The Brewers, in first of the NL Central, ensured their pitching staff by adding two arms from division rival St. Louis on August 3. Left-handed reliever JoJo Romero is headed to the Brewers alongside starting pitcher Dustin May.

The Brewers’ Return

• SP Dustin May (4.38 ERA, 106 K over 109 IP)
• RP JoJo Romero (3.35 ERA, 43 K over 43 IP)

After what was a very difficult season between the Dodgers & Red Sox, Dustin May was able to figure it out & become a valuable starter, despite what was a higher ERA than one would like to see from a starter.

May was hit hard to start the 2026 season; he allowed 13 earned runs combined over his first two outings. But then things stabilized for May, who showed good velocity throughout the season, and also tweaked his pitch usage. He started to use a curveball, and also raised the usage rate of his four-seam fastball.

The other piece of this deal is JoJo Romero, who’s been one of the Cardinals’ high-leverage relievers over the past few years. A left-hander with a good track record, he averaged a strikeout per inning this season for St. Louis.

Opposing left-handed hitters have batted .265 off Romero this season, compared to .229 off him for right-handed hitters.

The Cardinals’ Return

• SS Alexander Frias (.342/.427/.553, eight HR & 28 XBH over 60 GP (ACL & A))
• OF Josiah Ragsdale (.316/.441/.581, 19 HR & 42 XBH over 86 GP (A+ & AA))

Alexander Frias has put up fantastic numbers as an 18-year-old in the lower levels of the Minors. While he only hit .236 in his first few games with Low-A Wilson, Frias batted .441 with four home runs in the ACL before his promotion to the Carolina League.

Ragsdale, whom we tabbed as a potential breakout prospect in the making this past winter, did just that this season. He hit in Boston College & the Cape last year, and hasn’t stopped in pro ball, moving all the way to Double-A in his first full pro season.

Perhaps his best attribute is the eye, as he loves to work counts and take walks. Additionally, he stole 31 bases this season.

Analysis

The Cardinals received two very good prospects, both of whom are borderline top-10 prospects in their system. But to get them, the Cards had to lose two pitchers who were very good for the club.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, adds insurance for the rotation with Dustin May. With no Quinn Priester and Brandon Woodruff, that matters. Plus, another lefty to make up for some injury losses, like Angel Zerpa.

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