The Milwaukee Brewers head to Kansas City on Friday, April 3 for the start of a three-game series, and they’ll immediately reconnect with two key contributors to the 2025 Brewers division champion and National League Championship Series qualifier.
Isaac Collins and Nick Mears, two players dealt from the Brewers in an offseason trade for relief pitcher Ángel Zerpa, have both seen the field for Kansas City this season.
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How have they fared, albeit in a tiny early season sample? A quick look:
He’s allowed just one hit in two innings with three strikeouts for the Royals (3-3).
Last year, Mears had a 3.49 ERA in Milwaukee with 46 strikeouts in 57 innings. The Brewers acquired Mears during the 2024 season from the Colorado Rockies.
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Isaac Collins getting on base early for Kansas City
Left fielder Isaac Collins of the Kansas City Royals makes a catch during the fourth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on April 02, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Collins, who took fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year vote after a breakthrough season with the Brewers, has started the year 3-for-15, with a double and homer. He’s also walked three times and was hit by a pitch once, so he’s getting on base at a .368 clip. The starting left fielder has been caught stealing in his only attempt.
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Collins had a .779 OPS last year with 16 stolen bases, emerging as Milwaukee’s regular left fielder.
Zerpa has looked great in three early games for the Brewers, allowing two hits and a walk with two strikeouts and no runs in three innings. He also played a key role in the bullpen for Team Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic.
The 26-year-old lefty had a 4.18 ERA in 65 innings with the Royals last year.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins has been one of the Milwaukee Brewers’ breakout performers of the 2025 season.
Collins might have been an unheralded addition to the Brewers’ opening day roster but the rookie has stepped up by having as consistent of a season as any Brewer.
The 28-year-old leftfielder, who joined the Brewers organization in 2023, was rewarded for his play by being named the National League Rookie of the Month in July.
He’s now one of the top contenders for the overall award in 2025. Scroll through this gallery to see his top moments this season.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins has been one of the Milwaukee Brewers’ breakout performers of the 2025 season.
Collins might have been an unheralded addition to the Brewers’ opening day roster but the rookie has stepped up by having as consistent of a season as any Brewer.
The 28-year-old leftfielder, who joined the Brewers organization in 2023, was rewarded for his play by being named the National League Rookie of the Month in July.
He’s now one of the top contenders for the overall award in 2025. Scroll through this gallery to see his top moments this season.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Isaac Collins (6) drives in two runs on a single during the eighth inning of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Isaac Collins (6) is swarmed by teammates after hitting a game-winning sacrifice fly to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-8, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Isaac Collins (6) celebrates with teammates after driving in the winning run during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at American Family Field.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Isaac Collins (6) hits a double off Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez during the third inning on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
The uniforms of the Milwaukee Brewers had “Ueck” on them for their game against the San Francisco Giants, as seen on Isaac Collins (6) during the Milwaukee Brewers’ Bob Uecker Celebration of Life event on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Isaac Collins gets a postgame celebration shower after hitting a walk-off home run against the New York Mets on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, at American Family Field.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins reacts before crossing home plate after hitting a walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the New York Mets to cap a 6-5 comeback win on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, at American Family Field.
““It’s just magic in the air, almost,” Collins said.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Isaac Collins (6) watches his game-winning home run in the ninth inning against the New York Mets on Sunday, Aug, 10, at American Family Field.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins’ three-run home run was all the Brewers needed in their 3-1 win over the Braves on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta.
It was Collins’ seventh of the season.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins is following up his impressive month of July with a great start to August.
He’s 7 for 16 with seven RBI through his first four games, all Brewers wins.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins had his third multi-hit game in the last four contests as he helped lead the Brewers to their fifth straight win on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
He’s seen here hitting a triple, his second of the season, in the sixth inning of a 7-2 win over the Braves in Truist Park.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins provided the Milwaukee Brewers with a reliable bat in 2025.
He won the National League Rookie of the Month honors after hitting .321 (25 of 78), with 11 runs, 11 RBI, four SB and a .847 OPS.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins (6) celebrates with first base coach Julio Borbon after driving in two runs with a base hit in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, July 28, 2025, at American Family Field.
Collins was 2 for 4 in the Brewers’ 8-4 win.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins is among the Brewers’ leaders with an .812 OPS in 2025.
He’s seen here driving in two runs in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs during
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins beats the tag at home plate against Mitch Garver of the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of the Brewers’ 10-2 win at T-Mobile Park on July 23, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.
Collins was 2 for 5 and scored two runs.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collis is batting .285 with a .812 OPS (.385 OBP, .427 SLG) on the season with 72 hits, 41 runs, 11 doubles, seven home runs, 37 RBI, 38 BBs and 12 SBs.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins (6) hits a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of the Brewers’ 8-7 win on July 19, 2025, at Dodger Stadium.
Collins was 2 for 4 in the game.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins and William Contreras celebrate the Brewers’ 8-7 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 19, 2025, at Dodger Stadium.
The Game 2 victory was part of the Brewers’ three-game sweep of the Dodgers.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins had an impressive series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He was 5 for 12 in the three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins got things going in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Brewers on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
With the Brewers trailing 2-1, Collins led off the inning with a single. He later scored to tie the game in the eventual 3-2, 10-inning walk-off victory.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins hits an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of the Brewers’ 3-1 win on July 8, 2025, at American Family Field.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins has taken over as the Brewers’ everyday left fielder, allowing Christian Yelich to move into mostly a designated hitter role.
Entering play on Aug. 4, Collins led all Milwaukee players and ranks 12th among all major-league outfielders with seven outs above average while also accounting for four defensive runs saved.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins (6) and outfielder Jackson Chourio (11) have had a lot of post-game celebrations in the outfield in 2025.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins has been doing a lot of smiling this season. He’s seen here after hitting a double during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs on June 17, 2025, at Wrigley Field.
Collins was 2 for 4 in th e game.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins can play small ball.
He’s seen here laying down a sacrifice bunt during the second inning of the Brewers’ 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at American Family Field.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins reacts on his way to second base after his three-run home run in the fifth inning of the Brewers’ 8-7 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 19, 2025.
It was his second three-RBI game of his career.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Isaac Collins (6) watches his two-run RBI single off of Minnesota Twins pitcher Zerby Matthews (52) during the third inning of their game on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at American Family Field.
The two runs put the Brewers up 3-0 in the eventual 5-2 victory.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Isaac Collins is a 28-year-old from Maple Grove, Minnesota. He bats from both sides of the plate.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins celebrates with teammates after hitting his first career home run during the Brewers’ 7-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on April 29, 2025, at Rate Field.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins (6) gets a pinch-hit double during the seventh inning of the Brewers’ 11-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Monday, March 31, 2025, during their home opener at American Family Field.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins (6) is introduced before the Milwaukee Brewers’ home opener against the Kansas City Royals on Monday, March 31, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He made the team’s opening day roster for the first time.
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Isaac Collins was Milwaukee Brewers’ unsung hero, 2025 NL rookie of year candidate
Isaac Collins participates in drills during spring training workouts on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.
Collins was looking to make the opening day roster after earning a spot on the playoff roster in 2024.
