2019 Brewers' pitching staff

[TooLiveBrew]

Writeups on a couple of Brewers starters who stood out this spring. This guy is extremely high on Woodruff's ceiling.

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/scouting-11-pitchers-who-stood-out-this-spring/

If he improves the command of his offspeed pitches—and I think he can—there is potential for Woodruff to be a 70-grade starter at his peak.

Wow. That's the most glowing scouting review I've seen of Woodruff, by a country mile. Let's hope Prinstein is right!

[JosephC]

So what is the bullpen projected to be on opening day?

 

Matt Albers

Chase Anderson

Jacob Barnes

Alex Claudio (L)

Junior Guerra

Josh Hader (L)

Taylor Williams

Alex Wilson

 

If Petricka hadn't walked so many batters in the spring, would almost have to wonder if he would be a better bullpen fit than Anderson? Anderson does have 1 option remaining and <5 years of MLB service time so it's possible the Brewers could send him down. I wouldn't. It will be interesting to see if Anderson dials up the velocity a bit since he will be in ballgames for shorter amounts of time...maybe revert back to his 2017 form. But his propensity to give up the home run ball is a real concern.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

So what is the bullpen projected to be on opening day?

 

Matt Albers

Chase Anderson

Jacob Barnes

Alex Claudio (L)

Junior Guerra

Josh Hader (L)

Taylor Williams

Alex Wilson

 

If Petricka hadn't walked so many batters in the spring, would almost have to wonder if he would be a better bullpen fit than Anderson? Anderson does have 1 option remaining and <5 years of MLB service time so it's possible the Brewers could send him down. I wouldn't. It will be interesting to see if Anderson dials up the velocity a bit since he will be in ballgames for shorter amounts of time...maybe revert back to his 2017 form. But his propensity to give up the home run ball is a real concern.

 

I don't see Anderson with a huge chip on his shoulder as a bad thing at all. The guy has proven to be a very good pitcher when he's on. With basically three rookies in the rotation, and a pitcher in Davies who is just as much of an inconsistency and probably more of an injury risk, I think we'll see Anderson making starts probably sooner than later.

[HiAndTight]

If Williams controls his wildness he could be real threat out of the bullpen.

Well, I'd just take 2018 1st half Taylor Williams vs. 2018 2nd half Taylor Williams. The former version could do little wrong. The more recent version did less and less right to the point where he could hardly get through an outing without getting into major trouble.

 

 

Hopefully that's the result of fatigue. Not from IP per say, but from 2 years of rehab, then spending so much time in extended ST'ing, the minors, all to get that arm ready.

 

Speaking of which, I haven't heard anything about his rehab buddy Kirby lately. Any good news on that front that anyone knows of? Or news at all?

[HiAndTight]

If Williams controls his wildness he could be real threat out of the bullpen.

 

 

I think he's a really nice breakout candidate. He missed two years, came back last year, earned a role on the team, though was up and down. But his command should be coming back now that he's finally got a healthy off-season to train and a full ST'ing.

 

Also, still holding out hope for Jacob Barnes. He's got the stuff to be dominant.

Still, really concerning that we went from looking at Jeffress, Knebel, and Wahl to finish up games to having names like Claudio, Wilson and Fields being tossed around.

Claudio is a proven major leaguer who was in the mix since the end of the Winter Meetings. Wahl has much less MLB experience and was definitely a wild card going into ST, albeit a wild card with a potentially higher ceiling. That said, Wahl was never a serious candidate to close games until he'd built up a track record that proved he belonged in that kind of role. I was rooting for him to be a factor, too, and I'm bummed he's out for the year, but he was hardly a sure thing.

 

No, you're obviously right about that. I guess I was more looking at it as a embarassment of riches and him being a guy who could, at some point this year, be counted on to pitch in high leverage innings based on his stuff. But I really just threw his name in there because he was one of the big three relievers we were counting on who have gone down with serious injuries.

 

And as of right now, he's the only one we have any idea about with regards to when they'll pitch again. Wahl could concievably make it back this year while the other two could be pitching on May 1st, or could be going under the knife and starting the Jimmy Nelson-esque rehab time frame.

[HiAndTight]

So what is the bullpen projected to be on opening day?

 

Matt Albers

Chase Anderson

Jacob Barnes

Alex Claudio (L)

Junior Guerra

Josh Hader (L)

Taylor Williams

Alex Wilson

 

If Petricka hadn't walked so many batters in the spring, would almost have to wonder if he would be a better bullpen fit than Anderson? Anderson does have 1 option remaining and <5 years of MLB service time so it's possible the Brewers could send him down. I wouldn't. It will be interesting to see if Anderson dials up the velocity a bit since he will be in ballgames for shorter amounts of time...maybe revert back to his 2017 form. But his propensity to give up the home run ball is a real concern.

 

I don't see Anderson with a huge chip on his shoulder as a bad thing at all. The guy has proven to be a very good pitcher when he's on. With basically three rookies in the rotation, and a pitcher in Davies who is just as much of an inconsistency and probably more of an injury risk, I think we'll see Anderson making starts probably sooner than later.

 

Agreed. Anderson has been one of my biggest bounce back candidates. He is more than capable of being a low end #3 pitcher. In 2017, his fastball was up a bit, that curve was tough and he was pitching like a good 3.

 

I wonder if Davies was given the spot just because he's younger and more likely to be around after this year. There couldn't have been much seperating the two. Anderson at his best has been better. Davies has been a little more consistent, but Anderson has much higher upside I would think.

 

Perhaps they think his fastball/Curve combo will improve in the pen.

 

 

I actually just went over to fangraphs to compare his FB velocity from 2017(I DEFINITELY don't recall him hitting 98 on

any radar gun that year, though he did according to this article...his fastest pitch) andfound a pretty good article on how he may be able to adjust to pitching in the pen that much better this year if he scraps his sinker and slider and goes with his fastball which they suggest may be around 95-96 out of the pen with curve and his change.

 

Maybe he'll be a big surprise this year. Who knows, given what happened last year, I wouldn't be shocked to see Chase Anderson and Zach Brown pitching high leverage innings for us come October.

[HiAndTight]

Yes haven’t seen him pitch this year, but last year he was down three or 4 mph on his fastball from 2017. To me it look like he was throwing a cutter but was told fan graphs said it was a fastball. His stuff certainly isn’t a problem though.

 

He was only down 1.5 MPH from the year before last year and he was actually up from 2016 when he made his debut and he impressed with that big fastball.

 

To me, as long as you have a fastball in the upper 90's, a slider that's got great movement, you've got a chance.

 

So many relievers struggle for a while before the light goes on, they get confidence and then instead of trying to get guys to chase outside of the zone, they just start attacking and going after guys. Jacob Barnes could be just another on a massively long list of power arms that can never locate well enough to succeed. But again, until they go the way of Wily Peralta, Ill hold out hope.

 

 

Also, the talk of the pen being a weak spot now hurts, but if Freddy Peralta and Corbin Burnes have really added two MPH to their fastballs? I had Freddy as a 3/4, but if he can throw it 95 on a regular basis, he could be a really good #2.

 

I also didn't realize his realease point was so close to the plate relative to most pitchers making his fastball deceptively fast already.

 

It's possible with the 3 young guys, Chacin and about 12 other options for that other role, Davies filling it now, we get through the stretch of tough games, pick up a tanking teams closer and all is fine in Milwaukee once again with Kimbrel.

[Brew crew 92]

Chacin and Davies. The key to our early season starting staff. I’m expecting a regression from both, just hope it’s slight. The young guns even with growing pains gonna be dominant more than not. Anderson weapon out of pen as is Guerra and Hader. With the rest lots of questions especially with the high leverage. Albers the key, with his experience closing last year early. Wilson only other besides Hader, that’s closed out games. Pins and needles WE will be early on, late in close games with this pen. Thinking stearns got good readings on jeffress gun, and thinking be ok til 3rd week of April.

[monty57]

Hader, Anderson and Guerra give them at least three multi-inning guys in the pen. This means that on days when Hader isn't available, we will still have guys ready to go multiple innings when needed. I never liked the old "long man" concept where a washed up starter would take up a roster space to do mop up duty when a starter got shelled early. I love the Brewer concept of having multiple multi-inning guys so that there will always be a decent option to go a few innings when a starter can't go 6+. Even though they might be unheralded, Anderson and Guerra can play very important roles on this year's team.

 

Of course, I hope that Woodruff, Peralta, and Burnes all play up to their potential, meaning we won't have a big need for relievers to come in in the 4th or 5th inning, but it is nice to have the multi-inning guys there nonetheless.

[Brew crew 92]

Yes, agree

Now if we can get some late inning help

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Counsell on starters: I would love for starters to go 8, but it’s really about not giving up runs and getting 27 outs.

 

This doesn't look like a team that's going to be "blurring the lines" unless it's out of necessity.

[ThisIsMyCrew]

JJ has a successful outing yesterday. Doing another round Saturday. Hope this means a short stint for him.

 

Will know Knebals fate tomorrow...

[Brew crew 92]

JJ has a successful outing yesterday. Doing another round Saturday. Hope this means a short stint for him.

 

Will know Knebals fate tomorrow...

 

Hoping successful meant throwing in the low to mid 90s again on the way to 97

[Brew crew 92]

This year's pitching staff is even more equipped to supplement SHORTER outings from initial out getters. Not sure why people think the average outing is going to be longer in '19 than it was last year. This years OD bullpen is going to include two long-time MLB starters (Anderson, Guerra) with Jimmy Nelson waiting in the wings. Last years bullpen began with nothing but short-stint relievers. The 2018 OD roster had only 11 pitchers with 5 stretched as starters: Anderson, Chacin, Davies, Suter, Woodruff and 6 conditioned to relieve: Albers, Barnes, Drake, Hader, Jeffress, Knebel.

 

From day one, the Brewers are better equipped to cover MORE innings from the pen.

 

This^^^

Here’s what I think we should do:

 

Guerra. Anderson. Brown.

 

Promote Brown now. Watching him vs Toronto other night this guys really really really good. 94-96 devastating curve elite command Bulldog demeanor

 

That’s 3 multi-inning(2-3 innings) pen arms with great stuff. 6 innings out of starters then put one of these guys in. If Hader down they can finish. 3 inning save. Pitch 2 innings off 2-3. Pitch 3 off 3-4. If jeffress comes back strong we’re in business. Oh, I don’t care bout starting his clock or super 2, they can always put him back down.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Big positive step from Brandon Woodruff tonight. As someone who has always held back given Brandon's struggles multiple times through an order, it was very nice to see him fool Goldschmidt badly in that 3rd AB and K Carpenter twice. That 3rd AB has been "tee off" time of Woody in the past. Not today.

[Brew crew 92]

Bring Brown up to replace Barnes, and Fields ASAP to replace Williams

 

If last year‘s first 65 innings Jeffress done for the year, then we need to consider Nelson in pen, or trade.

 

Besides brown the crew has reinforcements that can be brought up as the year progresses so that’s a positive

 

We just need to get our pen through this next month or two. Brown and fields should help, and the potential is certainly there with Wilson and Albers. Then Guerra and Anderson and it’s not looking so bad.

[Jenkins5]

Bring Brown up to replace Barnes, and Fields ASAP to replace Williams

 

If last year‘s first 65 innings Jeffress done for the year, then we need to consider Nelson in pen, or trade.

 

Besides brown the crew has reinforcements that can be brought up as the year progresses so that’s a positive

 

We just need to get our pen through this next month or two. Brown and fields should help, and the potential is certainly there with Wilson and Albers. Then Guerra and Anderson and it’s not looking so bad.

 

I think pump the breaks a bit. Williams had a rough game Saturday but outside of walk, he was fine today. He has an explosive arm & is talented pitcher gaining experience. I don’t think Brown who has never pitched above AA is a quick fix. Come June... maybe. See how Williams does for more than a bad outing. Barnes... he’s not been useful since 2017 so think he is easily down when Jeffress comes back.

 

Again we are 4 days into season. We are 3-1 with one bad pitching day across board pretty much. Williams with 2 hits, a walk, & 1 run in 2 innings isn’t amazing but not worth pulling plug on. I don’t see Cards fans wanting to replace Miller & Hicks who were both worse than him this series.

[Ennder]

Williams looked terrible today. He got super lucky with hit location. That doesn't mean we have to replace him but I don't see today as a positive for him at all.

[Brew crew 92]

Bring Brown up to replace Barnes, and Fields ASAP to replace Williams

 

If last year‘s first 65 innings Jeffress done for the year, then we need to consider Nelson in pen, or trade.

 

Besides brown the crew has reinforcements that can be brought up as the year progresses so that’s a positive

 

We just need to get our pen through this next month or two. Brown and fields should help, and the potential is certainly there with Wilson and Albers. Then Guerra and Anderson and it’s not looking so bad.

 

I think pump the breaks a bit. Williams had a rough game Saturday but outside of walk, he was fine today. He has an explosive arm & is talented pitcher gaining experience. I don’t think Brown who has never pitched above AA is a quick fix. Come June... maybe. See how Williams does for more than a bad outing. Barnes... he’s not been useful since 2017 so think he is easily down when Jeffress comes back.

 

Again we are 4 days into season. We are 3-1 with one bad pitching day across board pretty much. Williams with 2 hits, a walk, & 1 run in 2 innings isn’t amazing but not worth pulling plug on. I don’t see Cards fans wanting to replace Miller & Hicks who were both worse than him this series.

 

Brown will be up it’s just a question of when. Of the 2 Barnes needs to go. Fields and his elite strand % would be my choice. I obviously think the crew want let brown get his feet wet in AAA, and bring him up after S2. He might not throw quite as hard as Burnes, but that curve is elite and so is the command. Today he’d be one our top 5 or 6 pen arms in my opinion.

 

Fields > Barnes it’s gonna happen, think it’s just a matter of fields getting more work in ext ST.

[markedman5]

Something to keep in mind as the season progresses

 

[xisxisxis]

Something to keep in mind as the season progresses

I think that applies to Nelson also since he hasn't pitched in 1.5 years and I can imagine they will be conservative with his innings. Makes you wonder if they will go to a 6 man rotation when Nelson comes back by rotating skipping a start between Nelson, Woodruff, Burnes, and Peralta (having them throw a few innings of relief the week they skip). Also, Davies for that matter might be in line to skip some starts as he only pitched 113 innings in 2018 and pushing him to >160 IP is a tad bit aggressive so he could also part of the start skipping.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Something to keep in mind as the season progresses

 

 

This is one of the things I cited when I mentioned the likelihood of creative use of intial out getters this season. One week of the season didn't put this on their radar as an issue. This is obviously something they've been making plans for.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

So about that Freddy Peralta...

 

Hopefully the dogs have been called off at least temporarily.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

So about that Freddy Peralta...

 

Hopefully the dogs have been called off at least temporarily.

 

I'll take my crow with a side of fries, please

 

Freddy was tremendous today. Actually all the starting pitchers have had nice moments so far. It's a fun position to be in. If they can continue to get solid outings from the starters, and even increase the efficiency to allow them to get deeper into games, that is going to make the bullpen that much more effective. Peralta was extremely efficient today, getting 8 innings out of his 100 pitches, and looking very effective in his 3rd time through the Reds' order.

[tmwiese55]

I think they can manage the innings easily throughout the year. First, guys are going to have legit injuries to go on the DL and take a few weeks off. With guys like Anderson, Nelson ready to step in when needed there's no need to force through it. Along with that, I think they'll be proactive on just tossing them DL stints here and there to if they feel they're getting tired/sore at all. Kind of be extra cautious with them, go take a couple starts off and let Anderson fill in. I don't think it will end up as a problem. Well, if it does I guess it's a good problem to have as it means they've all done very well.

 

Eye balling schedule I don't see the log jam of off days like they had late last year to skip guys. But they have 4 straight Thursdays off in August.