Brewers Give Former Mets Prospect Jihwan Bae Another MLB Opportunity
The Milwaukee Brewers have added a familiar name to their roster, bringing in former New York Mets infielder Jihwan Bae after his recent release from the organization.
Bae was released by the Mets last week, but he didn’t have to wait long to find his next opportunity. The Brewers moved quickly to sign him, giving the 26-year-old another chance to prove himself at the major-league level.
Rather than sending him to the minor leagues, Milwaukee immediately activated Bae to its major-league roster. The move gives him an opportunity to contribute right away and potentially carve out a role with the Brewers.
Bae has spent much of this season in the minor leagues, where he has continued working to get back into an MLB lineup. His versatility and previous major-league experience make him an intriguing addition for Milwaukee as the club looks for additional depth.
For the Mets, his departure marks another change among the organization’s minor-league players. Bae joined the Mets after previously getting opportunities at the major-league level, but the organization ultimately decided to move in a different direction.
Now, he gets a fresh start in Milwaukee.
The Brewers clearly see enough in Bae to give him an immediate opportunity, and it will be interesting to see how much playing time he receives and what he can produce with his new club.
For Bae, the message is simple: the Mets chapter is over, and a new opportunity in Milwaukee has arrived sooner than expected.
The Mets’ decision to claim Jihwan Bae off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates during the offseason was viewed as a controversial move, particularly because of a domestic violence suspension he received in 2019.
That suspension remained part of the conversation surrounding Bae throughout his time with the organization. Despite the history, the Mets kept him under contract and had him playing in the minor leagues throughout the season.
Bae spent much of his time with Syracuse, which kept him away from the spotlight at the major-league level. While it is unclear whether his past suspension influenced that decision, the circumstances surrounding his tenure with the Mets certainly added another layer to an already unusual situation.
Now that Bae has moved on to Milwaukee, he gets an opportunity to begin a new chapter with the Brewers.
Former Mets minor leaguer Jihwan Bae quietly found a new home and a job in the majors
Bae hit .257/.360/.368 in the minors with 36 stolen bases in 41 tries. Only a .223 hitter in the major leagues, the Brewers are undoubtedly hoping to take advantage of his athleticism over the upside. The move seemed to come in response to placing Cooper Pratt landing on the IL.
Bae spent most of this year at second base with significant time in the outfield as well. His athleticism has kept him in the sport. And with the Brewers as the ones to take him away from the Mets days after his release, it’s a reminder of how their system continues to think similarly even without David Stearns around.
Going just 1 for 20 with the Pirates in 2025, the Mets had no intentions of ever seriously keeping him on the major league roster. He was DFA’d back in January and despite the team’s need for help at times this year on the depth chart, never chose to acknowledge he was present.
The Brewers already have a deep farm system, so the decision to bring in Bae drew plenty of attention from fans. The move quickly sparked reactions online, with many supporters taking to the comments to share their opinions. Those familiar with Bae’s past were particularly critical of the signing.
On Sunday, Bae made his first appearance for Milwaukee and wasted little time making an impact. In his lone plate appearance, he laid down a bunt against A.J. Minter and beat the play for an infield single, showing the kind of aggressive, hustle-driven approach that can energize a lineup.
While his style of play may win appreciation on the field, his previous off-field history remains a significant part of the discussion surrounding him. The Mets ultimately avoided having that become a major storyline during his time in their organization.
Now, Milwaukee will have to see what Bae can bring on the field while managing the attention that comes with his past.
