Starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff has been a huge component of the Milwaukee Brewers pitching rotation for the last seven years. He’s a two-time NL all-star, earning those nods in 2019 and 2021. Although 2023 was an injury riddle season, most of the time when Woodruff pitched, he was lights out. He dealt with shoulder tightness and a sub-scapular strain in his throwing shoulder. Ultimately, on October 13th, it was announced Brandon would undergo right shoulder surgery to repair his anterior capsule and would miss the 2023 postseason and would miss most of the 2024 season. Since he will miss most of next season, many teams have been hesitant towards signing Woodruff in free agency, but today, it was announced he would return to the Milwaukee Brewers on a two-year deal.
Two-Time NL All-Star Returns To Milwaukee
Brandon Woodruff only had 11 starts during the 2023 season. During that time, four out of the five pitches he threw shut many opponents down. Woodruff’s most effective pitch was his changeup. Out of 205 changeups thrown, batters put up a horrendous .098 batting average and a slugging percentage of .118 against the pitch. With his changeup, Brandon struck out about 31 percent of the batters he faced. Batters also struggled against Woodruff’s four-seam fastball, sinker, and curveball. While facing these four pitches, batters couldn’t obtain a batting average over .200. If the two-time NL all-star pitcher can come back from surgery and pitch exactly like this, he’ll have a good chance to help the Brewers win a lot of games during the final stretch of the season.
Woodruff’s 2023 Stats
In 11 starts, Brandon put up a 5-1 record. Through 67 innings pitched, Woodruff put up a 2.28 ERA with 74 strikeouts. His best start of the season would be on September 11th against the Miami Marlins. The two-time NL all-star threw his first career complete game, pitching all nine innings and allowing just six hits with seven strikeouts in a 12-0 victory. Brandon Woodruff will look to come back healthier, stronger, and more efficient on the mound in 2024.
Main Photo Credits: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
