Colten Brewer

COLTEN BREWER, RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
Born: October 29, 1992
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 200
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 4th Round, 122nd Overall, 2011
How Acquired: Draft
High School: Canton HS, Canton, TX
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES
Brewer wasn’t ranked in the Baseball America top 200, although he was the #38 prospect out of Texas.  When drafted, he worked in the 87-91 MPH range, touching 93 with a sinking fastball.  At 6′ 4″, 200 pounds, the Pirates no doubt believed he had a chance to fill out and add velocity, and in fact he’s thrown in the mid-90s at times.  He bears some similarity to Zack Dodson:  both were 4th round picks who were ranked among the top prospects in Texas but not in BA’s top 200.  Dodson had a commitment to Baylor, while Brewer’s was to Weatherford Junior College in Texas.  A little surprisingly, Brewer signed shortly after the draft.  He did not, however, see any action due to back problems.

2012
R:  1-3-0, 3.24 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 25.0 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 6.5 K/9

The Pirates generally have sent their prep pitching draftees to State College for their first full season, but Brewer opened 2012 in the GCL rotation.  That may have indicated that the Pirates had something specific they wanted him to work on or that they’re simply becoming more cautious.  Brewer missed most of July with an injury, but generally pitched well enough.  He didn’t strike out a lot.

2013
A-:  2-0-0, 3.29 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 13.2 IP, 3.3 BB/9, 4.0 K/9

Brewer opened the season in the Jamestown rotation but, after three starts, went on the disabled list with a right lower leg stress injury.  He didn’t return during the season.

2014
DNP

Brewer appeared to be fine in spring training, as he was getting his fastball up to 95 mph.  He ended up, though, spending the entire season on the restricted list, for unknown reasons.

2015
A:  5-9-0, 4.90 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 119.1 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 7.5 K/9

Brewer wasn’t able to pitch until the second week of May, but once he was he stayed in the West Virginia rotation all season.  He made 22 starts and threw three times as many innings as he had the previous three years combined.  He mostly pitched well after a rough month of May, probably a little better than his ERA indicates.  He had a large reverse platoon split, as right-handed hitters had a .786 OPS against him and left-handed hitters only .627.

2016
A+:  3-7-2, 4.09 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 70.1 IP, 3.5 BB/9, 8.4 K/9

The Pirates put Brewer in the rotation at Bradenton to open the season.  He didn’t exactly pitch well, but he had a good K rate and pitched decently at times.  He was hurt by periodic control problems and by a high BABIP of .352.  In mid-June, the Pirates placed him on the temporarily inactive list.  He came back a month later and started pitching out of the bullpen, including some closing opportunities.  He made a spot start at the end of July and then was suspended and didn’t return.

Brewer’s status is unclear, as the Pirates don’t discuss these sorts of things.  He’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2017 season.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2017: Minor league contract.
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $240,000
MiLB Debut: 2012
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2017
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 7, 2011: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 4th round, 122nd overall pick; signed on June 20, 2011.