For the last six years, the Milwaukee Brewers‘ starting pitching has been the strength of the team. Ever since 2018, Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes promised Milwaukee would have two dynamic starters at the top of their starting rotation. Additionally, depth starters such as Aaron Ashby and Adrian Houser ensured that a quality starter would be available on any given day.
In 2024, that previous strength will be a major question mark. Woodruff was non-tendered following a horrible shoulder injury that leaves his Major League career in doubt. While there is a possibility of a reunion with Milwaukee down the line, Woodruff first must make sure his surgically repaired shoulder is fully healed before he resumes his career.
Burnes, of course, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for shortstop Joey Ortiz and left-handed pitcher DL Hall. In 2021, he became just the third pitcher in Brewers history to win a Cy Young Award, joining Pete Vuckovich (1982) and Rollie Fingers (1981).
Houser, while not the dominant force that Woodruff and Burnes were for Milwaukee, has departed to join David Stearns and the New York Mets. Now a rotation that was once the most reliable in all baseball is filled with numerous question marks.
The Milwaukee Brewers Signed Jakob Junis to Provide Pitching Flexibility
Freddy Peralta is now considered the ace of the staff, but the depth of the rotation after him presents many questions. Wade Miley is back, which is a boost, and so is Collin Rea, who pitched well last year after years away from the Majors.
But after those top three pitchers, the Brewers’ depth chart lists Joe Ross and Robert Gasser as the team’s fourth and fifth starters. Ross has not appeared in a Major League game since 2021. He had Tommy John surgery in 2022, the second such procedure he has had in his career.
Gasser, who was acquired by the Brewers as part of the Josh Hader trade, is a top-10 prospect in their farm system, but has yet to appear in a Major League game.
In an effort to boost their starting rotation, or their bullpen, the Brewers signed Jakob Junis to a one-year $7 million contract on Monday. Last season, Junis was 4-3 with a 3.87 ERA in 40 games (four starts) for the San Francisco Giants.
Jakob Junis Gives the Milwaukee Brewers Options
As mentioned above, Junis was used as both a starter and a reliever by the Giants last season. For their part, the Brewers have signed him as a starter, indicating that they are going to use him the way he was used during his days with the Kansas City Royals.
Junis pitched for the Royals for five seasons, primarily as a starting pitcher. From 2018-2019, Junis started 61 games, going 18-26 with a 4.80 ERA.
Due to Junis’ $7 million deal, it is almost a guarantee that he will spend the season in the Brewers’ starting rotation. That gives the Brewers a probable top four of Peralta, Miley, Rea, and Junis. The fifth starter spot is up for grabs, but could be won by Robert Gasser or any of the team’s other young starting pitcher prospects.
In the event that multiple prospects perform well, or if Milwaukee lands another starter whether in free agency or via trade, Junis can either stay in the rotation or move to the bullpen.
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