The Milwaukee Brewers always seem to have an endless supply of productive arms out of the bullpen, and that’s not by accident.
Whether they come in trades, free agency, or waivers, the Brewers have a knack for identifying unheralded bullpen talents. And this week, just before the start of spring training, they brought back one of their own.
According to the official Major League Baseball transactions log, the Brewers signed 31-year-old right-hander Peter Strzelecki to a minor-league contract on Monday. Strzelecki, who made his major league debut with the Brewers in 2022 and has now played for five organizations in the last three seasons, also received a non-roster invite to spring training.
Last season was a trying one for Strzelecki, as the 6-foot-2 righty failed to record a major league appearance for the first season since his debut. He was traded from the Cleveland Guardians to the Pittsburgh Pirates before the season, then was released, picked up by the Tampa Bay Rays, and released again.
Strzelecki isn’t a hard thrower, as he averaged 92.3 mph on his four-seam fastball in the majors two years ago. He relies on a five-pitch mix, and with the Brewers, he had success with his changeup and sweeper in particular.
In 22 Triple-A innings last season, Strzelecki struggled to the tune of a 9.41 ERA and surrendered 26 hits to go with 13 walks. But in 77 career major league appearances, he owns a very respectable 3.44 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings.
The Brewers, who signed Strzelecki as a free agent out of the independent Pioneer League in 2018, still know Strzelecki’s strengths as well as anyone. He’ll have to utilize those strengths to their full potential during spring training to have a shot at cracking the major league roster.
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