Milwaukee Brewers: Alec Asher Claimed Off Waivers

The Milwaukee Brewers have claimed Alec Asher off of waivers and optioned him to Triple A.

It has been a long season already for Asher. The 26 year old righty was claimed by the Dodgers earlier this year, then eventually put back on waivers only to be selected by the Milwaukee Brewers. He fills out the final spot on the team’s 40-man roster.

Meet The New Arm

So far, things have not gone all too well for Asher. He has been mostly a swingman starter in both Philadelphia and Baltimore. His career line thus far shows an ERA above five in 116 innings. Last season he started six of his 24 appearances. Prior to that he was exclusively a starter, so we will see how the Brewers utilize him.

Asher’s best numbers came in 2016 with Philadelphia. He started five games with a sub three ERA. As a reliever in 2017, he is not too bad either. He posted a 3.56 ERA in 30 innings out of the bullpen last season.

How Will He Be Used?

It is likely he will get a shot at starting. The Milwaukee Brewers bullpen has been solid, but their starting rotation is struggling. The thing with Asher is that he does not miss many bats. His career strikeout rate per nine is under six. The key for him is to create weak contact which, with some of the fielding miscues thus far, might not be the best route to go.

Either way, expect Asher to work as a starter in Colorado Springs. He will provide another option if things go downhill for the rotation. Likely, he falls in line behind Brandon Woodruff and a healthy Wade Miley. It gives the Brewers another arm to try out while prospects like Freddy Peralta and Corbin Burnes are getting ready for their shot.

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Overall, not a bad move. He might be stuck on the 40-man for now because he is proven to be a commodity when on waivers. But the fact that the Milwaukee Brewers were able to option him straight to Triple A helps quite a bit. Welcome to the organization, Alec Asher.