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Brewers’ Aaron Ashby touches on simple approach that led to postseason success

Brewers’ Aaron Ashby touches on simple approach that led to postseason success
Photo credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Nov 12, 2026, 10:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 11, 2026, 22:39 EST
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The Milwaukee Brewers rode a dominant bullpen all the way through the postseason to capture their first World Series title in franchise history. 
One of the key members of the Brewers’ bullpen was left-hander Aaron Ashby, who set a postseason record with 18 straight scoreless innings to begin a playoffs for a reliever, breaking the mark previously held by Andrew Miller. 
Across nine games, Ashby went 1-0, picked up two holds and three saves in all three of his opportunities. Ashby turned in a WHIP of 0.44, struck out 20 batters, and limited opponents to a .089 average during his 18 innings pitched. 
On Tuesday, Ashby joined the 6ix Inning Stretch Podcast with Lindsay Dunn and Whit Merrifield to discuss his mentality in the playoffs, the ability to overcome missing a full year of baseball, and the impact former Toronto Blue Jay Daniel Vogelbach had on the Brewers’ offence. 
“I think in past postseasons, I’ve tried to squeeze so hard to be perfect to meet the moment, crowd, and energy. I think I went into this year just trying to let go. Every postseason, I’ve felt anxiety and just put this crazy amount of pressure on myself to perform,” Ashby said. “This time, I just needed peace, calmness, and was just going to trust I’d be there. That just allowed me to lift my leg up and just go home. It’s really that simple.” 
After becoming a regular on the Brewers’ roster during the 2022 season, where Ashby pitched in 27 games (19 starts), he was forced to open the 2023 campaign on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation. 
Unfortunately for Ashby, the injury worsened, which resulted in him having to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. Ashby was able to return to the mound in September and pitch in seven games across three minor-league levels, but turned in a 15.43 ERA and was never given a shot with the Brewers, resulting in a lost season. 
“My wife and I got to drive home from Milwaukee, and it’s eight hours, so we kind of used that time to reflect about how crazy it is where we are now. The season’s over, we just won the World Series and two-and-a-half years ago, I was in Triple-A not really sure if I was ever going to be back in the big leagues,” Ashby stated. “I was throwing 91 [MPH], walking seven hitters in three innings, and when I did throw it over the plate, it was getting smashed off the wall. It’s a very different time and it’s crazy how fast things can change.” 
Vogelbach spent this past season as one of the Brewers’ hitting coaches, After spending the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Vogelbach joined the Brewers’ staff ahead of 2026, and helped the offence reach a new level. Vogelbach’s final season in the majors came with the Blue Jays, where the infielder appeared in 31 games and batted .186 with one home run and eight RBIs. 
“He might be the unsung hero. To have a hitting coach that can walk that player-coach and player dynamic, he just brought such a different way of coaching and player relationship than I’ve seen before,” Ashby said. “He was one of our best friends on the team, you just want to hang out with him all the time.”

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