Milwaukee Brewers: What is Josh Hader’s future?
By Ben Hertel
What’s next for Josh Hader?
David Stearns and company have made it clear that Hader’s long-term future is as a starter. However, they’re in no rush to get him into the rotation. Josh Hader is only 23 years old, and we’ve seen other big-time starters like Chris Sale and Carlos Martinez spend time in the bullpen to start their careers.
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However, Josh will need to change his approach if he wants to stick in the rotation. He lives and dies by his fastball. Last year he threw his fastball around 80% of the time, according to BrooksBaseball. He threw his slider around 11% of the time, and his changeup about 7% of the time.
Fangraphs rates his fastball and slider as above average pitches. His fastball was rated 9.8 runs above average, and his slider was rated at 3.2 runs above average. His changeup was below average and was rated at 1 run below average.
Hader’s 2017 profile looks very similar to Chris Sale’s 2010 rookie campaign. Sale lived on his fastball and slider just like Hader did. However, Sale didn’t use his fastball as much as Hader does, but the similarity is still there.
After the 2010 season Sale added a sinker, and cut his fastball usage in half. He started using his slider and changeup much more.
Hader doesn’t have to add a fourth pitch like Sale does, but he does need to work on perfecting his other two offspeed pitches.
If Hader can find a way to enhance his offspeed offerings and become less fastball heavy, he could be the Brewer’s ace for years to come.
However, if he stays fastball happy, it will probably be difficult for him to get through the order multiple times because hitters will be sitting on that fastball.
The Brewers are a little short on starting arms for 2018. They have Chase Anderson and Zach Davies at the top and the rest is up in the air. Brandon Woodruff should have a spot, but nothing is for sure. Top prospects Luis Ortiz and Corbin Burnes are on the way and getting close to the Major League level, but aren’t quite there yet. Jimmy Nelson will probably miss most of the season.
The Brewers do need starters, but they shouldn’t rush Hader in. Hader should pitch one more season out of the pen, and perfect his craft.
If Hader can improve his pitch selection and offspeed pitches, the sky is the limit for him as a starter. If Hader stays with the way he pitches now, the Brewers have a great high leverage reliever for years to come. Its a win-win for Milwaukee.