Wisconsin native J.P. Feyereisen has been pitching well this season and has been playing a key role in the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen. Manager Craig Counsell is well known for having an elite bullpen and Feyereisen is proving to be a weapon in his arsenal so far this season.
With the departure of Corey Knebel in the off-season, the importance of having another go- to bullpen arm was up for grabs. It is fair to say that Feyereisen has seized this role, and it is about time we all jump aboard the Feyereisen breakout season express!
Setup Option in the Making
Amongst the Brewers bullpen, Feyereisen has pitched the second most innings (11.2 IP) and is the only other reliever besides Josh Hader to not allow an earned run this season. He is being rewarded with playing time in close games and as a bridge to Hader.
With ten appearances on the year, only three times has Feyereisen entered the game when the Brewers were losing. Four appearances have came when the Brewers were ahead by three runs less and he is yet to enter the game prior to the seventh inning.
On the mound, batters are swinging and missing. Feyereisen currently ranks in the 91st percentile in whiff percentage. He is relying heavily upon his slider but his mid to low 90s fastball makes it tough for hitters to sit on this breaking ball.
For fun, he mixes in a devastating changeup. With 37 changeups thrown this year, he is yet to allow a hit off this pitch and batters are whiffing 56.5% of the time. This three pitch mix has contributed a lot to his early season success so far.
The Brewers bullpen has historically been very good under Craig Counsell and Feyereisen is proving to be one of his trusted arms. Feyereisen’s breakout season should be a fun development to watch as the season progresses!
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