Brandon Woodruff's Dominant Return: A New Chapter for the Brewers Ace

In-Depth Analysis

**Background:** Brandon Woodruff was a top pitcher from 2019-2023 before a shoulder injury sidelined him. His return in 2025 has been nothing short of spectacular, but with a twist. He's not the same pitcher he was before.

**The New Woodruff:** Woodruff's fastball velocity is down, but his effectiveness is up. He's added a cutter to his arsenal and is relying more on his fastball, particularly his four-seamer. Hitters are having trouble making solid contact, resulting in an unusually high number of pop-ups.

**Data-Driven Insights:** - Woodruff's four-seamer has a 37.4% whiff rate, the highest among starters with at least 50 swings against the pitch. - His sinker usage is up from 21.8% in 2023 to 31.6% in 2025. - Woodruff's pop-up rate is 16.9%, significantly higher than his career average of 7.1%.

**What it Means for the Brewers:** Woodruff's performance solidifies the Brewers' rotation and makes them a serious contender for the World Series. His success also puts him in a position to land a significant contract this offseason, whether with the Brewers or another team.

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FAQ

How has Brandon Woodruff changed his pitching style?

Woodruff is relying more on his fastball and has added a cutter to his repertoire, compensating for a decrease in velocity.

What is Woodruff's contract situation?

Woodruff has a $20 million mutual option for 2026. It is unlikely to be picked up, but the Brewers may try to re-sign him to a longer-term deal.

How does Woodruff generate so many pop-ups?

Hitters are struggling to see Woodruff's fastball, resulting in weak contact and high pop-up rates.

Takeaways

Brandon Woodruff's comeback is a testament to his adaptability and skill.
The Brewers are a serious World Series contender with Woodruff in their rotation.
Woodruff's contract situation will be a major storyline this offseason.
His success with diminished velocity shows that pitching is about more than just throwing hard.

Discussion

Do you think Brandon Woodruff will re-sign with the Brewers? Let us know in the comments below!

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Sources

After almost 2 years away, he looks like a different pitcher -- and is dominating Insider Predicts Brandon Woodruff's Brewers Future With $20M Option Looming A drop in velocity be damned, Brandon Woodruff won’t forsake his fastball — and it’s working

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