The Milwaukee Brewers recently became World Series champions for the first time in franchise history after a red-hot run through the 2026 postseason that saw them go 11-2. 

For most of the season, Milwaukee looked like the best team, and it proved it in October through a consistent display of dominance. The Brewers are largely defined by their talented young stars, but important veterans exist in the clubhouse as well, and none are more important than Christian Yelich. 

The 2026 Major League Baseball season was Yelich's ninth in Milwaukee, and the team's playoff run was his sixth. 

So, how was the overall body of work for the 34-year-old? 

As good as Yelich has been throughout his career, injuries have certainly taken a toll on him. In the 2024 season, he was limited to 73 games, but that number shot up to 150 appearances in 2025. However, he fell to 118 appearances in 2026.

As a hitter, Yelich struggled more than he has in recent seasons. He took 442 at-bats and posted a .235 batting average, a .315 on-base percentage, a .378 slugging percentage and a .693 OPS. 

His OPS was the lowest of his 14-year career, and his batting average was the lowest it had been since the truncated 2020 season.

After launching 29 home runs and driving in 103 runs in 2025, Yelich experienced a precipitous drop-off in those areas as he hit 12 home runs in 2026 and drove in only 59 runs. Because of his injury history, Yelich has been compelled to primarily be a designated hitter. 

During the 2026 season, Yelich appeared in only two games in left field, and the rest of his appearances came as a designated hitter.

Despite his struggles, Yelich is still valued as a veteran presence, so much so that he was named the first official captain in franchise history on Sept. 26, just before the Brewers embarked on their legendary playoff run. 

In the postseason, Yelich's numbers improved as he posted a .268 batting average, a .388 on-base percentage, a .341 slugging percentage and a .729 OPS over 12 games and 41 at-bats. He also logged five RBIs, a double, a triple, and six walks with four stolen bases.

Yelich may not be the player he once was, but the gravity he possesses cannot be ignored. When Milwaukee needed him, he stepped up intangibly and tangibly, and now he is a World Series champion.