Revisiting the State of the Farm – Right Field

Injuries to Luis Urias, Tyrone Taylor, and Garrett Mitchell changed everything. Joey Wiemer is now handling center field, and doing so quite well. Taylor is seeing time in right with Anderson, Blake Perkins, and Raimel Tapia. So, how did that shake things out on the farm?

Nashville Sounds

Monte Harrison has the most starts in right for the Sounds, but Sal Frelick has surprisingly manned right field a lot, too. This could make things interesting in 2024, when the Brewers will have to juggle Mitchell, Wiemer, Frelick, Taylor, and Yelich in the outfield. 

Biloxi Shuckers

Carlos D. Rodriguez has taken the bulk of the starts in right field for the Shuckers, with Lamar Sparks and Noah Campbell also seeing time there. Rodriguez’s primary tool is OBP, and he adds a fair number of doubles. Campbell has emerged as a legit offensive threat under the radar as an undrafted free agent pickup, after he failed to sign as a 19th-round pick in 2017.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Hendry Mendez missed a lot of time with injuries, forcing Je’Von Ward and Joe Gray to handle the bulk of the duties in right field. Mendez brings OBP skills and physical talent, and in a small sample, appears to have improved his power numbers somewhat. Gray has always provided power, while Ward is trying to rebound after missing almost all of 2022.

Carolina Mudcats

Kay-Lan Nicasia has been under the radar, making a full-time move to the outfield after having played all over the infield for 2021 and most of 2022. As of July 16, he’s second on the Mudcats in walks and stolen bases. Jace Avina has also seen significant time in right field in Zebulon while also playing left field and center. Hedbert Perez, Eduarqui Fernandez, and Luis Castillo all spent time in right as well.

ACL Brewers

Reece Walling has been the primary right fielder in Maryvale, and he’s generating a lot of walks on the offensive side of things. Angel Pereira, who has also played in left and center, also is racking up the OBP by taking the free passes. Duncan Garcia has seen some limited action but has arguably shown the most well-rounded offense in a small sample size.

DSL Brewers 1

Irving Igualas and Pedro Tovar have alternated as the primary right fielder for the first of the Brewers two DSL affiliates. Tovar has demonstrated some serious OBP skills, while Igualas had been involved in one double play.

DSL Brewers 2

Ramon Moreno and Christopher Vasquez have split right field for the second Brewers affiliate in the DSL. Moreno is flashing power and OBP skills, plus solid defense. Vasquez’s 1.147 OPS as of July 16 is making its own case for playing time – if not in the outfield, then at first base, perhaps.

Overview

On one hand, right field looks like a poor relation compared to shortstop or center field. That quick judgment is a mistake, though. In recent years, the Brewers have preferred to move players from center to right. But even with that in mind, there are some potential breakout prospects in the lower levels, while the upper levels have a couple of players who could be very credible options.