Brewers Set To Land Three High Upside Shortstops In 2024 International Class

[Jake McKibbin]

With the anticipated signings of Jorge Quintana (12th MLB Pipeline) and Jesus Made (22nd MLB Pipeline on top of Luis Peña, the Brewers have high-ceiling talent in the coming international class. Here’s the lowdown on the Brewers’ new crop of young shortstops and an intriguing new catching talent.

Starting with their 2023 draft class, the Brewers have seemingly altered their draft approach to acquire more high-upside talent, particularly with the bats, which has continued into the 2024 international draft. Their prowess is growing in the international market, with recent acquisitions in Jeferson Quero, Yophery Rodriguez, and Jackson Chourio, all in MLB Pipeline’s top 10 Brewers prospects. The Brewers hope to have uncovered another gem or two in their draft class; let’s see what the scouts think of each of their new stars.

Jorge Quintana (12th Pipeline, 19th largest bonus per Baseball America) - Shortstop
Pipeline Tools: Hit 55, Power 50, Run 50, Arm 50, Field 55
Quintana is considered one of the more polished hitters in the draft from both sides of the plate. At 6 '2" and only 16 years old, there’s a potential he outgrows shortstop, which may happen anyway due to average or fringy speed, albeit he has good actions and quickness. Quintana looks slightly better from the left-hand side of the plate, with good plate discipline and a solid ability to put the barrel to the ball, and according to Baseball America, he has one of the best offensive track records of players available to sign in 2024.

The Brewers have bid to capture what they see as an untapped market in Venezuela, an approach that landed them Chourio, so it’s no surprise to see them scouring the country again. MLB pipeline talks about Quintana showing gap-to-gap power and traces of real home run pop already. Combined with his hit tool, his bat is an interesting proposition even before he develops and fills out his large frame. It will most likely be the tool that carries him to the majors, but he’s no slouch defensively and is expected to hold his own on the infield.

Jesus Made (22nd Pipeline, 41st largest bonus per Baseball America) - Shortstop
Pipeline Tools: Hit 50, Power 55, Run 50, Arm 50, Field 55
Another switch-hitter, Made, shows the potential for huge power from both sides of the plate despite a lot of strength projection remaining on his lean 6‘1" frame. He has solid bat-to-ball skills, but it’s expected that he will need the power element to carry him through the minor leagues. He has an above-average arm that can allow him to succeed at third base should she be moved away from shortstop. However, scouts raved about his defensive actions that could allow him to stick there.

https://www.mlb.com/video/top-int-l-prospects-made-ss-x4343

Pipeline notes that Made has a slight upward swing, which can be a concern as you move up the levels and lead to issues with the hit tool however it’s producing strong batted ball contact and power surges at this point, both into the gaps and over the fence. They also say that he has a real chance to stick at shortstop because of his ability to make “the routine and the extraordinary plays” combined with above-average speed and quickness. This prospect has a huge upside at just 16 years old and is a name to watch out for when the Dominican Summer League begins.

Luis Peña (44th largest bonus per Baseball America, no Pipeline ranking) - Shortstop
Another high-upside shortstop, Peña, isn’t rated by Pipeline. However, the Brewers are giving him a similar value as Jesus Made. Ben Badler of Baseball America described him as a quick-burst athlete with plus-plus speed. His athleticism is more impressive than his defensive actions at shortstop, meaning he could be the usual Brewers prospect transitioning from short to center field this season. He is considered to have a mature, solid tool set for his age, with explosive bat speed that allows him to drive the ball into the gaps. Badler also notes that his swing can get a bit too big at times, but he has solid bat-to-ball skills for his age, with a plus arm and lightning speed. Another potential jewel for the Brewers system, players with his explosive makeup can ascend rapidly through the minors.

Luis Corobo (Unconfirmed Bonus, Unranked) - Catcher
As tweeted by Curt Hogg, Corobo has been compared defensively to a young stud behind the plate, Jeferson Quero, at that age. We don’t know much about him at this point other than that, but it’s a lofty comparison, given the quality Quero possesses behind the plate. He was the first confirmed signing for the Brewers 2024 draft class, but it is an intriguing comparison.

The Brewers are looking for more power from their international core over the hit tool centric approach they used in these markets. As a result, all three shortstops have the potential to skyrocket in the way that Jackson Chourio and Yophery Rodriguez managed in prior seasons. Which of the above prospects would get you most excited? Let us know in the comments below!

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[wibadgers23]

I absolutely love that both Quintana and Made are switch-hitters.  Excited to follow these guys in the future.

[Jake McKibbin]

4 minutes ago, wibadgers23 said:

I absolutely love that both Quintana and Made are switch-hitters.  Excited to follow these guys in the future.

I think it's a huge plus, especially with made, Quintana seems perhaps more likely to be a pure left hander at some point, but it does add to the intrigue. 

Which of the two would you consider more exciting, the Power prospect or hit tool one?

[Playing Catch]

I prefer to wait until after players do things stateside before getting too excited, but it's hard not to like the profiles of these players. Quintana, Made, and Peña all profile as "stars," rather than "regulars," (who are also valuable!). Two switch hitters with power and a guy with plus-plus speed is fun to dream on.

I maintain that the comparison to Quero sounds fun, but my guess is that Corobo is a defense-first catcher from Venezuela... and that's where the comparison ends. I'd love to be wrong, and I LOVE defense-first catchers, so I'll still be watching.

[Jake McKibbin]

5 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

I prefer to wait until after players do things stateside before getting too excited, but it's hard not to like the profiles of these players. Quintana, Made, and Peña all profile as "stars," rather than "regulars," (who are also valuable!). Two switch hitters with power and a guy with plus-plus speed is fun to dream on.

I maintain that the comparison to Quero sounds fun, but my guess is that Corobo is a defense-first catcher from Venezuela... and that's where the comparison ends. I'd love to be wrong, and I LOVE defense-first catchers, so I'll still be watching.

I agree on all fronts,  especially regarding corobo, plus quero has a great defensive profile, but also the pop in his bat can make him that plus major leaguer

[jay87shot]

Love the slightly bigger prospects, not that it really matters. If chosing between the better power or contact prospect I will go power. To me looking at the overall athleticism of how smooth and effortless a super young prospect plays is the top trait. 

[wibadgers23]

On 1/6/2024 at 3:17 PM, Jake McKibbin said:

Which of the two would you consider more exciting, the Power prospect or hit tool one?

Probably the hit tool because a prospect can always develop power later on as they get older and stronger.