Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Knebel Should Make Opening Day Roster

After missing all of 2019 with Tommy John surgery, Craig Counsell mentions that Corey Knebel should make the Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day roster.

After another strong September push last season, for the second year in a row, the Milwaukee Brewers were postseason bound. And one of the many challenges that they had to overcome in 2019, was that they had to compete all season without Corey Knebel in the bullpen.

In 2017, Knebel was a National League All-Star, appearing in 76 innings, recording a 1.78 ERA with 39 saves and 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He followed that performance up with a fine showing in 2018 that resulted in a 3.58 ERA, but a FIP of just 3.03, along with 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings over 55.1 innings pitched.

Unfortunately for Knebel and the Milwaukee Brewers, Tommy John surgery would sideline him for the entire 2019 season. As you can imagine, he was greatly missed coming out of the bullpen, and prior to the 2020 season being delayed, the Brewers were going to have to be without him until at least May.

However, as manager Craig Counsell put it in a recent interview with reporters, if there is a “silver lining” to the season being delayed, it’s that Milwaukee is now “in a healthy spot.” And this, of course, includes Corey Knebel.

While there are still tests that he must pass before being fully cleared, on Friday, Counsell mentioned that he expects Knebel to be on the team’s Opening Day roster and that Knebel looks really good right now (via MLB.com):

"“I think Corey’s stuff, from what I’ve seen in two appearances this summer, is really good. It’s going to be back,” Counsell said. “We just need to build a base underneath him that allows him to recover as best he can as we go into the season.”"

As far as Counsell’s assessment that Knebel will be ready for Opening Day, which is now less than two weeks away, Corey is on the same page:

"“I’m feeling very confident that I’ll be ready to go,” Knebel said. “We’ve got [14] days, and I’m right where I need to be right now. I’m feeling really confident that I’ll be there for the start of the season.”"

While all signs are pointing in the right direction for Knebel, the velocity of his fastball is still a bit down. When at his best, Knebel would consistently hit the upper-90s, however, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, during Summer Camp, he has instead been in the 92-94 mph range.

But as Knebel told reporters, he is right where he needs to be:

"“I’m just trying to throw, and I’m sure everything would come,” Knebel said. “Of course, me, I was expecting upper-90s, maybe a couple of 102s, but I think that will come. I’m right where I need to be right now. Just trying to throw and get comfortable with it all.”"

Even with Josh Hader’s electric fastball, Brent Suter’s ability to keep batters off-balance, and Alex Claudio’s constant availability, there are question marks surrounding the overall depth of this Milwaukee Brewers’ bullpen. Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta are prime bounce-back candidates this season, but that remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, newly acquired David Phelps returned from his own Tommy John surgery in 2019, and on paper, his 3.41 ERA looks nice but his 4.58 FIP tells a different story. Then there are several unproven players that include Ray Black, Jake Faria, and Devin Williams.

So without question, Knebel’s return is going to be a welcomed sight. However, even though we are all excited to see him back on the mound for the Brewers, as we’d expect, Counsell isn’t going to rush anything:

"“We are definitely going to be careful with his usage — I think everybody falls on that list right now,” Counsell said. “Corey might have a different set of rules, but I think that whole part of the game is going to be different for at least the first couple weeks of the season for every pitcher. But Corey’s coming back.”"

Although on Opening Day it doesn’t sound like Knebel will be a full go just yet, the good news is that he will be on the roster and available. And in a shortened 60 game season where every pitch is magnified, Knebel’s return will be a big boost.