The Milwaukee Brewers are 81-57 and in first place of the National League Central Division. While some within the fanbase may not be surprised that the Brewers are so good, their level of success has blown away the expectations others had for them. Before the season even started, they traded Corbin Burnes, lost Brandon Woodruff to injury, discovered closer Devin Williams had stress fractures in his back, and saw Craig Counsell ditch his hometown team for the Chicago Cubs.
Since the season began, Milwaukee has also lost Wade Miley and Robert Gasser to season-ending injuries. DL Hall, Joe Ross, Jakob Junis (since traded), and Aaron Ashby have all suffered injuries that landed them on the IL. All of them (save Junis) are now relief pitchers (Hall started over the weekend but will not be added to the starting rotation going forward).
The Milwaukee Brewers Bullpen Has Been as Reliable as They Come
No bullpen is perfect, but at 81-57, it is hard to deny the fact that Milwaukee’s relief pitchers have, quite literally, saved their season. Due to the injuries to the starting rotation, Brewers relievers have been called upon to shoulder a heavy load, and they have.
Not only have they met the challenge, but they have also excelled. Currently, Milwaukee’s bullpen ranks among the MLB’s leaders in the following categories:
- Innings Pitched: 542.0 (4th)
- Left on Base %: 78.8% (1st)
- ERA: 3.27 (2nd)
- Saves: 45 (T-2nd)
- Wins: 46 (1st)
As one can see, no team denies inherited baserunners to score more than the Brewers. No bullpen has more wins either.
The offense is a great deal better in 2024 under manager Pat Murphy than it was last season, but the pitching has been better too. Recently, Murphy revealed why that is so.
Milwaukee Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Reveals Why His Bullpen Is So Good
In a sit-down with Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, Murphy revealed that the key to his bullpen’s success has been each and every one of their pitchers finding a sense of belonging with his team.
According to Verducci, Murphy said:
“’It’s just the belief,’ Murphy says when asked why this bullpen is so good. ‘Guys like Koenig and Hudson, they just know we need them. They know they have a big role for us. And I think that’s the key. They believe they have a spot here.
“’Payamps knows he has a spot even through thick and thin. Milner’s always been a reliable guy. But they’re also really conscientious. They’re just good people that know we need them. There’s a long list of guys that have contributed and they’ve all been DFA’d. They all are finding a home, so to speak. Even if it’s for a year, they’re comfortable with, ‘Hey, I’m going to pitch. I’m going to pitch important big-league innings. And that’s going to help me in my career.’”
Many fans joke about the Brewers “pitching lab” being adept at taking journeymen relievers or other pitchers on the fringe of the Majors and turning them into studs.
As it turns out, there is a lot of work (and money) that goes into that lab.
But more than the mechanics of pitching, it is important for players to believe in themselves and have the assurance that they have a role on the team.
Murphy makes sure that they do.
Have the Milwaukee Brewers Bullpen Pitchers All Been DFA’d at Some Point?
Murphy was speaking in generalities when he said all of his relief pitchers had been DFA’d at some point. After all, Williams came up through the Brewers’ minor league system and is their latest high-profile All-Star closer.
But many of Milwaukee’s relief pitchers have been cast aside by other teams:
- Trevor Megill- DFA’d by the Chicago Cubs in 2021; traded to the Brewers by the Minnesota Twins for Taylor Floyd in 2023
- Bryan Hudson- DFA’d and then traded to the Brewers by the Los Angeles Dodgers for Justin Chambers in 2023
- Jared Koenig- Non-tendered by the Oakland Athletics in 2022; signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee in November 2023
- Hoby Milner- Taken in the Rule 5 Draft by the Cleveland Indians from the Philadelphia Phillies, then returned; DFA’d by Philadelphia in 2016; Outrighted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019; non-tendered by the Los Angeles Angels in 2020; signed a minor league deal with the Brewers in November 2020
- Joel Payamps- Released by the Colorado Rockies in 2015; DFA’d at some point by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Kansas City Royals; traded to the Brewers by the Oakland Athletics in the same trade that brought William Contreras to Milwaukee
- Bryse Wilson- DFA’d by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022; traded to the Brewers in 2023
As one can see, Murphy was not exaggerating too much. The Brewers really have turned a group of journeymen into one of MLB’s best bullpens.
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