One Happy Brewer

When refining his approach at the plate, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy must have told Caleb Durbin that “it’s all in the hips," because he assigned him the nickname “Happy.”

Happy Durbin. And why not? Durbin is living the dream, and he has been on a tear since his walk-off home run on June 7. He holds a .296 average over his last 30 days, “I mean, [the home run] didn’t hurt [my confidence],” Durbin said. “I think you just chase the feels, and I’ve definitely felt more comfortable. You don’t really feel settled in as a rookie, but you definitely feel like you’re getting back to what you do best, and that’s kind of been the case for me.”

Happy Durbin walked in each of his pinch-hitting appearances yesterday as the Brewers split a day/night doubleheader with the New York Mets, but his best moment was a key defensive play in the eighth inning of game two. Pete Alonso chopped a curveball to third base, and Durbin stepped on the bag for the out, stranding Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. Durbin wasn’t a Big Leaguer yet, but his teammates certainly remember Pete Alonso’s three-run home run off Devin Williams last postseason that ended the Brewers’ year. That offseason, the New York Yankees traded Durbin to the Brewers in exchange for Williams, so when Durbin put out Alonso last night, it felt like a full-circle moment.

Playing alongside superstars like Alonso, Lindor, and Soto, it can be easy for many Big-League players to take their opportunities for granted. But not Happy Durbin. “I mean, you try to stay in the moment and focus on what you’re trying to do, but obviously taking a look back at it, you’re in the Big Leagues,” said Durbin. “Every day you’re in the Big Leagues, you’re living the dream.” The Brewers have one of the best records in baseball in the last two months, and as much as Durbin enjoyed his walk-off home run on June 7, he says his greatest accomplishment is “just being part of this winning team.”

Much of Durbin’s success has been a product of his height. The infielder is just 5’7, which helps him maintain a low strikeout rate. “Being at this level now, I think there’s pros and cons to every type of body type, so you just gotta use what you’ve got and what works for you,” said Durbin. This season, Durbin has struck out just 9.2% of the time, which ranks in the 98th percentile among Major League hitters (Baseball Savant). Durbin’s unique ability to get on base challenges opposing teams, and his approach is the kind that can spark an offense.

“That’s kind of been the thing that I’ve relied on my whole career,” said Durbin. “It’s the biggest reason why I’m here, so that helps me kind of focus on the other parts of my game, as far as trying to get really good swings out there and bat speed, and approach, and trying to do damage. So, having the reliance on the fact that I will put the ball in play most of the time, I can kind of focus on those other things.”

The Brew Crew is making a playoff push, and Happy Durbin is confident his team has a roster that can go all the way. “I think we have a lot of talent,” he said. “I think we have a ton of talent on this team, and we got guys who just prioritize winning, so we’re playing winning baseball because we’ve got winning players. And our staff is preaching that, and it’s not a coincidence. I think we’ve just got a really good team, and we got on a hot stretch, and we’ve tried to keep it rolling.”

Yesterday, Durbin split time at third base with fellow rookie and former Yankees minor league teammate Anthony Seigler, who recorded his first career hit in the doubleheader’s nightcap. Durbin is not worried about receiving less playing time, though, especially given the length of an MLB season. “There’s gonna be ups and downs, and you ride the hot streaks as long as you can, and then you make sure that the cold streaks aren’t too long. That’s kind of the name of the game, and really just focusing on winning and helping the team. That really takes all the individual pressure off you when you’re putting the team first, and that’s kind of been the mindset that’s helped me.”

“Winning’s more fun than anything,” said Happy Durbin. And the more the Brewers win, the happier he’ll be.