Milwaukee Brewers 2026 Top Prospects, No. 4: Cooper Pratt

#4 Cooper Pratt (Biloxi Shuckers)

Selected in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, Pratt has moved quickly through the system and finds himself on a lot of the national top 100 lists. He had a solid season in Double-A in 2025, and will look to build upon it in 2026.

What to Like

Pratt stands out as one of the more instinctive players in the Brewers system. His overall feel for the game shows up in multiple areas, especially in how he handles the defensive side and how he moves on the bases. He consistently makes strong reads, takes efficient routes, and shows strong baseball awareness in game situations. Despite possessing only average or slightly above-average speed, he is a very good baserunner; he went 31-for-36 on stolen base attempts in 2025.

Offensively, Pratt put together a fine season in a difficult offensive environment. His .691 OPS may not immediately stand out, but that was 8 percent better than the average offensive output in the Southern League, and he did that while spending roughly 90 percent of the season as a 20-year-old. Producing at that level against older competition in one of the toughest hitting environments in the minors is a positive sign for his long-term outlook.

His offensive profile is built around strong bat-to-ball ability and an above-average hit tool. Pratt shows consistent contact skills and can put the ball in play against a variety of pitch types. His swing is controlled and repeatable, allowing him to maintain steady at-bats and avoid extended slumps. If the hit tool continues to develop, it'll give him a strong foundation as an everyday contributor.

Defensively, Pratt shows advanced ability at shortstop. He profiles as an above-average defender, with the potential to develop into a plus or better glove at the position. His range may not immediately stand out through raw speed alone, but his reads off the bat and first-step quickness allow him to cover significant ground. He positions himself well and shows strong instincts that help his athleticism play up.

His arm strength is another clear asset. Pratt shows a plus arm and the ability to make throws from multiple angles, including off-platform throws from different spots on the infield. The combination of defensive instincts, range, and arm strength gives him a strong chance to remain at shortstop long-term.

What to Work On
The biggest area for improvement in Pratt’s profile is his power development. His raw power currently grades below average, as evidenced by his 101.2 MPH 90th-percentile exit velocity in 2025, and while his physical build suggests more strength could come with time, it has not yet consistently shown up in games. If he's going to profile as an everyday player at the major-league level, developing more extra-base impact will be important, and he’s most likely to do that through increasing his bat speed.

His swing decisions also remain an area for growth. While his bat-to-ball skills are very strong, which helped him manage his strikeouts effectively, he does struggle with chasing out of the zone. Pitch recognition, particularly against breaking balls away from him, has shown to be a challenge for him at times. Improving his approach and becoming more selective in those situations would help him maximize his contact ability and overall offensive production.

Because his profile currently leans heavily on contact ability and defensive impact, continued development with the bat will ultimately determine his ceiling. Without legitimate power growth, the offensive skill set will be more dependent on batting average and on-base ability, which could make it difficult for him to find a permanent home in the Milwaukee infield—especially if some of the other top prospects reach their ceilings.

What’s Next
Cooper Pratt’s combination of defensive ability, instincts, and contact skills gives him a strong foundation and makes him a relatively safe bet to reach the major leagues in some capacity. His long-term role will largely depend on how much the bat develops, and particularly whether he begins to show more consistent power production.

He's likely to continue facing upper-level pitching, and strong offensive performance could position him for a move to Triple-A or even a major-league opportunity in the near future. If he performs well in Nashville, a debut in Milwaukee during the 2026 season is a realistic possibility.

What are your thoughts on Pratt? What are you hoping to see from him in 2026? Let us know in the comments!

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