Brewers Minor League Link Report (4/1): Luis Lara Stays Hot, but Knights Down Sounds 9–3

18 minutes ago, long ball said:

Just reading the prospect reports I was thinking Lara may end up as a high floor 4th outfielder. Similar profile to Blake Perkins. But then he was impressive in big league camp and now that MiLBtv is included with mlbtv I’ve watched a few games and I’m back on board with him being the CF of the future and possibly even by opening day 2027. 

With his defense and speed the question for Lara was always if his bat was going to turn out more like Perkins (84 career wRC+) or Frelick (100 career wRC+ with a 114 last year).

Given that he never really dominated at any minor league level (112 wRC+ at Carolina, 96 wRC+ at Wisco, 116 wRC+ at Biloxi) I've tended to lean more the Blake way over the years, but when we consider that Sal was still a sophmore at Boston College when he was 20 while Luis was more than holding his own in the Southern League that kinda tilts the scales more towards a possible Frelick outcome. Sal didn't even get drafted until he was 21, debuted in MLB at 23, first full season at 24. Luis could debut this year or next, and get his first full season as a 22 or 23 year old depending how things play out. 

Either way, Lara definitely flies under the radar. Cooper Pratt landed on the back half of numerous Top 50 lists this offseason on the strength of his SS defense while hitting 238/343/348 (107 wRC+) with a 12.7 BB% | 15.2 K% and 31 SB / 5 CS as a 20 year old.

Lara was the same age, is also a top notch up the middle defender in CF and hit 257/369/343 (116 wRC+) with a 14.1 BB% | 16.2 K% and 44 SB / 7 CS on the same team.

Obviously Pratt's larger frame gives him more room to dream on future power production, but even if Lara tops out around Sal on a power level that is still around a three win player if he can manage something like a league average batting line. Pretty good stuff for a guy that can't even crack the organizational Top Ten.