Do Two Recent First-Round Picks Better Help the Brewers as Trade Chips?

[Harold Hutchison]

The last two first-round picks for the Milwaukee Brewers, shortstop Eric Brown Jr. and third baseman Brock Wilken, have big-league futures. However, could their best value for the organization be as trade assets, rather than eventual Brewers?

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

Reviewing The Picks
In the 2022 amateur draft, the Brewers used their first-round pick to select shortstop Eric Brown Jr. To date in his career, Brown has shown defense, speed on the basepaths, and superior OBP skills. His big issue has been staying healthy, though, and his offense has slumped to a batting average slightly below the Uecker line (hitting .195 as of Jul. 13), with a stint on the injured list.

The following year, Brock Wilken was Milwaukee’s first-round pick. He’s rapidly climbed to Biloxi in less than a year, but his 2024 season has been thrown somewhat off track by a scary incident wherein he was hit by a pitch and missed significant time. He provides a right-handed power bat and solid defense at third base.

The In-House Alternatives
The Brewers have long had a buffet of options at shortstop. At the major-league level alone, Joey Ortiz could secure the spot for the next half-decade, while Andruw Monasterio and Brice Turang could be options, as well. Down on the farm, Jadher Areinamo, Cooper Pratt, and Filippo Di Turi are among several contenders who have flashed serious potential. Jesus Made and Luiyin Alastra are showing some potential in the rookie leagues.

At third base, the Brewers have completely changed their situation from what it was at the start of 2023, and not just due to Wilken being selected. In that same draft, the Brewers added Mike Boeve and Eric Bitonti, while Tyler Black had a solid season at the hot corner that year. Down in Carolina, Juan Báez has also emerged as a contender for the position after converting from being a bat-first shortstop. Areinamo has also seen action at the hot corner. Ortiz has held down third base in 2024. Luke Adams is also flashing a potent bat and superb OBP skills over several seasons in the minors.

The Case For Not Trading Them
Both Brown and Wilken make Brewer Fanatic’s Top 20 and MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospect lists for the Brewers. In just about any scenario, these players look to be assets for the Brewers. Wilken would hold down third base for at least a half-decade, before the harsh hot-stove economic realities hit. Brown could slide in as a high-end utility player, giving Wilken, Ortiz, and Turang days off and notching 3-4 starts a week, depending on the situation.

Conventionally, it is the safer play to hold onto young, cost-controlled talent, especially for a team with limited financial muscle. The team has made substantial financial investments in these two ($2.05 million in the case of Brown, $3.15 million for Wilken). So, why not give them every chance to be stars for the Brewers?

The Case For Making A Deal
As former first-round picks, Brown and Wilken can help fetch a premium return. Take, for instance, trying to put together a package for Tarik Skubal. Wilken and Brown would make an intriguing two-part starting point for the deal, with the Crew tossing in Carlos F. Rodriguez, Luis Lara, and a piece or two from their crowded MLB bullpen (Elvis Peguero, Rob Zastryzny) to make it happen.

Perhaps Wilken and Brown could, on their own, net a solid rotation piece in the mold of Aaron Civale (think Yusei Kikuchi from the Blue Jays). A Joel Payamps/Eric Brown Jr. package could net the Crew Kikuchi, while bolstering the rotation.

Another option could be to see if Wilken and Brown could net the Crew a long-term asset. Wilken could probably secure Edward Cabrera from the Marlins in a straight-up swap (issue with the crowded 40-man roster notwithstanding). Brown could pair with Bradley Blalock to acquire Mason Black, from the Giants.

Overview
Eric Brown Jr. and Brock Wilken were exciting pickups when they were drafted. They could be real assets for the Brewers down the road, but there is a strong case that they could help the Brewers more as trade assets from positions of depth. Either way, they're names worth keeping in mind for the next week.

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[duewizard]

A 2024 playoff run would be nice but I am of the belief of pushing in 2025. Woody will be back, we have a better chance to build a solid rotation, Chourio will be good from day 1, the Freshmen+ (Frelick, Turang, Ortiz, Perkins, Mitchell) should all be good to go as everyday players, and we still have Contreras. 

Its also a year where guys like Black, Wilken, Misio, Yoho, C-Rod can be contributors. I like the idea of a 25-26/7 competitive window more than trading our guys right now,

[jay87shot]

I feel like other teams won't value Brown or Wilken very high in a trade. Those team would likely opt for players like Boeve or Baez/Arienamo who are having better season/ascending. 

[CheeseheadInQC]

2 hours ago, jay87shot said:

I feel like other teams won't value Brown or Wilken very high in a trade. Those team would likely opt for players like Boeve or Baez/Arienamo who are having better season/ascending. 

Brown sure, but Wilken? His performance, given that he is at double-A in his first full season and had a pretty bad injury, is at worst as expected. It's roughly equal to Boeve, so I'm not sure why he'd necessarily be shunned while Boeve is sought after.

[Brian]

Brewers signed the son of Prince Fielder, Jadyn Fielder who was not selected in the MLB draft.