Earlier this week, the Brewers traded for Bryse Wilson. This deal with the Pirates may have been overlooked due to the signing of Wade Miley being announced on the same day. That signing did raise some questions as to what will happen with some members of the starting rotation. Interestingly enough, the addition of Bryse Wilson just complicates that question even further for he has operated primarily as a starter throughout his career. On top of that, he recently revealed with media members that he was told to come to spring training expecting to compete for a starting rotation spot.
Wilson was told by the Brewers to come to camp to compete for the starting rotation.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) January 5, 2023
If Bryse Wilson is to compete for a starting rotation spot for the Brewers, he will have his work cutout for him. Wilson is out of minor league options and the projected starting five of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Freddy Peralta, Eric Lauer, and Wade Miley are a pretty formidable group.
What is new Brewer Bryse Wilson doing to improve his chances of competing for a starting rotation spot?
Brewer reporters Adam McCalvy and Curt Hogg both had similar comments in regards to what Bryse Wilson is working on this offseason. The theme seemed to be increasing fastball velocity, attacking hitters earlier with this pitch, and pairing it with a split finger change up.
We’re chatting with Bryse Wilson, the RHP and former top prospect picked up by the Brewers yesterday in a trade with Pittsburgh. He said he’s been working this winter on two priorities: Honing a splitter, a new pitch for him. And rediscovering some lost FB velo.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) January 5, 2023
Bryse Wilson says he got away from what was his strength coming up as a prospect: being a power pitcher. He tried to be too perfect with everything, he said, but thought he got back to what works late last year: attacking hitters, pairing the splitter and fastball, etc.
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) January 5, 2023
The idea of Bryse Wilson honing in on a splitter and pairing it with a fastball that he wants to increase the velocity on, sounds more like the profile of a bullpen pitcher as opposed to starter. However, as mentioned above it appears that the Brewers are not closing the door on him as a starter. It will be interesting to see what role, if any, that he carves out with the Brew Crew.
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