Former Brewers' reliever's dominance with Tigers proves Milwaukee should have given him a chance

After signing a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers in January, 32-year-old right-handed reliever Jacob Waguespack was determined to return to the big leagues in 2026 for the first time since a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Rays back in 2024.

The deceptive right-hander's quest began during Spring Training, where he not only produced impressive results but also showcased physical traits that caught the Brewers' attention. His 6'6" frame, unusually high arm slot, exceptional extension, and ability to hide the ball all stood out as characteristics that could translate to success on the mound, despite Waguespack owning a pedestrian career ERA of 4.73 MLB across 118 frames.

After not breaking the Brewers' Opening Day roster, Waguespack remained in the organization and continued to plead his case with an excellent performance in Triple-A. He began the campaign with a 2.25 ERA over his first 11 appearances, but was released by Milwaukee on May 4, which was likely due to an opt-out clause in his contract that allowed him to explore other big-league opportunities.

After spending a week in free agency, he re-signed a minor league deal with the Brewers. Waguespack continued pitching in Nashville with the Triple-A Sounds up until being traded to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations on June 10. Since arriving in Detroit, Waguespack has wasted no time making a positive first impression.

Jacob Waguespack is off to a dominant start in his first nine appearances out of the Tigers' bullpen

Through nine appearances spanning 12.1 innings, Waguespack has allowed runs in just one outing: a two-run appearance against the Houston Astros on June 12. Since then, he has strung together seven consecutive scoreless appearances and owns a 1.46 ERA. However, what's most impressive about Waguespack's small sample size in Detroit is how he's limited the free passes. After owning a 16.5% walk rate with the Nashville Sounds, which was a large reason why the Brewers never called him up, Waguespack has walked just two batters and boasts a 4.3% walk rate during his brief time with the Tigers.

While still early, Waguespack's success highlights that Milwaukee should have found a role for the veteran right-hander in its bullpen earlier this season. Instead, the club's needs have leaned more toward left-handed relief, leading to promotions for Drew Rom and Brian Fitzpatrick from Triple-A Nashville earlier this year.

Waguespack's success elsewhere may leave the Brewers wondering what could have been, but it also underscores how successful the front office's model for pitching acquisitions remains. The Brewers continue to find and develop underrated pitchers from practically every corner of the free agent market, and Waguespack is no exception, regardless of the fact that he never earned an opportunity with the big-league club.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow