How Ryan Brasier started dominating with the Dodgers
Ryan Brasier has become a prime example of how second chances, an adjustment here or there, and change of scenery can go a long way in the world of Major League Baseball.
Earlier this season, there was the striking example offered by former Red Sox Jake Diekman, who was released by the White Sox after totaling a 7.94 ERA in his first 13 appearances. The next thing you know, he had become the Rays' latest reclamation project, currently managing a 2.14 ERA in 27 outings.
Now there is Brasier.
The former Red Sox reliever, who was cut loose by the organization he had won a World Series with in 2018 on May 21, has found himself pitching better than ever with the Dodgers. After another perfect inning Friday night, Brasier's ERA with Los Angeles stands at 1.13 with opponents hitting just .120 with a .350 OPS.
It turns out a huge part of the resurgence was simply due to the Dodgers suggesting he throw a new pitch, one which Brasier had never fiddled with throughout his seven seasons in the majors.
Along came a cutter, and with it almost immediate success.
"When they called me initially, they said they liked my stuff, they liked my fastball and slider, but they could really see how a cutter would really benefit how I pitch," Brasier explained on the 'Baseball Isnt' Boring' podcast. "They brought me to Arizona for 10 days. They told me, 'If we sign you we want to bring you to Arizona, have you work on it, throw some bullpens and if it's good there is no telling what could happen.' So I went to Arizona for 10 days, threw a couple of bullpens, a couple of live BPs and it actually came on a lot faster than I thought. It was kind of natural, I guess."
To listen to Brasier's full story from the past few months, click on the podcast below: