Justin Wilson, Relief Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers


Date of Birth: 8/18/1987
Birthplace: Anaheim, California
College: California State University, Fresno

Justin Wilson, relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, was first drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 but he opted instead to attend California State University. Three years later, he was drafted by and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched as a starting pitcher in the Pirates' minor league system from 2009 through most of 2012, pitching just 4.2 innings in 8 games with the Pirates in 2012.

In 2013, his first year in the major leagues, Wilson pitched in 58 games with the Pirates. He finished the season with a 2.08 ERA, 6 wins and 1 loss, and 59 strikeouts to 28 walks in a career high 73.2 innings. The following season, he had a 4.20 ERA in 70 games.

The Pirates traded Wilson to the New York Yankees on November 12, 2014. He had career highs in games played (74) and strikeouts (66 to 20 walks) in 2015. He finished with a 3.10 ERA in 61.0 innings.

Wilson was traded to the Detroit Tigers on December 9, 2015. In 66 games with the Tigers in 2016, he had 4 wins and 5 losses, 65 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 4.14 ERA in 58.2 innings.

The Tigers traded Wilson to the Chicago Cubs on July 31, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 4 wins and 4 losses, 13 saves, 80 strikeouts to 35 walks, and a 3.41 ERA in 58.0 innings in 42 games with the Tigers and 23 games with the Cubs. In the postseason, he pitched 0.2 innings in 1 game and he gave up no hits.

Wilson pitched in 71 games in 2018. He had 4 wins and 5 losses, 59 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 3.46 ERA in 54.2 innings.

Wilson became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the New York Mets on January 28, 2019. He spent time on the DL in 2019 with left elbow soreness. He finished the season with 4 wins and 2 losses, 4 saves, 44 strikeouts to 19 walks, and a 2.54 ERA in 39.0 innings in 45 games.

Wilson pitched in 23 games in 2020. He finished the season with 2 wins and 1 loss and a 3.66 ERA in 19.2 innings.

Wilson elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He returned to the Yankees on February 23, 2021. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on July 28, 2021. He spent time on the IL in 2021. He finished the season with a 5.29 ERA in 34.0 innings in 21 games with the Yankees and 21 games with the Reds.

Wilson became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Brewers on February 18, 2023.

Career pitching statistics for Wilson through 2021 include:

  • 522 games played
  • 463.1 innings pitched
  • 33-23 win-loss record
  • 503 strikeouts to 210 walks
  • 3.42 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Justin Wilson
ESPN - Justin Wilson