Milwaukee Brewers: Taylor Jungmann Has Big 2016 Ahead

Taylor Jungmann was the breakout Milwaukee Brewers’ player for 2015. Though he started the season in the minors and was viewed as the team’s sixth starter before the year began, Jungmann shined in his rookie season. He finished the season going nine and eight with a 3.77 ERA and if it wasn’t for tons of strong rookie candidates this season he may have even gotten some consideration for rookie of the year. Heading into 2016, here is a look at why it will be important for him to repeat that success.

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When Jungmann was first drafted, he was expected to quickly move through the system, but that simply did not happen. Through his time in the minor leagues, he saw varied success but often battled command issues that kept him from repeating his college dominance.

Even after struggling a bit out of the gates in AAA Colorado Springs to start the year, Jungmann’s made big adjustments that allowed him to be successful at the major league level. Starting 21 games at the major league level, it can be argued that he put together his best stretch of his professional career last season. His best string of starts came before the all-star break as he went four and one with a 2.15 ERA in seven starts, including a complete game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As the season wound down however, Jungmann seemed to sputter. In his final six starts, Jungmann allowed eight home runs (more than he had all season) and hitters his a season high, .280 against him. He certainly had the look of a pitcher who was wearing down as his final month ERA rose over seven.

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Jungmann has the poise and the look of a guy that can remain in the rotation not only during the rebuild, but also after. But with plenty of hungry arms on the way in the organization it will be vital for him to recapture his stuff that was so effective throughout his first several months. 2015 was a huge year for Jungmann, but when it is all said and done how he does in 2016 will be even more important for his future.