Fans are very split on who should round out the rotation with so many pitchers already injured
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 SB Nation Reacts survey, we asked fans who they’d like to see the Brewers use as a fifth starter to begin the season in the wake of so many pitching injuries (see: Tobias Myers, Aaron Ashby, DL Hall, Robert Gasser, a recovering Brandon Woodruff, and a not-yet-built-up Jose Quintana).
Behind Freddy Peralta, Nestor Cortes, Aaron Civale, and Quintana, we gave fans the choice of prospects Logan Henderson, Chad Patrick, and Connor Thomas, and veterans Elvin Rodriguez and Tyler Alexander. The results were very split:
Henderson, the Brewers’ No. 13 prospect and No. 3 pitching prospect (behind Jacob Misiorowski and Gasser) got the most votes, coming in at 32%. A fourth-round pick in 2021, Henderson turned 23 earlier this month and seems primed for a debut this year. He rose through the minors last year, moving from High-A Wisconsin to Triple-A Nashville as he totaled 81 1⁄3 innings with a 3.32 ERA and 104 strikeouts across 19 starts. In four appearances at spring training, he struck out 10 across 8 2⁄3 innings with a 4.15 ERA.
Patrick, 26, was also a fourth-round pick in 2021, though he was drafted by the Diamondbacks. He spent the entire 2024 season with Triple-A Nashville, turning in a 2.90 ERA with 145 strikeouts across 136 1⁄3 innings spread over 26 appearances (24 starts). He’s made three appearances this spring, totaling five innings with a 5.40 ERA and six strikeouts.
Thomas, 26, has had the best spring of the five players here, totaling 9 1⁄3 innings with nine strikeouts and a 0.96 ERA. A Rule 5 pick from the Cardinals in December, Thomas has the advantage of needing to stay on the roster in order to remain with the Brewers. He’s spent the last three seasons at Triple-A Memphis, turning in his best season to date in 2024 with a 2.89 ERA and 79 strikeouts across 90 1⁄3 innings as he transitioned into a reliever (56 appearances, three starts).
Rodriguez, who turns 27 later this month, spent two seasons in the majors back in 2022 and 2023 before spending 2024 overseas. He hasn’t had much success in the majors or this spring, as he’s made four appearances for the Cactus Crew with a 9.35 ERA and 10 strikeouts across 8 2⁄3 innings.
Last but not least, Alexander, 30, has the most major league experience of this group, appearing in 143 MLB games split between starts (52) and relief appearances (91). He spent 2024 with the Rays, appearing in 23 games (nine starts) with a 5.10 ERA and 90 strikeouts over 107 2⁄3 innings. Like Rodriguez, Alexander has struggled this spring, allowing 11 runs on 14 hits and six walks across 6 1⁄3 innings (15.63 ERA) with five strikeouts.
Looking at that list doesn’t inspire the most confidence, but the Brewers will have to piece together a rotation in some way. For what it’s worth, I’d expect Thomas to get the first crack at it, albeit with a short leash. Beyond that, I think all four of the others have a decent case for a spot start in April, which may be exactly what the Brewers decide to do.