing a spot on the 40-man and active rosters after acquiring utility infielder Jonathan Ornelas from the Athletics in exchange for cash considerations.
Bae’s time with Milwaukee proved extremely brief. The 27-year-old South Korean signed a minor-league deal with the Brewers on Aug. 9 and had his contract selected the same day following the placement of shortstop Cooper Pratt on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain.
In limited action over four appearances, Bae went 1-for-2 with a bunt single, scored a run, and recorded one stolen base while also seeing time as a pinch-runner. One defensive miscue in the field drew notice, but his primary value remained his athleticism.
That speed has long defined Bae’s profile. Since making his major-league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 23, 2022, the left-handed hitter has consistently ranked among the faster players in the game.
His elite sprint speed and baserunning instincts produced 24 stolen bases in 2023 alone, and he continued to swipe bags effectively even in limited opportunities in subsequent seasons.
In 91 Triple-A games with the Syracuse Mets earlier in 2026, he stole 36 bases while posting a .257/.360/.368 slash line with five home runs before being released in early August.
Versatility has also been a hallmark. Capable of playing second base, shortstop, and all three outfield positions, Bae offered the Brewers a flexible bench option during a stretch of infield injuries.
Yet with the club prioritizing Ornelas—a 26-year-old who has appeared in 38 big-league games—and managing its roster amid ongoing health concerns (including second baseman Brice Turang dealing with knee discomfort), Bae became the odd man out after less than a week.
Bae now enters the waiver process. If he clears, the Brewers could outright him to Triple-A Nashville or he could be claimed by another organization seeking speed and positional flexibility.
His major-league track record since 2022 shows a career .225 batting average with limited power, but the tools that first brought him to the majors—particularly his impressive speed—remain intact and could still appeal to clubs looking for a late-season spark or organizational depth.
For a player who has bounced between the majors and minors while showcasing elite athleticism, the rapid rise and fall with Milwaukee underscores the razor-thin margins of roster construction in August.
Bae’s next opportunity will likely hinge on whether another team values that speed enough to claim him.
