The Brewers went through 17 starting pitchers in 2024 before finally stabilizing the rotation heading into 2025
The Brewers’ starting rotation in 2024 was in flux through most of the 2024 season. Over the course of the season, the Brewers used 17 different starting pitchers. Some of those were used as an opener, but most made at least one regular start. Injuries took their toll on the rotation before it finally settled down towards the end of the season. As the Brewers look to 2025, here are the pitchers that could be in the mix for a rotation spot.
Brandon Woodruff ($5 million)
Aaron Ashby ($3.45 million)
Frankie Montas ($20 million mutual option)
Wade Miley ($12 million mutual option)
Freddy Peralta ($8 million club option)
Colin Rea ($5.5 million club option)
Aaron Civale (Arb 3)
Robert Gasser (Pre-Arb, three options)
Tobias Myers (Pre-Arb, three options)
DL Hall (Pre-Arb, one option)
That’s 10 players for five roster spots in the rotation to start the 2025 season. We can eliminate a few of those players right away. Frankie Montas and Wade Miley will likely have their options declined. While it is possible that either (or both) could be re-signed, we will assume that they will not be for now. That brings us down to eight options.
Let’s take a look at each of these eight pitchers.
Likely in the Rotation
Freddy Peralta
3.68 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 10.4 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 173 2⁄3 IP
After Corbin Burnes was traded in February and Brandon Woodruff went down injured at the end of 2023, Freddy Peralta began 2024 as the top pitcher in the Brewers rotation. He was the one bright spot in a fog that loomed over the rotation to start the year.
Peralta led the Brewers rotation in starts in 2024, making all of his 32 scheduled starts. He set a new personal high for innings pitched in a season (173 2/3) and reached the 200-strikeout mark for the second season in a row. His numbers were mostly stable from 2023. His ERA saw a small drop (3.86 to 3.68) while his FIP had a small increase (3.85 to 4.16). His strikeout rate dropped slightly as well (11.4 K/9 to 10.4) and his walk rate increased a little (2.9 BB/9 to 3.5).
With two options remaining on Peralta’s contract, the Brewers are definitely going to pick up the first of those this offseason. Even if he’s not at the level of an ace that we had hoped for, he’s more than proven that he can be a solid force in the rotation. He’ll still be there again in 2025.
Tobias Myers
3.00 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 8.3 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, 138 IP
Though Peralta may be the headlining name of the rotation, Tobias Myers was the surprise jewel that led the rotation. He started the season basically in the Brewers’ rotation of pitchers that were shuttled between Triple-A and the majors. After a start on May 26 against the Red Sox, he was in the rotation to stay. Myers earned his place with a 1.44 ERA over five starts in June. From July on, he kept it up with a 2.86 ERA and 3.52 FIP.
Whenever Myers made a start, confidence was high that it would be a game that the Brewers could win. Myers had an 8-4 record from June on, with the Brewers going 12-8 in those 20 starts (one was after an opener). He never allowed more than four runs in a start, and never more than four walks. He also kept the home run ball in check, allowing just 11 home runs in his last 20 starts with a 100:26 K/BB ratio.
The big question for 2025 with Myers is if he can keep that performance up. It took him a while to earn his spot in the majors, bouncing between organizations for eight seasons before finally making it. Despite that, he has more than earned his spot in the rotation. He can enter the spring secure knowing he will be in the major league rotation.
Aaron Civale
5.07 ERA, 4.70 FIP, 8.7 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 87 IP (with Rays)
3.53 ERA, 4.79 FIP, 7.9 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 74 IP (with Brewers)
A switch to the Brewers organization was a boon that Aaron Civale needed. Following his trade, he got a boost for the rest of the season. His ERA dropped one-and-a-half runs in his time with the team. Playing with the Brewers’ defense behind him was a great boost to his results.
Though Civale’s ERA did see a decrease, one concern is that his other numbers didn’t change. His FIP remained at the same level, and his walk rate and strikeout rate were mostly unchanged. He also allowed home runs at a similar rate, allowing 13 in his 14 starts.
Despite that, there is plenty of optimism going into 2025. Over his last nine starts, the results saw a bigger improvement. In those nine starts, he had a 2.57 ERA and 4.33 FIP, along with a 41:15 K/BB ratio. He didn’t allow more than three runs in those nine starts, and the Brewers were 7-2 in those games. As long as the Brewers tender him a contract (which is very likely), he should be back in the rotation mix in 2025.
Competing for a Rotation Spot
Brandon Woodruff
2.28 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 9.9 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 67 IP (in 2023)
Though I’m including Brandon Woodruff in the competing section, the question for him isn’t about if he’s good enough to be in the rotation — if he’s healthy, he’s in the rotation. That is the question for Woodruff, though. Will he be healthy enough to return to the rotation?
The most recent report for Woodruff came near the end of the season. He began throwing off of a mound on August 27, which was a milestone step in his return from shoulder surgery. He also made an appearance to throw out a first pitch during the Brewers’ Wild Card Series. However, his recovery still has a long way to go.
When spring training hits, Woodruff will have to prove that he’s ready to return to the rotation. His progress will be a major story to watch in the spring. A healthy Woodruff would be a major boost to the Brewers’ rotation.
DL Hall
5.02 ERA, 4.68 FIP, 9.2 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, 43 IP
After injuries kept DL Hall on the injured list for a majority of the 2024 season, he came back in August to make a major impact on the Brewers roster. He mostly served as a long reliever over the last month, with a couple of starts mixed in. As a reliever, he had only one bad appearance (four runs allowed against the Diamondbacks on September 20). All of his other five appearances out of the bullpen were scoreless. He also had an impressive seven-inning start on August 30, though his other start was not as good (five runs allowed on September 15).
Hall showed more than enough to finish 2024, even if it was in a bullpen role. He’s going to be back in the conversation next season to join the rotation. The one factor that does play against him is his option status. With an option available, he’s definitely a candidate to start the season in the minors if the Brewers have five other starters to use. Hall will need to step up with a solid spring training if he wants to make the Opening Day roster again, but the potential for that is there.
Colin Rea
4.29 ERA, 4.75 FIP, 7.2 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, 167 2⁄3 IP
Looking back at his 2024 season, Colin Rea was a major reason why the Brewers were able to have a strong season. With the Brewers rotation in flux throughout most of the season, Rea was one of the pillars of stability in it. He was second on the team in innings pitched, starts, and strikeouts. The Brewers were 21-11 in games that he pitched. The 2024 season isn’t as good without Rea on the team.
That being said, there’s a good amount of concern about him going into 2025. Over his last 10 appearances, he had a 6.75 ERA and 6.10 FIP. To be fair, that is a little misleading. His ERA was inflated thanks to a couple of really rough outings (seven runs allowed vs. Dodgers, 10 runs allowed vs. Giants). There was also his last outing (five runs allowed vs. Mets), which was essentially meaningless on the final day of the regular season. However, in his last eight starts, he only had one scoreless start. In six of his last eight starts, he allowed three or more runs.
Not only that, but his FIP was just ok all season. After his first two starts, his FIP was above four the rest of the season. That suggests he benefited heavily from the Brewers’ defense. He allowed a team-high 29 home runs over the course of the season as well. With all that considered, his control was still pretty good at the end of the season, and his option isn’t that expensive. There’s a good chance he’s still in the conversation to start 2025.
Wild Card Possibilities
Aaron Ashby
2.86 ERA, 2.81 FIP, 10.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 28 1⁄3 IP (MLB)
While he finished up the season in the Brewers’ bullpen, Aaron Ashby is still in the conversation to be in the starting rotation next season. However, after his successful run to end the season, it’s getting harder to see him going back to the starting pitcher role. He only made two starts in 2024 for the Brewers, and he had a 6.23 ERA in those two starts. His minor league starts weren’t any better. Overall for the season, he had an 8.02 ERA in Nashville.
However, from August 10 on, he completely changed. In his last five appearances in Triple-A, all were scoreless and he allowed a total of three baserunners. Carrying over to the majors, he had a 1.37 ERA and 0.78 FIP over 12 bullpen appearances. He was charged with just three runs, and only allowed one of his six inherited runners to score. The only negative to that performance was his one postseason appearance, which was a disaster (and not completely his fault).
With that level of success in the bullpen, moving him back to the rotation seems counter-productive. That may end up coming down to the Brewers’ needs in spring training. If depth is in a good spot, keeping him as a reliever for now may be what’s best for the team. However, if depth is an issue, Ashby could be pushed back into service in the rotation.
Robert Gasser
2.57 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 5.1 K/9, 0.3 BB/9, 28 IP
Finishing up the list is Robert Gasser. Following Tommy John surgery on June 24, his expected recovery time is 12-14 months. That puts him out of the conversation to start the season in the rotation. However, it does line him up to be a potential mid-to-late season addition to it.
Returning from Tommy John surgery is always an uncertain prospect, but results have improved more and more each year. Gasser will get his chance to get back into the rotation, but there’s too much uncertainty at this point to predict anything. It’s not all about Gasser’s recovery as well. If the Brewers have a solid five-man rotation when he returns, he may be better served spending the remainder of the year in Triple-A to build back up in preparation for 2026. He also could be used as a reliever, similar to Ashby this season. That would also help manage his workload in 2025.
With potential holes in the rotation coming as soon as 2026, the Brewers would benefit greatly from getting Gasser back to full strength. As a result, 2025 could be more about getting him back in shape to make an impact in the future.
Minor League Possibilities
Jacob Misiorowski
No. 3 Brewers prospect (MLB.com)
Logan Henderson
No. 11 Brewers prospect (MLB.com)
Carlos Rodriguez
No. 21 Brewers prospect (MLB.com)
While these players likely won’t make the Brewers major league roster to start 2025, they will be players to watch.
Jacob Misiorowski earned a promotion to Nashville after a successful run in Biloxi but ended up converting to a reliever at Triple-A. However, that was done mainly to see if he could help the Brewers in 2024 as a reliever. He didn’t get called up to finish the season and likely will return to starting for the 2025 season.
Logan Henderson rose through the Brewers’ minor league system quickly in 2024. At 22 years old, he rose from Rookie ball all the way to Triple-A by the end of the season. He finished the season with six starts for Nashville, posting a 4.56 ERA. Though he’s not ready for the majors just yet, a little more time with Triple-A could get him ready for a debut during the 2025 season.
Carlos Rodriguez made his MLB debut for the Brewers in 2024, making three starts for the team in June. While his debut was decent (two runs allowed in 3 2⁄3 IP against Toronto), his next two were rougher. He ended up spending most of the season with Nashville, where he had a 4.68 ERA in 25 games. He finished the season up with a good streak, posting quality starts in five of his final seven starts.