Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy has given us a glimpse into the team's pitching plans, revealing that Jacob Misiorowski and Chad Patrick are locked into the starting rotation for Opening Day. With Brandon Woodruff likely sidelined and Quinn Priester potentially heading to the injured list, the Brewers face an intriguing challenge: who will take the mound on Opening Day, and how will the rest of the rotation shape up?
The Brewers are rich in pitching depth, making the battle for those early rotation spots an intense one. Among the contenders are Kyle Harrison, Brandon Sproat, Shane Drohan, Robert Gasser, Logan Henderson, Carlos Rodriguez, and Coleman Crow, with DL Hall and Aaron Ashby also in the mix.
One name that seems to be gaining traction is Shane Drohan. Murphy has been vocal in his praise for the 27-year-old left-hander, hinting at a possible Opening Day rotation spot for him.
Drohan has been impressive this spring, showcasing his skills in a couple of strong multi-inning appearances. On February 27, he delivered two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three. He followed that up on March 4 with three more scoreless innings, yielding one hit, one walk, and recording four strikeouts.
Murphy's admiration for Drohan was evident when he said, "Drohan sticks out the most. Sproat was great.
Drohan was exceptional." This kind of endorsement could be a sign of things to come for Drohan.
In a recent game against the Cubs, several Brewers stood out. Christian Yelich went 2-for-2 with a home run and a single, while Brandon Sproat pitched three innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs, with a walk and four strikeouts. Drohan, meanwhile, continued to shine with his three scoreless innings.
Murphy further praised Drohan's poise and experience, noting his potential to succeed in the majors. He expressed confidence that fans will see Drohan in the big leagues soon, and wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a successful major leaguer.
As rotation spots remain up for grabs, Drohan's performances are hard to overlook. The Brewers value depth and versatility, and strong showings in spring training can pave the way for opportunities. Whether Drohan's chance comes on Opening Day or later, he's certainly making a strong case to be part of the Brewers' conversation.