Brewers: 5 Players Who Could Be Added To 40 Man Roster This Month

2. LHP Ethan Small

Small was drafted in 2019 during the first round out of Mississippi State. He spent three years in their program and was projected to move through the minor leagues rather quickly. Of course there was no 2020 minor league season but he did spend that time at the alternate training site and has already earned a promotion from Biloxi (Double A) to Nashville (Triple A) this season.

On the season, Small has thrown 56 innings and has a 1.77 ERA. He has struck out 73 batters along the way and was not phased by the promotion from a statistical standpoint. As a former college starter, the high amount of innings he has thrown in a season is 107.

Unfortunately a finger injury has sidelined him since mid-July.  This injury may be the biggest impeding factor as to what keeps him down in the minor leagues.

Upon returning he will need to amp up his throwing and conditioning once again. He has been utilized as a starter this year, but should he get the promotion he would likely come out of the bullpen.

3. RHP Luke Barker

As a member of the Brewers minor league organization since 2017, Barker has done nothing but impress. The 29 year old has logged over 200 minor league innings and has a career 2.23 ERA, .191 opponent batting average, and 0.91 WHIP. Those numbers are certainly impressive.

After a lost minor league season due to COVID, Barker maintained his spot with the Triple-A affiliate Nashville Sounds this season. In 34 relief appearances this season, Barker has a 2.29 ERA, .147 opponent batting average, and 0.66 WHIP.  He somehow has managed to outperform his already impressive career averages!

With the Brewers pitching staff seemingly getting hit the hardest with COVID cases, one would have to think that Barker will get his chance this year. If he doesn’t, it will be because he remains blocked by other bullpen arms.

Daniel Norris and John Curtiss were acquired at the deadline and likely will remain with the Brewers through the remainder of the season.  Jake Cousins, and Jandel Gustave have all done well with their big league opportunities prior to landing on the IL, which makes optioning them down more difficult. Managing pitchers is always a tough decision, but Barker definitely deserves a shot given his performance.