Milwaukee Brewers: Trey Supak vs. Zack Brown

The Milwaukee Brewers have a number of intriguing arms throughout their Minor League system. Zack Brown and Trey Supak are both ranked in the team’s top-15 prospects, but which is more likely to make it to Milwaukee first?

Zack Brown and Trey Supak both ended the season in Double-A, but could arrive in Milwaukee soon. But which one will end up pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers sooner?

How was Trey Supak’s 2018 season?

Supak started his age-22 season at High-A with the Carolina Mudcats, but only made nine starts before getting promoted to Double-A. Supak tossed 51 innings, and posted a 1.76 ERA with 48 strikeouts and only 16 walks before getting a promotion to Biloxi.

Supak made 16 starts in Biloxi, and was just as impressive. He worked 86 2/3 innings, and managed a 2.91 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 28 walks.

Supak stands 6’5″, and weighs in at 235 lbs. He looks every bit a Major League starter, and boasts a solid three-pitch mix that includes a fastball that runs up to 95 MPH, and a curve and change up that are quality secondary offerings.

Why is Zack Brown flying up prospect lists?

Brown entered 2018 as an interesting prospect, but wasn’t ranked among the top-20 in the Milwaukee Brewers system when the season started. That changed when Brown dominated the competition in Double-A.

Brown made 22 appearances for Biloxi, 21 starts, and managed a 2.44 ERA. He worked 125 2/3 innings, struck out 116 and walked 36.

Brown doesn’t have the impressive physical frame that Supak is gifted with, but he does offer similar stuff. Brown keeps his fastball in the 92-95 MPH range, but is a bit more adept at manipulating it. He can turn his hand over and create sinking action or use a four-seamer that has rising action. He also possesses a quality curve, and a complimentary change up.

Who makes it to the Brewers first?

Both Brown and Supak should reach Triple-A in 2019. Supak is a year younger, and his secondary pitches aren’t quite as refined. He could start the year in Double-A, but he won’t end it there if he continues to succeed.

Brown has a chance to start the 2019 season in Triple-A, and reach the Major Leagues as next year’s version of 2018 Corbin Burnes or 2017 Josh Hader. While Hader or Burnes could end up in the bullpen, Brown projects as a reliever due to his high-effort delivery. However, he has a chance to start if he makes a few adjustments. Supak has a starter’s frame, and it’s clear that the Milwaukee Brewers view him as a starting pitcher.

Brown is more likely to wear a Milwaukee Brewers uniform first, but that doesn’t mean Supak is unlikely to reach the Majors. Supak has a bit more development before he can reach The Show. He might be behind Brown, but both have a very good chance to contribute to the Major League team sooner rather than later.