Article: Reasons to Be Optimistic About Top Brewers Prospects - Part 2

[Harold Hutchison]

We’re continuing our look at reasons to be optimistic about each player on the Brewer Fanatic Top 20 Prospects list. When we go over this, it’s to outline just how some of these players could end up contributing to the next successful Brewers team.

Image courtesy of © Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

We covered the top 10 in the first part, here are the rest of the top 20.

OF Luis Lara – OBP/Defense

Lara is arguably the 2023 version of one-time Brewer Mike Felder. In his early years, Felder delivered OBP and some defense, and also had good speed. That said, Lara lacks Felder’s value on the basepaths, which means he could wind up a fifth outfielder, with an upside akin to Brady Clark’s years with the Brewers.

RHP Justin Jarvis – K/9IP, K:BB ratio

Jarvis is punching out more than one hitter an inning and posting almost four strikeouts for every walk issued. The Brewers will likely lose Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff in trades over the offseason (barring miraculous extensions). If so, Jarvis could be one of the pitchers to carry the load.

OF Hendry Mendez – OBP/Approach

Mendez generates OBP–drawing walks at almost a Barry Bonds-esque rate. This will make him useful, especially if he can add playing some first base to his repertoire. Currently, the stats say he is Terry Francona with OBP skills as a player, but Francona ended up a valuable reserve for several teams across ten seasons.

LHP Ethan Small – K/9IP

Small may have some issues with walks, and he may have gotten clobbered, but he is also punching out a lot of hitters at the plate–almost one and a half an inning. This puts Small as arguably a poor man’s Josh Hader, a valuable late-inning reliever who can shut things down.

SS Freddy Zamora – OBP/Defense

Zamora has had some injury problems over his college and minor-league career, but in full seasons, he has shown that he has outstanding OBP skills (.377 career OBP) and he’s also shown he can rap out a lot of doubles (31 in 555 minor-league at-bats). If the Brewers extend Willy Adames, Zamora could be trade bait. If they move Adames, Zamora might be a worthy successor.

C Matthew Wood – All-Around Offense

Wood was drafted last year and has already forced his way to Appleton after about six weeks. He’s walked more than he’s struck out, and he has shown both power and the ability to hit for average. Add some adequate defense, and he might be joining Jeferson Quero as a potent 1-2 punch behind the plate for the Brewers.

3B/1B Luke Adams – OBP/Speed/Power

Adams may be hitting below the Uecker line in batting average, but he also is walking a lot, stealing a bunch, and when he connects, the ball tends to go far. That, and the fact he plays first base and third base could give him a shot in Milwaukee eventually. If Adams can hit for average some more, he would be a fearsome threat in the lineup.

RHP Alexander Cornielle – Age and BB/9IP

Cornielle is having a rough season, but he has cut the walks down, from 4.5 per nine innings pitched in 2022 to 3.4 in 2023. This is a good sign, and if Cornielle can rediscover the form he had in Wisconsin, he could do well. He’s about two years and three months younger than your average Double A player.

IF Rob Moore – OBP/Power/Lack of Ks

Moore may be struggling to reach the Uecker line, but he is hitting for power and drawing walks. More importantly, he’s only struck out 31 times in 160 at-bats. It could just be bad luck, and when the hits drop in, Moore could very well be putting up numbers like he did in Brisbane.

RHP Stiven Cruz – Lower HBP and HR/9IP

Like Cornielle, Cruz has been struggling a bit in Biloxi, and is about two years and three months younger than your average player. But while the walk rate has climbed, Cruz has yet to plunk an opposing hitter, after doing so nine times last year. Cruz has also pushed his home runs allowed per nine innings down slightly. 

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[Jim Goulart]

You list Cornielle and Cruz as in Biloxi. Each is in Wisconsin.

[markedman5]

 

[markedman5]

 

[CheeseheadInQC]

I think you are simultaneously selling Lara and Brady Clark short in that write up.