What can Milwaukee Brewers fans anticipate from Craig Yoho in the 2026 season?
Craig Yoho finally made his long-anticipated debut in Major League Baseball last year, and while it certainly generated excitement, the outcomes were somewhat mixed. He exhibited moments of potential; for instance, his changeup achieved an impressive whiff rate of 28.9%, and his overall hard-hit rate was under 30%. However, he struggled with control, walking over 20% of the batters he faced, which contributed to a troubling ERA of 7.27.
Interestingly, Yoho finds himself in a somewhat favorable position with the Brewers due to his right-handedness. In many MLB bullpens, being a righty might make him just another face in the crowd, but the Brewers' bullpen is notably skewed towards left-handed pitchers. Currently, only Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill seem certain to be part of the bullpen, alongside Grant Anderson, who has had varying performances. This situation leaves open the possibility for at least one additional right-hander to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.
So, could Yoho seize this opportunity and secure that coveted position?
One of the biggest factors affecting Yoho’s prospects is his control, or lack thereof. Given the limited number of right-handed relievers available, he stands a solid chance of making his case for a role right from the start in Milwaukee. On the 40-man roster, Easton McGee is the only other right-handed reliever besides the previously mentioned players, although there is a chance the team might consider Chad Patrick or Logan Henderson if they decide to utilize their exceptional talents in the bullpen instead of keeping them stretched out for starting roles in Nashville.
If those two promising right-handers remain in contention for rotation spots, Yoho's skill set could position him well for a high-leverage role. He was starting to find his footing in the majors before the Brewers optioned him back last September. However, it’s important to note that with such a small sample size, drawing any conclusive insights about his performance is quite challenging.
It’s clear, though, that for the 26-year-old Yoho to excel at the big-league level, he must improve his command. His tendency to issue walks has been a significant hurdle since he reached Triple-A in 2024, and such a pattern will not be sustainable against elite hitters. Both his changeup and fastball exhibit remarkable amounts of arm-side run, showcasing roughly a 15 mph difference between the two pitches. Yet, this type of movement can often make it hard to consistently place pitches within the strike zone.
That said, Yoho shouldn't shy away from the movement his pitches naturally create—his four-seamer produces 7.3 inches more horizontal break than the average fastball, which is certainly impressive. However, this does suggest that he will need to develop a reliable third pitch that he can effectively locate. In the past, he has experimented with a flat cutter and a challenging sweeper, but mastering where to start these pitches will be crucial to ensure they land in the vicinity of the strike zone.
Such development is typically better suited for the minor leagues rather than the high-pressure atmosphere of the major leagues. Nevertheless, given the uniqueness of Yoho's profile, especially in light of the Brewers’ left-heavy bullpen, it may become difficult to keep him off the roster if his spring training performance shows promise. Whenever he makes his return to Milwaukee, fans can expect to see plenty of highlights shared on Pitching Ninja’s social media feeds, as well as a concerning number of walks.
