10 Bold Predictions For The Brewers Farm System In 2024

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 More Than He Plays First Base
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 in 2023. Austin Nola was expected to get a lot of Triple-A time as a mentor to Quero, until he was released after the Crew signed Gary Sánchez to be their backup catcher and sometime designated hitter. Then, Eric Haase was designated for assignment due to being out of options. Haase and Francisco Mejia are in Nashville, at least until Quero returns, but Clarke still saw action behind the plate in spring training, and right now, he will split time with Darrien Miller in Biloxi, so his showdown with Martinez as First Baseman of the Future may not materialize in quite the form we previously imagined.

3. Three Position Players Rocket Up the Minor-League Ladder
In 2022, it was Jackson Chourio who shot up from Low-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 strides. Juan Baez, Cooper Pratt, and Yophery Rodriguez all have the makings of big stars, and could make things interesting for the Crew. That puts 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. He has power, OBP skills, and can steal bases. If he breaks out (and he's quietly posted solid numbers so far), 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
Even with Corbin Burnes traded and Brandon Woodruff and Devin Williams out with injury, the Brewers may find themselves in the midst of a pennant race – and in need of some reinforcements. With the rapid rise of Pratt and Báez and the presence of Tyler Black and Luke Adams, the Brewers find their 2023 1st-round pick could be a prime asset to get the pieces for a pennant run, as was the case 16 years ago, involving Matt LaPorta. 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 CC Sabathia deal.

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 Shohei 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, while he is on the 60-day injured list now, by the end of the season, the Crew will turn 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 Robert Gasser
Nate Peterson has been under the radar as a pitching prospect, but he held his own despite a stint on the injured list. 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, even with Josh Knoth and Bishop Letson slated for the Mudcats rotation. 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 William 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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