Taylor Jungmann

Jungmann was looking to carry forward his momentum from 2015, when he managed a 3.77 ERA over 21 starts and was beginning to establish himself as at least a mid-rotation pitcher. That all fell apart in 2016. He allowed a ridiculous 21 earned runs in five April starts to close the month with a 9.15 ERA before the Brewers jettisoned him to the minors. There, Jungmann didn't fare much better, as he posted a 4.66 ERA and walked 70 batters over 106.1 innings. To be fair, Triple-A Colorado Springs is arguably the worst pitchers' environment in professional baseball, but that doesn't fully excuse Jungmann's struggles. He will be 27 next year, so the 2011 first-round pick will have to figure things out fast if he wants a future in the major leagues.

Despite some hiccups in his journey from first-round pick to the major leagues, Jungmann posted a fine season as a 25-year-old rookie in 2015. Jungmann slowed down in September with a 7.85 ERA, but he had a brilliant 2.48 ERA through his first 15 starts. Between Triple-A and the majors, Jungmann finished with a career-high 178 innings pitched, and it's possible the grind got to him by the end of the year. Jungmann showed the ability to pound the ball down in the zone (46.7-percent groundballs, 1.4 groundballs per flyball) and struck out a solid 8.1 batters per nine innings. However, he has to nibble, as he doesn't have any one put-away pitch yet, and he walked 3.5 batters per nine innings. His skill set bears some resemblance to that of former Brewer Yovani Gallardo, who similarly thrived by attacking the edges of the zone.

Jungmann's move through the Brewers' system has taken longer than expected when the organization selected him as a first-round pick out of the University of Texas in 2011. After struggling with his control (4.7 BB/9) and utilizing an extreme pitch-to-contact groundball-heavy approach to mediocre results at Double-A in 2013, he took a big step forward in 2014, cutting back his walk rate (2.6 BB/9) at Huntsville before getting promoted to Triple-A. The Pacific Coast League brought new challenges, although he posted the highest strikeout rate of his career (8.9 K/9) over 19 appearances -- 18 starts -- with Nashville. Jungmann also finished the season strong, with 42 strikeouts and a .171 BAA over 35 innings in his final six starts. Added to the 40-man roster in November, he'll likely return to Triple-A with the Brewers' new Colorado Springs affiliate, but it's possible that he'll be considered for the rotation if injuries deplete the team's depth. It's also possible that he'll shuttle between levels when the big club needs a fresh arm capable of chewing up innings in the bullpen.

Jungmann held his own in his first pro season, going 11-6 with a 3.53 ERA over 26 starts. The 12th overall pick in 2011 only struck out 99 batters, but he also only give up seven home runs as well. Jungmann throws hard despite his lack of strikeouts, and he will turn 23 this season. Expect him to repeat High-A to open the season but earn a midseason promotion to Double-A Huntsville if he fares even a little better in his second year.

Jungmann was selected with the 12th overall pick by Milwaukee in the 2011 draft. He signed too late to play any minor league baseball so he'll make his pro debut in 2012. Jungmann is advanced enough that he should start in the low minors and could move through the Brewers system after an impressive college career at the University of Texas.