Milwaukee Brewers: Is starter Wade Miley an unsung hero?

The Milwaukee Brewers have made quite a few moves to help create this magical 2018 season. David Stearns has been known to time and again find diamonds in the rough and Wade Miley is looking pretty shiny up to this point.

Wade Miley in 2018

After signing a Minor League deal and having a great Spring Training, the skeptics would not get on board with the idea of Wade Miley entering the 2018 rotation. Well, everyone who had doubts  spoke too soon. Miley has flat out dominated for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018. He has become huge reason as to why the starting rotation has looked better than expected.

Performing well when it counts

After tonight’s domination of the Cubs where Miley pitched six innings and allowed one run and struck out six on three hits, he continues to impress. In 2018 he has made 12 starts and his ERA is now 2.12. He is not a big strikeout pitcher, but he has improved at limiting baserunners.

In 2017 Miley owned a 10.2 H/9 and he has dropped it to a 7.8 in 2018. Of course, he has only thrown 63 2/3 innings this year compared to 157 1/3 innings last year. His HR/9 and BB/9 have also improved. 2017 his HR/9 was a 1.4 and is now 0.5. Limiting walks has been key as he has dropped it two points it was previously 5.3 in 2017 it is currently a 3.4.

The steal of the off-season?

Well, maybe not that. The steal of the off season was Christian Yelich, but could Miley be the best Minor League deal of the off-season? He certainly is making a case. His fiercest competition, Clay Buchholz of the Arizona Diamondbacks has had an amazing bounce back year as well. In 2018 Buchholz has a record of 7-2 in 15 starts. He has an era of 2.05 and has pitched 92 innings this year.

Should Miley stay for 2019?

Miley, set to be a free agent after the season will most likely garner some attention from the rest of the league. Should the Milwaukee Brewers look into offering him a deal to keep him around? Since he is heading to the open market, Miley is currently making $2.5 million in 2018.  He is 31 years old and may want to stick with the team that has helped him turn his career around, but only for the right price. Miley would not be a bad veteran option to keep in the rotation barring any outside additions, of course.

We will just have to wait and see if the Milwaukee Brewers want to pursue a contract with Miley, but for now, we should just enjoy his current success and see how he performs in more upcoming crucial games.