Is 2026 the year DL Hall finally breaks out for the Brewers?

Just two short years ago, DL Hall arrived as one of the centerpieces in the Milwaukee Brewers' return for ace Corbin Burnes. He had oscillated on and off Top 100 prospect lists during his rise through the minor leagues, but it was clear that the Crew were betting on some huge upside, with the hope that one day Hall would assume a spot in the starting rotation.

Injury and command concerns have relegated Hall to the bullpen, where he's likely to spend the 2026 season. The successful conversion of relievers to starters (such as Michael King) in recent years does reveal a precedent if the Brewers ever want to stretch him back out, but Hall has all the makings of an elite reliever.

So, why hasn't that happened yet? His deep arsenal and elite extension portend success, and yet he's only pitched to a 4.30 ERA (4.23 FIP) in 81 2/3 innings in Milwaukee.

Heading into his final season of pre-arb control (and his final year with a minor-league option remaining), is 2026 finally the time where DL Hall puts it all together for the Brewers?

DL Hall must find balance between strikeouts and contact management to thrive for Brewers in 2026

To preface this conversation, it's worth noting that opportunities may not be quite as abundant as Hall would like. The Brewers' bullpen leans heavily to the left-hand side, which could lead to a fierce Opening Day roster spot competition between the 27-year-old and veteran Rob Zastryzny.

Hall is more than talented enough to win that competition, though. He's an uncanny contact manager, as his 28.0% hard-hit rate would have ranked among the best pitchers in all of baseball last season if he had thrown enough innings to qualify. And, for what it's worth, he would have ranked among the 60-best pitchers in barrel rate and exit velocity allowed as well.

He walks far too many batters and doesn't strike out nearly as many as his six-pitch arsenal suggests he should. Perhaps some simplification could do him some good — he tried introducing a sinker and cutter last year, neither of which was particularly effective. When he was more efficient at totaling punchouts with the Baltimore Orioles earlier in his career, he prioritized a fastball-slider/sweeper-changeup mix.

Injuries have also played a part in his delayed development; he's missed time over the past two years with knee, lat, and oblique injuries. Simple as it sounds, staying on the mound is crucial for Hall going forward.

Of course, development is almost never linear for a baseball player, and that's especially true for relievers. Abner Urine went through quite a few trials and tribulations before he finally emerged as the dominant closer Brewers fans knew he could be. With some small tweaks, better health, and a full season of work, 2026 could be the year that Hall finally follows the same path.