Brewers beat writer has big 2024 prediction for Crew's No. 2 starting pitcher

In just a few hours the world will officially close the book on the year 2023. And while this time of year can be all about looking back on the year that was, it's also time to look ahead toward the year that is about to be.

Recently, some MLB.com beat writers took a look ahead to the 2024 season and that included Milwaukee Brewers beat writer Adam McCalvy. In part of his piece, he made one prediction (for now) for the 2024 season.

With his prediction, McCalvy went bold regarding one of the team's starting pitchers.

Brewers beat writer Adam McCalvy has a big 2024 prediction for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta.

When it comes to starting pitchers, there is one season prediction for them that is the boldest of all: winning the Cy Young. Sure enough, that's exactly what McCalvy is predicting to be in store for Brewers starter Freddy Peralta in 2024.

McCalvy pointed to portions of Peralta's 2021 and 2023 seasons as reasons why he could take home the award, stating, "Peralta had a 2.81 ERA while making the All-Star team in 2021, only to see ‘22 ruined by a shoulder injury. Last season, he was healthy again and had a 2.81 ERA after the All-Star break as he found confidence in his health and rounded into form."

Even despite the 2022 injury and some struggles early in 2023, Peralta has largely been excellent since become a full-time starter for the Brewers in 2021. In the last three seasons, he is 26-19 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.046 WHIP in 388 innings. His 2021 season in particular earned him the only All-Star appearance of his career.

Cy Young candidates need to have swing and miss stuff and Peralta is no slouch in that category as well. Over the last three seasons, Peralta has put up 11.39 strikeouts per nine innings, the fifth best mark in all of MLB for any pitcher to pitch at least 300 innings over that time span.

Of course, Peralta would join an exclusive group of Brewers players if he were to pull off the feat. There are only three Cy Young winners in franchise history: Rollie Fingers in 1981, Pete Vukovich in 1982, and most recently Corbin Burnes in 2021.

With Peralta now slotted as the team's No. 2 starter, it will be imperative that he put up a strong season for the Brewers to be successful in 2024. A Cy Young-worthy season would certainly qualify.