The Milwaukee Brewers lineup has a few regulars struggling offensively. While fans are hitting the panic button currently, the Brewers organization and manager Pat Murphy are not.

The Brewers recently took over first place in the NL Central following a sweep of the Chicago Cubs. The offense has struggled at times, yes. Some positions have been putrid, in fact.  The Brewers are last in MLB with just 40 homers in 57 games. And yet, a May hot streak has the Brewers atop the NL Central.

Luis Lara is one of the names fans have been clamoring for a promotion to The Show. But it doesn’t seem likely, barring a long-term injury to an everyday outfielder.

Brewers’ Offense Has Holes in the Lineup

Some offensive struggles were expected with Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich and Andrew Vaughn spending much of the season on the injured list. Chourio opened the year on the IL. Vaughn didn’t even play an entire series before landing there. Yelich has missed more than half the games.

The Brewers have risen to near full strength, but there are still some spots that could use upgrades.

Joey Ortiz, Luis Rengifo, Sal Frelick and others have struggled, yet the Brewers are leading the division.

While many fans wanted Lara in Milwaukee, the Brewers were right not to call him up. The 21-year-old outfielder hadn’t seen a single pitch at the AAA level before this season.

Lara Is Rising Up the Prospect Charts

With Lara, the organization likely wanted to see him get some at-bats in AAA before bringing him to the majors.

Last year in AA-Biloxi, Lara posted a strong season in a Southern League known to be tough on hitters. Lara hit .257 with 32 doubles, 77 runs scored, and 42 stolen bases. He only hit two homers but posted a .712 OPS, including a .369 on-base percentage.

After just two homers in 136 games last season in AA, Lara already has seven homers in 55 games played in Nashville. Lara isn’t making the decision to keep him in Nashville easy. He is hitting .345 with an OPS of .962.

Furthermore, Lara is only 21 years old but is showing strong plate discipline. The speedy, switch-hitting outfielder has scored 49 runs, driven in 27, and also walked (38 times) more than he’s struck out (31).

He also has a skill set that fits what the Brewers do. Not only is he raking at the plate, but Lara is a very good defensive outfielder and is a speedy baserunner. He’s stolen 18 bases already for the Sounds. He also won a Minor League Gold Glove award last year.

His stellar start to the 2026 season has pundits taking notice. Lara entered the year as the No. 99 prospect in Baseball America’s top-100 list. He has risen to No. 66 in its recent update.

Brewers Are Patient with Prospects

Part of the reason Lara didn’t receive the call to come up to Milwaukee was the timing of the Chourio injury. The Brewers placed Chourio on the injured list before Opening Day after he was hit by a pitch on the hand in the World Baseball Classic.

Blake Perkins was subsequently anemic offensively, which was part of why fans wanted Lara to get the call. But Lara wasn’t going to be called up before getting a decent number of at-bats in AAA. The organization wants him to get regular at-bats and continue to develop in AAA. Now that Chourio is back and Mitchell is fine with the lumber, the Lara promotion chatter among fans has died down a bit. 

With Lara’s hot start in AAA, though, if there is a long-term injury to one of the Brewers’ everyday outfielders, particularly Mitchell, Lara is likely to get the call. Even then, it might not happen with Chourio’s ability to play center field.

He won’t be getting corner outfield at-bats because offseason free agent signing Akil Baddoo is on a rehab assignment (raise your hand if you forgot Baddoo was signed this offseason) and is nearing his debut. Baddoo is on the 40-man roster, while Lara isn’t.

Luis Lara MLB Promotion on Hold

Sitting in first place in the NL Central, there’s no need for the Brewers to hurry prospects along. But some positions continue to underproduce offensively. With prospects like Lara appearing ready to fill those spots in AAA, the time could be nearing for some promotions.

Now, eclipsing 200 at-bats in Nashville with his continued hot hitting, many fans feel Lara should be on speed dial, but it’s more likely to be on hold. If Mitchell suffers a long-term injury, which has happened plenty for him in his career, Lara may get the call.

In the meantime, the Brewers are likely to be patient with him. A shortstop or third baseman, like Jett Williams or Cooper Pratt, is more likely to get the call, as the left side of the Brewers’ infield is more of an issue currently than the outfield.

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