Headlines

  • Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury
  • Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin
  • Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib
  • Tucker Barnhart To Retire
  • Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline
  • Reds Release Jeimer Candelario
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Brewers To Promote Ethan Small

By Mark Polishuk | May 30, 2022 at 9:35am CDT

May 30: The Brewers announced the selection of Small’s contract. The 40-man roster had a couple of vacancies, meaning no corresponding move was required in that regard. As for the active roster, Mark Mathias was optioned but then designated as the team’s 27th man for today’s doubleheader.

May 29: The Brewers are set to call up left-hander Ethan Small, ESPN.com’s Jeff Passan reports (Twitter link).  It is the first big league promotion for Small, the 28th overall pick in the 2019 draft.  Small isn’t on the Brewers’ 40-man roster, so multiple other moves will be forthcoming to create a spot for Small before his official call-up.

Now that Aaron Ashby has lost his prospect status, Small is widely considered to be the best pitching prospect in Milwaukee’s farm system — MLB Pipeline ranks Small as the Brewers’ seventh-best minor leaguer overall, while Baseball America ranks him ninth.  Both outlets are particularly fond of Small’s changeup, a 60-grade pitch that nicely complements his lower-velocity (low 90s) but high-spin fastball.  Beyond these two plus offerings, however, Small doesn’t have a primary third pitch, as his curveball and slider are nothing special and thus not prominent parts of his arsenal.

Between the lack of a third pitch and some control problems, it remains an open question about whether Small can make it as a starting pitcher or if the bullpen is his ultimate destination.  That said, Small’s bottom-line results in his brief pro career have been impressive, as he has a 1.78 ERA and 31.95% strikeout rate over 136 2/3 innings in the minors, starting all 33 of his appearances.

This includes a 1.88 ERA over 38 1/3 innings at Triple-A Nashville this year, which was enough to convince the Brew Crew that Small was ready for the majors.  With a doubleheader coming up tomorrow against the Cubs, Small might receive just the one spot start before heading back to Nashville, though Brandon Woodruff is dealing with a bad ankle.

If Woodruff has to miss his next outing or has to be placed on the injured list, it could provide Small with a longer opportunity to show that he can do against MLB hitters.  Since Freddy Peralta is also going to be missing a big piece of the 2022 campaign, Small might now take over that “sixth starter” depth role, since Ashby has moved into the rotation.

Share 0 Retweet 9 Send via email0

Milwaukee Brewers Transactions Ethan Small

Pirates Designate Cole Tucker For Assignment
Main
Cubs Select Matt Swarmer, Place Jonathan Villar On IL
View Comments (31)
Post a Comment

31 Comments

  1. RunDMC

    3 years ago

    MIN also promoted Royce Lewis. He is in today’s starting lineup.

    1
    Reply
  2. mustache101

    3 years ago

    Small was an easy call up with a double header tomm….

    5
    Reply
    • afsooner02

      3 years ago

      Especially against the crappy cubs

      1
      Reply
  3. Dorothy_Mantooth

    3 years ago

    This guy has some pretty impressive minor league stats. Low ERA, high K rate but he walks a ton of people. That can be dangerous in the majors, but Milwaukee had excellent pitching coaches so hopefully they can get his wildness under control. If they do, Milwaukee could turn this guy into a weapon on the mound like they did with Freddy Peralta.

    5
    Reply
    • Bud Selig Fan

      3 years ago

      His SL has improved since the end of last year so he now has 3 pitches he can get outs with. Expecting him to get big-outs for this team this season.

      2
      Reply
    • Superstar Prospect Wander Javier

      3 years ago

      I say this knowing it will be misconstrued, but Small reminds me a lot of Clayton Kershaw.

      Reply
      • Dogbone

        3 years ago

        They both seem to have sandy colored hair.

        1
        Reply
  4. VonPurpleHayes

    3 years ago

    Congrars, Ethan. No small feat.

    1
    Reply
  5. stubby66

    3 years ago

    This article sounds like it was written by a guy who just reads that stat pages and not watched this kid . Take your top 100 rankings and blow them. He will be a damn good starting pitcher. Milwaukee has Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta, Houser, Lauer, Ashby, and Small. Any of these pitchers can be a 1 or 2 on any squad just by watching them you can see it. Better yet they are proving with performance. Milwaukee system is completely underrated. They also have 4 to 5 bullpen arms in the minors that could help any other team right now. I’m not just a big Brewers fan which I am but a baseball fan .

    1
    Reply
    • augold5

      3 years ago

      Houser is not a 2. He is a 3 on a playoff team and happens to be a great 5 for MKE. Small has a lot to prove before being called a TOR starter. Could he be? Sure. But you cannot anoint him quite yet

      2
      Reply
    • coolhandneil

      3 years ago

      Ashby, Houser, Lauer and Small (who hasn’t pitched in majors yet) are all 1’s or 2’s? Yeah, you’re not biased at all.

      7
      Reply
      • TGH31

        3 years ago

        Ashby definitely has top end rotation potential. Houser is a #3. Lauer is absolutely a #1 or #2 over the past 2 years (stats play that out). Small will likely slot longterm as a BP guy in a crucial role.

        Reply
        • Bud Selig Fan

          3 years ago

          Disagree Small is a bullpen piece long-term. His stuff is way better than given credit for & now that he has a 3rd out pitch with his SL he should eventually be mid-rotation or maybe even better. Extremely deceptive & crafty.

          Later this year, when Peralta eventually makes it back & if they enjoy good starter health with the rest of the rotation, having Small & Ashby pitching multi-innings out of the bullpen should make this the best pen in the game.

          Reply
    • gbs42

      3 years ago

      This comment sounds like it was written by a guy who just is a big Brewers fan.

      Oh, it was.

      Reply
  6. ewitkows

    3 years ago

    Brewers only have like 38 on the 40 man roster so I don’t think there is another move coming.

    Reply
    • Jeremy320

      3 years ago

      37

      Reply
    • MannyPineappleExpress9

      3 years ago

      Yeah i think that should say a corresponding move to the big club roster, either Woody to the IL or someone getting sent down, not the 40 man…unless hes taking Perdomo’s place (I’m falling behind myself with all the injuries this past week+).

      Reply
      • stubby66

        3 years ago

        During doubleheader they get to add one player so won’t need to send someone down till Tuesday . So my guess he gets added Monday

        Reply
        • MannyPineappleExpress9

          3 years ago

          That’s right. I was thinking if they called him up today. Foul tip for me.

          1
          Reply
        • stubby66

          3 years ago

          All good we all have slip ups .

          Reply
  7. mustache101

    3 years ago

    I wouldn’t be all that surprised if Josh lindblom gets added to the 40 (they have the space) and gets a call up for tomm also… he could eat some innings…

    1
    Reply
    • MannyPineappleExpress9

      3 years ago

      I expected another pitcher for today. Guess we get Mathias instead. Pen is in good shape after yesterday except Suter might be unavailable. Just hope we have a lead late, otherwise CC will avoid using Box, DW or Hader which makes the pen not so deep.

      Reply
  8. simondlap

    3 years ago

    A small move.

    Reply
  9. TheMichigan

    3 years ago

    Probably to late to get an answer, but does this burn one of the 5 option assignments for Mark Mathias? Since he was optioned then immediately designated as the 27th man?

    Reply
    • mustache101

      3 years ago

      That’s a great question…. I wouldn’t think so do to the doubleheader but does anyone know the answer to this?

      Reply
    • MannyPineappleExpress9

      3 years ago

      I’m wondering why not just add Small as the 27th man and save all the confusion, red tape, and so on.

      Reply
  10. User 3663041837

    3 years ago

    A small victory

    Reply
  11. Never Remember

    3 years ago

    Good to see this right wing wacko get his butt kicked today. Hope he continues to fail hard.

    Reply
  12. whyhayzee

    3 years ago

    I wonder if he wants a s’more.

    Reply
  13. mister guy

    3 years ago

    doesn’t seem ,like a big move

    Reply
  14. G-Force

    3 years ago

    Just wondering if Small will get another promo this year…

    Maybe he stays up next time as a long reliever if there are no openings in the rotation??

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    Recent

    Padres To Select Eduarniel Nunez

    Brewers’ Connor Thomas To Undergo Elbow Surgery

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Jorge Mateo To Miss 8 To 12 Weeks With Hamstring Strain

    Reds To Sign Buck Farmer To Minor League Deal

    Pirates Trade Hunter Stratton To Braves

    Rockies Designate Sam Hilliard For Assignment, Select Austin Nola

    Orioles Select Jacob Stallings, Designate Emmanuel Rivera For Assignment

    Rangers Select Billy McKinney, Transfer Tyler Mahle To 60-Day IL

    Marlins Claim Nick Nastrini

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version