Latest news with #BrandonWoodruff
Forbes
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Brewers Have Withstood Brutal Start, Pitching Depth Has Them In NL Mix
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Chad Patrick delivers during a baseball game against the ... More Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) The Milwaukee Brewers' regular season couldn't have gotten off to a worse start. They got clubbed in a four-game set at Yankee Stadium getting outscored 47-15 in the process. I wrote about it here - it was even more terrible than the numbers suggest. The club, who was already missing the likes of Brandon Woodruff, DL Hall and Robert Gasser to injury, and had lost depth pieces like Frankie Montas, Colin Rea, Joe Ross and Bryse Wilson since just last season, saw its makeshift Opening Day rotation torn asunder by the Bronx Bombers. Even worse, newcomer Nestor Cortes lasted only two starts before joining the walking wounded. Well, what if I told you in advance that Gasser, Hall and Woodruff would combine for all of 8 1/3 innings through Sunday's game. Could you have possibly imagined that the Brew Crew would be sitting four games over .500 and in the thick of the NL playoff race? But the situation is even better than that. They just might have three largely untapped starting pitchers at the ready. Logan Henderson was brilliant in his first four major league starts, going 3-0, 1.71, with a 29/6 K/BB over 21 innings. Jacob Misiorowski is carving up Triple-A hitters while hitting triple digits with his fastball. And Woodruff……well his story deserves a little detail. He suffered a severe shoulder injury late in 2023, and missed the entire 2024 season. He has now twice been on the verge of rejoining the MLB rotation before fate intervened, first in the form of ankle tendinitis and most recently by a line drive to his pitching elbow last Tuesday. He'll need yet another rehab assignment once the swelling goes down - the club hopes it will be a short one. Without those guys, somehow, someway, the Brewers have posted the 2nd best ERA among NL rotations through Saturday, at 3.41. Now, it hasn't exactly been all sunshine and rainbows, as their starters have averaged less than five innings per start, and their 8.2 K/9 IP sits exactly at the NL average. Righty staff ace Freddy Peralta was the single known quantity in the Brewer rotation entering the season, and he hasn't disappointed. Jose Quintana was a late free agent sign, and after a late entry into the rotation, has been more than reliable. Aaron Civale and Tobias Myers have both missed time with injuries, but have at least shown signs of being stabilizing forces. They spent significant prospect capital to bring aboard Quinn Priester aboard from the Red Sox, a gutsy call that appears to have been vindicated. But perhaps the best starter of them all has been previously unheralded 26-year-old righty Chad Patrick. Patrick was the Diamondbacks' 4th round draft pick in 2021 out of Purdue. His minor league performance wasn't particularly notable. Each season I prepare a list of top minor league starting pitching prospects based on statistical performance and age relative to league and level. Patrick never made my list. In 2023, he was traded twice - first by the D'backs to the Athletics for Jace Peterson and then by the A's to the Brewers for Abraham Toro. Just a guy, pretty much, but at least a guy that clubs were interested in acquiring for complementary major leaguers. Patrick lacks a functional breaking ball. It's almost all four-seamers, sinkers and especially cutters. But the Brewers have proven successful at building perfectly acceptable big league starters out of ordinary raw materials. See Rea, Colin, 2024. And quite honestly, while Patrick's success has clearly been a pleasant surprise from the Brewers' perspective, the underlying data doesn't suggest that he's been particularly lucky. Patrick's K and BB rates are pretty squarely in the league average range, with the latter a bit better than average. This means that the distance between him and a league average pitcher is pretty much dependent on his contact management performance, and despite pretty pedestrian raw stuff, he's done very well on that front. Overall, Patrick's average exit speed allowed of 88.9 degrees isn't eyecatching, sitting in the league average range. While he's allowed his liners and grounders to be hit harder than average, his average fly ball exit speed allowed of 88.7 mph is over a full standard deviation lower than league average. And that's a good thing, because he allows a lot of fly balls. But with that 39.9% fly ball rate (over a standard deviation higher than league average) comes a whopping 7.1% pop up rate (over two higher). His 20.9 degree average launch angle allowed is higher than that of any 2024 ERA-title qualifier. Now perhaps there is a little bit of good fortune baked into his 58 Adjusted Fly Ball Contact Score (100 equals league average, the lower the better), but that could very well be offset by expected downward regression in his outrageously high 26.3% liner rate (over two standard deviations higher than league average). Put it all together, and Patrick has posted a 94 Adjusted Contact Score to date, with his 86 'Tru' ERA- (my batted ball-based proxy for ERA- and FIP-) not far off the pace of his 71 and 81 marks in those mainstream measures. The Brewers know what they are doing. They often let their stars, like Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames and Devin Williams, walk right before their fortunes take a downturn. Their offense is good enough, and they rightly believe in their ability to prevent runs with a pairing of exceptional team defense and affordable arms who pitch to the apex of their ability in their formative years. Chad Patrick is one of their latest success stories. As usual, they'll be in the NL playoff mix throughout the summer and fall.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff remains upbeat as he deals with one more obstacle in his comeback
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is putting the best possible spin on the latest setback in his attempted comeback. Woodruff was on the verge of pitching in the majors for the first time since September 2023 when he was struck in the throwing elbow by a line drive with a 108-mph exit velocity during a rehabilitation appearance Tuesday for Triple-A Nashville. That left the two-time All-Star with a bruised elbow that will delay his return once more. 'That's life, you know?' Woodruff said Saturday before the Brewers' game against the San Diego Padres. 'I could have been walking down the street and broke my ankle walking off the sidewalk or something. It's about putting everything in perspective. I was lucky that I got away with what I got away with.' Woodruff, who missed the entire 2024 season with a shoulder injury, isn't putting a timeline on when he could return from this latest issue. He noted that he's waiting for the swelling to go down before he begins throwing again. Brewers manager Pat Murphy mentioned the possibility that Woodruff could start throwing again early next week and could have a bullpen session by at least June 17. The next step after that likely would involve throwing live batting practice and one more rehabilitation assignment. 'The one thing we don't want, for himself and for us both, we don't want this to turn into where we're rushing him back in any way, shape or form, right?' Murphy said. Woodruff, 32, is grateful that testing revealed only had a bruise. He realizes it could have been a much more serious injury. 'It hit me in a spot where it didn't cause any damage,' Woodruff said 'I didn't know that in the moment. My biggest fear was that it was going to be broken and likely cost me the rest of the season.' Woodruff underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his throwing shoulder after the 2023 season, an issue that caused him to miss the Brewers' 2023 NL Wild Card Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hoped to return early in the 2025 season. It hasn't worked out that way. On two occasions, Woodruff has sustained an unrelated injury while pitching in what he believed would be his final rehabilitation appearance before pitching in the majors again. He dealt with tendinitis in his right ankle last month. Now he faces the elbow issue. 'It sucked in the moment because I'd gotten to essentially the finish line the last two times and something has popped up,' Woodruff said. 'Stay positive. I look at it like my luck will turn around eventually, but man, that's baseball. Things can happen like that. Take it for what it is and just show up the next day and keep going.' Woodruff owns a 3-1 record with a 2.11 ERA in nine minor league appearances, but a guy whose fastball velocity has exceeded 95 mph throughout his major league career hasn't approached that level in his most recent outings. He also has 34 strikeouts over 38 1/3 innings in the minors this year. Woodruff has 788 strikeouts over 680 1/3 innings during his 130 career appearances with Milwaukee. 'The last couple outings, what we saw, obviously, he's holding back a little bit,' Murphy said. 'He had an ankle situation the last couple outings. We saw the stuff isn't 'old Woody' and I mean, yet. So, we'll deal with that when he comes here, but his stuff will tick up once he gets here.' Woodruff acknowledges his velocity has gone down a bit as he works his way back, but he believes that will change once he's off the injured list and back in a Brewers uniform. 'Once you get here, it's a different animal,' Woodruff said. 'The adrenaline's pumping a lot more, so I'm expecting a little bit of a jump there.' Woodruff isn't the only notable player the Brewers are hoping to get back. Murphy said Saturday that outfielders Garrett Mitchell and Blake Perkins could begin playing games later this month, first in Arizona and later in Nashville, with the hope that they could get activated before the All-Star break. Perkins still hasn't played this season after fracturing his right shin in batting practice early in spring training. Mitchell is dealing with a left oblique injury and last played on April 25. ___ AP MLB:
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff remains upbeat as he deals with one more obstacle in his comeback
Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is putting the best possible spin on the latest setback in his attempted comeback. Woodruff was on the verge of pitching in the majors for the first time since September 2023 when he was struck in the throwing elbow by a line drive with a 108-mph exit velocity during a rehabilitation appearance Tuesday for Triple-A Nashville. That left the two-time All-Star with a bruised elbow that will delay his return once more. 'That's life, you know?' Woodruff said Saturday before the Brewers' game against the San Diego Padres. "I could have been walking down the street and broke my ankle walking off the sidewalk or something. It's about putting everything in perspective. I was lucky that I got away with what I got away with.' Woodruff, who missed the entire 2024 season with a shoulder injury, isn't putting a timeline on when he could return from this latest issue. He noted that he's waiting for the swelling to go down before he begins throwing again. Brewers manager Pat Murphy mentioned the possibility that Woodruff could start throwing again early next week and could have a bullpen session by at least June 17. The next step after that likely would involve throwing live batting practice and one more rehabilitation assignment. 'The one thing we don't want, for himself and for us both, we don't want this to turn into where we're rushing him back in any way, shape or form, right?' Murphy said. Woodruff, 32, is grateful that testing revealed only had a bruise. He realizes it could have been a much more serious injury. 'It hit me in a spot where it didn't cause any damage,' Woodruff said 'I didn't know that in the moment. My biggest fear was that it was going to be broken and likely cost me the rest of the season.' Woodruff underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his throwing shoulder after the 2023 season, an issue that caused him to miss the Brewers' 2023 NL Wild Card Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hoped to return early in the 2025 season. It hasn't worked out that way. On two occasions, Woodruff has sustained an unrelated injury while pitching in what he believed would be his final rehabilitation appearance before pitching in the majors again. He dealt with tendinitis in his right ankle last month. Now he faces the elbow issue. 'It sucked in the moment because I'd gotten to essentially the finish line the last two times and something has popped up,' Woodruff said. 'Stay positive. I look at it like my luck will turn around eventually, but man, that's baseball. Things can happen like that. Take it for what it is and just show up the next day and keep going.' Woodruff owns a 3-1 record with a 2.11 ERA in nine minor league appearances, but a guy whose fastball velocity has exceeded 95 mph throughout his major league career hasn't approached that level in his most recent outings. He also has 34 strikeouts over 38 1/3 innings in the minors this year. Woodruff has 788 strikeouts over 680 1/3 innings during his 130 career appearances with Milwaukee. 'The last couple outings, what we saw, obviously, he's holding back a little bit,' Murphy said. 'He had an ankle situation the last couple outings. We saw the stuff isn't 'old Woody' and I mean, yet. So, we'll deal with that when he comes here, but his stuff will tick up once he gets here.' Woodruff acknowledges his velocity has gone down a bit as he works his way back, but he believes that will change once he's off the injured list and back in a Brewers uniform. 'Once you get here, it's a different animal,' Woodruff said. 'The adrenaline's pumping a lot more, so I'm expecting a little bit of a jump there.' Woodruff isn't the only notable player the Brewers are hoping to get back. Murphy said Saturday that outfielders Garrett Mitchell and Blake Perkins could begin playing games later this month, first in Arizona and later in Nashville, with the hope that they could get activated before the All-Star break. Perkins still hasn't played this season after fracturing his right shin in batting practice early in spring training. Mitchell is dealing with a left oblique injury and last played on April 25. ___ AP MLB: recommended
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff remains upbeat as he deals with one more obstacle in his comeback
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is putting the best possible spin on the latest setback in his attempted comeback. Woodruff was on the verge of pitching in the majors for the first time since September 2023 when he was struck in the throwing elbow by a line drive with a 108-mph exit velocity during a rehabilitation appearance Tuesday for Triple-A Nashville. That left the two-time All-Star with a bruised elbow that will delay his return once more.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff remains upbeat as he deals with one more obstacle in his comeback
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is putting the best possible spin on the latest setback in his attempted comeback. Woodruff was on the verge of pitching in the majors for the first time since September 2023 when he was struck in the throwing elbow by a line drive with a 108-mph exit velocity during a rehabilitation appearance Tuesday for Triple-A Nashville. That left the two-time All-Star with a bruised elbow that will delay his return once more. 'That's life, you know?' Woodruff said Saturday before the Brewers' game against the San Diego Padres. "I could have been walking down the street and broke my ankle walking off the sidewalk or something. It's about putting everything in perspective. I was lucky that I got away with what I got away with.' Woodruff, who missed the entire 2024 season with a shoulder injury, isn't putting a timeline on when he could return from this latest issue. He noted that he's waiting for the swelling to go down before he begins throwing again. Brewers manager Pat Murphy mentioned the possibility that Woodruff could start throwing again early next week and could have a bullpen session by at least June 17. The next step after that likely would involve throwing live batting practice and one more rehabilitation assignment. 'The one thing we don't want, for himself and for us both, we don't want this to turn into where we're rushing him back in any way, shape or form, right?' Murphy said. Woodruff, 32, is grateful that testing revealed only had a bruise. He realizes it could have been a much more serious injury. 'It hit me in a spot where it didn't cause any damage,' Woodruff said 'I didn't know that in the moment. My biggest fear was that it was going to be broken and likely cost me the rest of the season.' Woodruff underwent surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his throwing shoulder after the 2023 season, an issue that caused him to miss the Brewers' 2023 NL Wild Card Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hoped to return early in the 2025 season. It hasn't worked out that way. On two occasions, Woodruff has sustained an unrelated injury while pitching in what he believed would be his final rehabilitation appearance before pitching in the majors again. He dealt with tendinitis in his right ankle last month. Now he faces the elbow issue. 'It sucked in the moment because I'd gotten to essentially the finish line the last two times and something has popped up,' Woodruff said. 'Stay positive. I look at it like my luck will turn around eventually, but man, that's baseball. Things can happen like that. Take it for what it is and just show up the next day and keep going.' Woodruff owns a 3-1 record with a 2.11 ERA in nine minor league appearances, but a guy whose fastball velocity has exceeded 95 mph throughout his major league career hasn't approached that level in his most recent outings. He also has 34 strikeouts over 38 1/3 innings in the minors this year. Woodruff has 788 strikeouts over 680 1/3 innings during his 130 career appearances with Milwaukee. 'The last couple outings, what we saw, obviously, he's holding back a little bit,' Murphy said. 'He had an ankle situation the last couple outings. We saw the stuff isn't 'old Woody' and I mean, yet. So, we'll deal with that when he comes here, but his stuff will tick up once he gets here.' Woodruff acknowledges his velocity has gone down a bit as he works his way back, but he believes that will change once he's off the injured list and back in a Brewers uniform. 'Once you get here, it's a different animal,' Woodruff said. 'The adrenaline's pumping a lot more, so I'm expecting a little bit of a jump there.' Woodruff isn't the only notable player the Brewers are hoping to get back. Murphy said Saturday that outfielders Garrett Mitchell and Blake Perkins could begin playing games later this month, first in Arizona and later in Nashville, with the hope that they could get activated before the All-Star break. ___
