Rex Brothers Signs With Brewers, is Probably Awesome Now
The Chicago Cubs just couldn’t quite get the best out of Rex Brothers the last couple years, despite the obviously big-league-caliber stuff. The guy throws a high-90s fastball from a unique angle with great life. He pairs it with a devastating slider that cannot be hit when located. But he stayed in his lane as the left-handed Dillon Maples: all-world two-pitch mix, absolutely no control whatsoever. Thus, a big strikeout rate to be paired with a big walk rate and big hard contact rate.
But, you try. You find guys with enormous stuff, and you give it a go. No regrets and all that.
Now the Brewers will be the next club to try to set Brothers right:
INF/OF Jace Peterson has signed a 1-year contract, avoiding arbitration. LHP Rex Brothers has been signed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League camp. pic.twitter.com/eN3sPN9y71
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) November 30, 2021
It has now been nearly a decade since Brothers, 34 next month, was effective over the course of a big league season. But he keeps getting these chances for a reason. You can see it when he pitches. And now I dread that, indeed, the Brewers will be the club to finally set him right – it’s how the Cubs fan brain operates. But also, the Brewers do very well on the pitching side of things (though I feel like their specialty has been more internal development, rather than reclamation types).