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Will Brandon Woodruff Be the Brewers’ Top Rotation Player?
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Will Brandon Woodruff Be the Brewers’ Top Rotation Player?

While this group will be very effective in 2024, there’s no telling what many of these names will achieve moving forward.

The only mainstay in the rotation is Freddy Peralta. Even though he falls short of expectations in 2024, Peralta is still Milwaukee’s best option entering 2025.

His inconsistent command has led him to a career-high performance in 2024 (68, tied for third-most in MLB), but he could also be one of the best strikeout artists in the entire sport when he’s on the mound.

Beyond Peralta, expectations are much less clear in Milwaukee.

Tobias Myers had a great rookie season, and his performance starting June 1, including his impressive postseason performance, has definitely earned him a spot in the starting rotation for the 2025 season. That said, it’s no surprise he can repeat what he did in 2024.

Aaron Ashby and DL Hall will likely be tested as starters next season as well. Each showed plenty of potential to stick in the rotation, but they didn’t show enough to be considered rotation locks. It remains to be seen whether they can be expanded as a starter or whether their arsenal is better suited to relief roles.

Aaron Civale is entering his final year of arbitration and is projected to make around $9 million. spotrac. Whether or not he’ll be in Milwaukee’s rotation next season will depend on whether his production is worthy of that price tag.

If there is trade interest in Civale, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sign this summer, especially for a team as intent on cutting costs as the Brewers. But for now, he’s a good fourth or fifth starter who can evaluate shots in the back of the rotation.

Outside of Peralta, Milwaukee’s expected starters have a lot of question marks heading into the offseason. Even with Woodruff, it’s hard to predict what we’ll see from him as he tries to recover from a significant injury to his throwing arm.

But if Woodruff can return to the form fans are used to seeing, it would completely change the complexion of the Brewers’ rotation heading into Opening Day.

Will Brandon Woodruff Be Milwaukee’s Big Acquisition?

Frankly, it’s unlikely the Brewers will be in play in some leagues. upper arms on the free agent market.

Demand for top-tier starting pitching has never been higher, and the rising cost of the best guns available often pushes Milwaukee out of the market.

Instead, the Brewers are much more likely to rely on pitch development to help their internal options take a step forward in 2025.

When the Brewers re-signed Woodruff to a two-year contract last February, they were clearly planning for the future. Of course, there’s a chance Woodruff won’t look the same after surgery, but if he can return to his old form, they’ll be getting a rising ace arm for a $5 million price tag in 2025.

Even if he doesn’t produce up front next year, there’s a very good chance Woodruff can return value at this price point simply with what he brings to the clubhouse.

The Brewers are very careful about how they spend their money, and bringing Woodruff back in this type of deal is an indication that they believe he can still be an effective starter for them. If Woodruff can return to the mound seamlessly in 2025, his return could be the biggest addition of the offseason for the Brewers.