Triple-A 'Triple Crown' winner looks to turn around Brewers' disastrous start to 2025

With the Brewers starting pitching rotation in shambles, they need constant reinforcements. And this early in the year, with all of the injuries Milwaukee is dealing with, they'll take just about anybody to eat innings. But Tuesday night should get Brew Crew fans a bit excited.

Chad Patrick will make his first career start against the Kansas City Royals. Patrick is coming off of a fantastic season with the Brewers Triple-A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds. With a 14-1 record last season, Patrick spent the entirety of the season in Nashville, throwing 136 1/3 innings. 

While he did make an appearance in the Brewers' historic 20-9 loss to the Yankees, it was only one relief inning. Patrick surrendered a home run, allowing two earned runs in a 22-pitch effort. 

Nerves were definitely a factor in New York as Patrick issued a four-pitch walk against the first batter he faced. He was able to lock in after the walk, striking out the next batter in just three pitches. A home run was given up next, expanding the Yankees lead to 20-6. But there's more to look forward to him in a starting role.

His pitch arsenal focuses on a cutter and four-seamer. His cutter is consistently 87 MPH, but can get it as high as 89 MPH. The four-seam fastball sits at 94 MPH and tops out at 96 MPH.

With a five-pitch arsenal, nothing is thrown as much as the cutter or four-seamer. He threw just two sinkers, and mixed in one slider and changeup. The home run he gave up came on the one slider he threw was his slowest pitch at 84 MPH. 

A 14-1 record in Nashville seems fantastic on paper, but will it translate to major league success? After every pitcher on Monday threw 30+ pitches, the Brewers are hoping for a deep outing from Patrick. His outing against the Yankees was on Saturday, meaning he has two full days of rest coming into the matchup against the Royals. 

The Brewers have given up more runs than any team in baseball through four games. With a team ERA of 12.27, Milwaukee is the first team in baseball history with an ERA north of 12 after the first four games. Opponents are hitting .336 against them, and they’ve given up 17 home runs. With a 28:21 strikeout to walk ratio, the Brewers have already surrendered 47 runs. Sitting at 0-4, Milwaukee has tied the MLB record for most runs allowed in the first four games.

This is an historic season for the Brewers pitching staff, but not in a good way. The Crew are still searching for their first win of the year, and it falls on the shoulders of Patrick, who will be making his first big league start. 

Patrick does have experience pitching in Wisconsin, as he was a former member of the Traverse City Pit Spitters. He is now the 376th player from the Northwoods to play in MLB. Perhaps that comfort could help him settle in and help stop the Brewers' bleeding.