Uribe’s Revival: Brewers’ flamethrower dominates August after a turbulent 2024
After a breakthrough rookie season in 2023, Abner Uribe faced a dramatic downturn in 2024, posting a 6.91 ERA over just 14.1 innings while walking 18.2% of the hitters he faced. The season was further marred by a suspension stemming from a benches-clearing incident against the Rays, and it ended abruptly when he tore his meniscus while playing Hacky Sack. Now, in 2025, the odd-year narrative seems to be working in his favor as Uribe returns with a vengeance.
Uribe’s current form mirrors the best run of his early career. He’s effectively kept pace with the 1.76 ERA he posted as a rookie, but this time he’s dramatically reduced his walk rate. His strikeout rate sits at 30.6%, placing him in the 92nd percentile league-wide, and hitters have found little to barrel up from his pitches (3.5% barrel rate, 98th percentile). If the season continues on this trajectory, he’ll remain one of the most daunting late-inning threats in baseball.
August has been the clearest indication of his elevated performance. In ten innings this month, Uribe has not allowed a single run. He’s faced 37 hitters, eight have reached base via four singles and four walks, and opponents have posted just a .170 wOBA against him. He’s recorded 14 strikeouts in those ten frames, a 37.8% strikeout rate that underscores his dominance. His 1.52 FIP for August ranks eighth among all MLB pitchers who have thrown at least ten innings this month.
What’s driving the surge? Uribe has refined his location, consistently pounding the bottom of the zone with his sinker in August. That preference has yielded a 63.2% ground-ball rate, pairing with his already blazing velocity to keep hitters from sitting on his stuff. With this pitch location, batters are not only missing—it’s hard for them to square him up, contributing to a dramatic drop in barrel rates and an uptick in weak contact.
If Uribe can maintain this pace for the rest of the season, he’s heading toward a higher profile role in Milwaukee. His continued success could position him as the primary closer competitor for Trevor Megill in 2026, potentially altering Milwaukee’s bullpen dynamics next season.
Bottom-line takeaway: Uribe’s 2025 resurgence is real and backed by dominant August numbers—elite strikeout rate, minimal hard contact, and a sustained ground-ball approach. The question now is whether he can sustain this level beyond August and ride the momentum into a long, healthy finish to the season.
Summary and outlook:
– 2023 rookie season: strong start.
– 2024: sharp decline, suspension, and a meniscus tear.
– 2025: back to rookie-like ERA with much-improved control.
– August highlights: 10.0 IP, 0 ER; .170 wOBA against; 37.8% K; 63.2% GB; 26.3% pull rate.
– Outlook: continued dominance could make Uribe a central figure in Milwaukee’s bullpen next year, with a realistic shot at competing for saves in 2026.
Optional notes for readers:
– Fantasy managers may want to monitor Uribe closely for bullpen role clarity as the season winds down, since a closer’s role could shift based on late-season performances and bullpen chemistry.
– For the Brewers, the sustained improvement provides a blueprint for bullpen stability after a tumultuous previous year.