Brewers: 5 Rookies Guaranteed To Make Their MLB Debut In 2023

5. LHP Robert Gasser

The last remaining original piece of the Josh Hader trade just about five months later is Robert Gasser. Gasser was the prospect the Brewers truly had their eyes on in that trade and they pushed him up to Double-A and eventually Triple-A after acquiring him.

In four starts with Double-A Biloxi, Gasser posted a 2.21 ERA in 20.1 IP with 26 strikeouts. Then with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, Gasser had a 4.44 ERA in five starts over 26.1 IP with 31 Ks. The walks ticked up a bit with Nashville as well.

The Brewers find themselves in need of additional starting pitching depth behind their top six starters. If a couple players go down with injuries over the course of the season, like what happened in 2022, they'll need some arms to rely on. Ethan Small wasn't able to be relied upon last season and may be ticketed for a bullpen role in the big leagues at this point. That leaves Gasser as the likely next man up to fill his spot on the rotation depth chart.

Gasser likely begins the 2023 season in Triple-A Nashville. Even if they send him back to Double-A, he likely won't be there for long. Now with a full offseason in the Brewers pitching development program, we're likely to see some big steps forward from Gasser in 2023 and he'd be putting himself in a clear position to earn a big league call up. He's not going to break spring training with the club but the experience in big league camp will be invaluable.

Gasser has electric stuff that makes him a surefire starting pitcher at the big league level. Provided he doesn't come down with a case of the walks like Small did in 2022, he's going to remain a starting pitcher moving forward.

He may have to wait for an opportunity to open up in the rotation, but over the course of a 162 game season, that'll likely happen. I think we see Gasser in a Brewers uniform in 2023 making his MLB debut.