Chad Patrick garnered nearly half the vote for “most surprising start”
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Milwaukee Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
In this week’s Brewers Reacts survey, we asked fans which Brewer has had the most surprising start to the season so far. Our results garnered a clear winner among fans.
Chad Patrick, 26, was a fourth-round pick by the Diamondbacks in 2021 before being traded to the A’s in 2023 and to the Brewers that offseason for Abraham Toro. He spent all of 2024 with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, making 26 appearances (24 starts) with a 14-1 record, 2.90 ERA, and 145 strikeouts across 136 1⁄3 innings.
He broke spring camp with the major league team after injuries put the Brewers’ pitching depth in jeopardy, and he’s stepped up in a major way.
After allowing two runs over an inning in relief in his MLB debut against the Yankees, he’s been all but perfect since joining the rotation. In three starts against the Royals, Reds, and D-backs, Patrick has allowed just one run (a solo homer) on 10 hits and eight walks over 14 1⁄3 innings. He’s also struck out 12 batters.
The Indiana native has been everything the Brewers could’ve hoped for and more so far, and he’s made his case to remain on the pitching staff as some of Milwaukee’s usual starters return to full health. He’s next slated to start on Saturday in the second game of this weekend’s series against the A’s.
Brice Turang came in second in our poll with 20% of the vote, followed by Sal Frelick (16%), Nick Mears (8%), and Abner Uribe (7%). FWIW, I personally find Mears’ start (5 G, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 2⁄3 IP, 6 K) to be the most surprising, though I shouldn’t be surprised given the results of the Brewers’ pitching lab in recent years.