DL Hall arrived at Milwaukee Brewers camp in 2024 eager to prove himself, perhaps even more than during his first MLB stint with the Baltimore Orioles one year earlier.

Milwaukee acquired Hall and infielder Joey Ortiz from Baltimore in the Corbin Burnes trade before the 2024 season.

Hall was coming off his most physically frustrating year after developing a back issue late in 2022. He joined Baltimore in late August following closer Felix Bautista’s season-ending injury and became more than a replacement.

He went 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 19.1 innings over 18 appearances, recording 23 strikeouts and five walks.

Hall also threw 3.1 scoreless innings with six strikeouts and one walk over two appearances against the Texas Rangers during an American League Division Series sweep.

His fastball averaged 95.6 mph, slightly below his previous velocity as a starter. Hall believes the back problem contributed to the series of lower-body and upper-body injuries that followed.

Hall made Milwaukee’s roster in 2024 but struggled through four starts before suffering a left knee injury. Hall resumed pitching in the minor leagues one month later and remained there until August while rebuilding his workload.

He returned to Milwaukee’s bullpen late in the regular season with improved results.

A lat issue then kept him out for most of 2025 camp and the first two months. His velocity remained in the low 90s rather than the upper 90s or triple digits he previously reached.

Rediscovering himself while trying to impress a new organization increased the difficulty.

Hall initially resisted adding a sinker because the pitch produced poor results earlier in his minor league career. Once he began using it, however, he discovered a better version.

His injuries naturally altered his arm slot, potentially hurting his four-seam fastball’s shape while improving the sinker.

Hall fully committed to the pitch in 2026. The 28-year-old used it evenly against left-handed and right-handed hitters, with both groups batting well below the Mendoza Line against it.

The sinker initially compensated for reduced velocity, but became more dangerous as Hall’s speed returned. He generated outs at 93-95 mph early before averaging 96.3 mph during the second half.

Hall carried that progress into the postseason, throwing eight scoreless innings over six appearances and winning three games. He reached 97 mph and touched 99 mph for the first time since 2023.

The sinker became the foundation of an extensive seven-pitch repertoire.

Hall finished his breakout regular season 4-0 with a 1.91 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 61.1 innings over 47 appearances (one start), recording one save and six holds, becoming a key member of Milwaukee’s elite bullpen.

One year after being unable to help Milwaukee during the postseason, Hall played an important role in the Brewers winning their first World Series title against the Tampa Bay Rays.

He accomplished it with a different pitching identity than the one he brought to Milwaukee.

Hall is second on Milwaukee’s career postseason wins list with three, behind ace Jacob Misiorowski, who has four.