Brewers’ Harrison Returns from IL with a Nasty New Wrinkle
Brewers Pitcher Kyle Harrison Is Trying to Trust His Tricky New Changeup
The Big Picture
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison has a problem. He added a brand-new pitch—a special changeup—during spring training, and it looked amazing. But when the real games started, he barely used it, and when he did, it didn’t work well.
Now, after a trip to the minor leagues to practice it, he’s back in the big leagues and ready to give it another shot.
What Is a Changeup, Anyway?
Think of a changeup like a magic trick.
The pitcher moves their arm exactly the same as a fastball, but the ball comes out much slower. The batter swings early—whoosh!—and misses.
Harrison’s version is extra tricky: it’s called a "kick change." He digs his middle finger into the ball (like a spike), which makes it dive and fade in a weird way. Cool, but super hard to control.
Spring Training vs. Regular Season: A Tale of Two Pitches
| Spring Training | Regular Season (So Far) | |
|---|---|---|
| How often he threw it | A lot! | Only 10% of the time |
| Results | "Fantastic" | Batters hit .273 with 2 homers in 33 at-bats |
| Whiffs (swing-and-misses) | Plenty | Never more than 2 in a single game |
| Harrison’s feeling | Confident | "It didn’t feel the best coming out of my hand" |
The numbers don’t lie: His four-seamer (58%) and slurve (31%) are doing the heavy lifting. The changeup is just… there.
Why Did He Stop Throwing It?
1. The Grip Is "Wonky"
- The middle finger spikes the ball.
- The index finger slides off at release.
- It takes perfect finger pressure every single time.
2. Blisters!
- Blister #1: Middle finger (spring training) — too much pressure.
- Blister #2: Side of thumb — index finger digging in.
- He still uses glue on the second blister to keep it closed.
3. The Pitch Clock Doesn’t Help
- MLB has a pitch clock (8 seconds with runners on).
- Harrison: "Pitch clock’s at eight, my grip’s not fully set. You’re worried that you gotta go, you gotta go. You lose the grip a little."
4. Confidence Is Everything
Pitching is about conviction.
If a pitcher has even a tiny doubt about a pitch, they won’t throw it. Harrison lost trust in the changeup, so he stopped using it.
The Fix: A "Rehab" Start That Wasn’t Really About Rehab
On July 31, Harrison made one start for High-A Wisconsin (the Brewers’ minor-league team). He wasn’t injured—he just needed game reps with the changeup.
What He Did Differently
- Threw it a TON — "spammed it" to right-handed batters
- Used it from the stretch AND the windup
- Sold it like a heater — same arm speed, same look
- Felt the best it has all season
Harrison: "It’s about getting game reps with that pitch. That’s why it was cool for me to over-use that in a game setting. Out of the stretch, out of the windup, the game reps and arm speed, selling it like a heater."
What Happens Next?
August 5 — Harrison makes his first big-league start in nearly a month against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Opportunity
- The Pirates’ lineup has several right-handed hitters who struggle against changeups.
- This is his chance to prove the minor-league success wasn’t a fluke.
The Question
Will the confidence he found in Wisconsin carry over to the big leagues?
Key Takeaways
IMPORTANT POINTS
- Harrison’s kick changeup is a high-reward, high-difficulty pitch.
- Blisters + pitch clock + grip issues = loss of confidence.
- He abandoned it during the regular season (only 10% usage).
- A planned minor-league start let him throw it 20+ times and regain feel.
- August 5 vs. Pirates is the real test: can he trust it against MLB hitters?
Summary
Kyle Harrison spent spring training perfecting a nasty new changeup. But when the games counted, finger blisters, a tricky grip, and the pitch clock made him lose faith in it. He barely threw it, and when he did, batters crushed it.
So the Brewers sent him to High-A Wisconsin for one start—not because he was hurt, but to practice the pitch in a real game. He threw it constantly, it felt great, and now he’s back in the majors.
Monday night against Pittsburgh, we’ll find out if the magic is back—or if the changeup stays on the shelf.
FAQ
What exactly is a "kick changeup"?
A: It’s a changeup where the pitcher spikes their middle finger on top of the ball. This creates extra spin and movement, making it drop and fade sharply. It’s harder to control than a regular changeup.
Why do blisters matter so much for pitchers?
A: Pitchers throw 100+ pitches per game at max effort. A blister on a finger changes how they grip the ball, which changes the pitch’s movement. If it rips open, they can’t pitch. Glue and tape help, but it’s a constant battle.
What’s the pitch clock, and why does it mess with grips?
A: MLB now requires pitchers to start their motion within 15 seconds (bases empty) or 18 seconds (runners on). With 8 seconds left, Harrison feels rushed to get his weird grip perfect—so he sometimes throws it before he’s ready.
Why did he go to the minors if he wasn’t injured?
A: It was a "rehab assignment" in name only. MLB rules let teams send players to the minors for up to 30 days (pitchers) to work on stuff. The Brewers used this loophole to let Harrison face real hitters in a low-pressure game.
If the changeup is so hard, why not just drop it?
A: Because lefties need a weapon against right-handed batters. A good changeup neutralizes the platoon advantage. If Harrison masters it, he becomes a much better pitcher. The upside is worth the struggle.
