The Milwaukee Brewers have already had a busy offseason. David Stearns has stepped down as President of Baseball Operations. While Matt Arnold is not being “promoted” to that title, he is taking over the responsibilities that come with it. A few trades have already been finalized, including one yesterday in which the Brewers acquired relief pitcher Javy Guerra. Brad Boxberger and Brent Suter were both waived, Suter being claimed by the Colorado Rockies. In addition, three other relief pitchers were non-tendered. According to Curt Hogg of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, this all points to rookie reliever Peter Strzelecki being used in late inning, high-leverage situations.
I mentioned this while guesting on @MKETailgate, but I'll reiterate here.
Previous conversations with folks internally with the Brewers have indicated there is a belief Peter Strzelecki could become a solid late-inning reliever. Their moves over the past week-plus match that.
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) November 19, 2022
Peter Strzelecki in the Minors
When the Milwaukee Brewers called up Peter Strzelecki last season, it was done without much fanfare. After all, Strzelecki was not a high-profile draft pick by the club. Neither was he acquired in some kind of trade. Instead, Strzelecki was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers as a free agent in 2018. He had spent two years pitching in college at South Florida where he was 12-8 with a 3.33 ERA.
Strzelecki’s professional career started in 2019 when he spent time with the Brewers Low-A and High-A affiliates. Between Carolina and Wisconsin, he appeared in in 39 games, posting a 2-1 record and 3.05 ERA. He had a 1.17 WHIP while striking out 66 patters in 59 innings.
Like all other Major League prospects, Strzelecki did not pitch in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2021, he picked up right where he left off. Strzelecki spent most of the season with Double-A Biloxi, appearing in 36 games. He went 0-2 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. His strikeout proficiency continued as he retired 65 hitters in 47 innings via strikeout. Strzelecki did appear in four games with Triple-A Nashville that season as well.
Peter Strzelecki Dominated in 2022
Strzelecki started the 2022 season in Triple-A Nashville. In 27 games with the Sounds, he went 4-0 with a 2.84 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. He struck out batters at a higher rate than ever before, notching 50 strikeouts in just 31.2 innings. This prompted the Brewers to call him up to the Major League level, where he was just as impressive in 30 games. Strzelecki was 2-1 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with the Brewers. He also struck out 40 batters in 35 innings.
Going Forward with the Brewers
As previously mentioned, the Brewers will likely be looking at using Strzelecki in late inning relief. Devin Williams, of course, will be the closer next season. The Brewers also agreed to a one-year contract with Matt Bush, who was acquired at the trade deadline last season. Without Boxberger and four other relief pitchers from last season, there are jobs up for grabs in the bullpen. If Strzelecki can continue to pitch as well as he has, he could emerge as the Brewers’ seventh or eighth inning option in 2023.
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