When the Milwaukee Brewers sealed the 2023‑2024 offseason trade that brought Chad Patrick into the organization, few could have predicted the immediate impact he would have. The 2024 International League Pitcher of the Year arrived with a reputation as a polished starter, but the club quickly discovered a deeper versatility in his arsenal.
Patrick’s 2025 campaign cemented that versatility. He posted a 3.53 ERA across 119.2 innings, a 2.6 fWAR that topped all rookie pitchers, and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster that hinted at a future in the rotation. The numbers suggested a pitcher ready to anchor a staff, and the Brewers leaned on him as a foundational piece.
A Reliever’s Rise
The 2026 season, however, took a different turn. After a series of strategic moves, Patrick transitioned to a relief role, where he has since logged 8.1 scoreless innings. His cutter’s velocity has climbed from 89 mph to 90.3 mph, and opponents are now batting just .115 against him. Not a single barrel has been surrendered in that span, underscoring the sharpness of his new pitch mix.
One of his most memorable outings came on May 16, 2026, when he shut down the Minnesota Twins in a high‑leverage situation that helped preserve a 3‑2 lead. Manager Pat Murphy praised the performance, emphasizing that Patrick’s consistency in those moments has become a reliable anchor for a bullpen that is still evolving.
The ripple effect of that performance is evident in the club’s early-season record. The Brewers have won 11 of their last 13 games, a streak that includes several victories where Patrick’s late‑inning work turned potential defeats into triumphs. With a deep starting rotation and a bullpen that now boasts a proven high‑leverage option, the team’s outlook feels markedly brighter than a year ago.