Insights on the Milwaukee Brewers' Organizational Strengths from MLB Executive Survey

The offseason has been slow and cold for Brewers fans, but there are plenty of reasons to feel warm and fuzzy. The MLB.com executive survey anonymously polls front office execs, scouting directors and personnel, player development staff and analytics departments on a wide variety of topics, from pre-season awards favorites to which teams draft and develop talent most effectively. The survey received responses from all 30 MLB organizations, and it revealed a few truths about the Brewers.

1. The Brewers Maintain an Elite International Scouting Operation
Unsurprisingly, the Brewers received strong marks for their international scouting operation, amassing 19.1% of the vote for best in baseball (third-best overall). Coming off an astounding rookie season, Jackson Chourio (3.9 fWAR) looks poised for mega-stardom. The Brewers system also boasts Jeferson Quero, Jesus Made, Yophery Rodriguez, Luis Lara, Luis Pena and so on. They have managed an impressively consistent run of international scouting success. They’ve shown not only an ability to identify talent, but the effectiveness of their player development staff in how those talents have consistently popped, improved, and progressed through their system.

2. The Brewers' Farm System is Headlined by Outstanding Depth
I’d argue that at the time of this writing, the Brewers farm system leans towards depth over high-probability high-impact talent. That statement should come with caveats around Chourio’s graduation (I’d prefer to rank ‘pre-arb’ talent than prospect talent) and the likelihood of prospects continuing to pop. On the hitting side, Jesus Made and Braylon Payne each received votes for most likely ‘breakout prospect’ in 2025. Cooper Pratt received 4.2% of the vote for the best defensive prospect in baseball. While Brewers prospects didn’t get as much love for some of the major offensive categories (hit tool, usable power, overall hitter), it’s not difficult to fit potential jigsaw pieces into those slots this time next year. On the pitching side, Jacob Misiorowski received 15.2% of the vote (most) for best future closer and 15.2% of the vote (tied for second) for best fastball of any prospect. As a whole, the Crew were ranked third-best at acquiring prospects in trades, with 6.3% of the vote.

3. Drafting and Development are Cornerstones of Organizational Success
What about domestic scouting? How about the Brewers' ability to develop their talent? They graded out well here, too. Milwaukee was voted as tied for the second-best drafting organization (10% of the vote) and received 16% of the vote (most) for the most underrated farm system in baseball. It’s easy to see why. The Brewers are flush with both close-to-ready talent (Tyler Black, Logan Henderson, Jacob Misiorowski) to high-upside prospects further away (Made, Eric Bitonti, Josh Knoth, Bryce Meccage). There’s good balance to the system, to boot—not surprising, for an organization who received votes for being the most effective developers of hitters and pitchers.

How do we tie all of this together? By saying that the Brewers' combination of outstanding international scouting, consistently excellent drafting and player development make them the most underrated organization in baseball. It’s a strong statement, but one for which a legitimate claim can be made.

Aside from the offseason lethargy, what do you make of the health of the Brewers organization? Who or what are you high or low on, entering 2025?