Abner Uribe wrapped up 2026 as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball — 1.97 ERA across 61 appearances, a fastball averaging 98.8 mph, and barrel prevention sitting in the 99th percentile league-wide. And yet, the Dominican right-hander from the Milwaukee Brewers still wants to pitch in LIDOM. In a video shared by David Alcántara (@DaSportsRD) on October 29, Uribe spoke openly about what it would mean to go back to his home country’s winter league after a season like this one. His message was straightforward: this isn’t a consolation destination. It’s a debt he owes to the game that raised him.
Why It Matters When an Elite Brewer Asks to Play Winter Ball
MLB-caliber players appearing in Caribbean winter leagues isn’t unheard of, but it’s become increasingly selective. Big league teams protect their relievers’ arms, and getting approval to pitch in the winter after logging 59.1 innings in the regular season isn’t automatic. That Uribe is asking — and doing it publicly — carries a double message: it tells Dominican fans he hasn’t forgotten where he came from, and it tells the Brewers he still has gas left in the tank after one of the best seasons of his career.
His 1.03 WHIP and 62 strikeouts against just 19 walks paint the picture of a pitcher in complete control. This isn’t a guy crawling to the finish line in October — it’s one who gets there and immediately wants more.
The Numbers Behind the Desire
Statcast doesn’t lie, and Uribe’s 2026 line is hard to argue with:
- 61 games, 59.1 innings pitched
- ERA: 1.97 · WHIP: 1.03
- 62 strikeouts, 19 walks — K% of 26.5%
- 6 saves
- xERA: 2.81 (based on quality of contact allowed)
- Fastball: 98.8 mph with 2,301 rpm spin rate
- Whiff rate: 26.8% of swings
- Opponent batting average: .199
- Average exit velocity allowed: 87.7 mph
- Barrel rate allowed: 2%
How He Stacks Up Across MLB
- xERA: 94th percentile (elite)
- K%: 78th percentile
- Fastball velocity: 97th percentile (elite)
- xwOBA against: 94th percentile (elite)
- Barrel prevention: 99th percentile (elite)
- Hard-hit prevention: 76th percentile
The Dominican reliever from Milwaukee is making a serious mark on Statcast’s leaderboards. And the fact that he wants to take that same arm to LIDOM? That’s not obligation — that’s love for the game.
