May 23rd, another game, another injury. For Brewer fans, the injuries at this point
can almost be considered comical. Estrada lines a
double down the left-field line and comes up limping at first. No matter the situation, the Brewers cannot
catch a break.
The last few days Brewer fans have been analyzing the
bullpen and minor league system to compile a list of potential fillers. So today begs the question; who will be the
Brewers #5 pitcher for the next 3-5 starts?
Let's take a look:
·
Manny Parra
- Most likely the option Melvin goes with.
He has shown some promise coming out of the pen this year tallying a
3.70 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts in only 24.1 innings pitched. From the surface those numbers are very
respectable, even encouraging. However,
the past shows Parra has struggled in a starting role. Take 2009 for example, in 27 starts he
compiled a 11-11 record with an eye sore of an ERA, 6.36. Even more alarming, he is allowing nearly two
runners on-base per inning. The only
thing he has going for him at this moment is big league experience.
· Michael
Fiers - At this time last year I don't think anyone would argue the fact
Fiers shouldn't be called up, even Melvin.
Last year, Fiers, was without a doubt, one of the Brewers best minor league
pitchers. In 126 innings, Fiers compiled
a very impressive 0.94 WHIP (83 hits, 36 walks) while striking out 132
batters. Unlike his teammate Peralta,
Fiers won't dazzle or blow anyone away with his pitch speed. He relies on finesse and control to get
batters out.
Even
though this year he is struggling to duplicate last year's performance, he still
has some decent numbers.
· Wily
Peralta - Peralta is currently the top prospect in the Brewers
organization. His last two years have
been consistent, and very impressive. With
a plus fastball and curveball, Peralta keeps his hitters guessing. Last year he had an above average ground-out
to air-out ratio of 1.39, to go along with 157 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP in
150.2 innings.
This
year is a different story for Peralta. I
wish I could say in a good way, but unfortunately not. His
numbers this year are way out of the ordinary for Peralta. He has a compiled a 5.63 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 25 walks in only
48 innings pitched. About the only thing
he has been able to keep
respectable are the opponents' batting average (.249).
· Tyler
Thornburg - Here is a name that all Brewer fans are starting to hear more
and more. By far, he is putting together
one of the better seasons of all our minor league pitchers. So far in 10 games this year, Thornburg has already
put together 6 wins. Opponents are only
hitting .200 while barely maintaining the ability to scrap together a runner
per inning. Quite simply, Thornburg's
ability to get batters out is very impressive.
We all know Doug Melvin doesn't like to take risks with his
prospects. Understandable when there
isn't a reason to rush them. However,
this year the Brewers need some type of fire, consistency, and fresh
blood. What better way to do this then
bring up Thornburg? Even though I
believe he can bring all three of those traits, Doug Melvin simply won't do it.
For whatever reasons, Melvin finds it more important to
worry about a prospects service time rather than what he can bring to the big
league club. At 23 years old, Thornburg
will be in his upper 20's before we even have to worry about free agency. I expect Thornburg to be sent to AAA long
before he is even considered in Milwaukee.
Fiers is also a strong and interesting candidate for a
call-up. At almost 27 years old, he will
be in his 30's before Melvin even has to worry about him becoming a free agent,
or expensive for that matter. His
numbers aren't nearly as impressive as last year, but he has the stuff to be
effective.
In the end, don't be shocked if you see Parra given the
chance to start with Estrada out. History
has shown Melvin likes to play it safe.
Then again, can you call it safe with Parra starting?
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