Eight months ago, the Milwaukee Brewers made a few pivotal decision that have impacted the 2025 season. In November 2024, transactions that included adding Chad Patrick and Logan Henderson to the 40-man roster were made, which left Shane Smith exposed in the Rule-5 draft.
Smith went on to be selected first overall by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule-5 draft. He lit up the radar gun during spring training, made the Sox’s Opening Day roster, and now is the second player in MLB history to make it to the midsummer classic as a Rule-5 pick.
Milwaukee Brewers Rule-5 getaway, Shane Smith, makes 2025 All-Star team
To begin the 2025 season, starting pitcher Shane Smith got off to an excellent start. About one month ago, through his first 13 starts, he was rocking a 2.37 ERA where only two times he failed to pitch at least five innings. At that point, he was in real contention for American League Rookie of the Year.
His hot start to the season ultimately got him recognized as he was voted in to the 2025 All-Star game as the White Sox lone representative. It is noteworthy that he has struggled mightily over his last four starts. 21 earned runs during that stretch has inflated his ERA to 4.20, which doesn’t feel like an accurate representation of how his season has gone.
Chad Patrick and Logan Henderson has also pitched well in 2025
Despite being recently optioned to the minor leagues to accommodate Brandon Woodruff’s return, Chad Patrick played a big role in the starting rotation up until recently. This year, Patrick has a 3.52 ERA over 94.2 innings pitched. Meanwhile, Henderson has made four spot starts in the big leagues. All of his outing has gone well, as he has a 1.71 ERA across 21.0 innings.
Even though Patrick and Henderson are not All-Stars like Smith, the Brewers decision retain them does not look all that bad given their performances to date. With every team needing representation at the All-Star game, Smith just so happened to capitalize on being a bright spot on an otherwise underwhelming ball club.
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