Article: Potential Position Changes For Brewers Prospects

[Harold Hutchison]

Let’s face it. Sometimes, things are not working out for a prospect at a given position. Maybe it’s a lack of playing time. Maybe it’s the risk of injury. Maybe they have the bat to go higher up the ladder, but the defense isn’t there.

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In such cases, all is not lost. Perhaps, all that is needed is to put these players at a new position. Let’s look over some Brewers prospects who probably could use a change of scenery–but not with another organization. Just a change in position.

Darrien Miller, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Current Position: Catcher

New Positions: First base, left field, designated hitter

Darrien Miller has proven he can hit. That hasn’t been in doubt in his professional career. His superb OBP skills and pop are clearly there. However, he’s stuck behind Jeferson Quero and Matthew Wood at the catcher spot, and he’s never thrown out more than 28% of baserunners trying to steal. The question is, how to get that bat in the lineup?

The answer: A move to first base, with time in left field and as DH. Miller’s bat would arguably play well at any of those positions, and even if he was playing at those spots, he could still serve as an emergency catcher.

Satchell Norman, ACL Brewers

Current Position: Catcher

New Position: Left field, designated hitter

Like Miller, Norman’s bat is not really in question--far from it, based on his totals as of July 21 (.998 OPS). The big problem with Norman, though, is the fact that he doesn’t deter baserunners from having larcenous thoughts. In fact, to date, he has caught 9% of baserunners trying to steal in his professional career. No, that’s not a typo. It's also not good for encouraging baserunners to be honest.

His stature (5'8") makes first base an iffy option, but he isn’t much shorter than Caleb Gindl was, and Gindl held down left field for part of a season. He also could be an excellent DH option, if the bat continues to produce at its current rate.

Ernesto Martinez, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Current Position: First Base

New Position: Outfield (all positions)

Martinez has rebounded from an early-season slump and missing time due to injury in 2022. He’s shown excellent defense at first base, but what is intriguing was a brief stint in center field in 2021. Think of the value Eric Thames provided during his three years in Milwaukee. That's what Martinez could be, plus the ability to steal bases and handle center field. Given the struggles of Hendry Mendez and Hedbert Perez, it could help Martinez get playing time should the Brewers move Darrien Miller.

Tyler Black, Biloxi Shuckers

Current Position: Third Base

New Positions: Left Field, First Base, Designated Hitter

Black has already benefited from one position shift, going to the hot corner from second base after missing a lot of time in 2022. Black’s bat is major-league ready, and it could be argued promoting him would constitute an instant upgrade over Jesse Winker at designated hitter. Pending free agency for Rowdy Tellez in the next year or two could make first base an option, as well. Should the Brewers deal one of their outfielders, Black could be an option to hold down left field.

Noah Campbell, Nashville Sounds

Current Positions: Left Field, Designated Hitter, First Base, Right Field

New Positions: Anywhere

Campbell has, over college and his professional career, played all nine defensive positions and handled DH duties. So, the Brewers need to make more use of this, and even work him up to being a two-way player. He was good enough to notch a save in 2021 with the Mudcats. The outfield is crowded for the foreseeable future with Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Joey Wiemer, Christian Yelich, and Tyrone Taylor, but Campbell’s proven versatility makes him an ideal bench asset–Hernan Perez with a better bat.

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[TURBO]

Why move Ernesto Martinez off of 1B when we are desperate for one?  Makes no sense to me...  You want him to move to the OF, where we are stocked for the near future and not have the guy play 1B, which we have nothing?

This is a true head scratcher.  Are you a Brewers fan, or just writing stories?

[Jenkins5]

2 hours ago, TURBO said:

Why move Ernesto Martinez off of 1B when we are desperate for one?  Makes no sense to me...  You want him to move to the OF, where we are stocked for the near future and not have the guy play 1B, which we have nothing?

This is a true head scratcher.  Are you a Brewers fan, or just writing stories?

Ditto. He is legit our best 1B in the system. Brewer’s development of him makes little sense. In 19’ they throw 20 year old him up to AAA for 48 games & he was darn impressive. He lost 20’ cause of Covid. 21’ in A ball, 22’ hurt & misses whole season. 23’ now 24 just sitting in A+ with no promotions. Legit had 11.2 bb% .262 Ave, .802 ops, 113 wRC+, .18 iso in those 48 games & 188PAs at 20 in AAA.
 

Since 21’ is combined line is 657 PA 11.7% bb 25.1% k, .266 Ave, .838 ops, .21 iso, 26.6 RAA 131 wRC+.  I have spread sheet of all players combined stats since 21’ with color codes & metric for ranking prospects & outside of Ks hes right at top in most categories. Do Brewers just hate his 25% k so much that they refuse to push him like a quality bat should be. He should have gotten to AA by now. 

[wiguy94]

4 minutes ago, Jenkins5 said:

Ditto. He is legit our best 1B in the system. Brewer’s development of him makes little sense. In 19’ they throw 20 year old him up to AAA for 48 games & he was darn impressive. He lost 20’ cause of Covid. 21’ in A ball, 22’ hurt & misses whole season. 23’ now 24 just sitting in A+ with no promotions. Legit had 11.2 bb% .262 Ave, .802 ops, 113 wRC+, .18 iso in those 48 games & 188PAs at 20 in AAA.
 

Since 21’ is combined line is 657 PA 11.7% bb 25.1% k, .266 Ave, .838 ops, .21 iso, 26.6 RAA 131 wRC+.  I have spread sheet of all players combined stats since 21’ with color codes & metric for ranking prospects & outside of Ks hes right at top in most categories. Do Brewers just hate his 25% k so much that they refuse to push him like a quality bat should be. He should have gotten to AA by now. 

I’m pretty sure that AAA thing is just a mistake on fangraphs. 

[Jenkins5]

7 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

I’m pretty sure that AAA thing is just a mistake on fangraphs. 

Just doubled check, you are correct, it was year Colorado Springs moved from AAA to Rookie ball. Weird he is only one who has that. Almost forget San Antonio was our AAA for year.

 

Even if we get ride of that part, ha he has been a really good prospect. Sucks he has lost two years with covid and injury but wish he'd get pushed up.