How Annoying Are Pat Murphy’s Brewers?

[sveumrules]

Since Pat Murphy took over in 2024 the Brewers 198 W - 136 L record is 2nd best in MLB sandwiched between the Dodgers (199 W) and Phillies (197 W). Their payroll has not been sandwiched between those two teams, it’s more like the crust your kids had you cut off their Wonder Bread.

Their 107 wRC+ (8th) since 2024 is plenty good, especially compared to the dead nuts even 100 wRC+ that Brewers batters posted from 2017-23, but not so good that one would expect them to have scored the 4th most runs in MLB over the last two plus years & counting. Not to mention the below average power at 20th in HR and 22nd in isolated slugging.

So how they do that? In short (punintentional) they are annoying. So let’s go over some of the many ways how.

You know what’s annoying? When guys don’t swing at your garbage. The Brewers 44.8 Swing% is lowest in MLB since 2024, and their 29% Chase Rate is 2nd lowest. Despite the lack of power their 9.5 BB% is 2nd in MLB since 2024.

You know what else is annoying? Buncha fast dudes running all over the place. The Brewers +37.5 BsR and +16.9 weighted Stolen Base runs and +20.7 Extra Base runs are all best in MLB since 2024.

That speed has also resulted in an MLB best 322 infield hits since 2024. Ground balls are passé in the analytics era, but the Brewers have the 4th most PA ending in a groundball since 2024 with an MLB best .276 BABIP, second place is all the way down at .260…ANNOYING.

How else art thou annoying? Having runners on base constantly. Since 2024 the Brewers 5,847 PA with runners on base are thee most in MLB while they’ve hit for a 117 wRC+ (2nd) resulting in 1,381 RBI (2nd).

You know what’s really annoying though? Refusing to make the third out. Since 2024 the Brewers 4,155 PA with two out are most in MLB, While their 106 wRC+ is only 7th, their 629 RBI are 2nd in MLB.

FanGraphs doesn’t aggregate splits for two strikes that I could find, but clicking around BRef the Brewers are plenty annoying there too.

2024: 1st in PA, 7th in OPS, 4th in RBI
2025: 6th in PA, 4th in OPS, 2nd in RBI
2026: 3rd in PA, 4th in OPS, 1st in RBI

Ok, one last annoying thing. You ever think you got a hit, just for the fielder to snatch your dreams away at the last moment? Yeah, the Brewers are good at that too.

Since 2024 they are at +81 DRS (7th) and +62 FRV (4th) helping their pitchers limit hits (.230 avg against | 6th) and strand runners (76.1 LOB% | 1st) en route to shaving runs (-0.45 ERA/FIP gap | 1st) at a league best clip (3.61 ERA | 1st).

[AKCheesehead]

This is the brand of baseball I waited all my life for the Brewers to play.  I love it.

[MoreTrife]

This is awesome thanks. 

[sveumrules]

1 hour ago, MoreTrife said:

This is awesome thanks. 

Appreciate it, and just thought of another one that slipped my mind putting together the original post.

Now you know what really gets a pitcher all kerfuffled? Getting to the bottom of the order and those easy outs aren't so easy as you were hoping they'd be. 

Since 2024 the Brewers 7-8-9 hitters are tied for 1st with a 98 wRC+, have scored thee most runs and driven in the second most runs out of all the 7-8-9 hitters in MLB.

Pretty, pretty annoying.

[RobDeer 45]

[jay87shot]

I think the go ahead Garrett Mitchell single last night was an absolutely perfect representation of why the Brewers are so successful. 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, tie game. Mitchell scorched one to left. A ball that Turang should be out by 2 steps. He gets a great jump and forces Roman Anthony to rush and make a bad throw. For most teams, that is it, however our superstar Yelich is going 100% and scores from 1st by an inch. To add to that, the entire time Mitchell is going 100% and ends up on 3rd. 

Not only does our team see the most pitches which annoys pitchers. All the runners go 100%, annoying fielders, and our defense is one of the best in the league annoying hitters. Add to that 2 out hitting has been spectacular this year, annoying managers.

PS... Misi should throw the 1st pitch to Contreras about 2 feet behind his back tonight (dont hit him). Really piss em off.

[MadScientist]

The Brewers don't have much in the way of big boppers, so they have to do everything they do to score runs.  And by doing so, the put tremendous pressure on the other team, leading to more mistakes.  I'd like to see Chourio and Vaughn come back and give the lineup more pop, because it's harder to string together a bunch of hits against top pitching.  But they still have to play the exciting, hustling, and annoying (to other team) ball that they are known for.

For a number of years, the Brewers were successful at exploiting rules to maximize wins that MLB has cracked down on - excessive shifting (banned), the AAA shuttle to keep relievers fresh (limited to 3x per year), and unlimited September call-ups (now only 2).  Now the Brewers are built to exploit the rules that MLB changed in exactly the way MLB wanted - more hits through the infield, more SB, and more exciting defensive plays.  

[SeaBass]

1 hour ago, sveumrules said:

Appreciate it, and just thought of another one that slipped my mind putting together the original post.

Now you know what really gets a pitcher all kerfuffled? Getting to the bottom of the order and those easy outs aren't so easy as you were hoping they'd be. 

Since 2024 the Brewers 7-8-9 hitters are tied for 1st with a 98 wRC+, have scored thee most runs and driven in the second most runs out of all the 7-8-9 hitters in MLB.

Pretty, pretty annoying.

Joey Ortiz VALIDATED ✅

Dare I say, exceedingly cromulent

[igor67]

Are 7-8-9 hitters almost being average hitters is hysterical for anyone who reads gameday threads

[Playing Catch]

The Brewers are consistently pushing pitchers past their comfort-level in terms of high-stress pitches. They are routinely pushing managers into the yellow-danger zone in terms of pitches per inning. Often these pitches are taking place with guys standing on 2nd and 3rd, where mere contact can score runs.

Talk about a miserable series to be looking forward to if you are any other team, (or fanbase, teehee) in baseball. Front offices must break out into sweats about covering innings before, during, and after a Brewers series, and the everyday players aren't looking forward to the picnic, either.

[BrewerFan]

3 hours ago, MadScientist said:

The Brewers don't have much in the way of big boppers, so they have to do everything they do to score runs.  And by doing so, the put tremendous pressure on the other team, leading to more mistakes.  I'd like to see Chourio and Vaughn come back and give the lineup more pop, because it's harder to string together a bunch of hits against top pitching.  But they still have to play the exciting, hustling, and annoying (to other team) ball that they are known for.

For a number of years, the Brewers were successful at exploiting rules to maximize wins that MLB has cracked down on - excessive shifting (banned), the AAA shuttle to keep relievers fresh (limited to 3x per year), and unlimited September call-ups (now only 2).  Now the Brewers are built to exploit the rules that MLB changed in exactly the way MLB wanted - more hits through the infield, more SB, and more exciting defensive plays.  

Not yet, but they've certainly made an effort to correct that. You still have guys like Lara who will be like that, but the whole next wave of talent is largely comprised of guys who hit for power... at least relative to their position. 

Pratt as a SS... I think he's going to hit for some power. It's hard for me to imagine a guy with his frame and swing won't be able to develop some, but... we'll see. 

Front office has been incredible. 

[torts]

This annoying

[Underachiever]

9 hours ago, sveumrules said:

Since Pat Murphy took over in 2024 the Brewers 198 W - 136 L record is 2nd best in MLB sandwiched between the Dodgers (199 W) and Phillies (197 W). Their payroll has not been sandwiched between those two teams, it’s more like the crust your kids had you cut off their Wonder Bread.

Their 107 wRC+ (8th) since 2024 is plenty good, especially compared to the dead nuts even 100 wRC+ that Brewers batters posted from 2017-23, but not so good that one would expect them to have scored the 4th most runs in MLB over the last two plus years & counting. Not to mention the below average power at 20th in HR and 22nd in isolated slugging.

So how they do that? In short (punintentional) they are annoying. So let’s go over some of the many ways how.

You know what’s annoying? When guys don’t swing at your garbage. The Brewers 44.8 Swing% is lowest in MLB since 2024, and their 29% Chase Rate is 2nd lowest. Despite the lack of power their 9.5 BB% is 2nd in MLB since 2024.

You know what else is annoying? Buncha fast dudes running all over the place. The Brewers +37.5 BsR and +16.9 weighted Stolen Base runs and +20.7 Extra Base runs are all best in MLB since 2024.

That speed has also resulted in an MLB best 322 infield hits since 2024. Ground balls are passé in the analytics era, but the Brewers have the 4th most PA ending in a groundball since 2024 with an MLB best .276 BABIP, second place is all the way down at .260…ANNOYING.

How else art thou annoying? Having runners on base constantly. Since 2024 the Brewers 5,847 PA with runners on base are thee most in MLB while they’ve hit for a 117 wRC+ (2nd) resulting in 1,381 RBI (2nd).

You know what’s really annoying though? Refusing to make the third out. Since 2024 the Brewers 4,155 PA with two out are most in MLB, While their 106 wRC+ is only 7th, their 629 RBI are 2nd in MLB.

FanGraphs doesn’t aggregate splits for two strikes that I could find, but clicking around BRef the Brewers are plenty annoying there too.

2024: 1st in PA, 7th in OPS, 4th in RBI
2025: 6th in PA, 4th in OPS, 2nd in RBI
2026: 3rd in PA, 4th in OPS, 1st in RBI

Ok, one last annoying thing. You ever think you got a hit, just for the fielder to snatch your dreams away at the last moment? Yeah, the Brewers are good at that too.

Since 2024 they are at +81 DRS (7th) and +62 FRV (4th) helping their pitchers limit hits (.230 avg against | 6th) and strand runners (76.1 LOB% | 1st) en route to shaving runs (-0.45 ERA/FIP gap | 1st) at a league best clip (3.61 ERA | 1st).

Yeah, well, that’s like your opinion, man.

[Matt]

This whips ass. Good stuff.

[Oxy]

So if you assemble a team of athletic baseball players who can run, field, and wield the stick by putting the bat on the ball they can win baseball games against teams that assemble a "team" of 3TO softball players who play questionable defense?  Good to know.

[Frisbee Slider]

19 hours ago, sveumrules said:

FanGraphs doesn’t aggregate splits for two strikes that I could find, but clicking around BRef the Brewers are plenty annoying there too.

Brewers are # 1 for highest OBP (.264), most SB (129) and # 2 for runs scored (640) and BABIP (.307) since 2024 with two strikes.