The first series of the season is in the books with the Sounds taking 4 of 6 from reigning Triple A champion Durham Bulls (Rays affiliate). Currently, there are currently 5 Milwaukee Brewers prospects on the Sounds roster, all with expected MLB arrivals in 2022. Ethan Small leads the Milwaukee prospects in Nashville.
Let’s take a drive down I-65 and see what’s going on in Hit City.
Ethan Small, LHP #7 (MLB Pipeline)
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50
Nashville Sounds manager, Rick Sweet, handed the ball over to Small on opening day, as expected. Small would toss 4.1 innings before being pulled, having thrown 82 pitches. His plus changeup was working for him all day, even when control was off. He would end up with 6 K’s by the end. The two runs scored on his watch were both unearned. Above all, the most important takeaway from opening day is that Small would not allow a hit until the 5th inning.
Due to the newer 6 game series’ schedule, Small would get a second, shorter start vs. Durham. Small’s day would be over after 3 innings of 2-hit ball, and 65 pitches, leaving a 1 run deficit. Nashville would win both games started by Small, however, he would receive neither decision.
| DATE | TEAM | OPP | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | SVO | IP | H | R | ER | HR | HB | BB | IBB | K | AVG | WHIP | GO/AO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 5 | NAS(AAA) | DUR | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .118 | 0.92 | 2.00 |
| Apr 10 | NAS(AAA) | DUR | 0 | 0 | 1.23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | .143 | 1.09 | 1.60 |
| Totals | 0 | 0 | 1.23 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 11 | .143 | 1.09 | 1.60 |
I would expect Small to be the first pitching callup made by the Milwaukee Brewers in case he is needed. Most scouts have Ethan projected as a back-end starter and some as high as middle rotation.
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About the Author
Billy Graves is the host of the Hit City Podcast, covering the Milwaukee Brewers and MiLB affiliates. You can also find him on the Slashers & Screamers podcast, reviewing your favorite horror films from years past and present, and on the Monday morning show Wake Up! with Wowie & The Kid. Find out more at SlasherSports.com!
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