The Milwaukee Brewers have added an intriguing arm to their organization as former top 100 prospect Jon Duplantier has agreed to a 2025 MiLB deal. He was selected in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks and was a top 100 prospect during his rise to the big leagues, but after rocky 2019 and 2021 MLB seasons he has not yet found a way back to baseballs highest level.
In 2019 and 2021, Jon Duplantier tossed 49.2 innings in the big leagues that ultimately amounted to 6.70 ERA. Since, he has been bouncing around between organizations looking to get back to the MLB level in which he has had several tenures with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but also spent time with the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Last year, between the Dodgers and Mets, he had a 4.20 ERA across 55.2 innings pitched.
For a 30 year old pitcher who is desperately trying to get back to the big leagues, the Milwaukee Brewers are a perfect fit for Jon Duplantier. Their ability to plug pitchers into their lab, provide them with insight they may not have received elsewhere, and get results has an excellent track record. There is no guarantee that he will see MLB time in 2025, but if he performs well during spring training and in Triple-A he could easily put himself on the Brewers radar as an option to promote if needed. Follow me on X @tylerkoerth. Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great up to date sports content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!. We cover the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers, and Wisconsin High School Sports. Additionally we provide the latest news coverage on the NFL, MLB, and NBA in which you can follow Gridiron Heroics, Hardwood Heroics, and Homeplate Heroics.
The Milwaukee Brewers have made a notable move by signing right-handed pitcher Jon Duplantier to a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) deal. This transaction signals a potential boost for the Brewers’ pitching depth and adds a high-upside arm to their system. Duplantier, a former top-100 prospect, has had a turbulent professional career filled with promise and setbacks. However, his signing provides a glimpse into the Brewers’ ability to identify potential bounce-back candidates and develop pitchers with considerable upside. This move is both a gamble and an opportunity for the Brewers to capitalize on Duplantier’s potential, hoping he can find consistency and contribute to their future success.
Background and Early Career
Jon Duplantier, a 6’4” right-handed pitcher, was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft from Rice University. As a collegiate pitcher, Duplantier stood out with a fastball that could reach the mid-90s and a deceptive curveball that had the potential to dominate at the professional level. His success at Rice and his solid mechanics drew the attention of scouts, and many saw him as a high-ceiling prospect with the tools to thrive as a major league starter.
In his first few years as a professional, Duplantier was highly regarded, particularly after a standout 2017 season where he posted a 2.23 ERA and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings across three minor league levels. This dominant stretch in the minors helped establish him as one of the Diamondbacks’ top pitching prospects. By 2018, Duplantier had cracked MLB’s top 100 prospects list, where he was recognized as one of the game’s most promising young arms.
Struggles and Setbacks
Despite his early success, Duplantier’s path to the major leagues has been far from smooth. Injuries have played a significant role in stalling his development. The right-hander has dealt with a series of physical setbacks, including shoulder and elbow issues, which have kept him off the mound for extended periods. His inability to stay healthy has hindered his progression and limited his ability to develop the consistency necessary to make an impact in the big leagues.
In addition to injuries, Duplantier struggled with his command and consistency when he was able to take the mound. His major league debut came in 2019, and although his stuff was promising, his performance was mixed. In 13 MLB appearances (seven starts), he posted a 4.75 ERA and struggled with control, walking 3.8 batters per nine innings. Despite flashes of brilliance, Duplantier’s inability to put everything together led to his relegation back to the minors, where he continued to show potential but also dealt with the challenges of staying healthy and refining his mechanics.
After several years of dealing with injuries and inconsistent performances, Duplantier was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks in 2021. This marked a low point in his career as the D-backs decided to part ways with the once-promising prospect. However, despite these setbacks, Duplantier’s raw talent and potential still intrigued teams, and the Brewers ultimately took a chance on him by signing him to a Minor League deal.
Why the Brewers?
The Brewers have been known for their excellent pitching development over the past few years. Their ability to nurture under-the-radar pitchers into effective major league contributors has been one of their most defining characteristics. From Corbin Burnes to Freddy Peralta, the Brewers have been able to help pitchers improve their arsenals and make the leap to the majors. This success in player development made them an appealing landing spot for Duplantier, who has struggled to find a long-term home with any one organization.
The Brewers also have a strong pitching infrastructure, which includes a wealth of resources to help pitchers with mechanical adjustments, pitch selection, and injury recovery. The Brewers’ minor league system is regarded as one of the best in baseball, and their ability to help pitchers find success is a significant draw for someone like Duplantier, who needs both time and developmental support to unlock his potential.
In addition to the Brewers’ strong reputation for developing pitchers, Duplantier’s signing fits into the team’s philosophy of taking calculated risks on players with untapped potential. The Brewers have shown time and again that they are willing to sign players on low-risk, high-reward deals, hoping that their developmental system will bring out the best in them. This strategy has paid off in recent years with players like Burnes and Peralta, both of whom were not widely viewed as elite prospects but have emerged as frontline starters under the Brewers’ guidance.
What Jon Duplantier Brings to the Brewers
Duplantier’s signing provides the Brewers with a pitcher who has significant upside but also considerable risk. His fastball, which can touch the mid-90s, and his curveball, which has been praised for its sharp break, are two of his most valuable pitches. If Duplantier can regain his health and refine his command, he has the tools to be a useful contributor to the Brewers’ pitching staff.
The Brewers’ coaching staff will undoubtedly focus on Duplantier’s mechanics and pitch mix, as these areas have been sources of inconsistency in the past. With the Brewers’ track record of helping pitchers improve their control and mechanics, Duplantier could benefit from the team’s advanced analytics and player development programs. Additionally, Duplantier’s ability to develop a third pitch, such as a changeup or slider, could be crucial in elevating him to the major league level.
While Duplantier may not be an immediate contributor at the MLB level, his presence in the Brewers’ minor league system provides the team with depth and a potential long-term option if he can regain his form. Given the Brewers’ history of success with pitchers, it is possible that Duplantier could find his way into a big-league rotation or bullpen if he continues to develop.
The Brewers’ Overall Pitching Strategy
The Brewers have built their success on pitching, particularly on the development of young arms. The signing of Duplantier is another example of the team’s strategy of acquiring pitchers with high upside who may have been overlooked or failed to meet expectations elsewhere. This is in line with the Brewers’ broader approach of identifying undervalued talent and turning them into major league contributors.
If Duplantier can stay healthy and find his groove, he would add to a pitching staff that already includes some of the top arms in the National League. While the Brewers currently have a strong starting rotation and bullpen, Duplantier could provide depth in case of injury or struggles. His addition also speaks to the Brewers’ forward-thinking approach to roster construction, as they continue to search for ways to bolster their pitching staff for the long term.
Conclusion
The Milwaukee Brewers’ decision to sign Jon Duplantier to a Minor League deal is a smart, low-risk move with high upside. While Duplantier has faced numerous challenges in his career, the Brewers’ history of developing pitchers and their robust minor league system offer him the perfect environment to potentially bounce back. If Duplantier can stay healthy, refine his mechanics, and continue to develop his stuff, he has the potential to make a meaningful impact in the Brewers’ pitching staff. This move highlights the Brewers’ ability to identify talent with untapped potential and further solidifies their commitment to building a strong pitching pipeline for years to come.
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