Milwaukee Brewers: Grading the Crew's Starting Pitchers in the 2023 Season

In the world of Milwaukee Brewers baseball, one thing you can always count on is solid starting pitching. As we reflect on another season, it's time to dive into the performances of each regular starting pitcher.

While there were a few players who made spot starts, our focus here is solely on the consistent contributors who held down the fort throughout the season. Join me as we assess and grade the efforts of these key players who played a crucial role in the Brewers' success on the field.

Before we jump into the grading process, let me take a moment to outline my approach. I evaluate players based on a combination of their performance and the expectations set for them. This dual perspective is crucial to avoid unfair comparisons, such as grading an ace and a backend starter on the same scale.

It wouldn't be equitable to give a lower grade to a fifth starter simply because they didn't meet the standards of an ace. Therefore, considering our expectations for each player is a key factor in the grading criteria. It ensures a fair and contextual assessment that takes into account the unique roles and responsibilities of each player on the field.

RHP Corbin Burnes: B

Despite turning in a formidable effort with a 3.39 ERA (3.81 FIP), a 1.069 WHIP, and just shy of 200 innings pitched, Corbin Burnes' 2023 performance wasn't quite the encore Brewers fans were expecting. Sure, he earned his spot in the All-Star game, but his ERA took a noticeable uptick from his Cy Young campaign in 2021, where he boasted a career-best 2.43 ERA, followed by a 2.94 ERA in 2022.

Burnes showcased more inconsistency on the mound this time around, resulting in a mediocre 18-14 record for the Brewers in his 32 starts—an unexpected outcome when your ace is on the hill. One could try to argue that run support played a part in that, however Milwaukee average a solid 4.68 runs per game in his starts, so that's not exactly the case. Add to that the offseason contract disputes that rubbed some fans the wrong way, and whispers of trading Burnes began to circulate.

However, even though Burnes' 2023 season may have fallen short of the sky-high expectations, it still qualifies as an above-average performance. Considering the high bar he set in previous years, I'd say Burnes deserves a B for his efforts.

RHP Brandon Woodruff: A-

Brandon Woodruff's season was a rollercoaster of challenges, primarily due to injuries limiting him to just 11 starts. However, in those limited appearances, he showcased nothing short of brilliance. Woodruff posted a stellar 2.28 ERA (3.60 FIP) and an impressive 0.821 WHIP. What stands out even more is his remarkable consistency—allowing two runs or fewer in nine out of his 11 starts, never letting the opposing team score more than four runs.

Despite Woodruff's reliability and stellar performance on the mound, the Brewers finished 7-4 in his starts. However, before we point fingers at Woodruff, it's worth noting that the team's lack of run support played a significant role. In his losing starts, Milwaukee averaged a mere two runs per game.

Now, the grading dilemma arises. While it's unfair to penalize Woodruff for factors beyond his control, the reality is that he only made 11 starts. Despite A+ level performance in those outings, it's a challenge to hand out the highest grade for such a limited sample size.

RHP Freddy Peralta: B

Next is Freddy Peralta's performance on the mound during the past season. The stat sheet shows a 3.86 ERA (3.85 FIP) and a 1.117 WHIP, which, at first glance, appear quite commendable, especially given his career-high 30 starts. However, Peralta's season wasn't a smooth, uninterrupted ride; it had its fair share of peaks and valleys.

At certain points, Peralta saw his ERA climb as high as 4.73, revealing the rollercoaster nature of his performance throughout the 2023 campaign. This inconsistency reflected in the win column, with the Brewers going 17-13 in games started by Peralta.

Unlike Woodruff, where losses could be attributed to a lack of run support, Peralta's situation was more varied, with his performance impacting the outcomes of most games, barring a few exceptions. Milwaukee averaged 4.82 runs in Freddy Peralta starts. 

While Peralta did ultimately deliver a solid season for Milwaukee, the unpredictability of his outings created a bit of a rollercoaster ride for fans. The final numbers may have met expectations, but the journey to get there leaves a lingering sense of disappointment. In the grand scheme, Peralta's season deserves a respectable grade, but the ups and downs make it challenging to hand out top honors.

LHP Eric Lauer: F

Eric Lauer's season unfolded as a tale of profound disappointment. Coming into the year as a presumed fixture in the backend rotation, Lauer swiftly lost that role. In 2022, he had showcased promise with a 3.69 ERA in 29 starts, complete with a standout early-season performance that had fans buzzing. Despite a second-half cool-off, Lauer was respected as a reliable backend starter.

However, 2023 told a drastically different story. Lauer's contribution to the Brewers dwindled to just 10 appearances (9 starts), and the numbers were grim—a 6.56 ERA (7.41 FIP) and a 1.671 WHIP. His struggles prompted a stint on the IL, and he spent the majority of the season in Triple-A, where his performance further faltered, registering a 5.04 ERA in 13 appearances (10 starts).

This was far from meeting even the modest expectations set for a backend starter. In fact, recent news about the Brewers placing Lauer on waivers, followed by his outright assignment to Triple-A, serves as a stark exclamation point on this dismal performance.

LHP Wade Miley: A

Now, let's turn our attention to the next southpaw in the rotation, Wade Miley. His return to the Brewers had fans buzzing with excitement, despite some reservations about the 36-year-old's health. However, Miley, the crafty veteran, proved that age was just a number as he consistently delivered outs. Despite a couple of brief stints on the IL, Miley showcased his durability with 23 starts and an impressive 3.14 ERA (4.69 FIP), along with a 1.139 WHIP.

Miley was slotted in as the expected stellar fifth starter for the Brewers, and he not only met but exceeded those expectations. By the end of the season Miley was no longer considered a backend starter due to his performance. Honestly, there are no complaints to be had, and no substantial points to dock.

RHP Adrian Houser: B+

Adrian Houser's journey in the baseball world has been a rollercoaster, and last year marked one of its lowest points for the sinker baller. Heading into this season, he was pegged as a reliever/spot starter, a role that seemed a far cry from his earlier aspirations. Yet, by the season's end, Houser not only reclaimed his spot but excelled as a backend starting pitcher.

In 23 starts, he posted a respectable 4.12 ERA (3.99 FIP) and a 1.392 WHIP. Despite facing criticism from fans, Houser turned in a solid performance, showcasing his resilience. The challenge with Houser has always been navigating the fine line between brilliance and blow-up games. He could deliver five innings or even five starts of excellence, only to be marred by one bad outing that bloats his ERA and, in turn, hurts his public perception.

This trend has been a recurring theme in Houser's career, contributing to the fluctuations in his stat lines. However, despite the ups and downs, Houser remains an underrated asset. The start of 2023 saw him climbing back from the depths of a lackluster 2022 performance. Notably, he honed his ability to handle left-handed batters, an area that had posed challenges in the past.

Milwaukee's 15-8 record in games where Houser took the mound speaks volumes about his effectiveness as an incredibly formidable backend starter. If he can smooth out the kinks that lead to big innings or blow-up games, and if fans shift from judging him with Corbin Burnes goggles to backend starter goggles, they would recognize him as a great backend pitcher.

In essence, the 2023 season showcased a mix of challenges and triumphs for the Brewers' starting rotation. Each player faced unique circumstances, and the grades reflect not just statistical performances but the context in which they unfolded. While some may not be happy that most of the grades were good, the starting pitching was overall solid this season, these grades reflect that.