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Brewers promote Matt Arnold

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Matt Arnold

The Milwaukee Brewers have promoted Matt Arnold to senior vice president and general manager on Thursday afternoon.

“For the past five years, Matt has served an invaluable role in helping to guide our baseball operations group,” said President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.  “He has contributed to every significant decision we have made and has offered indispensable advice and support throughout his time with the Brewers.  Today’s announcement formalizes how we have operated over the last few years.  This move provides Matt with the deserved recognition of his tireless work and ensures that our baseball operations leadership group remains intact.”

The 41-year-old Arnold joined the Brewers on Oct. 14, 2015 as vice president and assistant general manager.  He was then promoted to senior vice president and assistant general manager in June 2019.  Since the addition of Stearns and Arnold, the Brewers have the fifth-best record in the National League, going 373-336 (.526) since 2016.  The team ranks third in the National League in winning percentage since 2017, going 300-247 (.548).  Under the leadership of Stearns and Arnold, the Brewers have qualified for the postseason in each of the last three years, a feat previously never accomplished in franchise history. [Read more…]

Brewers reliever Devin Williams named NL Rookie of the Year (AUDIO)

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Devin Williams

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed reliever Devin Williams has been voted 2020 National League Rookie of the Year, edging Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm and San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth.

Wlliams becomes the third player in franchise history to earn Rookie of the Year honors, joining shortstop Pat Listach (1992) and third baseman Ryan Braun (2007).

The 26-year-old Williams, who previously won 2020 National League Reliever of the Year, turned in a dominant season as he went 4-1 with a 0.33 ERA in 22 appearances.  Williams ranked first or tied for first among Major League relievers (minimum 20ip) in ERA (1st), opponent battling average (1st, .090), WHIP (1st, 0.63), strikeouts (T1st, 53 – led NL) and K/9 IP (T1st, 17.67 – led NL).  He surrendered just a single earned run the entire season, which came in his second appearance on July 27 at Pittsburgh.

Williams was selected in the second round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.  The graduate of Hazelwood West (MO) High School committed to the University of Missouri before signing with the Brewers.

Williams is the first pitcher to not make a start or register a save and win Rookie of the Year honors.

AUDIO: Devin Williams told MLB Network that he’d gone through some struggles in his career :13

AUDIO: Devin Williams says he has family to thank :21

 

Brewers announce 2021 coaching staff

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The Milwaukee Brewers announced their 2021 coaching staff on Wednesday and it includes a base coaching change.

Ed Sedar, who has been with the Brewers for 14 seasons and the teams third base coach for 10 seasons, was reassigned to advisor to the major league coaching staff, a new role with the team.

Quinten Berry, who served as the Brewers’ minor-league outfield and base running coordinator, is joined by returning first base coach Jason Lane as the teams base coaches for next season.

Brewers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager David Stearns is brining back hitting coach Andy Haines and assistant hitting coach Jacob Cruz, despite the teams struggles during the shortened 60-game season.

The Brewers hit .223 and scored 247 runs, which ranked 26th in both categories this past season.  They also struck out 582 times, which ranked second-highest in the majors.

Pitching coach Chris Hook, bullpen coach Steve Karsay and bench coach Pat Murphy all return to Craig Counsell’s staff.

The Brewers added a pair of new bullpen catchers for the 2021 season, hiring Nestor Corredor and Adam Weisenburger.  The Brewers decided not to renew the contracts of bullpen catchers Marcus Hanel and Robinzon Diaz.

Brewers reliever Williams is finalist for NL Rookie of the Year

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Devin Williams

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams has already captured National League reliever of the year for the past 2020 season.  Monday, he was named Monday as one of three finalists for National League Rookie of the Year as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Williams is joined by Philadelphia third baseman/first baseman Alec Bohm and San Diego infielder Jake Cronenworth on the ballot.

Rookie of the Year honors will be announced next Monday.

The Brewers have had two Rookie of the Year winners in franchise history, shortstop Pat Listach in 1992 and third baseman Ryan Braun in 2007.

No relief pitcher has won rookie of the year honors in either league since Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel in 2011.  No pitcher not used as a starter or a closer, has ever captured the honor in either league.

Williams went 4-1 with a 0.33 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 27 innings.  He also led Major League relievers with a 0.63 WHIP and .090 opponents batting average.  He captured NL reliever of the year  honors after teammate Josh Hader took home the award each of the two previous seasons.

Ryan Braun becomes a free agent after Brewers decline mutual option

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Ryan Braun – File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

The Milwaukee Brewers have declined their end of a mutual $15 million option for the 2021 season, making him a free agent immediately.  The mutual option includes a $4 million buyout.

Braun played his entire career with the Brewers after being drafted in the first round in 2007.  He claimed NL rookie of the year honors and won a MVP award in 2005.

Braun could certainly still return to Milwaukee under a lesser deal.  That would only make sense for the Brewers if the designated hitter rule returns in 2021.  Regardless, Braun said after the season that he would take some time to decide if he wants to continue his career or retire.

Braun played in just 39 games in the pandemic shortened 60-game regular season.  He hit a career-low .233 with seven home runs and 27 runs batted in.

In 14 total seasons with the Brewers, Braun is a career .296 hitter with 352 home runs and 1,154 RBI.

Brewers Williams named NL’s top reliever

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Devin Williams

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams has been named the Trevor Hoffman National League reliever of the year.  Williams is the first rookie and first pitcher without a save to win the honor in either league.

Williams served as a setup man to Josh Hader, who won the award in both 2018 and 2019.  He finished with the best ERA (0.33), WHIP (0.63) and opposing batting average (.090) in the majors and tied for the lead among relievers in strikeouts with 53 in 27 innings and strikeouts per nine innings (17.67).

Williams allowed just one earned run all season.  He held opponents without a hit in 31 straight at-bats, from August 14th through September 11th.

Williams fastball was routinely clocked in the upper 90’s, but his out pitch was his changeup.  Opponents struck out 41 times against that pitch.

Williams didn’t pitch in the National League wildcard series loss to the Dodgers.

Brewers season ends in Wildcard Playoffs

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Brandon Woodruff

The inability to score runs almost cost the Milwaukee Brewers a trip to the playoffs.  Once they got there, the lack of offense is what did them in.

Clayton Kershaw allowed just three hits and struck out 13 in eight innings of work to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-0 win over the Brewers, sweeping their best-of-three National League Wildcard series two-games-to-none.

The Dodgers advanced to the National League Division Series in Arlington, Texas, against the winner of St. Louis and San Diego (game 3 Friday night).

Kershaw issued just one walk, to Luis Urias in the eighth inning, then picked him off of first base.

Brandon Woodruff was spectacular through four innings for the Brewers, striking out nine Dodgers.  His only blemish in the hit column was an Austin Barnes single in the fourth.  But the Dodgers broke out in the fifth.

Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor had back-to-back singles.  A.J. Pollock grounded into a fielder’s choice to third as Urias stepped on the bag for the force but his throw to first was in the dirt and couldn’t be gloved by Jedd Gyorko.  Barnes singled to drive in a run, then Mookie Betts doubled into the left-field corner to add two more runs, giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.

That chased Woodruff, who allowed three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings.  As he walked off the mound, Woodruff yelled at home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott, who ejected him.  Woodruff was upset when he thought he had strike three on Barnes but it was called a ball.

The Brewers ended up striking out 28 times in the two games.  In their last 11 games (3-8), including the two playoff games, the Brewers scored just 20 runs.  They finished with an overall record of 29-33.

 

 

Suter struggles, Brewers drop Wildcard opener to Dodgers

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Brent Suter File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Baseball’s best team didn’t dominate with their bats on Wednesday night, but the Los Angeles Dodgers did take advantage of Brent Suter’s early wildness to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 in their National League Wildcard series opener in Los Angeles.

Corey Seager homered in the win, but the Dodgers jumped out in the first inning by hardly having to swing the bat.  After a Mookie Betts double to start, Brent Suter proceeded to walk-in a pair of runs.  Suter had to start for the Brewers with the teams top starter (Corbin Burnes) and top reliever (Devin Williams) both sidelined by injury.

Suter needed 32 pitches to get out of the first inning and ended up working just 1 2/3 innings before manager Craig Counsell was forced to go to his bullpen.  Suter left after allowing three runs and three hits, with five walks in.

The Dodgers third run came off of Suter in the second when Chris Taylor doubled and scored on Betts’ second double of [Read more…]

Brewers in the postseason, despite losing record

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Craig Counsell

The Milwaukee Brewers could have clinched a playoff spot with a win in the regular season finale at St. Louis on Sunday.  Instead, they took the tough rout, falling to the Cardinals 5-2 and then depending on help.  They got the needed help when both Philadelphia and San Francisco both lost, giving the sub-.500 Brewers (29-31) a spot in the National League playoffs.

The Phillies 5-0 setback against Tampa Bay finished ahead of the Brewers.  But the Giants were giving the San Diego Padres a run for their money and the Brewers were watching in the clubhouse after their loss, as San Diego pulled out a 5-4 win.

The Brewers are the No. 8 seed in the National League and will face the top-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers (43-17) in a best-of-three series starting Wednesday night.

The Brewers are in and they’re not apologizing.

“We got ourselves a shot,” Manager Craig Counsell said.  “You’ve got to beat a really good team twice.  It’s the best team [Read more…]

Brewers drop opener in St. Louis, have little margin for error

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Rookie Dylan Carlson homered, doubled and drove in three runs to lead the St. Louis Cardinals (28-26) to a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers (27-29) at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday night.

The Cardinals trail the division leading Chicago Cubs by 2 1/2 games, while the Brewers may have put themselves in a situation to need to win out or at least capture three of their four remaining games to have a chance at the playoffs.

Their best chance was supposed to be Thursday night with Corbin Burnes (4-1) on the hill.  He entered with a 4-0 record and 1.77 ERA.  But Burnes didn’t have his good stuff and ended up leaving in the fourth inning with lower back discomfort, after allowing a home run for just the second time this season.

Three wins in the last four games would give the Brewers a 30-30 season and that may or may not be good enough to make the postseason.  They’ve now dropped three of their last four games, with a doubleheader against the Cardinals on Friday.

Tyrone Taylor and Eric Sogard delivered the only two run scoring hits for the Brewers.  Runs have been hard to come by most of the season.  Thursday night, the Brewers had nine hits, but went just 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position. [Read more…]