Milwaukee Brewers' Corey Knebel's Exciting Future

Many complaints from casual fans followed the Yovani Gallardo trade. People questioned how a team looking to contend could trade their ace and others complained that he haul was not enough, but in reality the Milwaukee Brewers came out with a boatload of talent.

Not only has Luis Sardinas been fun to watch as he looks to play his way into the team’s future, but we are now getting a glimpse of what Corey Knebel can bring to the table at the major league level. With an eye toward the future, Corey Knebel is going to be a blast to watch develop in the backend of the Brewers’ bullpen.

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Coming from the University of Texas, he has already experienced many big innings throughout his prep years. Earlier, when the trade was initially made I predicted that he would be the team’s 2016 closer and I fully expect him to be pitching in meaningful innings with the Brewers soon.

While K-Rod has done nothing to lose his job to begin this season and has saved over 50 games in the past two seasons, Knebel’s stuff is just too good to not be pitching in high-leverage situations soon. Even if Rodriguez is to stay on the roster throughout the remainder of his two year contract, Knebel could give the team a strong one-two punch to finish out games.

With an imposing fastball that can pump in the mid-to-upper 90s, Knebel is a definite strikeout pitcher. While pitching in AAA Colorado Springs to start the year, he struck out 22 batters in 15.1 innings of work. As the team’s closer he was also able to nail down six saves in seven chances.

So far since being promoted in Milwaukee, Knebel has yet to allow a run in a very small sample-size, but he has continued to show his ability to miss bats. In his first three appearances, he has sat down six hitters via the strikeout and allowed only one hit. Though his big league innings have had almost zero stress, he has shown flashes that he can blow the ball by major league hitters.

Arms may still move up and down throughout the year, but his spot on the roster should be locked in from here on out. Often the Brewers have had to go outside of the organization to find an arm that can close, but it doesn’t look like that should be a problem for the forseeable future.

Next: Milwaukee Brewers Should Promote Cy Sneed

Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Knebel Will be Fun to Watch

By Pete Schwichtenberg | May 23, 2015

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