Milwaukee Brewers Call Up Closer Of The Future, Zach Braddock

Last week the Washington Nationals summoned their potential closer of the future in Drew Storen. Perhaps taking a cue for the Nationals, the Milwaukee Brewers have done the same.

Braddock should be closing in Milwaukee

The Brewers called up LHP Zach Braddock yesterday to help fill in for a depleted bullpen. Braddock is one of the top pitchers in the Brewers’ organization and in my opinion should be closing games for the Brewers.

After I got home from Home Depot yesterday – yes, just like Frank “The Tank,” I spent my Sunday afternoon at Home Depot. I have realized that most annoying purchase in the world is the purchase of a new vacuum. It’s something you always need, but never want to spend any money on.

Anyway, I digress. After I got home, I turned on the Brewers – Twins game and Braddock was called into the game in the sixth inning. The first thing that came to mind after Braddock threw his first pitch was he is the next Dan Plesac.

Everything from the way Braddock sets, to his arm angle, to his slider, everything screamed Dan Plesac. Of course, just because a guy reminds me of someone else, doesn’t mean he is actually going to become that guy. Kevin Maas was supposed to be the next Don Mattingly and look how that turned out.

Right now the Brewers don’t have a closer. As we saw on Saturday, Carlos Villanueva is not ready for prime time, Trevor Hoffman is still trying to figure things out, and yesterday the Brewers looked to John Axford and his mustache to close out the game (He got the save, but was shaky at best).

If you have a closer by committee, then you don’t have a closer and your ninth inning is going to be a clown show all year. Why not make Braddock the closer?

What do the Brewers have to lose at this point? They are a win now team. Why not try to win with Braddock in the ninth.

Here are some other facts about Zach Braddock:

Age: 22

Throws: Left

Bats: Left

College: Burlington County College. BCC is in Pemberton, NJ for those of you scoring at home

Drafted: 18th round of the 2005 Draft

Minor League Stats:

2006 Rookie: 5.49 ERA with 31 BB, 30 K’s, and a 1.60 WHIP in 39.1 IP

2007 Single A: 1.15 ERA with 15 BB, 68 K’s, and a 0.92 WHIP in 47 IP

2008 Low Single A & Single A: 5.05 ERA with 45 BB, 93 K’s, and a 1.43 WHIP in 71.1 IP

2009 High Single A & Double A: 1.79 ERA with seven BB, 62 K’s and a 0.89 WHIP in 40.1 IP

2010 Triple A: 4.50 ERA with nine BB, 28 K’s and a 1.19 WHIP in 16 IP

Keith Law Ranking and Analysis:

Ranking: N/A

Analysis: N/A

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