By Jason Arndt
Brewers Farm Report

Jimmy Nelson made a statement to be promoted to Milwaukee after matching a career high ten strikeouts in Saturday’s 7-2 victory against Iowa.
The Brewers’ number one rated prospect notched his fifth win since his promotion to Nashville following a June 2 start where he struck out seven batters in 5.2 innings allowing one earned run for Huntsville.

Nelson’s last ten strikeout performance was his start prior to the June 2 performance where he went eight innings against the Jackson Generals May 28 allowing no walks but earned a No Decision.
Most telling of the Saturday performance is he accrued ten strikeouts much earlier than his start June 2 – 5.2 innings and also walked no one on Saturday against the I-Cubs.
In a season where Milwaukee is forced to play the prospects earlier than anticipated, the possible addition of Nelson to the 40-man roster could be warranted.
Former first-round selection Mark Rogers was outrighted off the 40-man roster Saturday and opens a spot on the roster for a potential new addition.
With Nelson’s promise, it leaves no doubt he will receive serious consideration for the Opening Day Roster in 2014 – and with the Sounds’ season concluding this week – he will not receive any further work in the Minors.
Although Nelson has gotten roughed up in his starts with Triple A Nashville, it did not stop Milwaukee from promoting others in a similar situation such as Tyler Thornburg.
If his quick progression through the top 20 prospect rankings is any indication, it might not come as a surprise if he is added to the 40-man roster before the conclusion of the Major League season.
Entering the 2013 season, the right-hander from Florida was rated as the seventh best prospect but made a significant jump to the number one spot by mid-season.
Standing in the way of the possibility would be the direction Manager Ron Roenicke and General Manager Doug Melvin want to take.
Both are known to have extensive amount of loyalty to veteran players and have the tendency to hold onto them far longer than the “expiration date.”
Nelson has been touted for the majority of the season as one of the cornerstones of the Brewers’ future and includes his participation in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game festivities – where he pitched for the United States in the Future’s Game.
The ten strikeout performance leaves the Brewers with the decision whether to allow Nelson to sit at home for the next few months until Spring Training in February or give him some work with the Major League club.