Milwaukee Brewers: Team Made Right Call With Their Starting Rotation

Earlier today, Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced the five pitchers that will make up the starting rotation to start the 2019 season.

Earlier this month Jhoulys Chacin was named the Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day starter by Counsell to no one’s surprise. After him, the rotation left many questions as six other pitchers were in competition for the four open positions.

The Group Behind Chacin

After a electric 2018 season and strong spring, 24-year-old Corbin Burnes will move from the bullpen to the starting rotation. This also shouldn’t come as a surprise since the team confirmed he would move to the rotation in 2019.

Hero of the National League Championship Series Brandon Woodruff will also be in the rotation after a very strong spring. In four games, Woody has pitched 14.2 innings, giving up just three runs, and striking out 14.

After Woody, another young pitcher that has had a strong spring, 22-year-old Freddy Peralta has made it. Fastball Freddy was strong last season in his major league debut but struggled at times after that. He was strong in his three games this spring, striking out 12 but did give up five runs.

Many expected him to start this year and will look to be the fourth man up for the crew.

The last spot in the rotation goes to the bounce back candidate of the season, Zach Davies. The 26-year-old had a breakout 2017 season, winning 17 games, with a 3.90 ERA. However in 2018 Davies could not get right, going up and down from the minor leagues and on the disabled list. He finished 2018 2-7 with a 4.77 ERA. He has looked good at times this spring and if right, is a very effective pitcher.

Was this the right call on the rotation?

The Milwaukee Brewers have to go with who gives them the best chance to win. Many feel that going with the younger pitchers gives the team the best chance to win. It also gives the team a chance to see how the rotation pitchers pan out early in the season. If any of the younger pitchers struggle then they can still move Nelson or Anderson back in to the rotation.

All three of Burnes, Peralta, and Woodruff have higher ceilings than Anderson and Davies. Craig Counsell said, “It’s time for them to start” and he’s giving them the opportunity to establish themselves. Those three are a major part of the future rotation plans for the Brewers. They have to be given the chance to succeed.

This was absolutely the right call for the rotation, and it’ll be a key year in each of those pitchers’ development.

Milwaukee Brewers fans should be excited, this rotation is young and already very experienced.