Unless you have been living under a rock, you have all heard of Milwaukee Brewer prospect Jimmy Nelson. He actually was up for one start this year. He went 5.2 shutout innings while striking out six.
How did the Brewers repay him? They sent him back to Nashville.
Nelson has nothing left to prove there. He is 10-2 with a terrific 1.46 ERA. He has 114 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched. It is only a matter of time before he is in Milwaukee for good.
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The 25 year old Nelson was the Brewers’ second round pick out of Alabama in the 2010 draft. He has been their top pitching prospect for the better part of three years now. Last year Nelson fanned 163 batters in 152.1 innings.
That earned him a September call up with the Brewers. He appeared in four games, starting one. He gave up just one run on two hits in ten innings while striking out eight.
What more does he have to do to prove to the Brewers front office that he is ready?
This has become a familiar sight for Brewers fans with Estrada on the hill. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Brewers have stuck with the struggling Marco Estrada for some strange reason. Estrada is 7-6 with a 4.96 ERA, and has given up a major league leading 27 long balls already this season.
That said, Estrada has given up three runs or less in his last three starts.
Estrada’s next scheduled start is on Saturday at St Louis, so the Brewers likely don’t want Nelson to start there against a hostile crowd and good lineup.
Assuming Estrada has another lackluster outing, Nelson should be up right after the All Star break. If Estrada has another solid outing, Nelson may have to wait until the Brewers trade Kyle Lohse, Yovani Gallardo, or Matt Garza before he is around to stay.
There is a good possiblity that the Brewers move at least one of those three before the non-waiver deadline on the 31st.
If Nelson does get the call soon, he should be on your roster. He will likely have his ups and downs, but the ability is there. You can stash him now if you have an extra bench slot. He should be picked up in all leagues with 12 or more teams.
ETA: within the next two weeks.