Highlights & Lowlights: Brewers Pitchers

We did Highlights and Lowlights all year to recap the Brewers series. It was honestly fun and led me to thinking about doing more of the other Wisconsin sports. Might as well put a bow on the Brewers season and finish it the right way.   

Brightest Highlights
Kyle Lohse - This is a really great season for Kyle. People criticized the deal in March and honestly, I was one of them. Lohse had a couple good years yet there were always some injury concerns plus his age made me feel uneasy. I also did not like his age. Lohse delivered everything and then some. He pitched great for the second straight year without any really fanfare. Looking forward to another season of Lohse, he should come in as the number two

Jim Henderson - This was a good season for Henderson. He translated this 2012 season into being the closer for the Brewers. He might have had an outside shot as an All-Star if he did not strain his hamstring. Henderson pitched well for the Brewers, but my question is will he be back for another season? Henderson is 31 years old and he deserves more money than he is getting yet it should not be from the Brewers. Find a new closer because closers can be turnstiles.

Tyler Thornburg - I wish SnoTap had enough means to make shirts that I should 'I believe in Thorny'. I realize the snark department believe he is still going to end up being a strong reliever for the team but I truly think otherwise. The thing about Thornburg is he looked good against all sorts of teams. Not just the bad ones, he handled his business against all of them. My guess is he will be the fifth starter to begin Spring Training but there will be some competition.

Bright Highlights
Brandon Kintzler - An excellent finish to his season this year. He did not have an ERA over three since the month of June. At one point of his season, Kintzler's ERA was 4.39 and by the end of the year, it was 2.69. Kitzler pitched great and became the setup man to Henderson. I really like what Kintzler brings to the table, but I am worry about how much Ron Roenicke used him this year. He battled shoulder injuries and I hope he will be okay going forward.

Marco Estrada - Two statement months for Estrada. He had a hamstring and back injury that hampered him through the months of June to August. He pitched his ass off for the month of August and September making a case for his return next season. Personally, I have no problem bringing Estrada back. I came around to this point because let's be real, I would rather the Brewers spend money elsewhere than on a third starter (See: Bronson Arroyo, PLEASE GOD NO).

Tom Gorzelanny - Pretty solid year for T-Gorz. He did well in the bullpen and did well as a spot starter. He will be back for another year for the Brewers and I really hope there is not an aspiration for him to start. Gorzelanny pitched great out of the bullpen and I feel like he would do great again.

Rob Wooten - THE OWL. Do not be deceived by his rough September. He had two bad appearances against St. Louis where he gave up five runs and three runs against Los Angeles. Other than that, Wooten did not give up a run for the month of September. Wooten deserves a spot on this 2014 roster without question.

Flickering Highlights
Wily Peralta - Real inconsistent year for Wily, but I loved some of the things I saw from him. He had some great appearances this season including his two-hit shutout against Cincinnati in July. He would go more than seven innings three times after his two-hit complete game. Peralta is a good pitcher and he will be better next season.  If Gallardo gets right (We'll get there) with Lohse and an improved Peralta, they have a strong rotation.  

Yovani Gallardo - Rough year for him honestly. I am not going to be his PR machine, but I feel Yo struggled a bit this season with his time playing for Mexico in March in the World Baseball Classic. I also think his DUI did not help things with his attitude and demeanor. Gallardo played much better after coming off the Disabled List. He had one bad start after the DL stint giving up five runs to Cincinnati, but other than that, he allowed only one or two runs a game. Gallardo will get himself right next season. I kept waiting for him to great for a full season like a child hoping his estranged parent comes back.

Alfredo Figaro - I have no idea what the future is with him. Figaro showed some things as a spot starter and the way he is able to deal his fastball, bonafide pitcher in Major League Baseball. Figaro might not be with the Brewers next year, but he will be on an MLB roster. I think he showed enough.

Michael Blazek - He came over in the John Axford deal and pitched better here than he did in St. Louis. I assume Blazek will be given another chance with the Brewers in 2014. I cannot say much on him because he only pitched for a month with the team. We shall see with him.

Dim Lowlights 
Johnny Hellweg -  I have to admit Hellweg left me pretty disappointed for the whole year. He won Pacific League Pitcher of the Year. My assumption would be he would translate well into the big leagues. Hellweg struggled for the most part in the month of September. This is probably an extremely unpopular opinion but I think Hellweg should be a reliever next year if he cannot display the control throughout a start. Hellweg would be fine in small doses and then my assumption would be he will get a chance to start again.

Donovan Hand - I am trying to figure out how to evaluate Hand's season. He pitched alright as a starter in a small sample size this year, but Hand did not really have a presence as a reliever. My assumption is Hand will not be on the 2014 team, but I might be wrong.

Lowest Lowlights 
Burke Badenhop - While Mike Gonzalez deserves a ton of shit for what he did or did not do this season, Badenhop was pretty awful when he came into games. Badenhop was bad this year. Don't need him next year.

Mike Gonzalez - YES FINALLY NO MORE OF THIS MAN. IF I SEE MIKE GONZALEZ IN A BREWER UNIFORM AGAIN, I MIGHT SWITCH TEAMS.  

Charlie.