Article: Revisiting the State of the Farm – Center Field

[Harold Hutchison]

In March, the Brewers seemed stacked in center field. Garrett Mitchell was slated to open the season in center in Milwaukee, with Tyrone Taylor seeing some time there and Sal Frelick in Nashville, and more. It seemed an embarrassment of riches. That depth would be instantly tested.

Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

But the club boasted some incredible depth – witness Joey Wiemer holding down center after Garrett Mitchell’s injury, with Blake Perkins playing his way to a bench role in Milwaukee after Sal Frelick got hurt. The same holds true down the ladder.

Nashville Sounds

Perkins manned center field until he played his way into being Milwaukee’s fourth outfielder, following injuries to Mitchell and Taylor. Frelick has struggled since his injury in the spring. Monte Harrison, who was part of the package that brought Christian Yelich to Milwaukee, also has seen time in center for the Sounds.

Biloxi Shuckers

Jackson Chourio has been the main center fielder for Biloxi, and is one of the top prospects in all of minor-league baseball. At age 19, he is in his first full season and to hold down a position every day in Double A at that age is no small accomplishment. The even better news is that the Brewers are in no rush to get him to the majors, and he can refine his skills. Lamar Sparks and Carlos Rodriguez have also seen time in center for the Shuckers.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Joe Gray and Eduarqui Fernandez have been the top two center fielders in Appleton, with Gray rebounding from an early slump to post some solid numbers, while Fernandez has still been adjusting after a solid 2022. Terrence Dotson also saw significant action in center as of July 15.

Carolina Mudcats

For the second straight year, a center field prospect is breaking out big time in Zebulon. Last year, it was Chourio. This year, Luis Lara has broken out in his first season of pro ball, emerging as a sparkplug at the top of the order, hitting for average, drawing walks, and stealing bases. Jace Avina has also seen time in center for the Mudcats.

ACL Brewers

Reidy Mercado has been the primary center fielder in Maryvale, posting an .822 OPS as of July 15, while Duncan Garcia has flashed some power and speed as the number two at the position. Luis Medina and Angel Pereira have also handled the position in 2023.

DSL Brewers 1

Yophery Rodriguez has emerged as arguably the offensive MVP of the DSL Brewers 1 while being the team’s primary center fielder. His offensive profile looks a lot like Jackson Chourio’s, only Rodriguez is drawing nearly twice as many walks than strikeouts (29 to 16 as of July 15) – and he bats left-handed. Backing him up is walk machine Pedro Tovar.

DSL Brewers 2

Antony Gomez and Ramon Moreno have split the duties evenly for the second Brewers affiliate in the DSL, with Moreno posting the more rounded offensive package.

Overview

The depth of the talent pool at this position is not quite as amazing as at shortstop, but it is clearly there, with multiple potential stars looking to break out. Even some of the second-tier names could be decent MLB starters and/or bring a nice return in a trade.

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