TL Schwerz

Just a few days ago the Milwaukee Brewers were dealt a significant blow to their starting rotation when right-hander Freddy Peralta was placed on the injured list with what is expected to be a long-term issue. Today, news broke that the club is making a significant response in promoting left-hander Ethan Small, presumably to make his debut on Monday. Ethan Small is the 7th ranked Milwaukee Brewers prospect per MLB Pipeline. Small ranked #5 in the Brewer Fanatic preseason prospect rankings. Drafted 28th overall in 2019, Small was the SEC Pitcher of the Year for Mississippi State that season. Small split time in 2021 between Double-A and Triple-A for Milwaukee while pitching entirely at the highest level of the minors this season. In 2022, Small has pitched 38 1/3 innings for Nashville while compiling a 1.88 ERA. His eight starts have produced gaudy strikeout totals to the tune of an 11.5 K/9, and he's limited damage allowing just 22 hits, of which only one was a home run. If there's still something to work on with his game it's control, as the 4.9 BB/9 could be exploited at the highest level. Small's best pitch is probably his changeup, and while he sits in the lower 90's, his spin rates help the fastball to get on hitters more quickly than expected. He's primarily been a two-pitch pitcher to this point in his professional career and taking a further step forward will be reliant on the development of a capable third pitch. Right now, Small could be exactly what the Brewers ordered. He's replacing a guy that was working out of the fifth rotation spot and that should be factored in when gauging expectations. Small doesn't need to feel pressure to come in and replicate Corbin Burnes or Brandon Woodruff. He needs to give Milwaukee quality stuff every fifth day and help to round out a rotation that's pushed the Brewers to the top of the NL Central. Small's promotion comes on the heels of yet another pitching swap for Milwaukee. Prior to Saturday's game, the club placed right-handed reliever Luis Perdomo on the injured list with a right elbow effusion. Right-hander Miguel Sanchez was recalled from Triple-A to take his place. There's a significant opportunity for Small to settle in as a big-leaguer here, and no doubt, the Brewers are hoping he runs with it. Leave your thoughts on the looming promotion of Ethan Small and what you think his potential is. How does he, and how do you think his role will compare to another lefty, Aaron Ashby? Leave your COMMENTS below. View full article

The Milwaukee Brewers were dealt a significant blow recently when starting pitcher Freddy Peralta was placed on the injured list with what's feared to be a long term injury. Prior to today's contest they got a bit of good news with star closer Josh Hader being activated to the 26-man roster. Hader was removed from the roster on May 23 after a family medical emergency took place. He missed the team's series in San Diego to be with his wife Maria, who is going through a difficult pregnancy. Hader told the Milwaukee Journel Sentinel, "Everything's good at home. Wife and baby are good; that was the main concern, making sure I was there for them. She's dealing with placenta previa and we've had that scare before. It's uncomfortable leaving her alone. But she's good." Hader's wife is currently 34 weeks along with their first child, a boy. He's hoping they can get a couple more weeks for the baby in the womb as additional growth is necessary. Hader further explained the pregnancy saying, "You can't have a natural birth. But with that, you have bleeding," he explained. "And if it bleeds too much, that's when you have to get an emergency C-section, because it's a high-risk pregnancy. If it happens again, we have to get him out. But right now it's just calming the storm. Nothing we can really control with it. So, it's her body and how the placenta acts. But the baby's good, she's good which, at the end of the day, is all we're worried about." There's no denying Hader is a competitor, but he certainly gets that family comes first and certain things are bigger than the game. When returning to the mound on Thursday night, Hader provided his 37th straight scoreless appearance picking up his 16th save of the season. Miguel Sanchez was optioned to Nashville making room for Hader on the active roster. View full article

Just a day after the Milwaukee Brewers were dealt a significant blow to their rotation with Freddy Peralta being placed on the injured list, slugger Hunter Renfroe suffered the same fate. The Milwaukee Brewers signed Hunter Renfroe to a one-year, $7.65 million deal this offseason after being traded from the Boston Red Sox last offseason. Renfroe established himself as a power slugger for Boston producing to the tune of an .816 OPS. Through 39 games this season Renfroe has slashed to the tune of a .266/.303/.503 line with nine homers. His 126 OPS+ is a career high, and he’s been a pivotal power contributor for the Brewers. Placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain, it’s worth hoping the absence is a short one. Mark Mathias takes over the roster spot for Milwaukee, and he’ll be making his first Major League appearance since 2020 when he gets into a game. The former 3rd round pick in 2015 had a .974 OPS for Triple-A Nashville this season and has more than earned another look. He’s by no means a power hitter, but his four longballs in 27 games has him on pace to threaten a career best total. Milwaukee is unquestionably hoping Renfroe returns to action sooner rather than later. With a key rotation and lineup piece out at the same time, the big league club hopes to hold serve and fend off the St. Louis Cardinals. View full article

Prior to yesterday’s game against the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers placed right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta on the injured list with a strained right lat muscle. The move was accompanied by a cascading effect among the pitchers. On top of Peralta being placed on the injured list, Milwaukee also outrighted right-hander Dylan File to the Nashville Sounds. Two new arms join the active roster in the form of righties Trevor Kelley and Miguel Sanchez. Peralta has made eight starts for Milwaukee this season, and has compiled a 4.42 ERA. His 2.10 FIP suggests he’s dealt with some bad luck, and the 11.6 K/9 is nearly a career high for the talented starter. It’s a disappointing blow as Peralta’s injury is expected to have him shelved for a significant amount of time. Milwaukee will need to figure out contingent plans in the starting rotation. Both Kelley and Sanchez have been up previously for the Brewers this season. Kelley has worked one inning giving up an unearned run on one hit and striking out one. Sanchez recorded two outs earlier this season. Milwaukee is leading the NL Central division by two games over the St. Louis Cardinals. Their 26-16 record is impressive, but the calling card of this team has been the dominance of their rotation. While Peralta doesn't have the track record of Corbin Burnes or Brandon Woodruff, it's hard to suggest he won't be missed. With the trade deadline a few months away, look for the Brew Crew to look for the next man up to come from within. View full article