Brewers: Zach Davies is a Deep Sleeper for 2017

By Bill Pivetz | Mar 1, 2017

Sep 5, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Zach Davies (27) throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

The Brewers are in the middle of a rebuild with adding free agents and developing their prospects. One of those young stars can be pitcher Zach Davies.

The Milwaukee Brewers are going to have a tough time competing in the National League Central. With the defending World Series champions Chicago Cubs and the tough St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates teams, there will be some tough games throughout the season. However, as mentioned in my Brewers preview, they have some young players worth watching.

One of those young players to keep an eye on is starting pitcher Zach Davies.

Davies pitched well in the Baltimore Orioles farm system before being traded to Milwaukee. He made a brief appearance in the majors in the final month of 2015. Davies made two starts in Triple-A in 2016 before joining the Brewers on April 17.

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In 28 starts, he finished with a 3.97 ERA, 1.249 WHIP, and 11-7 record. He also had a 7.4 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 and 3.89 FIP.

It’s a good sign to see the ERA and FIP so close. Davies is a consistent pitcher and limits base runners and home runs, 38 walks and 20 homers in 163.1 innings.

Davies is listed as the Brewers’ No. 2 starter on Milwaukee’s team site. He was the No. 4 pitcher last season. The move up in the rotation will help improve a few of his statistics.

Going from the No. 4 to No. 2 starter, he will make at least four more starts, increasing his 2016 total from 28 to 32. With an average of just under six innings per start, he will reach about 180 innings this season at the same pace. As long as he keeps the same ball control, a 7.7 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 is likely and those are pretty good for a top-75 pitcher

Speaking of rankings, I have Davies as my No. 72 pitcher. In 10-team leagues with five starting pitcher spots, he won’t be a starter but could find himself as a bench pick and off-day fill in.

Next: Believing in Brandon Drury in 2017

The Brewers have a few offensive stars that should score enough runs to earn Davies and the other starters the win. Although, I don’t draft for wins and neither should you. Davies will increase his number of starts and with the same performance, should have another good season. He is someone to round out your rotation in most league formats.

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