Article: Six Minor-League Moves to Boost the Brewers' Long-Term Outlook

[Harold Hutchison]

For the long-term success of the Brewers, the farm system is critical. In this day and age, with the harsh hot-stove realities, the team needs a constant flow of players from the farm. The system looks pretty good, but could it be better? Here are a few things that could be done.

Image courtesy of © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

Move Darrien Miller to 1B/LF/DH

Darrien Miller’s bat is arguably more than ready for Double A or Triple A. The problem has been that he is not the best option to have behind the plate, because runners can (and do) take off and steal bases at will. That said, the Crew does have a need for a first baseman to replace Rowdy Tellez in a couple of years. Jon Singleton is 31, and not quite a prospect, while Wes Clarke and Zavier Warren have been slumping for most of the season. Moving Miller to first and sending him up to Biloxi to split time in those three positions would help the Crew out over the long run if they can’t extend Tellez. Worst case, Miller becomes a valuable left-handed bat off the bench and emergency catcher. Best case? He’s a regular at first base and/or designated hitter.

Push Noah Campbell to Triple A, and Get Him on the Mound

The Brewers need to look more to the future, and the switch-hitting Noah Campbell looks like one of those bench assets that can boost a team. He’s played every infield and outfield position, and even saw four games of action on the mound in 2021, collecting a save, making him a legitimate two-way threat. Unlike Hernan Perez, he has legit OBP skills, and has developed a little power. The Crew should look at him as a future bench contributor.

Stretch Out Nick Bennett

Nick Bennett looks to be having a breakout year as a reliever, but the Brewers should look at his emergency start as something to build on. With the current and past injury troubles of Eric Lauer, Freddy Peralta, Wade Miley, and Brandon Woodruff, the team may well want to have a lot of guys who can come up and go two or three innings at a time to help those pitchers avoid excessive wear and tear down the stretch.

Keep Quinton Low Hitting Regularly

While currently on the injured list, Quinton Low should be getting plenty of time at first base and DH over the long term, in addition to keeping the pitching up. He’s flashed a competent bat in Arizona, while he’s dominated on the mound to date. The question is, what type of pitcher is Low? Is he a starter? If not, then what type of reliever is he? Regardless of that, Low’s left-handed bat looks to be very useful.

Promote Jeferson Quero to Triple A

Quero’s bat has been red hot in Biloxi, and while he is still young, the Brewers may want to consider calling him up to Nashville. Yes, Payton Henry and Brian Navarreto are holding things down there, but Quero is the future of the Crew behind the plate, and moving him to Triple A gives the Brewers some options: they can flip Navarreto or Henry for some pitching help, use Quero as trade bait, or cut bait on Jesse Winker, add Quero, and have William Contreras take over at DH.

Promote Luis Amaya and Karlos Morales to Double A

These two left-handed relievers have pitched well in Wisconsin. Amaya is posting a 4.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, while Morales has held opponents to a .484 OPS. Both also can go multiple innings in a given outing. The Crew needs to develop a lot of young pitching with the impending departures of Corbin Burnes, Miley, and Woodruff this offseason, and these two could be huge assets out of the bullpen.

Overview

The Brewers have a lot of reasons to be excited about the farm system, but there is always room to make the system even better. With some aggressive promotions and a few tweaks, the team could be in superb shape for years to come.

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[Jim French Stepstool]

If Miller can play 1B, moving him would actually make sense (might be a big if though). There are two other reasons to consider it: One is Jeff Quero & the other is Matt Wood.

Quero should IMO stay where he is for now. I highly doubt Navaretto or Henry would bring you any helpful pitching.

Campbell was just promoted. He has the versatility you need in 21st century baseball, where it seems like you need thirty guys in your bullpen.

[wiguy94]

27 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

If Miller can play 1B, moving him would actually make sense (might be a big if though). There are two other reasons to consider it: One is Jeff Quero & the other is Matt Wood.

Quero should IMO stay where he is for now. I highly doubt Navaretto or Henry would bring you any helpful pitching.

Campbell was just promoted. He has the versatility you need in 21st century baseball, where it seems like you need thirty guys in your bullpen.

I'd like to see Campbell actually start in AAA. He has been on the bench in the first 2 games. If he doesn't start today, then I fear that he was just promoted as depth with Toro and Monasterio up in the MLB. 

There's kind of just a logjam. Will be hard to get Miller AB in AA with Clarke and Warren already splitting time at 1B and Quero behind home plate. I agree he probably should be promoted, I just don't know where he will get the AB from.

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, wiguy94 said:

I'd like to see Campbell actually start in AAA. He has been on the bench in the first 2 games. If he doesn't start today, then I fear that he was just promoted as depth with Toro and Monasterio up in the MLB. 

There's kind of just a logjam. Will be hard to get Miller AB in AA with Clarke and Warren already splitting time at 1B and Quero behind home plate. I agree he probably should be promoted, I just don't know where he will get the AB from.

Yeah, I was just semi-on board with the concept of seeing if he can play 1B. Really no room for him at Biloxi as none of the folks you mentioned are deserving/ready to move up, yet you aren't in unconditional release territory either.

It doesn't look like a permanent spot for Campbell at N'ville is in the cards right now as I think they'd want to hang on to Monasterio & Toro if/when the time comes to remove them from the MLB roster.

What kind of defender is Ernesto Martinez at 1B?

[wiguy94]

17 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Yeah, I was just semi-on board with the concept of seeing if he can play 1B. Really no room for him at Biloxi as none of the folks you mentioned are deserving/ready to move up, yet you aren't in unconditional release territory either.

It doesn't look like a permanent spot for Campbell at N'ville is in the cards right now as I think they'd want to hang on to Monasterio & Toro if/when the time comes to remove them from the MLB roster.

What kind of defender is Ernesto Martinez at 1B?

Ernesto Martinez should be a good defender with his size and flexibility (he can do the splits) but it just hasn't translated to good defense. His bat has been pretty awful this season as well. Hall and Metzinger are both currently seeing more time than him at 1B right now.

I really hope the Campbell promotion was real. With Hiura injured, the Sounds should have no issues find Campbell plenty of playing time between 1B, 2B, LF, DH. Plus he's earned the promotion having a 117 wRC+ in 366 PA in AA.