Milwaukee Brewers Land LHP Leo Crawford in Knebel Deal with Dodgers

As the Player to be Named Later in the Corey Knebel Trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Milwaukee Brewers receive left-handed pitcher Leo Crawford.

Well, there is no more waiting. We now know that in return for sending Corey Knebel to the Los Angeles Dodgers just minutes before the non-tender deadline hit, that the Milwaukee Brewers will be receiving left-hander Leo Crawford.

Crawford, still only 23-years-old, has spent his entire minor league career with the Dodgers. He was signed back in 2014 and made his debut in the Dominican Summer League during the 2015 season. That year, Crawford posted a 1.41 ERA in 63.2 innings pitched.

Since then, he has been working his way through the Dodgers’ minor league system and really saw major improvements during the second half of the 2018 season when he was with Rancho Cucamonga, the Dodgers’ high-A ball affiliate.

Over 68.1 innings of work, Crawford recorded a 2.77 ERA and a WHIP of 1.141. That success continued into the 2019 season, which ended with Crawford reaching Double-A. This time in 121.2 innings of work, he would post an impressive 2.81 ERA and a 1.258 WHIP.

On Friday, when Milwaukee Brewers’ GM David Stearns was asked about Crawford’s higher level of play over the last two minor league seasons, he chalked it up to him being more “confident.”

"“(Crawford) Has learned to use his timing mechanisms to greater effect. His changeup has improved, which is his best off-speed offering.”"

Crawford has already started to draw comparisons to current Milwaukee Brewers’ pitcher Brent Suter. Both pitchers are left-handed, neither pitcher throws that hard, often maxing out in the upper-80s, while both have unique deliveries and are very good at keeping hitters off-balance. But despite the similarities, Stearns points out that the way they go about their business is still a bit different:

"“I think they get to their deception a little differently. Brent works incredible fast and uses that to his advantage. Leo, when you watch him, with his mechanics and motion, he’ll vary timing to disrupt hitters.”"

As Stearns points out, roles can change as a player develops, but as of now, the plan is to continue Crawford down the path of being a starter. And with three minor league options still available, that gives the Brewers plenty of flexibility with him in the coming years.

All things considered, this seems like a pretty good acquisition for Milwaukee–especially with Knebel being just minutes away from entering free agency, leaving the Brewers with nothing in return. Crawford’s impact at the big league level won’t be felt during the 2021 season, he is likely to begin in Double-A and potentially transition to Triple-A as the season progresses, but he gives Milwaukee another left-handed pitcher in the organization.