The Milwaukee Brewers bullpen is going to look a bit different in 2025 than it did last season. Earlier this offseason, they traded two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees for left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and infielder prospect Caleb Durbin.
Of course, Milwaukee got a taste of what life without Williams would be like last season. The 2020 NL Rookie of the Year missed the first several months of the season with stress fractures in his back. While he was unavailable, Trevor Megill saved 20 games in 22 chances and posted a 2.72 ERA.
Williams, as one might have expected, was lights out when he returned, though. He finished the season with 14 saves and a sparkling 1.25 ERA. Unfortunately, he also gave up a game-winning grand slam to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in the postseason, which ended the Brewers’ year.
The Milwaukee Brewers Will Have a Strong Bullpen Again in 2025
One of Milwaukee’s biggest strengths over the last two seasons has been their bullpen. They have finished in the top two in all Major League Baseball in bullpen ERA in each of the past two years. Unsurprisingly, they have also won the National League Central Division in each of those seasons.
In addition to Megill as their likely closer, the Brewers also boast a plethora of talented pitchers that are among the best in Majors. Below are just a few of these pitchers along with their 2024 stats.
- Bryan Hudson: 43 games, 6-1, 1.73 ERA, 0.72 WHIP
- Jared Koenig: 55 games, 9-4, 2.47 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
- Joel Payamps: 68 games, 3-7, 3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP
- Elvis Peguero: 52 games, 7-4, 2.98 ERA, 1.54 WHIP
- J.B. Bukaukas: six games, 1.50 ERA, 0.67 WHIP (injury-shortened season)
In addition to these talented arms, Milwaukee also has Aaron Ashby and DL Hall, two left-handed pitchers that can start but also performed well out of the bullpen.
Grant Wolfram, who was signed to a Major League contract despite not having any Big League experience, could also fit into the bullpen. Connor Thomas, whom the Brewers selected in the Rule Five Draft away from the St. Louis Cardinals, also should be considered a lock for an Opening Day roster spot.
The Milwaukee Brewers Could Cut Ties with Tyler Jay
Many of the pitchers listed above, specifically, Koenig, Hudson, Hall, Ashby, and Wolfram, are all left-handed. While this is in no way a bad thing, it does make it more difficult for other left-handed relievers to see a future for themselves in the Brewers bullpen.
Such is the case of Tyler Jay, a former first-round pick by the New York Mets whom Milwaukee acquired in a trade last season. Quoting David Gasper of Fansided, Patrick McAvoy of Sports Illustrated wrote: “Jay, a former first-round pick, does have minor league options remaining, but is a late bloomer as a 30-year-old who just made his MLB debut in 2024.”
Jay pitched in three games for the Brewers last year and did not allow a run. In 36 minor league games (all at Triple-A), the former first-round pick was 5-1 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
While the bullpen is crowded, especially with left-handers, it should be noted that Koenig, who emerged as one of the most important pitchers Milwaukee had last season, also was a late-bloomer and was 30 years old in 2024.
Age will have no bearing on what the Brewers decide to do with Jay. He will either win or lose a roster spot based on how he performs in Spring Training.
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