The Milwaukee Brewers are feeling some heat with all the moves teams have made in their division this offseason. It appears the Brewers may not make a big splashy trade before spring training begins, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be paying attention to what is happening around them.
Milwaukee is loaded with talent and should be considered the favorite to win the National League Central again. The Cubs are improving and have added some pieces to challenge the Brewers. They added Kyle Tucker but did trade away Cody Bellinger, the move still makes the Cubs a better team this year, but not quite on the Brewer’s level.
Alex Bregman is still a free agent and has been mentioned as a potential fit for the Chicago Cubs. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported the Cubs are “showing significant interest” in Bregman.
“(Houston Astros) and Cubs are believed showing significant interest in Alex Bregman, with (Detroit Tigers) and (Boston Red Sox) among others involved,” Heyman said. “His longtime Astros team, also engaged at the start of winter, want him enough they may move (Isaac Paredes) to 2B and (Jose Altuve) to LF to accommodate.”
If the Cubs were to land Bregman, that would put them ahead of the Brewers on paper. Brewer fans need to hope and pray that Bregman does not sign with their division rival, the Chicago Cubs.
Brewers Could Have Found Their Next Dominant Closer in Craig Yoho
In December, the Brewers traded away National League Reliever of the Year Devin Williams to the Yankees, leaving Milwaukee’s closer role up for contention.
During Williams’ four-month absence with a back injury last season, Veteran Trevor Megill (21 saves in 2024) assumed the role. He will probably be the Brewer’s opening day closer at least to start the season, but a potential MLB star from triple a could ultimately seize the coveted spot: 25-year-old Craig Yoho.
Yoho ranked as the No. 21 prospect in the Brewers’ top 30. Yoho breezed through the minor leagues. He began in High-A, pitching in only 16 games before a promotion to Double-A. He was dominant there pitching in 18 games, leading to another promotion to Triple-A, where he appeared in 14 games.
In the minors last season, Yoho posted a 0.94 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, .151 batting average against, and 101 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. Yoho’s remarkable ability to keep balls in the park impressed, as he surrendered zero home runs and allowed only six extra-base hits.
Yoho told Kyle Lobner of “T-Rat Talk” why he’s so successful striking out hitters. ”Just getting ahead early. If I can get to two strikes, I know it’s basically over for the hitter, and that’s been my focus … getting to two strikes as quick as possible and then putting guys away.”
Here is a short from YouTube, that shows just how nasty Yoho’s pitching arsenal is.
Unpacking Yoho’s Dominance: What Makes the Brewers Prospect So Special?
Yoho has a strong three-pitch mix. His fastball hovers around 91-93 miles per hour and has the breaking action of a sinking fastball. The second pitch in his repertoire is a sweeping slider that clocks in at 76-78 mph. His Change up recognized as an above-average pitch with a grade of 70 baffles hitters.
Yoho pitched in 48 games last year in the Minor Leagues, he only had 10 save opportunities. He converted all 10 chances.
With the bullpen not only losing Devin Williams but also Hoby Milner, Colin Rea and Joe Ross, Yoho’s role could become even more crucial. Keep an eye on him as the season progresses.
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