Joel Payamps has found a home with the Milwaukee Brewers. The journeyman pitcher is now with his fifth major league team in five years, and seventh organization since 2011. Payamps was with the Colorado Rockies from 2011 until his release in 2015. He signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks in November 2015 and spent time with A, AA, and AAA teams in their minor league system. He was used as a starter and picked up 34 wins, and was added to the Diamondbacks 40-man roster after the 2018 season.
2019 Injury and Debut
Payamps opened the 2019 season back with Triple-A Nashville, but suffered a broken foot to start the season. He returned from that injury and finished the season with five wins between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A. In a surprise move the right-hander was added to the big-league roster and made his major league debut against the Colorado Rockies on August 21. He appeared in two games, striking out three batters in four innings pitched while allowing two earned runs.
In 2020, he appeared in two games for the Diamondbacks . Overall, he appeared in four games for them, all in relief with a 3.86 ERA. After the season he was designated for assignment. Since 2021, he has been with Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, though never pitched for them, and the Oakland Athletics. Each time he was either designated for assignment or released.
Milwaukee Brewers
Joel Payamps has found a home with the Milwaukee Brewers after a three-team trade in December 2022. During spring training, he struggled with his command and control. However, the coaches wanted took a longer look at him and he made the big-league team. It really came down to the fact that he had no remaining minor-league options left. If he was not going to make the club, he would have had to be placed on waivers. Another team would have claimed him in that case.
Standout
Since making the team, Payamps has become one of the standout relievers of a strong Brewers bullpen. He has a 2–0 record, and a 2.45 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 22 innings pitched. Payamps has demonstrated that he is able to handle both left-and-right-handed batters. He picked up his first major league win, and is becoming more important as a middle reliever.
With the help of pitching coach Chris Hook, Payamps worked on his pitch mix and selection of pitches. Against right-handed hitters, he is throwing almost exclusively sinkers and sliders. With left-handed hitters, he throws a changeup and a four-seam fastball.
Exciting Times
Joel Payamps has found a home with the Brewers during these exciting times for both the team and Payamps. He is seeing his best pitching, and is contributing to the team’s current success. This bullpen has pitched the least number of innings at this time.
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If the starting staff can continue to work as they have, the underused and fresh arms of the bullpen will be a plus come playoff time. Payamps is pitching well as well as a middle reliever. If he continues to do so and if the rest of the bullpen can all stay at their best, this team should be able to stay in contention for a Wild Card spot or even the NL Central title.
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