What Makes Abner Uribe So Dangerous?

Abner Uribe is one of the most dynamic closers in baseball, and this lightning rod of energy belongs to the Milwaukee Brewers’ pitching staff. Whether it’s his electric sinker or the mannerisms that follow a key out, this is someone who has the baseball world’s attention. But if you look into his advanced analytics, you’ll find something even more notable.

Background
Uribe is a 25-year-old, hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who is originally from the Dominican Republic. The Brewers’ reliever has now appeared in four major-league seasons, with 142 2/3 innings and 166 strikeouts. He’s not only been quite productive, but dominant, with a 2.21 ERA since the start of 2025. Last season, the Brewers utilized him practically every other night, and he proved to be one of the most impactful hurlers in the game.

Strengths
In 2026, you need to throw hard. There are a few finesse-driven success stories out there, but the name of the game—especially for relievers—is having top-end velocity that speeds up the clock of a hitter and makes their job that much more difficult. The flame-throwing closer passes that test with flying colors, as he clocks in with an average fastball velocity of 98.3 miles per hour. 

While harder-thrown pitches can come right back and have more zip on them when they come off the bat, Uribe has been an expert at avoiding quality contact. His 3.2% barrel rate is one of the best in the game, directly correlating to a 33.3% hard-hit percentage. Above all else, this is someone who can consistently force opposing hitters to beat the ball into the ground. Look no further than his 49.2% ground ball rate, a mark well above average.

Pitch Mix
Unlike starting pitchers, the quality of pitches really outweighs the variance of a relief pitcher’s arsenal. In Uribe’s case, his bread and butter has been a 1-2 punch that has worked for the last four seasons. His sinker, which he utilizes 65% of the time, can saw off the swing of opposing right-handed hitters or run away from lefties. Uribe’s slider, which he uses on 35% of pitches, couldn’t be more stark in its differences from the sinker. Not only does it buzz in at 86.6 mph, almost a 12-mph difference, but it bites glove-side. Opposing batters are hitting just .200 against it through the first third of the season. 

Weakness
One fallback to lock in on is the righty’s wavering command. While both of his options can bend between 12-18 inches in opposite directions, his 9.5% walk rate is worse than average. He’s relying more on the sinker now than in years past, as it's faring better (.236 BAA vs. .248 BAA last year), but if one of his pitches isn’t on, he’s essentially pigeon-holed between sticking it out or pivoting to his only other option. There is also, of course, the constant question of how well Uribe is controlling himself emotionally. It takes a certain poise to win in key, late-game moments, and he hasn't always demonstrated that mental toughness.

Outlook
Uribe isn't and won't be the team's sole closer any time soon. He's sharing that role with Trevor Megill, and indeed, Megill is getting more of the save chances lately. However, because of that ability to induce weak and ground-ball contact (as well as racking up the punchouts), Uribe is very much a co-relief ace for the Brewers, and one of the best righty relievers in the National League.