White Sox Sign Bryse Wilson: What to Make of Move

The White Sox made a depth signing on December 18, as Chicago (AL) added ex-Brewer Bryse Wilson on a one-year deal. Wilson goes the White Sox after two successful seasons as a reliever with Milwaukee.

A Look at Wilson

Bryse Wilson was at one point a top prospect in the Braves’ farm system. But after milquetoast results as a starter, Atlanta moved Wilson to Pittsburgh in 2021. His numbers, which included a 5.52 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 115 frames in 2022, were not particularly strong.

The righty did, however, find a home with the Brewers. The now-29-year-old became a versatile arm out of the Brewers’ bullpen in 2023 and 2024. He had a sub-3.00 ERA in 2023 and put up decent results in 2024, with a 4.04 ERA and 82 K over 104.2 IP.

Wilson was among the most-used relievers in baseball over the last two seasons. The 29-year-old threw 181.1 IP between 2023-24, second-most among bullpen arms. The only pitcher with more innings thrown in that span was Ryan Yarbrough (188.1 IP).

He did get a chance to start at points in 2024, given that the Brewers had injures pile up in their rotation. Wilson pitched well in stretches as a starter, including six shutout innings against the Royals on May 6. In total, Wilson went 0-2 with a 4.75 ERA, 31 K, and a .744 OPS over 41.2 IP as a starting pitcher with Milwaukee.

The new White Sox is a finesse pitcher who doesn’t have great stuff. Wilson controls the zone and limits walks but ranked among the bottom 15% in Whiff% over the last two seasons. His Barrel% rates were above-average in 2022-23 but below-average in 2024.

Bryse Wilson whiff map 2024 — Because Wilson will mix his five pitches effectively, it often leads to swing-and-misses in the zone.

Wilson isn’t a hard thrower, as he’ll pound the zone with a two-seamer with more run than sink, coupled with a cut fastball that is his go-to pitch versus lefties.

Bryse Wilson pitch movement 2024 — It’s a five-pitch mix for Wilson, who’s more of a pitcher than thrower.

Again, he’s not a strikeout pitcher but one who relies on giving hitters different looks with his stuff. That approach lends itself to relying on batters to not hit the ball hard, even though he works inside the zone often. Hence, why expected stats (5.35 xERA in 2024) were not high on Wilson.

Per the team, the White Sox signed Bryse Wilson to a one-year deal worth $1.05MM. The move come after a busy week for the White Sox, one that saw Chicago (AL) trade ace Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox and sign ex-Cub outfielder Mike Tauchman.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.05-million contract with veteran right-handed pitcher Bryse Wilson.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 18, 2024

Analysis

Heading into the offseason, the White Sox came into the winter with a tentative rotation that included Crochet, Jonathan Cannon, Drew Thorpe, and a lot of uncertainty. The Sox do have young arms like Ky Bush, Nick Nastrini, and Jairo Iriarte. However, those names have yet to establish themselves as regulars.

Crochet is now in Boston, opening up another spot in Chicago’s rotation.

Even though Wilson succeeded in a relief role with the Brewers, he does have starting experience and the White Sox will need length. Wilson, despite fringe-average stuff as a starter, will likely get a shot to be a starter in Chicago. Which, makes the destination highly appealing for the righty.

It’s also a very cost-effective move, one that make it easy to move Wilson at the deadline, should a team be interested. Even if the rotation doesn’t work for Wilson, he’s been a proven reliever. His stuff does work better in one and two-inning spots.