Jackson Chourio Isn't The Only High Ceiling in the Brewers Farm System

The Milwaukee Brewers seemed to alter their approach this year in the draft, drafting high-ceiling players instead of their usual hit-over-power, solid-defense picks. On top of some high-caliber second-round picks in previous drafts, that shift in focus has provided a lot about which to be excited, both in the near and the distant future---just as Jackson Chourio (hopefully) hits his stride in the big leagues.

Jacob Misiorowski - RHP
An obvious place to start, Misiorowski has the type of arm that few outside Jacob DeGrom could compete with. He combines incredible spin rates with a 100-mph fastball, but his most devastating pitch is really his slider, a wipeout pitch at almost 90 mph. Generating great extension off the mound from his 6’7" frame and developing changeup and curveball toward the latter end of 2023 leave command as the only question mark attached to him. He showed it in fits and spurts--most notably a six-inning, 12-strikeout game to finish his season. With perhaps the best raw stuff in the minor leagues, he's a name on many people's lips.

Josh Knoth - RHP
At the other end of the development scale is 17-year-old Josh Knoth, who saw a big uptick on a fastball touching 97 mph at times. With incredible feel for spin that led to supreme success with both his four-seam fastball and a curveball which regularly tops 3,100 rpm, he left hitters floundering at the plate. This is a pitcher with exceptional command for his age, and without a high-effort delivery. He could storm through the Brewers' minor-league apparatus. He threw a 19-strikeout perfect game as an amateur, and although he's a little small, he's a superb athlete whom I, for one, can't wait to see get started next summer.

Eric Bitonti - SS/3B
At 6’4" and 215 pounds, Bitonti is a good defensive infielder, most likely to end up at third base due to his cannon of an arm. For a just-drafted high-school guy, he is a power prospect like few others. He has long levers but a short swing, and scouts feel he has the ability to make adjustments with professional tutelage to hit for both average and power. Considering his age and experience, he already has a good eye at the plate, but there is some swing-and-miss the Brewers will hope to iron out. Sprinkling plus defensive projections at the hot corner on top of it all makes him someone to watch. Along with Bitonti, Cooper Pratt deserves some discussion, but more on that next week.

Brock Wilken - 3B
A slightly surprising pick, Wilken had more walks than strikeouts, incredible power and a solid hit tool, coupled with surprisingly agile defense at third base. He demolished pitchers during his short stint in the minors, finishing with a .565 slugging percentage at Double A, while demonstrating a slight passiveness at the plate that he could tweak. Oddly, he doesn't have a lot of chase problems or swing-and-miss for a high-strikeout player, so he has the tools, and with some refining of his approach, we may see the power arriving in the major leagues toward the end of this season. Wilken set a record for home runs in Atlantic Coast Conference history with 71 during his time at Wake Forest, and he's showed a workability to develop and improve contact-wise during his time in college.

Yophery Rodriguez - OF
An international signee from the Dominican Republic, Rodríguez appeared to tire toward the end of the 2023 season. However, at just 17 years old, he showed the type of power and mature approach at the plate that scouts dream of. There's a belief that he could reach at least above-average thump as he grows into his frame, while projecting to stick in center field. He also has a hit tool that could carry him quickly through the minors in his Stateside debut next year. A Jackson Chourio comes along once in a blue moon, but there are people suggesting Rodríguez could follow his meteoric rise. An .842 OPS at his age (he was over 1.000 at some points in the season) is impressive, along with taking 41 walks to 40 strikeouts. Despite his poor finish to the year. Rodríguez has a huge ceiling, and only time will tell which affiliate he may finish at next season.

There are a ton of other names to be excited about, in Juan Baez, Luis Lara, Carlos F Rodriguez, Robert Gasser, et al, and it shows just how stocked the Brewers farm system is. Any one of these players could reach a level of stardom that allows the team to build a dynasty alongside Chourio, regardless of how they approach the 2024 season. There's plenty of reason to be excited, Milwaukee fans, with talent churning through the system at all levels and ages.

Interested in learning more about the Milwaukee Brewers' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!