Milwaukee Brewers: Who is the ‘Minor League Pitcher of the Year’?

The Milwaukee Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Year was announced this week. Brandon Woodruff won in 2016, and Corbin Burnes won in 2017. Both should play a role on the NLCS roster. Could the 2018 winner make his Major League debut next year?

MLB Pipeline announced their winner for the 2018 Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher of the Year award, and it didn’t go to Freddy Peralta. He spent too much time on the Major League roster. This year’s winner was Zack Brown, and he could very well follow in the footsteps of Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes.

How did Brown do this year?

He only lead all starting pitchers in the Milwaukee Brewers organization with a 2.44 ERA in 125 2/3 innings with the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers.

Brown struck out 116 and walked only 36. Brown compiled a 9-1 record, and even threw a complete game shutout. He also only surrendered eight homers in 21 starts and one relief appearance.

Was 2018 part of a larger trend for Brown?

Absolutely. Brown has appeared at four different levels in three professional seasons since getting drafted in the fifth round in 2016. He’s essentially dominated at every level he’s been at.

Brown has a 2.97 ERA in 276 innings with 260 strikeouts and 80 walks in his first three seasons as a professional. Brown is clearly on the fast track to the Major League roster.

Where should Brown start in 2019?

2019 will be Brown’s age-24 season. He should either start the 2019 season in Triple-A or make a few starts in Double-A with Biloxi and then move up.

Could Brown make it the Majors in 2019?

It depends on his role. If Brown only wants to start, he probably won’t get called up until September unless there are injuries. If he can work in relief, like Burnes and Josh Hader, he could get called up after the All-Star break, assuming there’s a need. The short answer is, ‘Yes, Brown should reach the Majors in 2019.’ However, his role is still ‘to-be-determined.’

The Milwaukee Brewers made a few deadline deals to strengthen their roster for an October run, but the farm is far from bare. Brown could make an impact as soon as next summer, and follow in the footsteps of other talented, young pitchers from the Brewers organization.