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Forbes
9 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.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Exec Still Confident Devin Williams Will Close Games for Yankees
While New York Yankees fans are ready to call the trade a failure, around the league, executives aren't so sure. At least one saud that 10 games was way too early to judge Devin Williams. 'When you go from a small market to New York, it's a different animal. It just takes a while to get acclimated. He'll be all right,' one MLB executive told USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Advertisement Monday night, Williams got started proving that executive right. Williams delivered a scoreless eighth inning in New York's loss to the Orioles. It was his first appearance since being removed from the closer role. The outing may not have changed the result, but it nudged the right-hander in the right direction. It lowered his ERA from 11.25 to 10.00. You could also see a difference in his body language, more confidence and less dread. It was a glimpse of the stability the Yankees thought they had traded for. New York Yankees pitcher Devin Williams pitches in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 28, 2025. © Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images New York acquired Williams in December, sending starter Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin to Milwaukee in a deal to bolster an already strong bullpen. A two-time All-Star with one of the most unhittable changeups in the game, called the 'Airbender', Williams was expected to anchor the ninth. Advertisement Instead, he was unmoored at the end of the game and let loose the wrath of the Bronx faithful. He was removed from the closer's role after just a handful of appearances. The hope, internally, is that Williams simply needs time to adjust. He's not the first pitcher to struggle under New York's brighter lights. He definitely will not be the last. But if the Yankees are going to contend deep into October, they'll need Williams in the form they thought they were getting. Monday was the first step in getting him back there. Related: Yankees Admit Boos Helped Prompt Devin Williams' Demotion Related: Aaron Judge Caught Celebrating 33rd Birthday With TV Stars
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Brandon Woodruff's return to majors with Brewers delayed due to tendinitis in right ankle
CLEVELAND (AP) — Milwaukee pitcher Brandon Woodruff won't return to the majors quite as early as expected. Brewers manager Pat Murphy announced before Monday night's game at Cleveland that Woodruff is dealing with tendinitis in his right ankle. The issue had bothered the two-time All-Star right-hander during a rehabilitation appearance Sunday with Triple-A Nashville, causing the Brewers to delay Woodruff's long-awaited return from a shoulder injury. Woodruff threw 39 pitches in 2 1/3 innings against Norfolk before coming out with the injury. He allowed one run and two hits and struck out three. The 32-year old Woodruff last pitched in a big league game on Sept. 23, 2023. The Brewers announced just before the start of their 2023 NL wild-card series with Arizona that Woodruff wouldn't be available because of a shoulder problem. He underwent surgery that October and has been working his way back since. Woodruff can't pitch for a Brewers minor-league affiliate for at least seven days. Murphy said the revised plan is for Woodruff to test the ankle for a couple of minor league starts. 'He tried to pitch on it and it didn't go well in terms of how he felt,' Murphy said. 'Our pitching guys and him, they all got together with the front office and Woody made the decision: 'I'm not going to come back yet.'' Woodruff's ankle issue represents the latest setback for a Brewers pitching staff that also has Aaron Civale (left hamstring), Nestor Cortes (left elbow), DL Hall (left lat), Aaron Ashby (right oblique) and Robert Gasser (left elbow) on the injured list. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB rumors: Some execs believe struggling New York Yankees star is untradeable
A top MLB insider claims that a recent poll of executives revealed that half of them believe former New York Yankees closer Devin Williams is untradeable. One-time Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams was one of the Yanks' top additions in the offseason. He was viewed as one of the missing pieces toward a World Series winner in 2025. But after 15 appearances, he has posted a stunning 9.24 ERA and lost his closer's role. Advertisement It has led to a lot of speculation that the Yankees could look to cut bait. And move him before the trade deadline since he is in the final year of his contract. However, on Friday, New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman dropped a nugget of intel that is bad news for New York. 'Executives polled are split on if Williams can be traded now. But suffice it to say, the Yankees wouldn't recover the value they gave up (Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin).' Jon Heyman The 30-year-old has been a disaster for the Yankees in 2025. But he is not that far removed from being one of the best closers in the game. And back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023. A contending team in need of bullpen help could certainly feel he is worth the risk as a rental. Especially since at least half of the $8.6 million he's owed this season would be paid off by the deadline. But Williams needs to play far better than he has if the team wants him to regain any value on the trade block. He has been a bit better in recent starts. Outside of giving up three runs again in a May 5 game against the Padres, Williams gave up none in four of his last five outings. However, if he was able to pull the nose up and get back to his elite form, chances are the Yankees would rather hold on to him unless they received an offer they couldn't refuse. Advertisement Also Read:: New York Yankees game today: TV schedule, Yankees schedule, how to watch the Yankees tonight Related Headlines
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boone Explains Bold Move to Trust Devin Williams in Extra Innings
Aaron Boone didn't hesitate Wednesday night. Tenth inning, tie game, everything on the line, and he called for the beleaguered right-hander, Devin Williams. Williams entered having already lost his closer role earlier this season, and just two nights prior, he blew a lead in what Boone described as a 'lower-leverage' spot. But on Wednesday, the Yankees manager trusted him with the game. Advertisement 'We needed him. I mean, period,' Boone said postgame. 'And I do feel like he has been throwing the ball really well the last couple weeks.' Williams delivered. He struck out three in the bottom of the 10th: Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Xander Bogaerts. He had to rely on his changeup heavily after yanking his fastball early in the outing. New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams reacts after striking out three in the 10th inning against the San Diego Padres at Yankee Stadium on May 7, 2025. © Brad Penner-Imagn Images But the strikeouts proved to Boone, to Yankees fans, and most importantly to himself, that his changeup was good enough to get huge outs. It was a moment of Devin Williams redemption — a flash of the dominance that made him one of the game's elite late-inning arms. Advertisement That was the pitcher the Yankees thought they were getting when they sent Nestor Cortes to Milwaukee. It's the pitcher Boone believes he still is. 'He had the outing the other day, we were struggling a little bit, obviously,' Boone said, referring to Monday's blown lead. 'But, you know, the few before that, I thought were really good. And even some of the ones where he has struggled, it's been a little wonky. It hasn't bounced his way.' 'This guy's been one of the game's great relievers now for a while,' Boone added. 'And you get a peek at it right there.' Wednesday night validated Boone's bullpen decision and may begin to rebuild the trust both the Devin Williams Yankees hoped for — and the one Williams is working to become again. Related: Giancarlo Stanton Offers Blunt Update on Elbow Pain and Timeline Related: Pedro Martínez Sends a Message to Pitchers About Aaron Judge
