San Francisco Giants Acquire Former 1st-Round Pick Pitcher From Brewers

The San Francisco Giants recently bolstered their bullpen depth by acquiring left-handed pitcher Ethan Small from the Milwaukee Brewers.

This move came as part of the Brewers' strategy to make room on their 40-man roster following their acquisition of players in other trades, notably after trading 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Giants acquired left-handed pitcher Ethan Small from Milwaukee for cash considerations. He spent most of last season as a reliever in AAA.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 6, 2024

The Brewers had designated Small for assignment prior to the trade, which was ultimately settled for an undisclosed cash amount.

Ethan Small, a former first-round pick by the Brewers in 2019, transitioned from a starting pitcher to a reliever during his time with the organization.

In his tenure at Triple-A Nashville, Small made 38 relief appearances, posting a record of 2-4 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts across 51 innings and 38 appearances, indicating his potential value in a bullpen role.

Ethan Small was a 2019 1st-round pick. Solid 3.14 ERA in the minors, but has yielded 10 earned runs in 10.1 innings in the majors. The Giants had an open spot on the 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is needed. https://t.co/3B1W8nEKJA
— Jeff Young (@BaseballJeff1) February 6, 2024

Despite these promising minor league numbers, Small's limited major league appearances yielded an 8.71 ERA, prompting Milwaukee to reassess his role within the team.

His move to the Giants represents a fresh start and an opportunity to capitalize on his abilities in a new environment.

For his minor-league career, spanning 90 appearances (48 starts) and 252.1 innings, the 26-year-old holds a solid 3.14 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, with 303 strikeouts.

The Giants' acquisition of Small signifies a low-risk investment with the potential for high reward, as the team looks to strengthen its pitching staff for the upcoming season. Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports