Browsing: RHP

Signed for $25,000 in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Brewers righthander Jaron DeBerry looked like a classic money-saving pick by Milwaukee.

The team had drafted highly-touted New Jersey prep pitcher Chris Levonas a round earlier, and the savings looked like they could have helped the team land the talented righthander. In the end, Levonas honored his commitment to Wake Forest, and DeBerry looks like the next Brewers sleeper pitching prospect.Â

Today, we’ll be taking a deep dive into what makes DeBerry an intriguing name to following heading into 2026.

Career Background

DeBerryâ€s collegiate path followed what has become an increasingly common arc.

He began his career in junior college at Northern Oklahoma-Enid, where he made all-conference in 2021. He then transferred to Grayson College for his sophomore campaign, working as a reliever primarily and striking out 60 batters over 41.1 innings. Prior to 2023, DeBerry transferred again, this time joining the Division I ranks at Dallas Baptist. After an up-and-down junior season, he made the jump to the starting rotation as a senior. He made 15 starts in 2024, going 7-1 with a 3.50 ERA and 89 strikeouts to 38 walks across 90 innings.Â

Like many college starters coming off a solid workload in the spring, DeBerry was shut down after being selected by the Brewers in the 2024 draft. He made his professional debut in early May 2025, as his assignment to an affiliate was delayed by a month. He made quick work of Carolina League competition, logging three starts and allowing one run over 8.2 innings. On May 25, DeBerry made his first start with High-A Wisconsin, allowing three runs over three innings of work.Â

After a couple tough starts to begin his time in the Midwest League, DeBerry buckled down and enjoyed an excellent June. Over five starts, DeBerry pitched to a 3.42 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 25 strikeouts to six walks across 23.2 innings. He held opponents to a batting average of .207 while running a 3.83 FIP.Â

After a strong July—outside of one disastrous start on July 10—DeBerry earned a promotion to Double-A Biloxi on August 6. Over the final month and a half of the season, he made seven starts for the Shuckers, pitching to a 3.62 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 34 strikeouts to 10 walks over 37.1 innings. He earned Southern League pitcher of the week on August 24, and found himself in the conversation for 2025â€s biggest pop-up prospects.

Pitching Profile

What allowed DeBerry to so quickly climb the minor league ladder and finish his debut season in Double-A? To answer that question, let’s take a dive into his unique combination of traits.

DeBerry has a preternatural feel for spin, placing him into the bucket of pitchers classified as supinators. This lean toward supination instead of pronation allows pitchers to more naturally generate spin. This is a primary factor helping to drive DeBerryâ€s success. When these natural spin generation skills are paired with outlier extension, a low release height and a deep arsenal, the results are traits that portend future success.Â

DeBerryâ€s ability to generate spin might be the best in the minors when comparing him to the general population of MiLB pitchers, as he ranks within the top three in raw spin rates across multiple pitch types. He ranks second in cutter spin, third in slider spin and third in curveball spin:

PitcherOrgCutter SpinJarlin SusanaWSH2798Jaron DeBerryMIL2768Luke SinnardATL2747Grant KippCHC2743Marcus JohnsonTBR2743

PitcherOrgSlider SpinConnor PrielippMIN3042Julian GarciaCIN2921Jaron DeBerryMIL2868Griff McGarryPHI2856Spencer GiestingARI2827

PitcherOrgCurveball SpinYu-Min LinARI3315Aaron DavenportCLE3112Jaron DeBerryMIL3036Braden NettATH3014Ryan RamseyKCR2967

No other pitcher in the minors generates as much spin across their arsenal as DeBerry does. And these natural traits allow him to throw a better breaking ball despite a lack of average velocity across his mix.

The cutter is DeBerryâ€s primary pitch, as it sees more usage than his sinker or four-seam fastball. The cutter sits 87-89 mph with slight ride and heavy cut, leaning more on the breaking ball side of cutters than the fastball side.

His sinker is his primary fastball. It sits just 90-92 mph, touching 96 at peak.

His sweeper slider is also a primary part of his mix, seeing similar usage to his cutter and sinker. The sweeper sits 81-83 mph with an average of 13-14 inches of sweep and 4-6 inches of ride. The offering is DeBerry’s best bat-missing pitch, as it drove whiffs at a rate of 41% this season.

He also mixes in a low-90s four-seam fastball with a flatter plane of approach, a changeup with good vertical separation off the rest of his arsenal and a low-80s two-plane curveball.Â

Beyond the impressive ability to create spin, itâ€s his ability to do so from a deceptive arm action and release point that really drives DeBerry’s profile. Unique looks and release points keep hitters off balance, and the unusual look DeBerry presents forces opposing hitters to adjust.

In addition to his spin traits, DeBerryâ€s release point on his fastball is one of the 20 lowest in the minors. This is a product of a lower three-quarters arm slot and plus extension, as DeBerry averages 6.8 feet of extension. This, in turn, creates a flat plane of approach on all of his pitches. That’s particularly so for his two fastball variations, which allows them to play above their below-average velocity. These traits hint at improved fastball quality with added power and strength, as his fastball traits with a velo bump to 92-94 mph would likely allow him to make another jump in the coming years.Â

Armed with unique release traits, outlier feel for spin and a deep arsenal of pitch shapes, DeBerry is yet another Brewers prospect worthy of attention this offseason. If he can add strength and velocity, we could see the intriguing righthanderâ€s prospect stock could explode in the coming years.

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On the mound, heâ€s methodical. Every pitch is thrown with intent, every sequence carefully considered. But even for a pitcher so in tune with himself, there are times when unwelcome negative thoughts seep in and try to take control.

“When I let my anxiety take over, thatâ€s when things go out of rhythm for me,†Brito said in Spanish. “When I take the time to calm down, thatâ€s when I start to execute.â€

No performance better displayed that than Brito’s second start for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League. The 21-year-old righthander gave up back-to-back walks against the Mesa Solar Sox and began to feel that all-too-familiar feeling settling in. Thatâ€s when pitching coach Nate Keavy and fellow Astros teammate and catcher Walker Janek consulted with Brito on the mound about what to throw next.Â

They came up with a game plan, and Brito settled in. He responded by striking out seven consecutive batters and finished with three scoreless innings.

Part of Brito’s success that night was due to his strong repertoire. The Venezuelan native and 13th-ranked prospect in the Astros’ system is equipped with a fastball that sits 95-98 mph and has touched 100 in the past, along with a splitter thatâ€s been generating plenty of whiffs and an improved sweeper. Because of that success, Brito was named the Arizona Fall League pitcher of the week for the second week of action.

But beyond his stuff, perhaps a more crucial aspect of Brito’s success was due to refocusing on the mental aspect of the game and the breathing exercise he vowed to use to regain his composure.Â

Brito takes pride in being selected by the Astros to compete in the Fall League. More than just an opportunity to make up for missing nearly two months this season with an undisclosed injury, he knows the AFL has launched countless big league careers. And he understands the competition against some of the game’s top prospects will push him to be better, faster and sharper.Â

For Brito, the opportunity isnâ€t just about showing what he can do on the mound—itâ€s about mastering the mental game that will allow him to thrive when the stakes are highest.

“Iâ€ve learned so much from the people around me in the AFL,†Brito said. “Iâ€ve only been playing professionally for two years. Some of these players have been around for five. I learn something new every day out here, and I try to incorporate that into each start. I take it seriously, because Iâ€ve seen the results this fall.â€

At the time of Britoâ€s $10,000 signing in November 2023, there was little fanfare—and little reason for it. Two seasons later, his performance has made him one of the organizationâ€s more intriguing under-the-radar finds. Over 103 innings across two professional seasons, he’s posted a 2.36 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 147 strikeouts to 49 walks.

Brito knows the Astros have a strong record for finding diamonds in the rough in the international market.

“Theyâ€ve given me the confidence and support I need,†Brito said. “Iâ€m thankful for them giving me an opportunity. Iâ€m willing to put in the work wherever they send me.â€

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Sep 24, 2025, 06:43 PM ET

NEW YORK — White Sox pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez will miss the rest of the season because of a right elbow impingement and Chicago outfielder Mike Tauchman will be out because of a right knee meniscus tear that requires surgery.

Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday and Tauchman on the 10-day IL. Both moves were retroactive to Sunday.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Gonzalez was feeling pain.

“I think there’s not a lot of long-term concern,” Venable said. “I think he could pitch. Just want to protect him a little bit.”

Outfielder Derek Hill was claimed off waivers from Miami and right-hander Jonathan Cannon was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte. Hill was due to arrive in New York later Wednesday.

A 23-year-old right-hander, Gonzalez made his major league debut on June 20 and went 1-0 with a 2.66 ERA in 16 relief appearances, striking out 25 and walking 12 in 20â…“ innings.

Tauchman, 34, hit .263 with nine homers and 40 RBIs in 93 games this season. He told White Sox beat writers he will have surgery Tuesday.

“He really set the tone for going out there and grinding through a lot of physical ailments, and his body just eventually just gave up on him there,” Venable said.

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Sep 15, 2025, 06:06 PM ETPITTSBURGH — The Chicago Cubs activated right-hander Michael Soroka from the 15-day injured list before…