Why Bryse Wilson’s Signing Might Be More About Filling Holes Than Fixing the Rotation

The Chicago White Sox have bolstered their pitching staff for the 2024 season, adding right-hander Bryse Wilson on a one-year, $1.05 million deal with up to $250,000 in performance bonuses. The signing, pending a physical, gives Wilson the opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training. While Wilson may not be a marquee acquisition, the White Sox are betting that his versatility and experience could prove valuable as they look to strengthen their pitching depth and avoid the injury-plagued scenarios of previous seasons.

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1869449467298267436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1869449467298267436%7Ctwgr%5E194a6dd136764cd34403b68b271d43580888611a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.soxon35th.com%2Fwhite-sox-sign-right-hander-bryse-wilson%2F

Wilson’s Background: A Mixed History of Starting and Relieving

At just 26 years old, Wilson is a former fourth-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2016 and has already seen some postseason action in his career. His most memorable postseason appearance came in 2020, when he pitched six solid innings in his lone start, allowing just one run. Since then, he has spent the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, working as both a starter and reliever.

In total, Wilson has posted an 11-4 record with a 3.42 ERA over 181.1 innings, with six starts and 78 bullpen appearances. His 2023 campaign, in particular, stands out as his best. He posted a strong 2.58 ERA in 55 innings as a full-time reliever, showing notable improvements in his strikeout rate (19.4%) and walk rate (7.0%). This shift to the bullpen seems to have been a turning point in his career, and it’s an area where the White Sox may find additional value.

Pitch Profile: Can Wilson’s Cutter Be the Answer?

Wilson’s pitch-to-contact profile has been a defining characteristic throughout his career. He has always struggled to generate a high strikeout rate—posting a career-low 17.1% strikeout rate—but he excels at limiting walks and keeping hitters off-balance. His 2023 season saw his primary pitch, the cutter, account for 34.2% of his offerings, followed closely by his sinker at 32%. He also mixes in a four-seam fastball (15%), curveball (13.9%), and changeup (4.2%).

While his cutter and sinker have been effective, Wilson has occasionally struggled with home runs. His HR/FB rate spiked to 14.4% in 2023, a figure the White Sox will want to address—especially considering their hitter-friendly home park at Guaranteed Rate Field. Wilson’s fly-ball tendencies could become an issue if not corrected, particularly in the American League Central, where powerful offenses can take advantage of pitches left up in the zone.

Given his pitch mix, the White Sox might look to refine his approach by adjusting his fastball usage. A potential adjustment could involve limiting his four-seam fastball and re-shaping his curveball into a sweeper. Similar to the approach taken with former Nationals pitcher Erick Fedde, this could help Wilson mitigate his fly-ball issues and take better advantage of his cutter and sinker. The White Sox have found success with this model recently, and it’s possible that the front office is hoping to replicate that success with Wilson.

Role with the White Sox: Rotation or Relief?

While the White Sox are bringing Wilson in with the expectation that he’ll compete for a spot in the rotation, his role will likely depend on how the spring competition shakes out. It’s conceivable that Wilson could find himself filling a similar role to that of Chris Flexen in 2023—a veteran presence who can step into the rotation when needed and eat innings. With a young and developing staff, the White Sox will need reliable options to handle both starting and long-relief duties. Wilson’s ability to perform in multiple roles could prove to be an asset, especially if he can replicate some of his success from 2023.

Wilson’s experience as a multi-inning reliever could be key to giving the White Sox depth in both the bullpen and the rotation. With pitchers like Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech, and Lance Lynn expected to take on significant roles in the rotation, Wilson will have the chance to compete for a spot or step in when called upon for spot starts or injury replacements.

What’s Next for Bryse Wilson?

As the White Sox continue to revamp their pitching staff in hopes of a bounce-back season, Bryse Wilson’s signing represents a low-risk, high-reward gamble. With a history of success in both starting and relieving roles, Wilson provides much-needed depth. However, his lack of consistent strikeout stuff and his tendency to give up home runs will be areas to monitor as the White Sox work to refine their pitching staff.

Ultimately, Wilson will need to find the right adjustments—whether in pitch selection or mechanics—if he hopes to secure a regular role with the White Sox in 2024. If he can improve his command and limit home runs, he could become a vital piece of a White Sox team that is hoping to remain competitive in the AL Central.

This signing may not make national headlines, but if Wilson can rediscover some of the promise he showed in his brief time with the Braves, he could be a valuable contributor to the White Sox in their quest to return to postseason play. The competition for a spot in the rotation will be fierce, but with his experience and versatility, Bryse Wilson is sure to make it an interesting battle come spring training.