Could These Brewers Prospects Rocket Through The System?

The ascent of Jackson Chourio has Brewers fans excited to see him in Milwaukee come Opening Day 2024. Yet, other prospects in the farm system are also set to make a huge move through the pipeline, at multiple positions. It could give the team some big-time help by 2026, when they might need to fill a lot of holes in their lineup, particularly since it is very unlikely that stars like Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames will decide to extend or even sign qualifying offers for 2025. Let’s look at five prospects who could force their way up very quickly in 2024 and make the Brewers future look fabulous.

C Satchell Norman (Rookie ACL Brewers)
.308/.425/.473, 6 doubles, 3 home runs, 20 RBI, 19 walks and 26 strikeouts in 91 at-bats
Norman flashed the ability to hit for average and draw walks, and he also brought some extra-base power. His biggest issue is defense (9 passed balls and a 10% success rate throwing out would-be base-stealers), although some might take a look askance at his higher strikeout rate (28.6%). Still, his .897 OPS could propel him past other catching prospects (not named Jeferson Quero) should the team be okay with a bat-first player donning the tools of ignorance. If Norman is moved to designated hitter, he could rise even faster, with defense as a non-issue.

3B Demetrio Nadal (Foreign Rookie DSL Brewers 2)
.342/.478/.525, 6 doubles, 2 home runs, 20 RBI, 24 walks, 19 strikeouts in 120 at-bats
While Brock Wilken, Mike Boeve, and Tyler Black all look like solid third-base prospects for the Brewers (with Black having a distinct shot at being in Milwaukee some time in 2024), Nadal’s plate discipline, speed (33 stolen bases), and developing power could make things interesting at the hot corner in the Brewers system. Just how much power Nadal develops could determine whether his ceiling is as a utility player (he also played shortstop, second base, and outfield) or as an everyday starter, but he already more than doubled his extra-base hit total from 2022 in 22 fewer at-bats, and he walked more than he struck out in 2023.

SS Juan Baez (Rookie ACL Brewers/Low-A Carolina)
.351/.377/.527, 19 doubles, 4 home runs, 48 RBI, 10 walks, 27 strikeouts in 222 at-bats
Baez broke out big-time in 2023, showing an elite ability to make contact. While his low walk rate (4.5%) might be concerning in isolation, Baez also had an extremely low strikeout rate (12.2%)–and he also flashed a dynamic bat, racking up 27 extra-base hits while adding speed to the mix (19 steals in 21 attempts). The big question about Baez is defense, as he posted an .833 fielding percentage at shortstop and an .891 at third base in 2023, and scouting reports have questioned his footwork and focus in the field. However, if the Brewers elect to have a bat-first shortstop, Baez could climb like a rocket. In the DSL in 2022, Baez had a higher walk rate (8.5%), and only struck out 15.7% of the time, and flashed signs of the power and speed he showed in 2023.

SS Cooper Pratt (Rookie ACL Brewers)
.356/.426/.444, 2 doubles, 8 RBI, 5 walks, 11 strikeouts in 45 at-bats
Pratt has drawn some comparisons to Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson through the draft process, and hit for a high average while showing OBP skills. His biggest competition at short is Baez. Pratt’s defense at the position is pretty solid according to scouting reports, which note his ability to get good reads on balls and his good hands at the position. The big question is if he can develop power from his impressive physique. If the power comes, as it did for Henderson, there could be no stopping Pratt from a meteoric rise through multiple Brewers affiliates in 2024.

OF Yophery Rodriguez (Rookie DSL Brewers 1)
.253/.393/.449, 13 doubles, 6 home runs, 36 RBI, 41 walks, 40 strikeouts in 178 at-bats
Calling Rodriguez a left-handed Chourio is not exactly accurate, even though both are very talented center field prospects. Rodriguez doesn’t quite hit for the average Chourio does, but his OBP skills and plate discipline could be better than the phenom who is considered one of the best prospects in pro baseball. Rodriguez walked more times than he struck out in 2023. His skillset could lead him to make a very similar climb, starting off by skipping the Arizona Complex League, as Chourio did at the start of 2022.

Which of these prospects do you think could make a rapid rise through the minor-league system? Are there any that we forgot about? Let us know in the comments below!

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