Recently released NY Mets minor leaguer finds his way to the Brewers bench

You’ve probably been paying more attention to the New York Mets minor leaguers who came here at the trade deadline. Maybe you even saw the team released Mike Tauchman. Another well-known name toiling in the minor leagues this year has found a new home, too.

Jihwan Bae was released last week by the Mets and it didn’t take him even a week to find a new home. The Milwaukee Brewers announced they’ve signed him and will waste no time seeing what he can do in the minor leaguers. He was signed and immediately activated to the major league roster.

A controversial Mets offseason move when they claimed him off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, a domestic violence suspension from 2019 has followed him around. This didn’t stop the Mets from employing him as a minor leaguer all year, but may have played a factor in them keeping him hidden in Syracuse.

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 stacked Brewers farm system was overlooked with this move, much to the chagrin of fans who loaded up the comment section with expected takes. Those who know of Bae’s past were even less impressed.

Bae dropped a bunt against A.J. Minter in his one and only plate appearance on Sunday and managed to beat it out for a single. A style of play any fan can appreciate, the off-field controversy was something the Mets, fortunately, stayed away from. Of all of the distractions the team has had, this isn't one they ever needed to tempt us with.

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