When the Milwaukee Brewers officially parted ways with Freddy Peralta, it wasn’t just a trade. It marked the end of an era. A two-time All-Star and a long-time rotation mainstay, Peralta was a symbol of how the Brewers developed their pitching strategy: finding the right player, nurturing them, and selling them at the right time.
The trade that brought Peralta and Tobias Myers to the New York Mets in exchange for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat ended months of speculation. After their outstanding 2025 season, the Brewers understood one thing clearly: they couldn’t—and didn’t want to—pay for Peralta on the free market. So they chose their familiar approach: taking the first step.
But taking the first step also meant leaving a void. And 2026 will be the year the Brewers have to answer the hardest question: who will take over Peralta’s legacy?
Among the names mentioned, Jacob Misiorowski emerged as the biggest hope — and also a test for Milwaukee’s development philosophy.
Jacob Misiorowski: Great potential, greater responsibility
Misiorowski, 23, is a prime example of the Brewers’ farm system. Selected in the second round of the 2022 Draft from Crowder Junior College, he wasn’t a flashy prospect from the start, but he steadily climbed the ranks with his stuff and clear progress.
At Triple-A Nashville last year, Misiorowski threw 13 games (12 starts) with an ERA of 2.13 — enough to make the Brewers unable to wait any longer. On June 12th, he was called up to MLB, and his debut against the Cardinals was anything but ordinary: 5 innings without hits, 5 strikeouts. Even with 4 walkers, it was a statement that he wasn’t afraid of the big stage.
The regular season ended with an ERA of 4.36 after 14 starts (13 starts) — not perfect, but acceptable for a rookie. More importantly, Misiorowski didn’t crumble in the postseason. Three starts, an ERA of 1.50, a WHIP of 0.83 — numbers that show he has character, not just stuff.
After Peralta, the Brewers don’t need Misiorowski to become an ace immediately. But they need him to take another step, avoid a sophomore slump, and prove that 2025 isn’t just a random moment. If he succeeds, he will become a new pillar of the rotation — exactly the kind of person the Brewers have always believed in.
Angel Zerpa: A quiet but crucial piece of the puzzle
If Misiorowski represents the future, then Angel Zerpa is the present that the Brewers need to stabilize. Brought in from the Royals in a trade for Isaac Collins and Nick Mears, Zerpa isn’t a name that generates excitement — but he’s very “Milwaukee.”
At 26, Zerpa just had the busiest season of his career: 69 games, 64.2 innings, 4.18 ERA. He spent most of his time as a reliever, though he’s capable of spot starting when needed. What the Brewers are hoping for isn’t a miracle, but reliability.
After losing Peralta and Myers, the Brewers’ bullpen and back-end pitching need players who can absorb innings without disrupting the game. Zerpa is expected to be a stable link in the second half — someone who helps the team avoid straining every time a starter leaves the mound early.
After Peralta, there’s no room for uncertainty.
Brewers are used to parting ways with their pitching star and moving on. But each time, the risk increases a little. 2026 will not just be a season to evaluate Misiorowski or Zerpa — but a season to assess the entire post-Peralta strategy.
If Misiorowski evolves and Zerpa maintains his consistency, Brewers will once again prove they know what they’re doing. Otherwise, the void left by Peralta will not be easily filled.
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