Brewers’ Christian Yelich Hits Mark Not Reached Since His MVP Campaign

Christian Yelich
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Christian Yelich rounds first base after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on September 12, 2025.

Christian Yelich has reached a milestone that has eluded him for years: 100 runs batted in. For the Brewers’ veteran outfielder, it’s more than just a round number; it’s a reminder of the player he once was at his peak, and the player he has managed to become again. This season marks only the second time in his career that Yelich has reached triple digits in RBIs, the first since his MVP-caliber 2018 campaign.

The achievement is particularly meaningful given the trajectory of Yelich’s career. After bursting into superstardom with Milwaukee in 2018 and 2019, injuries and inconsistency dimmed his production for several seasons. Reaching 100 RBIs again in 2025 suggests a return to form and underscores how vital he has been in anchoring the Brewers’ lineup this year.

“It means we’ve got good teammates that are out there and on the bases for you, available a lot of the games. … That’s the most important stuff right now, just winning games. Making sure we continue to play well,” Yelich said.

“There were a lot of questions, obviously, that I had to answer. People doubting whether or not I could play. I felt like I was going to still be able to play at a high level after dealing with what I had to deal with–all the back stuff. … Just being available for most of the games this year and being able to play is just kind of refreshing.”


Comparing to Past Seasons

Yelich’s 2018 season remains the gold standard. That year he slashed .326/.402/.598 with 36 home runs and 110 RBIs, winning the National League MVP award. He followed that with another stellar season in 2019, hitting 44 homers and driving in 97 runs in just 130 games–numbers that likely would have eclipsed 120 RBIs had he avoided injury late in the year.

From 2020 to 2022, Yelich’s production dipped dramatically, with injuries hampering his power and limiting his ability to drive in runs. His RBI totals over those three years never reached higher than 75, and questions swirled about whether he could regain his middle-of-the-order presence. Even in 2023 and 2024, while he remained a steady contributor, his run production hovered well below that 100 mark, with 76 and 42 RBIs, respectively.

This season’s surge back into triple digits reflects not only better health, but also a lineup that consistently gives him opportunities. Yelich has thrived hitting behind table-setters like Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio, and his renewed ability to drive the ball has put him back in the company of elite run producers.


The RBI Leaders Around the League

Reaching 100 RBIs still matters in today’s game, even as advanced metrics like OPS+ and wRC+ dominate discussions of offensive value. In 2025, a handful of hitters have crossed that threshold, making Yelich’s milestone a noteworthy accomplishment. Players like Kyle Scwarber (128), Pete Alonso (121), and Cal Raleigh (118) have all been piling up RBIs on big-market contenders, while Juan Soto and Taylor Ward remain steady run producers, tying with Yelich (100).

What makes Yelich’s case unique is that he’s producing these numbers in Milwaukee, a team built less on power-hitting stars and more on balanced contributions throughout the order. With Yelich’s achievement, he is among the top 20 run producers in baseball this year, and among a select few in the National League. It’s a return to relevance for a player many had written off as past his prime, and it’s a boost to a Milwaukee offense that now has a proven veteran run producer in the middle of the order.

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Brewers’ Christian Yelich Hits Mark Not Reached Since His MVP Campaign

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