Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We’re back with another Brewers Reacts Survey with Opening Day now right around the corner! After asking about the last position player to make the roster last week, we’re discussing an Opening Day starter today.
With Freddy Peralta now with the New York Mets, the Brewers will have a new Opening Day arm for the first time since 2023, when Corbin Burnes got the start. Brandon Woodruff seems like the obvious choice, but his status is currently “up in the air” as he ramps up in his first healthy spring since that 2023 season.
So if Woodruff can’t go, who will it be? There are plenty of options.
Quinn Priester would be a contender, but he’s expected to miss the start of the season with right wrist discomfort. Logan Henderson, who missed a chunk of last season with a flexor strain, is also reportedly battling elbow soreness. That all but eliminates those two.
Jacob Misiorowski seems like the other “obvious choice,” as he has ace-type stuff when he’s on. But after a hot start that netted him an All-Star selection, he struggled a bit down the stretch, finishing with a 4.36 ERA and 3.62 FIP despite 87 strikeouts in just 66 innings.
Chad Patrick is another sophomore coming off a decent rookie season, as he joined the rotation early in the year after a myriad of injuries plagued Milwaukee’s pitching staff. He finished the year with 27 appearances (23 starts), totaling 119 2/3 innings with a 3.53 ERA, 3.53 FIP, and 127 strikeouts. He was also a solid relief piece in the postseason, totaling nine innings with two runs allowed and 11 strikeouts.
Other potential options include Aaron Ashby (who has been stretched a bit this spring), Robert Gasser, DL Hall, and Kyle Harrison. There are a few other young options beyond them that are unlikely to start, but I’ll still throw some more names out there — Shane Drohan, Carlos Rodriguez, and Brandon Sproat.
Who do you think will be the Brewers’ Opening Day starter? Will Woodruff be ready? Or will it be somebody else? Weigh in on our poll below, and stay tuned for results later in the week!
