10 Bold Predictions For The Brewers Farm System In 2024

[Harold Hutchison]

While the major-league club is already playing games that matter, the 26 players on the Opening Day roster are not the only ones who will be playing games that count. Here are some bold predictions for the farm system.

1. Ernesto Martinez Emerges As First Baseman of The Future

Martinez has been under the radar for a while. Even with a 2021 breakout, he has struggled to stay healthy and on the field – at least until 2023. Martinez is huge, but also highly-rated defensively. He’s always shown excellent OBP skills and flashed power. In 2021, he handled limited duty in center field for Single-A Carolina, and showed he could be a serious threat on the basepaths. In 2024, he could truly break out. He did well in eight spring-training at-bats.

2. Wes Clarke Catches At Least 30 Games Again

At the start of spring, it didn’t seem likely this would be the case for someone who was arguably the top backup for Jeferson Quero. Austin Nola was expected to get a lot of Triple-A time as mentor to Quero… until he was released after the Crew signed Gary Sanchez to be primary DH (and #2 catcher). Then, Eric Haase was designated for assignment due to being out of options. Clarke still saw action behind the plate in spring training, so his showdown with Martinez as First Baseman of the Future may not completely happen, as he gets plenty of at-bats as a catcher or DH.

3. Five Position Players Rocket Up the Minor-League Ladder

In 2022, it was Jackson Chourio who shot up from Single-A Carolina to Double-A Biloxi in one season. In 2023, Jacob Misiorowski rode a rocket up the ladder. But in 2024, the Crew could see a hat trick of position players make some big marks. Demetrio Nadal, Pedro Ibarguen. Juan Baez, Cooper Pratt, and Yophery Rodriguez all have the makings to be big stars and could make things interesting for the Crew, putting a potentially shocking move on the table.

4. Luke Adams Cracks the Top 30

Adams has been another under-the-radar corner infield prospect, but his offensive profile looks a lot like that of Martinez, albeit from the right side of the plate. He’s also seen corner outfield time, but here’s where it gets interesting – in five spring-training at-bats, he didn’t strike out, and he drew a walk – against some high-quality opponents, per Baseball Reference. That sort of mix could be the last piece of the puzzle that makes a shocking move be not-so-shocking.

5. Brock Wilken Ends Up on the Block

The Brewers may find themselves in the midst of a pennant race – and in need of some reinforcements. With the rapid rise of Nadal, Ibarguen, Pratt and Baez and the presence of Tyler Black and Luke Adams, the Brewers find their 2023 1st-round pick is a prime asset to get the pieces for a pennant run. Yes, it would be a stunning end to the battle for the future at third base, but Wilken could fetch an excellent return for the Crew in a move reminiscent of the Matt LaPorta trade.

6. Satchell Norman Is the Catcher the Crew Can’t Coach

There are very few questions about Satchell Norman’s bat. It was arguably the second-best for the 2023 Arizona Complex League champs. The problem is that his defense behind the plate is an adventure, to put it mildly. Norman’s best shot is as a designated hitter – or maybe being hidden in left field. Most likely, though, once the catcher experiment ends, the Crew will decide to keep him at DH until he can be traded.

7. Quinton Low Becomes a Dollar General Version of Ohtani

Quinton Low’s tug-of-war finally gets resolved when the Crew puts him in the bullpen and lets him DH and play first and the corner outfield. His bat is a legitimate three-true-outcome threat. As a pitcher, he did very well in the bullpen. So, the Crew turns him into a hybrid of Eric Thames and Bryse Wilson. It’s not a bad outcome, even if it isn’t likely to land him an MVP award or two.

8. Nate Peterson Proves to Be as Good as Gasser

Nate Peterson has been under-the-radar as a pitching prospect, but he held his own despite an injured-list stint. His peripherals in NCAA baseball were close to those of Robert Gasser, and that could be a huge lift for the Brewers.

9. Single-A Carolina Has the Best Rotation Among Brewers Affiliates by August

The Brewers have some very high-end talent who pitched very well in the Dominican Summer League in 2023. It’s hard to imagine they will be kept on the sidelines. Melvin Hernandez, Eric Prado, Enniel Cortez, and Anthony Flores may not see much time in the ACL.

10. Darrien Miller Breaks Out Big

Jeferson Quero has gotten the hype, but Darrien Miller has quietly been a solid catcher for the Crew in the minors. Offensively, his skill set is heavy on OBP and a lot of doubles. As a catcher he has been solid behind the plate. Miller makes things interesting for the Crew behind the plate, but his left-handed bat could be an excellent complement to Quero, Clarke, and/or Contreras.

What do you predict will happen in the Brewers’ farm system? Who will break out? What will be the biggest surprise? Let us know in the comments below!

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[TURBO]

Trading Wilken, who appears to finally be a legit 3B prospect, isn't going to happen.

This kid will be playing 3B for the Brewers by the all star break, not on the trading block...

Sheesh.

[wiguy94]

So basically this article is prospects Clancy likes will have amazing seasons.

[Trax]

Love break downs on our farm club prospects.  I didn't give Clarke much chance to stay at catcher, who knows.  The bat will decide his future.  I hate the idea of trading a prime prospect for any reason and especially so for a rental if that be the case.  Wilken is our future at the corner.  Our future infield looks set for a long time if we can find that young first baseman, and I guess that too could be Wilken.  Depending on how far into the future we go.

[CheeseheadInQC]

Ohtani is to blame a bit, but I never saw the obsession with making guys two-way players. So few do one or the other well enough to reach the big leagues, let alone both. At this point, Low is a pitcher, and once he is back from injury I hope the Brewers develop him as such.