Milwaukee Brewers: First Half Grades for the Relief Pitchers

RHP Joel Payamps

Had the three-way trade that netted William Contreras only resulted in their new backstop playing well, the move would've still been considered a big win. So it's even sweeter that one of the other assets that they landed is playing a huge part in 2023 as well.

Joel Payamps, who came from the A's to the Brewers in that move, had mostly been a journeyman middle reliever so far in his career. Now, he's the second most important bullpen arm on the team after Williams.

Through 40 appearances, Payamps is 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA, 0.969 WHIP, and career high 10 strikeouts per nine innings. He also hasn't given up a run since June 8th and is tied for 17th among qualified NL relievers with a 0.7 fWAR. Because of all that, he has now been made the primary setup man to Williams.

Grade: A

LHP Hoby Milner

Last year, left-hander Hoby Milner emerged to become one of the most used members of the Brewers bullpen, finishing second on the team in appearances in 2022. This season, he is actually leading the Crew in appearances with 42 and has managed to get even better along the way.

In 36 innings, Milner has given up just 10 earned runs (2.50 ERA) with a 1.111 WHIP. He has also been great at limiting free passes to opposing batters as his 4.13 strikeout per walk ratio is second on the team to only Payamps. For much of the season, he's been the only lefty out of the pen, so it helps that he's an awfully reliable one.

Grade: A

RHP Elvis Peguero

Payamps isn't the only reliever to come over via trade this offseason and impress in his first season with the Brewers. Elvis Peguero has become another important part of the Milwaukee bullpen after being acquired in the trade with the Angels that sent away outfielder Hunter Renfroe.

Peguero just missed making the Opening Day roster but it didn't take long for him to be recalled from the minors and he hasn't looked back ever since. In 30 games, he has a 3.09 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, and has given up just one homer all season. That steady performance earned the trust of manager Craig Counsell early and he is now earning work in the seventh and eighth innings of most games.

Grade: A-

RHP Peter Strzelecki

Prior to Payamps taking over the role, Peter Strzelecki, who was a nice surprise out of the bullpen in 2022, got first shot at eighth inning duties. And at first, that plan seemed to be working out perfectly as he gave up just one run over 13.2 innings in March and April. Then, things took a turn for the worse.

Through 36 outings, Strzelecki is 3-5 with a 4.54 ERA and one blown save. It's not as though he's given up many hits and walks as his 1.178 WHIP can attest, but he has still had control issues as his eight hit by pitches lead the NL even though he was optioned to the minors in late June. Hopefully all he needs is a reset as he was expected to be an important part of the Milwaukee bullpen.

Grade: C-

RHP Bryse Wilson

No one quite knew what Bryse Wilson's role would be with the Brewers if he were able to make the team out of spring after being acquired from the Pirates last offseason. With experience as a starter and reliever the previous season, it was possible he could fulfill either role or even be some sort of a swingman.

Well so far, all of Wilson's outings have come out of the bullpen and it has resulted in by far his most effective season of his career. In 30 appearances, the 25-year-old has a 2.70 ERA, well below his career season best of 4.02 in 2020, and a 1.062 WHIP. He hasn't always pitched in the highest leverage of situations but has been a Swiss Army Knife, maving made appearances in every inning from the fourth to extras.

Grade: A

Relievers with Incomplete Grades

Those six relievers have by far captured a majority of work out of Milwaukee's bullpen in 2023, accounting for a whopping 73.6% of the team's total relief appearances. The rest have been spread across 18 other pitchers, none of which have appeared more than 14 times this season.

Among the ones who have appeared but are already no longer with the organization are Matt Bush, Javy Guerra, Rule 5 pick Gus Varland, Tyson Miller and Thomas Pannone. Others such as Jake Cousins, Bennett Sousa, and Ethan Small are currently on the injured list. Trevor Megill, J.B. Bukauskas, and Clayton Andrews are ready when needed at Triple-A while electric pitching prospect Abner Uribe got his first shot in the majors just before the All-Star break and looks like an exciting one to watch.

And with that, our series of first half grades for the 2023 Milwaukee Brewers comes to a close. All eyes now move to the second half of the season, the trade deadline, and a possible push back to the postseason.