Resurgent Brewers' prospect named Pitcher of the Month as dominant comeback season continues

Expectations were understandably high for right-handed starter Josh Knoth after the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Those high expectations only increased when, at just 18 years old, Knoth posted a 27% strikeout rate in Low-A in his first season of professional baseball. The fact that the Brewers elected to have Knoth, who was committed to play college ball at Ole Miss before signing with Milwaukee, skip Rookie Ball altogether further signaled their belief in the young right-hander whose arsenal was far more refined than most high schoolers'.

Unfortunately, during the offseason following his strong inaugural season in the minor leagues, Knoth underwent Tommy John surgery and subsequently missed the entire 2025 campaign. It was undoubtedly a tough blow for the young right-hander, who looked poised to fly through the Brewers' farm system.

However, Knoth has since returned from the unfortunate injury and lengthy recovery process looking more effective than ever. After a two-week rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League at the beginning of May, Knoth was assigned to High-A, joining the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He made his first High-A start on May 22, and tossed two innings and allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks. It was a rather pedestrian outing for Knoth, but an encouraging one nonetheless, seeing as it had been exactly 21 months since his last start in Low-A back in 2024.

When the calendar flipped to June, however, Knoth found his groove, and showed the potential that caused the Brewers to draft him with the 33rd pick just three years ago.

Right-hander Josh Knoth wins Brewers' minor league Pitcher of the Month as strong return from Tommy John continues

Knoth made five starts for the T-Rats during the month of June, and posted a 3.74 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP in 21.2 innings. He struck out 20 and walked just five batters during the month, and the Timber Rattlers won four of the five games that he started.

For his efforts, the young right-hander was named the Brewers' minor league Pitcher of the Month in June, an award no doubt made more impressive by the fact that it was Knoth's first full month pitching in the minor leagues since his Tommy John surgery.

On the season, Knoth is sporting a 3.14 ERA across eight total starts at the High-A level. As noted in the post above, his velocity is right where it was prior to the procedure, and paired with Knoth's strong secondary offerings, has produced a solid 25.2% strikeout rate in High-A thus far.

It's always encouraging to see a pitcher bounce back from a devastating elbow injury that results in Tommy John surgery, but seeing one immediately produce the eye-popping results that Knoth turned in during the month of June is even better. With arms like Josh Knoth rising through their farm system, the Brewers' unmatched ability to draft and develop pitching remains strong.

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