Former Brewers' ace lands minor league job in Mets organization ahead of 2026 season

Let's not bury the lede here. No, Freddy Peralta isn't being optioned to the minor leagues immediately after the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets completed their blockbuster trade.

Instead, it's old friend Jimmy Nelson, a.k.a. the "Big Sweat", who will be joining the Mets' organization as an assistant pitching coach for their Low-A affiliate.

Nelson, who pitched for the Brewers from 2013-19, wasn't drafted by David Stearns, but he caught the beginning of the team's former president of baseball operations' tenure in Milwaukee. Now, Nelson reunites with Stearns in the Mets' organization, much like Peralta.

Jimmy Nelson reunites with David Stearns in New York

Nelson had a nice career for the Crew, logging a 4.22 ERA over 633 1/3 innings in his six seasons in Milwaukee. Injuries eventually sapped his effectiveness, and save for a successful stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021, his playing days were effectively over once the Brewers cut him loose back in 2019.

Though he was never the ostensible ace of the staff — he never started on Opening Day while contending with the likes of Yovani Gallardo, Kyle Lohse, and Wily Peralta — he did emerge as the de facto No. 1 starter in 2017 while finishing ninth in Cy Young voting.

That year, Nelson authored a 3.49 ERA across 175 1/3 innings, leading the rotation in FIP (3.05) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.2). He and Chase Anderson led the pitching staff in a better-than-expected season for the 86-76 Brewers, which marked a 13-win improvement over the year prior.

The big right-hander earned his legendary nickname thanks to some extreme perspiration levels while pitching on the mound, eventually donning the "Big Sweat" on the back of his jersey during the 2017 Players Weekend.

For those wondering, Junior Guerra was the man who toed the rubber on Opening Day of the 2017 season for the Brewers. Time really does fly.

Having last pitched in the pros for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate back in 2023, Nelson will now turn his full attention to coaching. He recently served as the pitching coach of the Frederick Keys of the MLB Draft League in 2025, alongside former MLB player and manager Preston Wilson.