Prodigious height isn't all that left-hander Bryan Hudson brings to the table for Brewers

PHOENIX – Once Bryan Hudson pitches in a game this season for the Milwaukee Brewers, he'll enter the annals tied for the title of tallest player in franchise history.

"Really?" Hudson said Thursday when informed of his unique status. "That's pretty cool."

Hudson measures 6 feet 8 inches, same as teammate and fellow reliever Trevor Megill. Angel Perdomo (2020-21), Johnny Hellweg (2013), Kameron Loe (2010-12), Richie Sexson (2000-04) and Graeme Lloyd (1993-96) were the others standing 6-8 to see action for the Brewers, with Sexson the only position player.

A look around the Brewers clubhouse in Maryvale this spring reveals Hudson and Megill aren't alone in towering over many of their teammates, with 10 other players standing at least 6-4. Top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski is next-tallest at 6-7, while non-roster right-hander Easton McGee is 6-6.

"We've got a good starting lineup if we need to play a basketball game," Hudson joked.

"If we're not playing good by May, I may opt to enter the G-League or something," manager Pat Murphy added.

Hudson, 26, was acquired in a minor trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan. 3 and is in camp auditioning for a spot in the opening day bullpen. His status as a left-hander with good stuff makes him stand out even more than his height, which actually benefitted him when he was a two-sport star at Alton (Illinois) High School, which is just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.

His basketball prowess was such that he was garnering attention from colleges – he played against Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum in club tournaments – but ultimately it was his ability to throw the baseball that led to the Chicago Cubs drafting him in the third round in 2015.

Hudson reached as high as Class AAA Iowa with the Cubs in 2022 but was cut loose after that season. He signed with the Dodgers in December 2022 and made his major-league debut last June 17.

He had three short stints with the Dodgers totaling 8⅔ innings over six appearances, finishing with a 7.27 ERA and WHIP of 1.85 then ended up being the odd man out in a roster crunch after Los Angeles signed Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract on Dec. 27.

Hudson could provide bullpen depth as a left-hander

The Brewers, lacking in left-handed relievers, liked what they'd seen of Hudson during his time pitching at Class AAA Oklahoma City, where he went 5-2 with a 2.43 ERA and WHIP of 1.31 in 46 appearances (eight starts). They sent 2023 20th-round pick Justin Chambers to the Dodgers and a player to be named or cash for Hudson after he'd been designated for assignment.

"I was really excited when I saw I was traded over here," Hudson said. "Always exciting to be closer to home. I've always been a Brewer fan. I was a big Cardinals fan, but I always liked the way they played and Milwaukee seems like a good city.

"I'm excited to check it out."

Funnily enough, Hudson's roommate last year was Gus Varland, a Rule 5 pick last offseason for the Brewers who had a short stint in their bullpen before being sent back to Los Angeles.

"Same old Gus. Same goofy Gus," Hudson said. "Nothing but good things to say. He loved the Brewers."

What the Brewers love about Hudson, undoubtedly, was the big uptick in his strikeout numbers in 2023 when he racked up a career-high 86 in 55⅔ innings. His key to success recently has been his fastball up in the zone (touching 95-97 mph) and then a cutter-slider combination down.

"I would say maturity, and then also just figuring out my delivery a little bit more," Hudson said when asked what had changed for him. "Being able to get a little bit more consistent at the top of the zone and being able to put away guys.

"Being a big guy, you've got a lot of long limbs and stuff like that. So, it's very easy to get out of rhythm. Just doing the drills daily helped me stay in rhythm."

Hudson's body of work for the Dodgers last year was small, but he stood out in a few areas analytically with low barrel and hard-hit percentages. When things are going well for Hudson he generates ground balls at a high rate and then there's his extension, which ranks in the 98th percentile thanks to his height and arm length.

"Fabulous. I love the kid already," Murphy said. "He's got great extension. The fastball, whatever it is velo-wise, looks a lot better than that because basically he's reaching out and touching the catcher. Like him a lot.

"I'm excited about him."

Hudson likely to spend time in Nashville

Hudson has two minor-league options remaining, most likely meaning he'll be part of the group of relievers who will be bouncing between Milwaukee and Class AAA Nashville.

But if he can continue to strike batters out like he did last year in the minors, Hudson could force himself into the mix as another left-handed bullpen option aside from Hoby Milner.

And if a pickup basketball game ever breaks out, he and Megill will have the post locked down for the Brewers.

"Hopefully I can come in and just do what they need me to do," Hudson said. "I'll do whatever – I'll come in late in the game, I'll come in early in the game. I'm just excited to be with those guys, getting to know them and compete next to them and get some outs.

"The Dodgers, it's a hard roster to crack. Hopefully, doing that last year, I can get a few more opportunities to prove myself this year and show what I can do up there."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bryan Hudson gives the Brewers another left-handed relief option