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2026 debut for traded former NY Mets player couldn’t have had a worse start

He didn't give up a home run to the first four batters he faced, but the result was the same.
Mar 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA;  Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Sproat (23) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Mar 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Sproat (23) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Brandon Sproat managed to not only make it onto the Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day roster, he got the start on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox. What could’ve felt like a cakewalk game against one of MLB’s worst teams over the last two seasons wasn’t for the former top New York Mets prospect.

Two walks and a single loaded the bases for the White Sox. Colson Montgomery stepped up to the plate and homered, giving the White Sox an early 4-0 lead.

Brandon Sproat didn’t have an exceptional Brewers debut

It was a much different debut for Sproat in Milwaukee than what he had with the Mets. He gave up a run before his first major league hit last year, a sixth inning single against the Cincinnati Reds with one out as the first damage to his batting average against.

Sproat’s first 4 starts last year didn’t exactly put him in the same conversation as Nolan McLean. Roughed up and looking green, he never had a shot at making the Mets Opening Day roster. The Brewers, apparently, thought differently about how MLB-ready he was.

This Brewers-White Sox game had a few more takeaways for Mets fans. Luisangel Acuna didn’t start in center field, off to a 1 for 7 start after a strong spring training. Munetaka Murakami, whom everyone believed would sign with the Mets last summer as the Pete Alonso replacement, hit his third home run in as many games.

Sproat ended up lasting just 3 innings in his 2026 debut. 7 earned runs charged to him with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts, it’s the first sign the Mets assessed their Freddy Peralta trade package well. Sproat turns 26 this September and while there’s enough time for him to grow into a major leaguer this season, staying with the Amazins would’ve likely meant a lengthy minor league stint and the same questions for 2027. The Brewers seemed to prefer the youth, chance to develop, and years of control Sproat can give over the surer stuff Peralta could bring them.

The 2026 season will include plenty of ex-Mets to follow closely. Sproat, who once looked like a budding ace on the farm, will have each and every start followed by fans in New York.

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