Milwaukee Brewers Need to Put Josh Hader in the Rotation
By David Hill
The Milwaukee Brewers need help in their starting rotation. It may be time to see what Josh Hader can do in a starting role.
Heading into the All Star break, the Milwaukee Brewers were one of the biggest surprises in baseball. They were leading the National League Central, inexplicably holding their own against the struggling Chicago Cubs. Then, Chicago got hot, and managed to get past the Brewers for the divisional lead. Since then, the Brewers and Cubs have been neck and neck for the division.
The biggest stumbling block for Milwaukee to get ahead of the Cubs, and stay ahead, may be their starting rotation. Wily Peralta was demoted to the bullpen, then released. Junior Guerra has dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness all season. Zach Davies may have fired seven shutout innings against the Rays and have 13 wins, but he has been decidedly mediocre. The Brewers need help.
That needed boost may already be on the roster. Josh Hader, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball heading into the 2017 season, has been a part of the Brewers bullpen since the beginning of June. In his 16 outings spanning 21.1 innings heading into yesterday, Hader had posted a 0.84 ERA and a 1.078 WHiP, striking out 26 batters while allowing just nine hits.
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The main issue for Hader in his time in the majors has been his command. Hader has issued 14 walks, showing those same command issues that were a concern in the minors. However, in his past 8.1 innings, he has issued just three walks while striking out 11 batters. This is the pitcher that the Brewers were hoping Hader could turn into.
Given that recent performance, it may be time to see what Hader can do as a starter. He has dominated in a relief role, and impressed in his three inning stint on July 29. It may not be unreasonable for Hader to get to 70 pitches in a start, and be built up in time for September.
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The Milwaukee Brewers need another piece in their starting rotation. It may be time to give Josh Hader a look.