The day following the news that the Brewers had invited two catchers to spring training, they have now added a third catcher to the mix. Veteran catcher Reese McGuire, who played for the Cubs last season, has agreed to a minor league contract with Milwaukee and earned an invitation to major league spring training, according to Curt Hogg.
McGuire, who turned 31 in March, was a first-round draft pick by the Pirates in 2013. Over eight partial MLB seasons, he has played with four teams: the Blue Jays, White Sox, Red Sox, and Cubs. His standout year came in 2019 when he played 30 games for Toronto, posting a 1.0 bWAR and batting .299/.346/.526 with five homers and 11 RBIs.
In 2025, McGuire appeared in 44 games for Chicago, serving primarily as the backup to Carson Kelly. He hit .226/.245/.444 with nine home runs, 24 RBIs, and provided solid defensive skills, including catching 25.9% of attempted base stealers that year, contributing to a lifetime caught stealing rate of 27.1%. He is known for above-average skills in framing pitches, blocking, and throwing.
Milwaukee’s starting catcher role is locked in for William Contreras, but McGuire will be competing with Jefferson Kelo and other minor leaguers for the backup catcher position this spring. If the coaching staff believes Kelo needs more seasoning, McGuire could be part of the major league roster when camp wraps up at the end of March.
It’s also notable that McGuire has no minor league options left, meaning if he makes the Brewers’ big-league roster, the team won’t be able to send him down when Cuello is ready to step in.
Fan Take: This signing signals Milwaukee’s commitment to building a deep catching group with a blend of experience and youth, which is crucial for a team’s pitching staff and defense. McGuire’s presence provides valuable depth and competition, which can raise the overall level of play behind the plate and may impact the Brewers’ success in the upcoming season.
