During the 2023 regular season, the Milwaukee Brewers ranked 14th in the MLB with 1,425 strikeouts. They also led the league in ERA, and even without Corbin Burnes, this team has some captivating pitchers who are looking to repeat achieving this top-ranked stat. Through 30 starts last season, Freddy Peralta led the Brewers with 210 strikeouts. As the team’s ace heading into the 2024 season, Peralta will eye in on not only taking this Brewers team back to the postseason but leading the team in multiple statistical categories.
The Milwaukee Brewers became a playoff team last season partly due to the fact they led the league with a 3.71 Earned Run Average. If they want to continue appearing in the postseason, they must keep their team ERA around the same average it was last season. Now, if they want to go further like the National League Championship Game or even the World Series, their strikeout rate must be one of the sharpest in the league.
Milwaukee Brewers Fascinating Potential 2024 Strikeout Leaders
Freddy Peralta
Milwaukee’s strikeout leader in 2023 will be eyeing to lead the team in punch-outs once again. Through his 30 starts, Peralta’s 12 wins and 210 strikeouts are a key reason this Brewers team won the NL Central and made the postseason again. About a month ago, Brewers general manager Matt Arnold talked about how Freddy is ready to be Milwaukee’s ace for the 2024 season.
Using ZiPS Projections, the 27-year-old soon-to-be ace of the Brewers is projected to have 28 starts this upcoming season. Peralta is believed to record a 10-9 record, a 3.86 ERA, and a team-leading 173 strikeouts. That’s a significant drop from his strikeout numbers in 2023, perhaps the 2021 National League all-star will prove all the doubters wrong.
Robert Gasser
Last season with the Brewers Triple-A franchise, the Nashville Sounds, the 24-year-old had a solid season. Through 25 starts, Gasser locked in a 9-1 record. Also, in 135 innings pitched, he had a 3.79 ERA and 166 strikeouts. While it may take time for Robert to adjust his game to the big-league level, once he gets acquainted there is a possibility that the potential rookie starting pitcher makes his name known around the league.
In 24 starts this season, however, Gasser is predicted to put up a 5-6 record. Through 126 innings pitched, he’s projected to have a 4.29 ERA, and 127 strikeouts which would rank second on this Brewers franchise for the 2024 regular season. Once he gets more big-league experience underneath his belt, Robert has the skill and the potential to one day lead this franchise in strikeouts during a single or perhaps multiple seasons.
Aaron Ashby
The 25-year-old pitcher has certainly experienced some ups and downs throughout his career thus far. Even though he compiled a 2-10 record through 19 starts, and 27 appearances on the mound overall during the 2022 season, he walked away 126 strikeouts. Back in February of 2023, Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced that Ashby would require arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder, and will likely miss the 2023 season. During seven appearances on the mound and six starts with the Nashville Sound, Aaron had an 0-3 record with a horrifying 15.43 ERA.
This upcoming season, Ashby is projected to have 17 starts and 26 overall appearances on the mound. Through 89 innings pitched, Aaron is believed to record a 6-6 record with a 4.08 ERA, and 100 strikeouts. It will be a great comeback story if Ashby can play great, and provide the Brewers with some promising pitching during the 2024 regular season.
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