Hook to stay on as Brewers pitching coach after signing multi-year deal

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers and pitching coach Chris Hook have agreed to a new, multi-year contract that keeps one of the team’s most impactful pending free agents rooted in Milwaukee.

Hook, 56, was among the Milwaukee coaches whose contracts were set to expire this week, and would have had opportunities elsewhere after overseeing a staff that ranks among MLB’s top five in strikeouts, opponents’ average and ERA since his promotion to the Brewers’ Major League staff prior to the 2019 season.

The 2024 season represented some of Hook’s best work, since the Brewers posted MLB’s fifth-best ERA without longtime co-aces Corbin Burnes (traded) and Brandon Woodruff (injured) for the entire season, and with closer and reigning NL Reliever of the Year Devin Williams sidelined for the first four months by a back injury. The Brewers tied a franchise record with 17 different pitchers starting at least one game, and set a franchise record with 12 different pitchers logging at least one save.

“This organization means a lot to me, and to be able to spend the next few years here and almost spend 20 years in this organization, is really, really special,” Hook said. “It's important that we move the needle. It's important that we develop relationships. It's important that we win.”

A former right-hander who pitched 11 professional seasons including a stint in the Majors with the Giants, Hook has coached in Milwaukee’s system for the last 17 years and played a significant role in the Minor League careers of Burnes, Woodruff, Freddy Peralta and others. He ascended to Minor League pitching coordinator in 2018 before a promotion to the Major League staff the following year.

Since then, the Brewers are second in the Majors in strikeouts (8,057), third in opponents’ average (.231), third in hits per nine innings (7.80) and strikeouts per nine innings (9.36) and fifth with a 3.84 ERA.

The Brewers have finished in the top five in the Major Leagues in ERA in three of the last four seasons, including a league-best 3.71 ERA in 2023.

“He consistently gets the most out of his pitchers year in and year out, and we are happy to see that continue,” said GM Matt Arnold in a statement announcing Hook’s return.

Manager Pat Murphy added, “He has a knack for helping pitchers who may have hit a bump in the road to lengthen and solidify their Major League careers. I’m excited to have him part of our staff going forward.”

Going forward, the Brewers will have to continue unearthing arms like they did in 2024 with right-handed starter Tobias Myers and relievers Jared Koenig and Trevor Megill, who represent just the start of the list of pitchers let go by other organizations before enjoying career years in Milwaukee.

“I think our pitching coach group, we look for those opportunities to grow, and I think we know that we're always going to have challenges every year in some form or fashion,” Hook said. “It's, 'Good, what are we going to do? What's our next step? Who's the next man up? How are we going to make this guy better? How is he going to fill the need that we have?'”

There’s a lot of roster building ahead, but the Brewers already have a number of candidates in place for 2025 starting with Peralta atop the starting rotation. Myers is a lock for one of the other spots, followed by candidates including Aaron Civale (who is arbitration-eligible), Colin Rea (if the Brewers pick up his club option) and young left-handers Aaron Ashby and DL Hall. Both Hall and Ashby also pitched in relief last season, but Hook would like to see them stretched out to start.

“I'd like for these two guys to fight it out,” Hook said. “Like, ‘Hey, man, let's go win a starting job.’”

The same could go for top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski, if the Brewers continue to develop him as a starting pitcher. And surely, there will be a surprise or two.

“Our group is always going out and finding that next guy, so we're excited to see who they might be,” Hook said.

With Hook back in the fold, the Brewers’ staff continues to come into focus for Murphy’s second season as manager in 2025. The team previously promoted Triple-A hitting coaches Al LeBoeuf and Eric Theisen to the Major League staff and announced a third hitting coach, Connor Dawson, would return.

The status of the other coaches, including assistant pitching coach Jim Henderson, is still pending. One coach the Brewers are not expected to be able to retain is Quintin Berry, the highly-regarded first-base coach who played a major role in Milwaukee’s league-best baserunning.