Milwaukee Brewers – Plenty of pitching depth in Triple-A San Antonio

Let’s rejoice Minor League Baseball fans, it’s Opening Day! Well opening day for four of the five Milwaukee Brewers affiliates, the Rocky Mountain Vibes won’t start til June.

Last week we looked at the position players that will be assigned to the San Antonio Missions to the season. Today let’s highlight a few pitchers that will start in Triple A and could make an impact with the Milwaukee Brewers this season.

Jimmy Nelson – the dark horse candidate for comeback player of the year, Nelson is still at extended Spring Training and will most likely be assigned to the Missions to make a few starts before potentially moving back to the major leagues. The Brewers are taking it slow with Nelson and don’t have a reason to rush him back with the starting rotation looking strong to start the season and depth available.

Zack Brown – Top pitching prospect and 2018 Brewers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Brown is a potential candidate to move up to the bullpen similar to his predecessors Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff. Brown looks to build off his 9-1 record in the 2018 season and show that he is ready to make the leap. Like Burnes, Brown’s future is in the rotation and the Brewers don’t have a reason to rush him to the majors.

Tristan Archer – Archer has made 150 appearances in Double-A or Triple-A since 2016, with no major league appearances. This Spring he pitched in seven games, holding a 1.35 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Archer provides bullpen depth if needed in Milwaukee. The 28 year old Archer is not currently on the 40 man roster.

Josh Fields – This mid-spring signee will start the season in Triple-A and will most likely find his way back to the majors during the season. Fields pitched for the Dodgers in 45 games last season with a 2.20 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. He needs to get himself back to game form, but look for him to find his way to Milwaukee in 2019.

Jake Petricka – One of the last adds to the minor league roster, Petricka has mixed results in 10 spring appearances. 13 strikeouts to six walks, 3.27 ERA to 1.27 WHIP. He adds depth to the Brewers bullpen merry-go-round.

Aaron Wilkerson – Another guy that can make a spot start if needed, Wilkerson has been between Biloxi, Colorado Springs and Milwaukee the last two years more than any other pitcher it seems like. Wilkerson is another guy that had a rough spring, but has a chance to settle in before a possible call-up.

Adrian Houser – The other pitcher to come with Josh Hader in the July 2015 trade with Houston, Houser saw action in seven major league games last season. Barring injuries and righty depth in the organization he will most likely see limited action in Milwaukee this season.

Donnie Hart – JUST ADDED TODAY, the newest member of the Brewers bullpen pitching depth, Hart is a sidearm lefty who has been with the Baltimore Orioles his entire professional career. The Los Angeles Dodger selected him off waivers, only to waive him a month later. In 18 career games Hart has a 3.43 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 54 strike outs. He provides some much needed lefty depth in the organization.

That’s a quick look at some pitchers that will grace the roster of the Mission as they open the 2019 season. Expect many of these pitchers to work their way to the Milwaukee Brewers roster as the season goes on.

So grab your score card, $2 beers and cheap hot dogs, Minor League baseball is back! And the Milwaukee Brewers have some exciting minor league pitchers.