Brewers Farm System 2024 Preview: Biloxi Shuckers

[Harold Hutchison]

While the Triple-A Nashville Sounds have been underway for a week, the rest of the Milwaukee Brewers' full-season minor-league affiliates get going this weekend. Let's take a few minutes to preview the Biloxi Shuckers.

Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / USA TODAY NETWORK

In some ways, the Shuckers will find it hard to top 2023, when Jackson Chourio, Jeferson Quero, and Tyler Black headlined an exciting team. Can the 2024 version be as exciting? Let’s look and see.

Starting Pitching
Jacob Misiorowski fronts the Shuckers rotation. He’s widely seen as the most exciting Brewers pitching prospect in years. He’s joined by Bradley Blalock (acquired from the Red Sox in the Luis Urías trade), Chad Patrick, Adam Seminaris (who is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued 2023), Tyler Woessner, and Nate Peterson.

While Misiorowski gets the hype, and Blalock is a solid rotation prospect, Woessner, Patrick, Peterson, and Seminaris all could emerge as under-the-radar candidates to take a step up as starters. Coleman Crow and Brandon Knarr are opening the year on the 60-day injured list.

Bullpen
James Meeker and TJ Shook return after being the arguable MVPs of the staff. Both have proven to be superb relievers and solid starters. Nick Merkel looks ready to join them as multi-inning firemen. Justin King and Shane Smith look to be a solid 1-2 punch as future late-inning assets for the Brewers.

The second tier of the Shuckers bullpen has potential as well. Russell Smith and Justin Yeager are looking to rebound from difficult 2023 campaigns, while Sam Gardner and Sam Carlson also could enter the bullpen picture.

Catchers
Wes Clarke’s surprising return comes with what may be a new primary position: he is listed as a catcher on Biloxi’s roster. Clarke, who outperformed Jackson Chourio in multiple offensive categories in 2023, has been pretty solid behind the plate as a backup. The only question is his ability to keep baserunners honest, but otherwise, he could be a solid number two catcher who can also handle first base and DH duties.

Clarke is not the only guy behind the plate He will split time with Darrien Miller, an under-the-radar prospect whose OBP skills and left-handed bat make him an attractive option as a future second catcher for the Crew, especially with Quero’s health questions.

Andy Yerzy will be the third catcher for the Shuckers, possibly seeing some time when Clarke or Miller handle DH duties, but most likely being a pure backup.

Infielders
There is a lot of sheer talent in the Shuckers infield. First-round picks Brock Wilken (third base) and Eric Brown Jr. (shortstop) are on the left side; both have flashed some serious offensive talent. Brown has missed time with injury, while Wilken’s rapid rise in 2023 stalled out at Biloxi, but both could very well be in Milwaukee on Opening Day 2026.

At first base, Ernesto Martinez has been developing as a prime prospect without the hype in a long, Tyrone Taylor-esque journey. His defense has been superb, and offensively, he profiles as an Eric Thames-type hitter who can steal a lot of bases. Wes Clarke is officially listed as a first baseman, but may see limited action there given likely duties behind the plate and in the designated hitter rotation.

Freddy Zamora and Ethan Murray will likely compete for playing time at second base, while Zavier Warren could get playing time at both third base and first base behind Wilken and Martinez, while chipping in at designated hitter. They might not get a lot of hype, but all remain solid prospects.

Outfielders
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the presence of one-time shortstop prospect Eduardo Garcia in the outfield. Officially listed as an infielder on the Shuckers’ site, the release and spring training game lineups have him in center field.

He will be joined by Carlos D. Rodriguez, 2023 standout Lamar Sparks, and the highly versatile Noah Campbell. Rodriguez is a contact hitter, while Sparks provides OBP skills and power for the Shuckers.

Martinez and Warren could also see some time in the outfield, with the former handling center field competently in a brief stint in his breakout 2021 campaign, while the latter’s seen some action in left field in spring training games.

Overview
Aside from Wilken, Brown, and Misiorowski, the Shuckers roster may not have the pure star power of Chourio, Black, Quero, Uribe, and Rodríguez, but there are a lot of very talented players on this roster, some of whom may be as valuable to an MLB roster as the potential stars. The real value in this team may lie in its under-the-radar players.

What do you think of the Shuckers? Let us know in the comments below!

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[Jim Goulart]

Wilken’s rapid rise in 2023 stalled out at Biloxi

The only thing that stalled Wilken at Biloxi was the end-of-season calendar - two HR, eight RBI, and an .845 OPS in just six games.

[Jim French Stepstool]

VERY crowded infield. IMO at least one of those guys & maybe two should be at Nashville.