Minors potential depth chart

[jay87shot]

Help me out here on a potential depth chart, I've tried to keep up to date with cuts and free agents but here is what I have so far. Maybe someone who knows better can make adjustments as I will likely forget someone important or add someone who is not on the roster currently. I get with infielders there will be a lot of move position to position as well. At DH I am just putting in relivant players not really who will DH.

             AAA                              AA                              A+                                   A

C          Quero                    Miller/Wood                 Dinges                  Ordonez/Norman (inj)

1B      EMJ/Clarke            Adams/Wilken                Burke                           Bitonti/Barrios

2B     Dunn/Collin              Arienamo               Guillarte/Baez          Adamczecski/T Rodriguez

SS Zamora/Murray/Hall       EBJ/Garcia            Pratt (AA?)                Made/Di Turri

3B        Boeve                     Wilken/Adams        Baez/Guilarte          Pena/Ibarguen/Alastre

OF       Herron                          Lara                      Yophery                            Payne

OF      Dunn/Collins                 O'Rae                     Y Garcia                        J Anderson

OF        Hicklen                      H Perez                   L Castillo                          Ortuno

DH   Delgado/Capra/1st        T Hall               Walling/Nicasia (inj)             IF depth

AAA

Rotation=Partrick, Misi, Henderson, CarRod, Smith, N Peterson  Pen= Uribe, Bauk, Jay ???? Middendorf, McGee, McWilliams, D Garcia, Nittoli, McKendry, Stallings, Holub, R Smith

AA

Rotation=Hunt, Wichrowski, Kuehner, Crow, Cornielle, Fitzpatrick  Pen=Yeager, Manfredi, Gardner, Merkel, Childers, Bowman, Rudy, Bryant, Cruz, Knarr

A+

Rotation=Knoth, Letson, Manny Rodriguez, Birchard, Galindez, Woodward  Pen= Jimenez, Aquino, D Sanchez, Y Rodriguez, Rund, Rivero, Figuero, Maldonado, Timmerman, Low

A

Rotation=Meccage, T Smith, W King, E Cortez, M Molina, Welch, DeBerry, Robinson (INJ) Pen=Flores, Reyes, Hernandez, Holbrook, Seppings, Garcia, Morelo, Broca, Briceno, B Johnson, Hardin, Vallecillo

Let me know who gone, who I missed and who you think will be in a different level. Obviously the pitching side is loaded and pretty difficult to figure out.

[jay87shot]

I put Pratt in Wisconsin but kind of prefer he starts in Carolina. The AAA/AA bullpen is really tough to figure out and guessin the A ball pitching staff is going to be tricky Mason Molina should be in a+ but there really isn't a rotation spot

[wiguy94]

I'd bet Pratt starts in Biloxi. I'd also very much bet against all 4 of Made, Pena, Anderson, and Ortuno going straight from DSL to A ball.

[Ro Mueller]

I'm mostly curious whether we push some players, e.g.:

• KC Hunt, Justin Yeager and Sam Gardner to AAA
• Cooper Pratt to AA
• Josh Adamczewski and Marco Dinges to High-A
• Jose Anderson, Luis Pena and Wande Torres to Low-A

We've also still got Tyler Woessner, Tanner Shears, Chase Costello, Daniel Corniel, Anthony Flores (SP - not to be confused with Jesus Flores (RP)), Bryan Rivera (SP - not to be confused with Jesus Rivero (RP)), Ramon Rodriguez, David Garcia and a few others. Hopefully Shears and Woessner will get back to their pre-injury and pre-decline form, respectively.

And then I'm assuming some other key prospects won't yet be back from injury: Jimenez, Galindez, Low, Robinson, Cortez, Woodward.

[CheeseheadInQC]

Here are the starting hitters for the squads as I see it, with the DH just being the next best prospect on the roster. Not even going to attempt pitchers because too much depends on health. Also, until the Brewers add someone else, I've got Dunn on the MLB roster.

AAA

C: Jeferson Quero

IF: Ernesto Martinez, Ray Delgado, Freddy Zamora, Mike Boeve

OF: Brewer Hicklen, Tyler Black, Isaac Collins

DH: Wes Clarke

AA

C: Damien Miller

IF: Luke Adams, Jadher Areinamo, Eric Brown, Brock Wilken

OF: Bladimir Restituyo, Luis Lara, Dylan O'Rae

DH: Eduardo Garcia

A+

C: Matthew Wood

IF: Blake Burke, Daniel Guilarte, Cooper Pratt, Juan Baez

OF: Yophery Rodriguez, Yhoswar Garcia, Hedbert Perez

DH: Luis Castillo

A

C: Marco Dinges

IF: Eric Bitonti, Josh Adamczewski, Jesus Made, Luis Pena

OF: Braylon Payne, Kay-Lan Nicasia, Reese Walling

DH: Filippo Di Turi

Thoughts:

1. Lara and Pratt were coin flips. This placement is the easiest for roster building, but each is a good enough prospect where I doubt that will factor into the Brewers' decision.

2. I am guessing that they put Dinges in an easier offensive environment in low-A while he focuses his effort on developing as a catcher

3. It feels like you could make a case that half of the full season outfielders in the system belong in high-A.

4. I was conservative with Jose Anderson, but it wouldn't shock me if he started in Carolina.

5. Even if Dunn drops down to AAA, I have to think another AAA shortstop signing is coming with Capra, I'm pretty sure, being out of options.

6. On the pitching side, very interested in both A/ACL and starter/reliever for Wande Torres. I hope Gardner gets a AAA spot. He was overshadowed by Yoho-mania, but the guy was one of the most dominant relievers in AA when healthy, finishing fourth in K% and first in FIP among pitchers with at least 30 IP. One of the guys who beat him on K%? Well, he is available in the Rule 5 draft again.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Jay,

One correction: Satchel Norman was released.  I'd also say having Made, Pena, Ortuno, and Anderson all skipping the complex seems unlikely.  Agree on Made and Pena though.  I think Bitonti will start in A+ but that's surely debatable.  Otherwise, I think your projections are pretty reasonable.  The pitchers are just a crapshoot, so your guesses are as good as anyone's.  Nice job.

[snoogans8056]

I don’t think it’s entirely a coincidence that the first full year in a new DSL facility aligns with a possibly generational group of prospects. These kids may be a bit more prepared both physically and mentally than our usual 17 year olds.
 

They also have the added benefit of seeing someone only three years older than them getting $80,000,000 and contending for Rookie of the Year.

If ever there was a time to push some kids in A ball, this feels like it. Get all of them (Made, Pena, Anderson, Quintana, and Ortuno) around Chourio in the spring and hopefully that drives them even more.

 

[TURBO]

On 11/20/2024 at 10:52 AM, jay87shot said:

I put Pratt in Wisconsin but kind of prefer he starts in Carolina. 

I can't see Pratt starting in a lower level than he finished the season. (actually he was playing in Biloxi for the playoffs)  Not a chance he starts in Carolina, and if he does start out at Wisconsin, it won't be for long...

I could actually see him starting in Biloxi.

[jay87shot]

1 hour ago, TURBO said:

I can't see Pratt starting in a lower level than he finished the season. (actually he was playing in Biloxi for the playoffs)  Not a chance he starts in Carolina, and if he does start out at Wisconsin, it won't be for long...

I could actually see him starting in Biloxi.

Whoops sorry wrote the wrong team. I would prefer he starts in Biloxi, not Carolina. Thanks

[Joseph Zarr]

Yeah I think it's safe to say Pratt starts in Biloxi. He went up in the post-season because of injury within the Shuckers infield personnel but he also earned it and certainly showed well. Furthermore, given the immense traffic jam being caused via stateside promotions (good problem to have!) I'm personally anticipating Pratt and Areinamo starting in Biloxi. I think we'll see Guilarte and Baez start at High-A Wisconsin. And so on and so forth. I personally would be unsurprised if Luke Adams stays at Wisconsin in the early part of the season with the mandate of: swing more and show some more aggression. 

[Ro Mueller]

1 hour ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Luke Adams stays at Wisconsin in the early part of the season with the mandate of: swing more and show some more aggression. 

Hold back the Great Luke?!? Dem’s fightin’ words!

But yeah, I really hope he adapts and doesn’t fizzle out like Corey Ray or Mario Feliciano.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Quote

That helps. Thanks.

Even given that addendum, I still purport that's speculatively bullish. I mean, are you all seriously contemplating 9 early-season or off-season promotions from Wisconsin?!? OR are you considering, say, a realistic 2-3 with more FA adds? I don't think you can realistically look at the T-Rats current staff and commit to any more than that. 

Anyhow, I'm going to remind myself from this point on: this is the transactions thread. Let's move any more conversation about this over HERE. Thanks!

I'd say these A+ pitchers belong in AA next year: Aquino, Bryant, Cornielle, Cruz, Figueroa, Fitzpatrick, and Rund plus six 40 man roster guys (and Deivi, Pannone, Duplantier).  That makes 40 in AA/AAA.

[Joseph Zarr]

23 minutes ago, Ro Mueller said:

Hold back the Great Luke?!? Dem’s fightin’ words!

But yeah, I really hope he adapts and doesn’t fizzle out like Corey Ray or Mario Feliciano.

For me, as a very very early card carrying and banner waving board member of the Luke Adams hype club (as you know, we're talking dreaming on his initial ACL numbers), it's as simple as:

Clarke and EMJ are starting in Nashville

Burke is the older player/higher draft pick to start at 1B in Biloxi.

Does Wilken's 2024 merit a pre-emptive promotion to Nashville? I don't think so. Then again, I thought Wilken should have been withheld from the AFL 😁 Zavi being the consummate utility soldier he is plays the back up with hopefully a healthy and improved Ethan Murray.

AND, all this being said I would be entirely unsurprised if they promoted him to start the campaign. More off-season beard scratching Rodin's hand ruminating than any bold declaration.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

8 minutes ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

I'd say these A+ pitchers belong in AA next year: Aquino, Bryant, Cornielle, Cruz, Figueroa, Fitzpatrick, and Rund plus six 40 man roster guys (and Deivi, Pannone, Duplantier).  That makes 40 in AA/AAA.

I like your boldness. 

Of your list here:

Rund, Bryant, Cornielle are my only likely locks. Hence my 2-3. I'd say all the other pitchers have quite a bit to prove. I hope I'm wrong! I think very fair arguments can be made for Rudy (who really improved in the second half and was absolutely fantastic in the Championships); Cruz, and Fitzy. Aquino needs more seasoning after last year's shuffling - is he bullpen now? Was it a hiccup (his struggles) or does he need another level beyond the slider? Amd, tho I love Figueroa and felt quite validated by his success after his promotion (finally!) I personally find it hard to think the Brewers promote him again in such short order with so few outings at High-A. Could be my own limited thinking.

[Joseph Zarr]

Stepping back, I also realize we currently have 22 pitchers rostered at Carolina. Y'all are likely on to something with the T-Rats promotional thinking.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

2 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Stepping back, I also realize we currently have 22 pitchers rostered at Carolina. Y'all are likely on to something with the T-Rats promotional thinking.

And most of the 2024 P draftees are not listed on the Carolina roster yet.  There is definitely a logjam of pitching.  By my count, they have nearly 40 pitchers vying for A-/Arz spots and that's only assuming 2-3 promotions from DSL. Jaquez and Torres seem likely and I think Hoff gets promoted (how long can a German survive in the tropics?). That's leaving a bunch of decent pitchers to repeat DSL. It will be no surprise, if they make any trades this winter, they will be trading low level pitching.

The pitching heavy last two drafts have given them a ton of depth at the low levels.  Injuries always happen so you can never have too much.

[CheeseheadInQC]

I've got 20-22 pitchers at every level outside of the MLB. But I'm not going to question it for two reasons.

1. Unfortunately with pitchers these things have a tendency to work themselves out with injuries.

2. I'm pretty sure I had the same thought last year when they signed Jared Koenig.

[CheeseheadInQC]

6 hours ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

And most of the 2024 P draftees are not listed on the Carolina roster yet.  There is definitely a logjam of pitching.  By my count, they have nearly 40 pitchers vying for A-/Arz spots and that's only assuming 2-3 promotions from DSL. Jaquez and Torres seem likely and I think Hoff gets promoted (how long can a German survive in the tropics?). That's leaving a bunch of decent pitchers to repeat DSL. It will be no surprise, if they make any trades this winter, they will be trading low level pitching.

The pitching heavy last two drafts have given them a ton of depth at the low levels.  Injuries always happen so you can never have too much.

I kind of go the other way. Maybe the Brewers change course because of the depth but:

1. If the Brewers follow recent trends, Meccage and all of the college pitchers from last season will be in full season ball.

2. The only A-ball promotion from last season that, based on age and performance, I could see dropping back down is Jesus Flores.

3. Caden Vire, as young as he is, is still entering his fifth season in the organization. I can't think they want him to spend another season in the Complex League

That would leave I believe three or four holdovers (Johnson, Yanez, Meneses and if he is sent back down Flores) plus four healthy high school pitchers if Broughton isn't ready to start the season. That is plenty of room to bring over 10-12 DSL pitchers. 

[jay87shot]

Having all this pitching depth is a blessing I just worry about having to cut 5-10 really interesting young arms. Are there any other teams that minor league systems really really lack pitching depth that we could do like a 4 for 1 swap and get a 3B. I look at the Mets maybe as an option they have a couple top 10 org pitching prospects but only 4 from 12-30. Is like Fitzpatrick, Cornielle, Middendorf, and Yeager (swap out whichever nontop 30ish prospect you prefer) to cheap to get us a guy like Baty or Mauricio

[Ro Mueller]

17 hours ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

I kind of go the other way. Maybe the Brewers change course because of the depth but:

1. If the Brewers follow recent trends, Meccage and all of the college pitchers from last season will be in full season ball.

2. The only A-ball promotion from last season that, based on age and performance, I could see dropping back down is Jesus Flores.

3. Caden Vire, as young as he is, is still entering his fifth season in the organization. I can't think they want him to spend another season in the Complex League

That would leave I believe three or four holdovers (Johnson, Yanez, Meneses and if he is sent back down Flores) plus four healthy high school pitchers if Broughton isn't ready to start the season. That is plenty of room to bring over 10-12 DSL pitchers. 

What about Langhorne, Seppings, Hostetler, Hodges and Gillis?

Hopefully there’s another non-drafted gem in there.

[biedergb]

Depth is pretty good as far as prospects, where there are multiple players who can be the future at that position, and competition is good, plus  defensive homes are in flux. But in general I see

1B/DH - Black, Boeve, EMJ, Burke

3B/1B - Wilken, Adams, Bitonti

SS/3B - Pratt, Made, Pena, Quintana, Guilarte, and Baez (3B/UT)

2B/SS - Areinamo, EBJ, DiTuri, Adamczewski

OF - Y. Rodriguez, Lara, Payne, Anderson, ORae

Catcher has Quero and a lot of question marks (Corobo, Ordonez are young; Miller is not great defensively, Rodriguez and Garcia are older for their levels)

RHP - Miz, Henderson, Rodriguez, Knoth, Hunt, Meccage, Wichrowski, Letson, plus others

LHP - Gasser, Kuener, I feel I am missing someone here

RP- Yoho, S. Smith

[Ro Mueller]

We started the 2024 season with 53 pitchers between MLB (13), AAA (15) and AA (16), including one in limbo (Thompson) and 8 on injured lists (Woodruff, Devin, Miley, Clarke, Gasser, Crow, McGee, Knarr).

Based on my list, we're already at 56 such pitchers this year, and with fewer long-term injury cases (e.g. Gasser).

It'll be an interesting and competitive camp.

MLB (16, incl. 3 extra): Peralta, Woodruff, Cortes, Civale, Myers, Hall, Payamps, Megill, Hudson, Mears, Koenig, Uribe, Ashby, Peguero, Thomas, Gasser

AAA (21, incl. 5 extra): Misiorowski, Henderson, CF Rodriguez, Patrick, Crow, Pannone, Zimmermann, E Rodriguez, Wolfram, Anderson, Yoho, Bukauskas, Nittoli, Maciejewski, McKendry, Middendorf, McGee, Garcia, Gardner, Liranzo, Yeager

AA (19, incl. 3 extra): Hunt, Peek, Kuehner, Wichrowski, Cornielle, Rudy, Woessner, Holub, McWilliams, Smith, Peterson, Stallings, Bowman, Childers, Knarr, Costello, Fitzpatrick, Merkel, Mendoza

[Ro Mueller]

If Jeferson Quero isn't ready to catch (Quero's comeback already drawing quite the buzz in AZ) to start the MILB season, maybe Ramon Rodriguez (65 career AAA PAs, 163 career AA PAs) will join Jorge Alfaro and Nick Kahle (56 career AAA PAs, 263 career AA PAs) in Nashville.

These guys had better be able to handle the Yoho and Mis balls coming their way, which is no easy task. 

 

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Reminder that Seigler can catch as well (none last year and 28g in 2023. 160g total in minors).  Well so can Clark but that ship has probably sailed.

[Ro Mueller]

If the Spring Training lineups are an indication, the Low-A Carolina Mudcats’ lineup will be amazingly prospect-laden:
- C Dinges
- 1B Bitonti
- 2B Adamczewski
- 3B Pena
- SS Made
- OF Payne (actually been unavailable with a slight injury)
- OF Anderson
- OF Nicasia
- DH Walling
- Bench: Nadal, Di Turi, etc.