Milwaukee Brewers: Top Ten Relievers in Franchise History

PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 15: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Brewers have a storied past. Today, we take a look at the best relievers in franchise history as part of the all-time position breakdown series.

The importance of a lockdown bullpen cannot be overstated. We are seeing the effects that a great bullpen can have on a team this year with our Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers have had some great relievers over their history.

Who makes the cut?

Find out ahead.

Honorable Mentions

There have been so many great relievers for the Crew that it is necessary to include a few performers who just missed the top ten.

Ray King

Years as a Brewer: 2000-2002, 2007

154.2 IP, 3.71 FIP, 1.27 WHIP

The lefty provided some bullpen stability to the putrid teams of the early 2000’s.

King had a 3.03 ERA over his four years in Milwaukee, but what prevented him from being higher up was his issues with walks. He gave up walks at a rate of 3.6 per 9 innings and wasn’t a high strikeout pitcher with an average of 7.3 K/9 while in Milwaukee.

He was reacquired in the Brewers 2007 playoff push, but only logged 6 innings.

Doug Jones

Years as a Brewer: 1982, 1996-1998

168.2 IP, 3.76 FIP, 1.17 WHIP

Doug Jones was drafted by the Brewers in the third round of the 1978 MLB January Draft.

Jones appeared on the 1982 squad that won the AL Pennant but was a non-factor tallying a mere 2.2 IP.

Jones moved on from Milwaukee after the season and had productive seasons with the Indians, Astros, and Phillies earning five All-Star appearances.

He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 and had a fantastic 1997 season where he was snubbed from the All-Star team, but finished 20th in the MVP voting.

The ’97 season was a special one for Jones where he finished 73 games and posted an ERA of 2.02.

What prevented Jones from cracking the top ten was that he only played four seasons in Milwaukee and had below average 1982 and 1998 seasons.

Josh Hader

2017-Present

95.2 IP, 2.37 FIP, 0.89 WHIP

Josh Hader has not been in the league for a full two years, but he has already been a major contributor in his short time with the Crew.

2018 has been a remarkable year thus far for Hader where he has been mowing down hitters at a clip of 16.9 K/9. His impressive first half of the season garnered him a selection to the 2018 All-Star Team. Hader will play a big part in the Brewers second half push towards the playoffs.

Now it’s time to get to the official top ten relief pitchers in Brewers history.