Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta deserves to stay in rotation

The Milwaukee Brewers could use a consistent fifth starter in their rotation, and Freddy Peralta deserves that opportunity.

It was only Freddy Peralta’s third big league start, but it was a good one. Peralta went six strong innings, allowing only two hits, and striking out seven while walking none. That good command is important for Peralta as he continues to develop, as it’s been an issue for him in the minor leagues.

The Milwaukee Brewers could use some more help in this starting rotation. Zach Davies has been injured this year, Chase Anderson hasn’t been himself, and the team has been relying on Jhoulys Chacin and Junior Guerra to lead their rotation. Brent Suter has filled in admirably but has only made it through the sixth inning one time, and that was in a blowout win.

There are two top pitching prospects that have been in Triple-A this season. Freddy Peralta is one and Corbin Burnes is the other. Peralta has gotten the call twice now and Burnes has yet to make his big league debut. Peralta has also been the better performer at Colorado Springs this year.

The Fifth Starter

If Peralta is going to take over the last spot in the rotation, that means someone has to get removed from the group. Zach Davies has been on the DL, and Peralta figures to have his spot locked down until Davies returns. That should give Peralta two more starts to prove he should stay.

Once Davies returns, someone is going to have to get kicked out of the rotation, and I think it shouldn’t be Peralta. As long as he continues to have success, why not keep him up here?

So who leaves the rotation?

I think Brent Suter should be the first candidate for removal from the rotation. It’s not that he’s done a bad job, but his 4.30 ERA and the fact that he doesn’t go deep into games really doesn’t help his case. Suter, long term, is better served in a long reliever/spot starter role than he does as a regular rotation guy.

Let’s face it. Anderson isn’t getting removed from the rotation, and neither is Guerra or Chacin the way they’re pitching. And with Davies returning, that leaves one spot for Suter and Peralta. And Peralta should get the opportunity.

Peralta does everything right. He’s a young kid and he listens to his catcher, he trusts his stuff, and the end result is that he just dominates hitters. He has 25 strikeouts in 15.2 innings pitched and now has pitched shutouts in two of his first three starts. The Milwaukee Brewers ninth rated prospect has a very high ceiling and it’s about time we let him reach that ceiling.

The Brewers should leave Peralta in the starting rotation when Davies returns. He should give them the best chance to win every fifth day and be a more reliable option than Brent Suter.

Next: Do they need an arm or a bat more in July?

If Peralta can be as dominant in the big leagues as he’s been in the minors, the Crew could be getting the frontline starter they desire.