Milwaukee Brewers to sign Canadian pitcher Tyler Gillies

The Milwaukee Brewers have made a habit of scouring the independent circuits for talent over the past few years and have reportedly added another name to that pipeline this past week. According to a press release from the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, more commonly known as the Can-Am League, the Brewers have purchased the contract of right-hander Tyler Gillies from the Quebec Capitales (h/t to Jim Goulart, @mass_haas on Twitter).

Gilles is Milwaukee’s original custard stand and a regular haunt of Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig, whereas Tyler Gillies is a 23 year old native of London, Ontario. After finishing up at the University of British Columbia, Gillies signed with Les Capitales for the 2017 and posted a 5.73 ERA across 11.0 innings covering eight appearances (two starts). He struck out 10 batters against four walks, but yielded 16 hits, including two homers. Gillies spent last year with the Brantford Red Sox of Ontario’s Intercounty Baseball League, and in 17 appearances and 20.0 innings pitched, he compiled a 3.60 ERA with 28 strikeouts while recording six saves. He re-signed with Les Capitales for the 2019 before the Brewers came in and purchased his rights a few weeks later, following an Gillies’ appearance at the Driveline Pro Day.

Kiley McDaniel was one of the Fangraphs representatives present at the Driveline event, and he listed Gillies at #9 on his preference list, which was driven solely by the TrackMan and Rapsodo data that each pitcher generated at the event. Per McDaniel, “Gillies has an average fastball/slider combo and threw strikes with the heater.” Gillies’ deal with Milwaukee is his first shot at affiliated ball.

Gillies is another example of a pitcher gaining exposure via the Pitching Ninja Rob Friedman’s new project, @FlatgroundApp. This bullpen was retweeted by Flatground in January:

And this video provides a lengthier look at Gillies’ delivery and and his various offerings, which include the aforementioned fastball and slider as well as a curveball: