Article: 2023 Brewers Farm System Positional Preview: Starting Pitching

[Harold Hutchison]

The Brewers' farm system has developed excellent starting pitchers in recent years, notably Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta. Yet, on the farm, who is due to replace them in years to come? Let's take a look.

Image courtesy of © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a far cry from relying on free-agent signings like Randy Wolf and Matt Garza to get some form of stability to one of the most crucial groups on a baseball team. Even with the “will they or won’t they” when it comes to extensions for Burnes and Woodruff, the Brewers have several players down on the farm who will likely be assets in the rotation.

AAA Nashville
Three likely starters for the Sounds, Ethan Small, Robert Gasser, and Janson Junk, are in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Brewers. That’s not a bad anchor for the team. Bryse Wilson, Colin Rea, Tobias Myers, Brandon Knarr, and Tyler Herb are also in the mix, and let’s not forget Jason Alexander, who filled in gaps for the Brewers in 2022, but is on the 60-day injured list right now.

AA Biloxi
Knarr, who broke out big time in 2022, could be headed back to Biloxi, given that the Sounds are already seven deep in their potential rotation before Alexander returns from the IL. He’ll likely be joined by Justin Jarvis at the top of the Shuckers rotation. T.J. Shook and Nick Bennett could repeat in AA, while Russell Smith and Max Lazar could move up from Wisconsin. Some of these players are high-round picks, but others will have something to prove.

A+ Wisconsin
Stiven Cruz, Alexander Cornielle, and Carlos Rodriguez look to move up from the Mudcats to the Timber Rattlers this year. Joseph Hernandez, Israel Puello, and Edwin Jimenez will likely join them. The Mudcats could also see Logan Henderson, Ryne Moore, and Alexander Vallecillo compete for spots. Cruz, Cornielle, and Rodriguez all look very promising.

A Carolina
Given the tendency for the Brewers to have pitchers piggyback in the ACL, predicting Carolina’s rotation for 2023 will be tough. Jacob Misiorowski, who had two starts in Carolina, will likely return there. Henrison Mota, who had a 3.62 ERA and struck out 12.2 batters per nine innings in the ACL, is another contender, as are Kevin Briceno, Arielbi Gonzalez, Gerson Calzadilla, and Patricio Aquino. Beyond that, it remains to see who will emerge for the Mudcats.

Rookie Leagues
Osbriel Mogollon, Aneuris Rodriguez, and Wande Torres will likely start for the ACL Brewers in 2023 after posting solid seasons for the DSL Brewers 1 team. Anfernny Reyes, who posted a 1.54 ERA for the DSL Brewers 2, will likely take a spot. After that, Jeral Vizcaino leads a pack of other players who will be fiercely competing for spots on the only ACL team for the Brewers. 

Overview
The Brewers have some blue-chip prospects in their system – some of whom could be as good as Burnes and Woodruff have been. If the Brewers secure one of Burnes and Woodruff beyond 2024 with an extension, they can fill in the back end of the rotation nicely. The Brewers have many options, though, if Burnes and Woodruff end up traded – and then we could see even more pitchers in the system.

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[CheeseheadInQC]

My thoughts:

Triple A: Gasser, Junk, and then who knows. A lot rides on if they start Small and, if he doesn’t make the 26-man roster, Miller. Both could also end up being developed as a relievers. They have a lot of other guys who could be stretched out: Boushley, Rea, Myers, Stock, Pannone, etc.

Double-A: Jarvis and, assuming they aren’t in triple-A, Knarr and Seminaris, all seem likely. I really think Rodriguez starts in double-A. I thought that Cruz might’ve joined him, but the lack big league camp days that I can recall and the high-A start in the minor league game make me think he’ll start in high-A. I will guess Shook for the last spot.

High-A: If enough are are healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if they go with a six-man rotation at Wisconsin. Cruz, Cornielle, Hernandez and Smith seem likely. The other spots would be filled with a combination of Wagoner, Jimenez and Henderson, with Puello as another option.

Low-A: Probably a combination of last year’s picks (Misiorowski, Rudy, Woessner, Peterson, Fitzpatrick) and international signees who either already spent time in low-A (Alexander Vallecillo, Yujanyer Herrera, Brailin Rodriguez, Arielbi Gonzalez, Miguel Segura) or would have if not for injury (Patricio Aquino).

Also, for the rookie league, I would toss Corniel on the list to watch, too.