{"id":16623,"date":"2019-02-02T10:27:52","date_gmt":"2019-02-02T15:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=16623"},"modified":"2020-02-16T00:06:50","modified_gmt":"2020-02-16T05:06:50","slug":"bobby-wahl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/02\/02\/bobby-wahl\/","title":{"rendered":"A Look at the Milwaukee Brewers Big Bullpen Addition: Bobby Wahl"},"content":{"rendered":"

When all is said and done, the Jason Rogers<\/a> trade will be one of the better moves the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a> have made. \u00a0In the deal, the Brewers acquired minor leaguers, Keon Broxton<\/a> and Trey Supak<\/a> for Rogers. Since the trade, Rogers has appeared in only 23 games for the Pirates and is no longer in the league. On the other hand, Supak has become one of the better arms in the Brewers minor league system.\u00a0 Broxton also filled a need as a plus-defensive outfielder, showcasing occasional power at the plate in his time with the club.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bobby Wahl Has an Immediate Impact<\/h3>\n

This offseason the Brewers have reaped even more rewards from the trade. \u00a0By dealing Keon Broxton to the Mets the team received a big gift<\/a> in, Bobby Wahl<\/a>, Adam Hill<\/a> and Felix Valerio<\/a>. \u00a0While Hill and Valerio are nice pieces that could contribute in the future, the addition of Wahl is a move that could have an immediate impact in Milwaukee.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wahl heads into spring looking to enter a bullpen that already was one of the best bullpen units in 2018. \u00a0Joining Josh Hader<\/a>, Jeremy Jeffress<\/a> and Corey Knebel<\/a>, Wahl could be a piece that could make the Brewers bullpen more intimidating this season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wahl’s Minor League Dominance<\/h3>\n

Wahl’s limited major league numbers are not great at all.\u00a0 In 13 total innings pitched, he has allowed 10 earned runs putting together a 6.92 ERA.\u00a0 However, Wahl\u2019s dominant numbers in the minors are a major reason to be optimistic.\u00a0 In six parts of six minor league seasons, Wahl has averaged 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings.\u00a0 He sat down 292 batters in 221.2 innings pitched. Minor league hitters have batted just .219 off of him while he has posted a 1.27 WHIP.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, successful and young minor league starters, Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes were brought along slowly and placed into the bullpen.\u00a0 While they were highly successful and even unhittable at times, the addition of Wahl allows them to slide back in as rotation options.\u00a0 This allows the Brewers for much more options in the rotation and allows the young starters to be a core of the future rotation for years to come.\u00a0 This also opens the door for Wahl to step in and earn a spot getting huge outs late in games.<\/p>\n

Wahl’s Upside<\/h3>\n

Over the years Wahl has been battling the injury bug. He has also struggled with consistent command, but his overall makeup makes him an exciting addition to the 2019 bullpen.\u00a0 Entering a Brewers’ bullpen filled with hard throwers, Wahl has the stuff to fit right in.\u00a0 With an overpowering fastball and sharp slider and power curve, he can be just as scary as the rest of the dominant staff.\u00a0 With dominant tools, Wahl has the talent to be a lockdown, late-inning reliever for years to come.<\/p>\n

The Rogers trade has been the gift that keeps on giving.\u00a0 Over the years, Broxton has been a key piece who has coming up big in huge situations.\u00a0 With the newest trade coming this offseason, Wahl is set to step up as the next big gift.\u00a0 Trading a journeyman first baseman has reaped big rewards in Milwaukee and their bullpen will be much improved because of it.<\/p>\n

Bobby Wahl Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>