Shane Drohan Becomes Latest Drive Alum to Become a World Series Champion

From the mound at Fluor Field to the biggest stage in professional baseball, former Greenville Drive pitcher Shane Drohan can now add a remarkable accomplishment to his baseball résumé: World Series Champion.

Drohan and the Milwaukee Brewers captured the franchise's first World Series championship on Wednesday, October 28, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-1, in Game 5 to secure the series victory in five games.

For the 27-year-old left-hander, the championship capped an extraordinary 2026 season that began with his Major League debut and ended with a World Series title, adding another chapter to the Greenville Drive's proud tradition of developing future Major League stars.

With Milwaukee's championship, a former Greenville Drive player has now been a part of the World Series-winning organization in 12 of the last 14 seasons, including eight of the last nine. Only the 2015 Kansas City Royals and 2023 Texas Rangers did not feature a former Drive player during that stretch.

A Memorable Rookie Season in Milwaukee

After spending his professional career in the Boston Red Sox organization, Drohan was traded to Milwaukee in February 2026 as part of a six-player deal. The change of scenery presented a new opportunity, and the former Florida State standout made the most of it.

Drohan made his Major League debut on April 8 and quickly established himself as a valuable member of Milwaukee's pitching staff, contributing as both a starter and reliever throughout the season.

In his first Major League campaign, Drohan compiled a 7-5 record with a 4.19 ERA, appearing in 33 games, including 19 starts. Across 124.2 innings, the left-hander recorded 125 strikeouts while also collecting two saves.

His versatility provided the Brewers with valuable pitching depth throughout their championship season, helping Milwaukee reach baseball's ultimate destination.

Drohan also earned a spot on Milwaukee's postseason roster, making two appearances during the Brewers' championship playoff run. One of those came in Game 4 of the World Series, when the rookie was called upon to pitch in the 12th inning against Tampa Bay.

Just one day later, Drohan and his teammates celebrated the Brewers' first championship in franchise history.

His Journey Through Greenville

Long before celebrating a World Series championship, Drohan was developing his craft in Greenville.

Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Florida State University, Drohan joined the Drive for the 2022 season and quickly became one of the organization's most promising pitching prospects.

In 22 appearances, including 20 starts, Drohan posted a 6-7 record with a 4.00 ERA. More impressively, he struck out 136 batters across 105.2 innings, averaging an outstanding 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

Among his most memorable outings was a June 7 performance against the Asheville Tourists, when Drohan recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts in just 5.2 innings.

His impressive performances earned him a promotion to Double-A Portland in August, and he finished the 2022 season with 157 strikeouts between Greenville and Portland, leading all Red Sox Minor League pitchers.

A Return to Fluor Field in 2025

Drohan's Greenville story would come full circle three years later.

After overcoming shoulder surgery in 2024 and dealing with additional arm injuries during the 2025 season, Drohan returned to Fluor Field in August 2025 for a rehabilitation assignment while working his way back to Triple-A Worcester.

He made three rehab starts for the Drive between August 12 and August 23, recording 10 strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

While his return to Greenville was brief, it represented another important step in his journey back to full health and, ultimately, the Major Leagues.

Just over a year later, Drohan stood alongside his Milwaukee teammates as a World Series champion.

A Remarkable Tradition of World Series Champions

Drohan's championship continues one of the most impressive traditions associated with Greenville Drive alumni.

Over the last 14 Major League Baseball seasons, dating back to 2013, a former Drive player has been part of a World Series-winning organization in all but two seasons — 2015 and 2023.

That remarkable run includes championship connections with the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants and now the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Drive's championship history dates back to 2007, when former Greenville pitcher Clay Buchholz helped the Boston Red Sox capture the World Series.

Perhaps the most impressive collection of former Drive players came in 2018, when 16 Greenville alumni were connected to the Boston Red Sox championship organization, including Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Jackie Bradley Jr., Andrew Benintendi and Christian Vázquez.

Betts has become one of the most decorated players in Drive history, winning four World Series championships — one with Boston in 2018 and three with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, 2024 and 2025.

The championship connections extend beyond players who became household names. Former Greenville standouts have contributed to championship organizations as pitchers, position players and developing prospects, underscoring the Drive's role in helping shape the next generation of Major League talent.

Greenville Drive Alumni — World Series Championship Teams

The following championship teams have featured former Greenville Drive players, dating back to the franchise's inaugural 2006 season:

2026 — Milwaukee Brewers

• Shane Drohan

2025 — Los Angeles Dodgers

• Mookie Betts

• Michael Kopech

2024 — Los Angeles Dodgers

• Mookie Betts

• Michael Kopech

2022 — Houston Astros

• Mauricio Dubón

• Ryan Pressly

• Christian Vázquez

2021 — Atlanta Braves

• Chris Martin

2020 — Los Angeles Dodgers

• Mookie Betts

2019 — Washington Nationals

• Hunter Strickland

2018 — Boston Red Sox

• Matt Barnes

• Jalen Beeks

• Andrew Benintendi

• Mookie Betts

• Xander Bogaerts

• Jackie Bradley Jr.

• Dan Butler

• Rafael Devers

• Justin Haley

• Brian Johnson

• Tzu-Wei Lin

• Bobby Poyner

• Blake Swihart

• Sam Travis

• Christian Vázquez

• Brandon Workman

2017 — Houston Astros

• Josh Reddick

2016 — Chicago Cubs

• Tim Federowicz

• Ryan Kalish

• Jon Lester

• Anthony Rizzo

2014 — San Francisco Giants

• Hunter Strickland

2013 — Boston Red Sox

• Daniel Bard

• Xander Bogaerts

• Jackie Bradley Jr.

• Drake Britton

• Clay Buchholz

• Félix Doubront

• Ryan Lavarnway

• Jon Lester

• Will Middlebrooks

• Brandon Workman

2007 — Boston Red Sox

• Clay Buchholz