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The Milwaukee Brewers are on the verge of advancing to their second consecutive National League Championship Series after taking the first two games of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres. Milwaukee captured the NL Central crown with a franchise-best 103 victories, fueled by key contributions from several players, including first baseman Jake Bauers.
Bauers put together a stellar 2026 campaign, posting a .266 batting average, a .389 on-base percentage, and a .484 slugging percentage. He also launched 26 home runs, drove in 86 runs, stole 11 bases, and accumulated a 3.3 WAR along with an .874 OPS. Despite these impressive numbers, he was surprisingly omitted from the All-Star team, but he is now in the running for a major postseason honor.
According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Bauers is under consideration for the Hank Aaron Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding offensive player in each league. There are 10 nominees per league, and Bauers has a compelling case to take home the NL prize given his all-around offensive production.
Even though the Brewers ranked near the bottom of Major League Baseball in home runs, Bauers provided a significant power threat while also demonstrating excellent contact skills and a keen eye at the plate. Milwaukee acquired the 30-year-old in 2024 after he had spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners, and New York Yankees. Initially used as a platoon bat, he has since solidified himself as the team's everyday first baseman.
Over the past few seasons, Bauers has refined his approach at the plate. He always possessed raw power from the left side, but he has now unlocked even more of it, emerging as one of the most dependable hitters in Milwaukee's lineup. For a team that relies on alternative methods to score runs, having a power threat like Bauers—who may be one of the most underrated players in the game—is crucial.
Key Analysis
Bauers' nomination for the Hank Aaron Award highlights his remarkable transformation from a journeyman platoon player to a cornerstone of the Brewers' offense. His ability to combine power and on-base skills has been instrumental in Milwaukee's success, and his recognition as a finalist underscores his value to the team. The other National League nominees include Pete-Crow Armstrong, Jordan Walker, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwaber, and Fernando Tatis Jr. In the American League, Willson Contreras—older brother of Brewers catcher William Contreras—earned a nomination after a strong offensive season with the Boston Red Sox. Whether Bauers ultimately wins the award remains to be seen, but his inclusion as a finalist is a testament to his breakout year.