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Milwaukee Brewers: Joakim Soria Added to the Mix

By Paul Ashley |
MILWAUKEE - MAY 9: A general view of the Milwaukee Brewers hat and glove taken before the game against the Washington Nationals on May 9, 2007 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers defeated the Nationals 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE - MAY 9: A general view of the Milwaukee Brewers hat and glove taken before the game against the Washington Nationals on May 9, 2007 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers defeated the Nationals 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 21: An equipment bag sits in the dugout of the Milwaukee Brewers before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 21: An equipment bag sits in the dugout of the Milwaukee Brewers before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 21, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The Milwaukee Brewers have further bolstered their bullpen with the addition of Joakim Soria from the Chicago White Sox.  Two prospects are headed from Milwaukee to the south side of Chicago in the deal.

Joakim Soria was traded to the White Sox over the offseason in a three-team deal between the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers.

He has been very solid for the White Sox this season.  Through 40 appearances, Soria holds a 2.56 ERA, a 2.15 FIP, and a 1.64 WHIP.  In 38.2 innings pitched, he has 49 strikeouts compared to 10 walks. His 4.90 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the second highest of his career.

Although Soria allowed 10 home runs in 2016, he only allowed 1 in 2017 and he has only allowed 2 this season.  He also has 16 saves and 29 games finished.

According to baseball-reference, Soria has a $10 million team option for 2019 with a $1 million buyout.

The White Sox Return: Kodi Medeiros and Wilber Perez

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Kodi Medeiros was drafted by the Brewers in the first round of the 2014 draft.  In 20 appearances in AA, Medeiros holds a 7-5 record with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.  Through 103.1 innings pitched, he has 107 strikeouts compared to 45 walks.

Wilber Perez was signed by the Brewers as an international free agent.  He is a 20-year-old starting pitcher who throws right-handed.  In 8 appearances in the Domincan Summer League, Perez holds a 5-1 record with a 2.01 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP.  Through 40.1 innings pitched, he has 47 strikeouts compared to 13 walks.

The Brewers Bullpen

The Brewers already had a solid bullpen with Corey Knebel, Dan Jennings, Jeremy Jeffress, Taylor Williams, Jacob Barnes, and Josh Hader all having great seasons.

Milwaukee ranks 20th in the MLB in home runs per nine innings at 0.93.  As Soria rarely allows home runs, he will help them improve in this category.

The Milwaukee Brewers bullpen ranks 3rd in the MLB in strikeouts per nine innings at 10.14.  Only the New York Yankees (11.57) and Houston Astros (10.77)  bullpens rank higher.

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Milwaukee also ranks 6th in the league in FIP at 3.55 and 3rd in WAR at 5.1.  As the bullpen was already performing well, adding Soria to the mix makes it one of the deepest and strongest in the entire MLB.

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