Milwaukee Brewers: Who is their best rookie?

The Milwaukee Brewers have seen 11 players who are considered as ‘rookies’ play this year. Who’s been the best players with less than a year of service time?

Do you remember Ji-man Choi? He made the Opening Day roster, and was still considered a rookie due to his lack of service time. Brandon Woodruff is still technically a ‘rookie’, too. Of the rookies that have appeared for the Brewers, six have made their Major League debut. Which one is the best?

How about Corbin Burnes?

If this were for the most impressive rookie, Corbin Burnes is definitely in the running. He’s flashed the fastball/breaking ball combo that had him rated among the game’s best prospects coming into the 2018 season. However, he’s only thrown 32 innings. He’s posted a 2.81 ERA with 30 strikeouts and even earned a save. Burnes has enjoyed a great start to his Major League career, but he hasn’t been the Milwaukee Brewers best rookie.

What about the rookie hitters?

The only hitters to make their Major League debut for the Milwaukee Brewers this year were Nate Orf and Jacob Nottingham. They’ve combined for 50 plate appearances this year. The Brewers received contributions from several different sources, but their rookies didn’t help much on offense.

So, who is the best Brewers rookie for 2018?

It’s Freddy Peralta, and no one else is close. He’s been held to an innings limit since the calendar flipped to September, but he’s still the best Milwaukee Brewers rookie for 2018.

Peralta has made 14 starts and one relief appearance for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018. He’s tossed 74 2/3 innings in total so far, and has posted a 4.34 ERA. He’s racked up 93 strikeouts and walked 40.

Peralta won’t get much attention in Rookie of the Year award voting. Ronald Acuna, Juan Soto, and Harrison Bader will get most of the votes there, but Peralta has been the best rookie for the 2018 Milwaukee Brewers. If the Brewers didn’t have Peralta taking the ball every fifth day in June and July, they wouldn’t be in the position they’re in now. Peralta is poised to have a long career with the Brewers, and the 2018 season is just the start.