Five Under-The-Radar Position Prospects Who Should Be On The 40-Man Roster For 2025

[Harold Hutchison]

A little past the half-way point of the major league season is a good time to take a look for the future. In this case, which under-the-radar position-player prospects have earned a spot on the 40-man roster, protecting them from the Rule 5 draft or keeping them in the fold?

Let’s face it, there are some players who are making a very compelling case for either immediate promotion, or a spot on the 40-man in the higher levels of the minors. Let’s take a look at five of these prospects.

IF/OF Isaac Collins

Collins was a waiver-wire pickup from the Colorado Rockies system in the 2022-2023 offseason. Since then, he posted an .855 OPS in the pitcher-friendly Southern League in 2023, and is posting a .905 OPS with Triple-A Nashville to date. His power has gone up a step (36 extra-base hits in 263 at-bats to date, compared to 25 in all of 2023), he’s also adding speed (16-for-20 in stolen base attempts), and his OBP skills are superb. In addition, he plays multiple infield and outfield positions.

With this performance, he will be at or near the top of lists for teams to grab in the Rule 5 draft, which means the only return the Crew gets is $100,000 cash. That’s not a good return for what could be at minimum, a valuable bench asset. The Crew ought to make sure that doesn’t happen by putting him on the 40-man. He represents a clear upgrade over Vinny Capra or Oliver Dunn in terms of offense.

UT Noah Campbell

Campbell was signed as an undrafted free agent following the truncated MLB draft, but earlier had been picked by the Crew. He’s been a bit of a steal, providing all-over-the-diamond positional versatility (even collecting a save). His offensive profiles features the ability to get walks, some speed, and occasional power.

That competent bat is not his biggest virtue. His biggest virtue is his defensive versatility, in which he can handle any position on the diamond – useful when a team had all of four bench spots. His ability to take the mound is another asset, giving the Crew someone for those “garbage time” outings.

1B/C/DH Wes Clarke

Clarke is perhaps one of the Brewers biggest late-round steals in recent years. In 2023, all he did was outperform Jackson Chourio in home runs, doubles, walks, and OPS while splitting time between first base, catcher, and designated hitter. His three-true-outcomes bat (54 homers, 200 walks, and 349 strikeouts in 1003 professional at-bats as of July 4) might make for a useful complement to Tyler Black at first base.

Clarke’s defensive abilities also should give him an edge. In 2023, he was Jeferson Quero’s primary backup at Double-A Biloxi and fulfilled the same role for Darrien Miller in Advanced-A Wisconsin. Come 2025, should the Crew go with William Contreras and Jeferson Quero in Milwaukee, it’s likely Contreras sees a lot of time at DH, and having a third catcher like Clarke could be a huge boost.

1B/OF Ernesto Martinez

Martinez has had a long road to date in his professional career, and the Crew re-signed him when he reached minor-league free agency in the 2023-2024 offseason. That decision’s looked good as Martinez has held down first base for Double-A Biloxi. While injuries have delayed Martinez’s rise, he is still only 25, but the tools and past production point to an Eric Thames offensive with a couple of bonuses.

One such bonus is speed – Martinez has posted excellent stolen-base numbers since the pandemic – 67 stolen bases in 81 attempts. He’s also flashed greater defensive versatility than Jake Bauers or Thames, by filling in at center field in 2024 (and 2021). If the Crew did decide to move some outfielders or a player like Tyler Black, Martinez is not a bad fallback option.

C Darrien Miller

While Jeferson Quero has generated the prospect accolades, Darrien Miller has quietly developed into at least a solid number two catcher, and he could be an excellent complement to Contreras and/or Quero. His left-handed bat has flashed power, but throughout his career, Miller has also displayed superb OBP skills (192 walks in 1134 professional at-bats as of July 4). He’s also willing to get on base the hard way (plunked 72 times in those 1134 pro at-bats).

Miller is a potential minor-league free agent in the 2024-2025 offseason but will only be 24 in the 2025 season. Brewers Player Development named him their Player of the Month for June.

He’s a clear candidate for a 40-man spot, if only to have a little offensive variety with his lefty bat and OBP skills.

Overview

When the Brewers look at the upcoming offseason, these are players they could very easily lose to the Rule 5 draft or free agency. The Crew has done well with some not-so-heralded pickups in the offseason, luring them with 40-man spots (see Blake Perkins), but it may be time to do the same with home-grown talent.

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