Deteriorating movement on his fastball and recent struggles have pushed Kyle Harrison to the roster fringe, leaving the Milwaukee Brewers searching for mechanical fixes before the postseason begins.
Kyle Harrison is effectively out of the Milwaukee Brewers’ postseason rotation plans and has likely been out of consideration for nearly two weeks.
Harrison made his last traditional start Sept. 6 against the Cincinnati Reds. Milwaukee then changed its approach, hoping additional side work and bullpen appearances could help him reset and prove he was prepared for any postseason role.
A concerning development
The left-hander relieved against Cincinnati last Saturday before making a shortened start Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates after Milwaukee clinched the division title.
His fastball averaged more than 95 mph in both appearances after averaging 93.6 mph since his return from the Injured List. However, the pitch lost some of the movement that previously made it effective.
Both outings produced poor results. Harrison failed to record an out against Cincinnati and allowed four runs on four hits, including two hard-hit balls against fastballs.
Harrison allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits with two strikeouts and two walks in 1.2 innings against Pittsburgh to take the loss in Milwaukee’s 7-4 road defeat. He failed to complete the second inning and generated only one whiff with his fastball.
The next steps
Pitching coach Chris Hook and the Brewers continue working with Harrison to recover his more dynamic fastball while also preparing alternatives.
They have moved him farther toward the first base side of the rubber than earlier this season, potentially creating a sharper angle across the strike zone and more deception.
Manager Pat Murphy told Todd Rosiak from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Harrison will pitch again, although Milwaukee has not determined whether he will work at the beginning or middle of a game.
Murphy emphasized restoring the characteristics of Harrison’s pitches.
“We’re going to throw him in there again. I don’t know if it’ll be in the front end or in the middle. I think we’ve just got to make sure that the properties of his pitches get back,” Murphy said.
Milwaukee has not clinched the top postseason seed in the National League but holds a six-game advantage over the Atlanta Braves for a first-round bye. That cushion gives the Brewers little to lose and significant upside if Harrison recovers his form.
What Harrison must change
The margin between success and failure is particularly narrow for Harrison. At his best, he confidently creates backspin on his fastball and uses it frequently.
A minor mechanical problem can reduce the pitch from elite to average, leaving the remainder of his arsenal vulnerable.
Jacob Misiorowski can counter fastball problems with a cutter and two excellent breaking balls. Harrison might require a smaller correction, but his effectiveness suffers more without his best fastball.
His increased velocity and reduced movement suggest that he may be creating speed inefficiently by rushing his delivery instead of generating energy from the ground upward.
Harrison needs a mechanical adjustment that synchronizes his body and restores fastball backspin without sacrificing velocity. His early-season dominance could return quickly if everything reconnects.
The Brewers believe one or two strong appearances could earn Harrison a postseason bullpen place. His confidence, resilience and willingness to adjust remain valuable, but time is disappearing.
Every attempted correction also risks moving him farther from the delivery that made him one of MLB’s best pitchers in the first half of the season.
