The Quiet Success of Hoby Milner

In recent years, the Milwaukee Brewers have developed quite the pitching laboratory. Almost like the Tampa Bay Rays, it seems as though the Brewers can find other team’s castaways and turn them into effective pitchers. Reliever Hoby Milner is an example of the Brewers’ success in digging up high-leverage relievers. Since signing with Milwaukee in 2021, Milner has gone from a journeyman reliever to one of the Brewers’ most effective bullpen arms. I think Hoby Milner is one of the more underappreciated relievers in baseball.

Going from Promising Rookie to a Journeyman in Just One Year

After a successful rookie year with the Philadelphia Phillies, Milner’s career suddenly took a downfall. He would spend parts of three seasons with the Phillies, Rays, and Angels. During that span, the lefty reliever would have an atrocious ERA of 8.08. In just one season, Milner had become a journeyman reliever. It seemed like his career was about to end.

Finding a Home with the Brewers

In December of 2020, the Milwaukee Brewers signed Hoby Milner to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Milner wouldn’t initially make the big-league team and was sent to the Brewers Triple-A team in Nashville. He would spend the first month of the 2021 season in the minor leagues. However, in the middle of May of that season, Milner would be selected to the active roster. In 2021, Milner would make 19 appearances registering an ERA of 5.40 with 30 strikeouts in 21.2 innings pitched. While his numbers weren’t great on paper, it was a massive improvement from what he had done before signing with Milwaukee.

The 2022 season would prove to be a career year for Hoby Milner. He would become one of the Brewers’ most trusted mid-inning relievers. He would appear in a career-high 67 games and earn the first win of his career. The only pitcher who appeared in more games that season was Brad Boxberger. He would finish that season with a record of 3-3 with career-bests in innings pitched (64.2), ERA (3.76), and strikeouts (64). After being a journeyman for three seasons, Milner had finally found a home.

While 2022 proved to be a bit of a breakout year for Milner, his 2023 season has been even more magical. This season, the Brewers have used him in the later innings and high-leverage situations. The native has rewarded their trust this season. In 67 appearances, Hoby Milner currently has a record of 2-1, an ERA of 1.98, 56 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.000. His 67 appearances are a team-best. The lefty is currently set to surpass his previous career bests in appearances, ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP.

Keys to Milner’s Success

Milner primarily relies on his curveball and sinker. He will also mix in his four-seam fastball and change-up as well. His curveball is particularly devastating as opponents are only hitting .161 whenever he throws it. The keys to his success this season have been limiting opponents from making hard contact and inducing more ground balls. Hoby Milner’s opponents have only been able to hit the ball hard 34.4 percent of the time. Milner has also done a great job at inducing ground balls. Whenever a batter makes contact, 49.1 percent of the time it is a ground ball with an average exit velocity of 91 miles an hour.

Milner Deserves More Recognition and Appreciation

After a long three-year odyssey, Hoby Milner has found himself a home with the Milwaukee Brewers. In just two full seasons, Milner has gone from a castoff to becoming one of Milwaukee’s most effective relievers. I don’t believe Hoby Milner gets enough credit for helping the Brewers be in the position they are in. While All-Star closer Devin Williams gets all the headlines when saves a game, it’s been Milner who’s sometimes come in and put out fires or kept the Brewers in the lead as well. A team ultimately thrives when it has a pitcher like Hoby Milner.

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