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The Brewers’ Surprising Rotation Depth

By Steve Adams | May 28, 2025 at 6:18pm CDT

Less than two months ago, conversations surrounding the Brewers’ rotation depth struck a wildly different tone than they do at present. Early in the 2025 campaign, Milwaukee’s injured list read more like a litany, and the team was so pressed for starting pitching that it swung a rare April trade of consequence, bringing in righty Quinn Priester from the Red Sox in exchange for a Competitive Balance draft pick and two prospects.

Fast forward six to seven weeks, and the Brewers have incurred some fan backlash for optioning righty Logan Henderson to Triple-A Nashville amid a brilliant start to his big league career. Fellow righty Chad Patrick might be the NL Rookie of the Year frontrunner at the moment — and he, too, could soon find himself optioned to Nashville. Manager Pat Murphy touched on the topic when asked by Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about how the Brewers plan to handle their rotation when Jose Quintana and Brandon Woodruff make their respective returns from the injured list within the next week or two.

Optioning Patrick wouldn’t be due to any concerns with his performance — far from it. The 26-year-old righty has never been a particularly touted prospect — he was acquired from the D-backs for journeyman infielder Jace Peterson and did not rank among Milwaukee’ top 30 prospects at Baseball America at any point — but has nevertheless emerged as a key piece of the pitching staff in 2025.

Patrick has pitched 57 2/3 innings and turned in a sterling 2.97 ERA with a slightly below-average 21.2% strikeout rate but a strong 7.5% walk rate. He’s probably going to have some regression in the home run department, based on his bottom-of-the-scale 26% ground-ball rate, a fair bit of hard contact allowed and a home park that’s quite conducive to the long ball, but that’s largely beside the point. Patrick’s production thus far has been nothing short of a godsend, and nothing in his performance would seem to dictate a demotion to the minor leagues.

As Murphy alluded to in his comments, however, such decisions aren’t always based on merit. The Brewers know all too well what it’s like to have a pitching staff stretched so thin that they need to go outside the organization for help. As already mentioned, they did just that within the first week of April. Teams try their best to avoid depleting depth and putting themselves in position to need to make that kind of move — which is how Patrick might well find himself in Nashville before long.

Milwaukee currently has Freddy Peralta, Aaron Civale, Patrick and Priester as starters on the active roster. Quintana and Woodruff are nearing returns. Both will be plugged into the rotation. Quintana was terrific for the Brewers before hitting the IL with a shoulder impingement. He tells Adam McCalvy of MLB.com that he expects to be activated to start this Sunday. Woodruff has in the past pitched like an ace when healthy and is in the second season of a two-year, $17.5MM deal. He’s going to get the opportunity to show he can again be a top-of-the-rotation presence.

When Quintana returns, the Brewers can go to a five-man staff. Woodruff’s return would present more questions. There aren’t enough starting spots for the number of generally competitive or established arms in Milwaukee’s rotation — a problem that seemed unfathomable in early April.

Priester has been the “weakest” performer of the group, carrying a 4.23 ERA in 44 2/3 innings. His paltry 16.6% strikeout rate and hefty 11.9% walk rate aren’t a great combination, prompting metrics like FIP (4.64) and SIERA (4.78) to cast a less favorable light on his performance. However, he’s also been doing his best work of late. Priester has a 2.76 ERA, 19.4% strikeout rate and 6.5% walk rate over his past three turns. He’s also down to only one minor league option year. Priester was optioned to Triple-A by the Red Sox at the end of camp but recalled by the Brewers following the early trade; since he spent fewer than 20 days in the minors, Priester didn’t actually burn through that option. Sending him down now for a period of 20 days or longer would exhaust that final option year.

That type of consideration typically doesn’t sit well with fans, but effective option management helps to preserve depth and avoid situations like the one the Brewers faced early in the season when they had more than an entire rotation’s worth of arms on the injured list — most of whom incurred their injuries in rapid succession. Preserving Priester’s final option beyond the current season carries some notable benefit, but the Brewers will obviously have to give some real thought to exhausting it anyhow.

Moving Priester to a swingman role is another option, but that would require either burning the final option year for Aaron Ashby or DL Hall or parting with Tyler Alexander entirely. Again, any of those scenarios will probably be considered, but come with a blend of short- and longer-term ramifications. Fans will surely bristle if the short-term considerations lead to Patrick following Henderson to Triple-A, but all MLB organizations are always toeing the line between maximizing short-term results and preserving long-term depth. That’s especially true of a cost-conscious Brewers club.

Whatever comes of the ostensible logjam, it’s also bearing in mind that it’s a short-term issue in and of itself. Injuries are inevitable, and if the Brewers somehow get to the trade deadline with the quintet of Peralta, Woodruff, Civale and Quintana healthy, there will probably be pitching-hungry teams inquiring about established, affordable veterans like Quintana and Civale, who’ll be free agents at season’s end.

Peralta, of course, will draw interest and present the Brewers with their latest decision on a cornerstone veteran whose club control is dwindling; they hold a club option over his 2026 season, after which he’ll be a free agent. In many regards, he’ll present the Brewers with similar decisions to the ones they’ve faced in the past on Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams and Willy Adames. They’ll surely have compelling trade offers this summer, in the offseason and at the 2026 deadline — or they could go the route they did with Adames: hang onto Peralta through the end of his control window and make him a qualifying offer.

None of this even touches on the presence of top prospect Jacob Misiorowski — one of the top young arms in all of professional ball. The 2022 second-rounder, who turned 23 last month, boasts a 1.60 ERA in 56 1/3 Triple-A innings. He’s averaging 97.4 mph on a four-seamer that can climb into triple digits and has fanned 32.2% of his opponents against a 10% walk rate. At some point, this summer, he’ll likely make his MLB debut. Injured lefty Nestor Cortes is a piece in this spiraling puzzle as well. He went on the injured list after just two starts due to a flexor strain but resumed playing catch earlier this month. Once he’s healthy, he’ll also be a rotation option.

The presence of Patrick, Henderson, Misiorowski, Priester, the already-optioned Tobias Myers and lefty Robert Gasser — on the mend from last year’s Tommy John surgery — is of extra importance with each of Woodruff, Quintana, Civale and Cortes reaching free agency at season’s end. (Quintana and Woodruff have mutual options, but it’s been more than a decade since any mutual option in all of MLB was exercised by both team and player.) It also gives the Milwaukee front office plenty of paths to consider at this year’s trade deadline. They could deal from their collection of established veterans in an effort to bring in some infield help and potentially backfill the rotation via in-house arms.

In all likelihood, there will be innings available for the entire contingent of young arms over the final two-thirds of the season. Regardless, they’ll all be in consideration for full-fledged rotation spots come 2026. That likely reliance on this group of young arms only makes it more understandable if the Brewers want to avoid burning the final option years on pitchers like Priester, Ashby and Hall, as that flexibility might be of greater utility next year when working with a younger staff.

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Milwaukee Brewers Aaron Ashby Aaron Civale Brandon Woodruff Chad Patrick DL Hall Freddy Peralta Jacob Misiorowski Jose Quintana Logan Henderson Nestor Cortes Quinn Priester Robert Gasser Tyler Alexander

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View Comments (38)
Post a Comment

38 Comments

  1. afsooner02

    2 weeks ago

    Wait til Woody and Misi join the rotation…..

    We just won’t talk about our hitting. (Though it’s been a little better)

    Reply
  2. stubby66

    2 weeks ago

    Brewers need to make Quintana, Civale,Rodriguez and Preister available in trades By mid June the rotation needs to be Peralta, Woodruff, Miz, Henderson and Patrick with a bullpen of Megill, Uribe, Anderson, Hall, Ashby, Yoho, Koenig, Preister. This still would give us depth of SP of Myers, Crowe, Rodriguez, Holub, Mcgee, Pegura and others.

    2
    Reply
    • James123

      2 weeks ago

      they need a 3b (Joey Ortiz is playing well at short, and that bat does not play well at 3b). They already made a swap with Baltimore to Ortiz and Hall- so another trade of that SP depth for maybe Mayo would make a ton of sense.

      1
      Reply
      • stubby66

        2 weeks ago

        Absolutely I think a trade of Civale, Carlos Rodriguez and Mcgee would be worth trading Mayo. 3 MLB ready pitchers would go a long way to helping the Orioles turn it around.

        Reply
        • ReddVencher

          2 weeks ago

          That isn’t getting Mayo. You’re delusional.

          10
          Reply
        • Samuel

          2 weeks ago

          LOL

          1. Mayo is a disaster. You actually think a team is going to send a good young pitcher – let alone 3 – for him?

          2. The Brewers are built on defense and pitching. They’re going to keep their pitchers. Decides, have you actually watched Mayo try to play 3B? Rest assured that Brewers (and other teams) scouts have.

          3
          Reply
        • marshalledwards82

          2 weeks ago

          You crazy. Mayo is the #14 prospect in baseball. Be serious. This ain’t your fantasy league where you try to convince idiots your 3-for-1 deal is reasonable.

          8
          Reply
        • Tigers3232

          2 weeks ago

          @stubby Mcgee and Rodriguez have yet to anything do at MLB level either. Civale has been pitching horrible. The O’s season is almost near the point of being a lost cause, yet they re gonna want a bunch of nothing foe a player who has been viewed by most as one of top prospects in baseball.

          Sorry but that makes zero sense from O’s perspective.

          9
          Reply
        • Tigers3232

          2 weeks ago

          3 for 1 itself would be ridiculous, he topped it off with by throwing in an arm better than all 3 of the prospects.

          Reply
        • Chris Koch

          2 weeks ago

          Baltimore clearly out of playoff picture. They won’t be buying.

          Reply
    • tangerinepony

      2 weeks ago

      Keep smokin whatever the F your smokin Stubby…. lol. Thanks tho I needed a good laugh today

      8
      Reply
      • stubby66

        2 weeks ago

        That pretty fair considering Mayo been up twice hasn’t done anything and not really doing much in AAA either but hey you keep hanging on to all those prospects because besides Westburg, Henderson, Rutschman and Holliday they haven’t done anything except put you at bottom of the standings

        1
        Reply
        • Russell Branyan

          2 weeks ago

          If the Orioles have given up on Mayo, they could surely get a much more promising player than any of the 3 you listed. C-Rod is a potential back end guy, McGee is at best a swingman, and Quintana is a backend starter on an expiring deal.
          Those are all just depth guys basically, the Orioles would surely want a pitcher with higher upside.

          2
          Reply
    • solaris602

      2 weeks ago

      Ideally Cortes would be another SP deadline offering, but the problem is he needs starts until then to prove he’s healthy and effective. These are good problems to have in a way, but they still need their best 5 in the rotation as they’re solidly in contention.

      1
      Reply
      • Shawnpe

        2 weeks ago

        Cortes is NOT healthy and effective, and NY knew that when they traded him. We got freaking used and abused in that deal. Hated it from the second it was announced. trading the best closer at the time in MLB for a guy that was nearly left off the playoff roster entirely? If we can trade him for a 57 doge we should take it

        Reply
    • knucklecurve

      2 weeks ago

      I’m so glad you are not the GM of the Brewers.

      2
      Reply
  3. atleastwetried

    2 weeks ago

    Point of clarification — Patrick was acquired by the A’s for Jace Peterson. He was acquired by the Brewers from the A’s in exchange for Abraham Toro.

    6
    Reply
  4. tomas1

    2 weeks ago

    “In all likelihood, there will be innings available for the entire contingent of young arms over the final two-thirds of the season. Regardless, they’ll all be in consideration for full-fledged rotation spots come 2026.”

    So there will be innings for young arms? Or there won’t be innings?

    2
    Reply
  5. JimOToole

    2 weeks ago

    What’s important to note is that when healthy these guys are all worthy and effective starters. So, teams in need of starting pitchers ought to make Milwaukee their first phone call. Chris Hook has done a fantastic job as the Brewers’ pitching coach, and he built a rotation on the fly last season in a division-winning campaign.

    4
    Reply
  6. pc01

    2 weeks ago

    Astros on lines 1, 2 and 3.

    Reply
  7. GenoSeligPrieb

    2 weeks ago

    Is any team willing to offer a competent 3B or SS? Durbin was rushed to the big leagues, and Murphy is forced to PH for Ortiz way too often.

    The Brewers have young, controllable pitching. Don’t insult us!

    1
    Reply
    • wreckage

      2 weeks ago

      Perhaps you haven’t been watching them lately, but in past past 2 weeks Durbin is 11-44, 320ob%, with 8rbi, 11r, and 3sb. As a rookie those numbers are fine. And will also grow as he becomes more acclimated to the next level.

      1
      Reply
      • gormanthomasrules

        2 weeks ago

        Durbin has improved a lot over the past week and is clutch, but I just don;t see him playing as a starting 3B. he would be a great super-sub in the Infield who gets 100 starts a year between 3B, SS and 2B. great guy to have for late innings.

        Reply
    • Shawnpe

      2 weeks ago

      Durban is fine, if you were playing a position, he has the arm for, which is second base. The kid has a powder puff arm from third. No way to sugarcoat that. There has been way too many close plays on grounders to third that just should be out by a couple of steps, and way too many infield hits that should be out. His glove seems fine, but that young man is not a third baseman and never was.

      Reply
  8. Lou Sassoll

    2 weeks ago

    This is what the Brewers do. Just an incredibly run team.

    9
    Reply
    • Shawnpe

      2 weeks ago

      They’ve done this for 8 seasons. A huge part of that is having a stellar defense up the middle, catcher, second, short and center! They’ve been stagger in RF and left and 1st most days too. It’s a well managed team.

      Reply
  9. CardsFan57

    2 weeks ago

    I don’t know why this is surprising. It’s well known that the Brewers grow pitchers in a secret lab.

    6
    Reply
  10. mad1

    2 weeks ago

    The brewers certainly know to put together a pitching staff on the cheap..however cannot seem to find hitters. How many .200 hitters they currently starting on a regular basis??

    Reply
  11. Ben Kouchnerkavich

    2 weeks ago

    Thanks for this breakdown about the Brewers, Steve!

    1
    Reply
    • WadeBoggsWildRide

      2 weeks ago

      Yeah this is one of the best articles in a while. Very in depth. The Brewers know how to build some pitching depth for times when everyone is hurt. Unlike the Orioles.

      Reply
  12. KingZeke8

    2 weeks ago

    As a Brewers fan, the past couple of seasons have been interesting. They just plug random guys in and for some reason, it works out.

    1
    Reply
  13. harrycarey

    2 weeks ago

    Beat the evil Red Sox 3 games in a row and MLBTR can’t wait to trade the potential Cy Young winners to a playoff team. Meanwhile the minor league affiliate ticket office workers love a rehab appearance almost as nice as a bobblehead giveaway on a weekend game. Put some bonus money in their pockets.

    Reply
    • marshalledwards82

      2 weeks ago

      Cukoo! Your tinfoil hat is on too tight.

      Reply
  14. seth3120

    2 weeks ago

    Think with the Brew Crew are playing a little better but with NL so top heavy I think it’ll be tough to get in. No rush unless the right team has a major injury and makes you the right offer but im willing to bet they end up dealing from that rotation by the deadline at least. Great run but I retool is coming

    Reply
    • colonel flagg

      2 weeks ago

      The Brewers are always retooling. That’s what has kept them going the last 9 years. Always just good enough to be better than average, but never a true threat to the big boys. They’re in a constant state of biting the apple while not being able to eat the whole thing. It’s also why they have to keep rolling out the ‘82 AL champions every so often for “special” occasions. It’s all they have. Having watched this team since their inception I guess it’s better than nothing, but I sure would like to see just one more World Series in Milwaukee before I cash out.

      Reply
  15. Chris Koch

    2 weeks ago

    Let’s get there before bragging about depth. This team’s pitching staff has been snakebitten full of injuries. Woodruff would be a great addition but he’s already had 1 setback when about to return. Need him to get through a few games starting to feel comfortable he’s staying.

    As to trades, they’ve been horrible on the Brewers side. Hall/Ortiz, Civale/Durbin and Priester. Gave up 2 of the greatest RPs for no upside but control. Add in upside to Rodriguez and the draft pick?
    So yeah I’m not big on trading anyone unless it’s their final year.

    Reply
  16. MLBTR needs to hire editors

    37 mins ago

    There shouldn’t be commas around “too.”

    Reply
  17. Enregistre

    8 mins ago

    This looks like it belongs on a Brewers fan blog, not MLBTR. Please just write about transactions and leave the statistical analysis to the people who can do it more than this flaccid tripe.

    Reply

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