Fansided

5 moves the Milwaukee Brewers could make to say on top

By Joshua Sadlock

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 06: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles stands outside the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on May 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 06: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles stands outside the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on May 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN- MAY 19: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the Minnesota Twins on May 19, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Brewers defeated the Twins 5-4. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Freddy Peralta
MINNEAPOLIS, MN- MAY 19: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the Minnesota Twins on May 19, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Brewers defeated the Twins 5-4. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Freddy Peralta /

2. Get Luis Ortiz in the bullpen

Led by Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress, the Brewers have one of the best bullpens in the National League, but it can get even better with the addition of another young flamethrower from the minor leagues. Freddy Peralta is set to make his return to the big leagues at some point this week, and 22-year-old right-hander Luis Ortiz could be the next to follow.

Ortiz was the 30th-overall pick in the 2014 draft out of college and came to Milwaukee after a trade with the Texas Rangers. He has been used as a starting pitcher primarily in the minor leagues, but has made four appearances out of the bullpen this year and has two saves. The writing could be on the wall for a potential MLB debut later this year as a multi-inning weapon in relief.

The 22-year-old can run his fastball up to 97 mph and backs it up with a low-80s slider that also rates a 60 on the 20-80 scale. At a young age, Ortiz has shown an uncanny ability to repeat his delivery and pound the strike zone with quality pitches. He has walked only 13 men in 38 innings this year at Double-A.

The ability to throw strikes without sacrificing quality of pitch makes Ortiz a very intriguing option as a reliever. His ceiling as a starter is in the middle of a rotation, but his stuff will play up much higher out of the bullpen. The Brewers can get the most out of him this year as a reliever and then think about what comes next.

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