Harold Hutchison

The rapid rise of Jacob Misiorowski in 2023 excited a lot of Brewers fans, but could other pitchers replicate that sort of season? Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports The fact is, the Brewers could see multiple pitchers rocket up the minor-league ladder, some of whom dominated while being young for their league. These six pitchers posted some superb seasons and could be very exciting to watch in 2024. Logan Henderson (Low-A Carolina) 4-3, 2.75 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 50 hits, 26 walks, 106 strikeouts over 78 2/3 innings pitched in 18 games (18 starts) Henderson came back after missing most of 2022 with elbow surgery and punched out a lot of hitters. He primarily deployed a fastball-changeup combination, with a slurve as his third pitch. Henderson is practically unhittable, and his control was solid. The best news: He built himself up to pitch at least five innings in each of his last eight starts, with a 2.66 ERA, slightly lower than his season-long total of 2.75. The big question will be whether he can show the durability to be a starter. If not, he has a bright future as a top-end reliever. Patricio Aquino (Carolina) 5-3, 2.75 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 80 hits, 31 walks, 86 strikeouts over 88 1/3 innings pitched in 21 games (19 starts) He didn’t quite have the hype of Henderson or Jacob Misiorowski, but Aquino emerged as a solid prospect in 2023. His fastball-slider combination has racked up a lot of strikeouts, but the big news was a drastic cut in his walk rate from rookie ball. He also reduced his home run rate. His changeup is a bit behind the other two pitches, but Freddy Peralta was quite solid early on with his limited arsenal. Melvin Hernandez (Rookie DSL Brewers 2) 2-2, 2.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 32 hits, 9 walks, 30 strikeouts over 35 innings pitched in 10 games (7 starts) Hernandez hasn’t made either the MLB Pipeline Top 30 or the Brewer Fanatic Top 20. However, his 2023 performance was solid by any measurement, and he did that in what was an age-16 season as one of the youngest in the DSL. Hernandez displayed excellent command and control, allowing just one home run and nine walks over the short season. Currently standing at 5’11” and listed at a positively bantam 139 pounds, he could mature a bit physically and be very good, very quickly. Enniel Cortez (DSL Brewers 1) 4-1, 1.58 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 35 hits, 5 walks, 49 strikeouts over 45 2/3 innings pitched in 11 games (8 starts) Cortez simply dominated at the bottom rung of pro baseball, and still didn’t crack either the MLB Pipeline Top 30 or the Brewer Fanatic Top 20. He was about two months older than Hernandez, but delivered stunning results, allowing just five walks and one go-fer ball. Cortez simply was unhittable, and was arguably the DSL Brewers' ace. He earned Brewer Fanatic’s Short Season Pitcher of the Year award for 2023. At 17, he can still see some physical development, and that could make things very exciting. Eric Prado (DSL Brewers 1) 2-1, 1.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 24 hits, 14 walks, 37 strikeouts over 41 innings pitched in 11 games (7 starts) Prado was less hittable than Cortez and Hernandez in 2023, although he did issue as many free passes as those two hurlers combined. Like those two, he didn’t make either of the aforementioned prospect lists, but he still posted a 0.93 WHIP and a 1.54 ERA, which is quite spectacular no matter how one looks at it. In fact, in some ways, he could argue that he, and not Cortez, was the ace of the DSL Brewers 1 squad. He didn’t rack up the punchouts, but he certainly didn’t get hit very much, either. Anthony Flores (DSL Brewers 1) 1-3, 3.22 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 33 hits, 16 walks, 57 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings pitched in 11 games (11 starts) Flores was a clear third for the DSL Brewers 1 squad starters, but there's no shame in coming in Show in a race with these particular horses. He took major steps forward across all the metrics, minus allowing his first go-fer ball as a pro. Unlike the other DSL pitchers, Flores was a starter the entire season, and even pitched a complete game, so he’s worked up to regular rotation status. Still, though, he was snubbed by bot MLB's and our own prospect lists. Until they have Stateside success, young hurlers are often overlooked this way. Which of these pitchers do you think could duplicate Misiorowski’s rapid rise through the system? Could some of them get even better than they already are? View full article

Jackson Chourio brought himself to the brink of MLB at the age of 19, with a rapid climb up the farm system over 2022 and 2023. Could other positional prospects match that rise? Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK 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! View full article

If Miley returns, it could mean a five-man rotation of Burnes, Peralta, Miley, Houser, and Rea... if the Crew brings back a couple of minor-league free agents (Boushley comes to mind right away), add Junk, McKendry, Gasser, Rodriguez, and Misiorowski stay in the minors a bit... then come up in the bullpen (see the Burnes/Woodruff promotions in 2018).

The Brewers have a number of credible relief prospects in the upper levels of the minors, but could they also have some high-level talent further down the ladder? Put another way: is a relief pitcher who hasn't yet reached Double A ever a prospect? Image courtesy of © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK The fact is, starting rotations are not the only place where exciting pitching talent can be found in the lower levels of the minors. There are interesting arms in the bullpens, too. Having a constant pipeline of talent can be valuable in more ways than one. The Brewers used prospects to get some potential 2024 help in the last month. So, which relievers really delivered in the lower minors in 2023? Let’s take a look. Kaleb Bowman (High-A Wisconsin/Double-A Biloxi) 2-1, 5.94 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 35 hits, 11 walks, 41 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings pitched in 29 games Bowman was a lights-out closer for the Timber Rattlers in Appleton, earning a promotion to Biloxi, where it got a little rougher. Still, for his first season in affiliated baseball, Bowman proved to be a credible pitcher, and an offseason in the pitching lab could build on an 11.1 K/9. Brannon Jordan (High-A Wisconsin) 3-0, 3.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 31 hits, 13 walks, 39 strikeouts over 33 2/3 innings pitched in 26 games Jordan was a ninth-round pick in 2021, and has shown strikeout capability. He served as a closer in the past. In 2023, he cut his walk rate down by 37 percent. Similar development in 2024 could make him a real asset for the Brewers’ bullpen. Justin King (High-A Wisconsin) 1-2, 2.91 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 23 hits 25 walks, 54 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings pitched in 28 games King has seen multiple stints on the injured list since the Brewers signed him as a free agent in June 2022. But when he is on the mound, he has simply dominated, averaging just under 16 strikeouts per nine innings. His big weakness is the free pass. If he can limit the walks, the Crew could have a Josh Hader-type closer on their hands. Karlos Morales (High-A Wisconsin) 4-6, 4.91 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 39 hits, 40 walks, 54 strikeouts over 47 2/3 innings pitched in 33 games Morales proved to be a solid multi-inning reliever in 2023, even though he issued a few more free passes. Morales spent four seasons in the Arizona Complex League, then repeated in Wisconsin in 2023. He averages more than one strikeout per inning. Morales could be a left-handed version of Bryse Wilson, and that can be a very valuable bullpen asset. Tanner Shears (Low-A Carolina/High-A Wisconsin) 4-2, 1.45 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 26 hits, 42 walks, 77 strikeouts over 49 2/3 innings pitched in 41 games Shears was unhittable in 2023, allowing one hit for every two innings pitched. He also racked up 14 strikeouts per nine innings pitched and 10 saves. Shears, a free-agent signee from independent ball, could benefit from an offseason in the pitching lab to help cut down on the walks he issued. Shane Smith (Low-A Carolina/High-A Wisconsin/Double-A Biloxi) 7-4, 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 36 hits, 21 walks, 86 strikeouts over 59 2/3 innings pitched in 38 games Smith joined with Shears and King to form a lethal 1-2-3 out of the Timber Rattlers bullpen. He even pushed himself to Biloxi for a couple of games, after he lost a lot of time in 2022 due to injuries. Smith, a free-agent signee in 2021, did just about everything one would want from a fireman, notching 10 saves while averaging 13 strikeouts per nine innings. Chase Costello (Low-A Carolina) 9-4, 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 52 hits, 20 walks, 53 strikeouts over 64 2/3 innings pitched in 28 games Costello, an offseason free-agent pickup who spent 2022 in independent ball, handled a Bryse Wilson-esque long relief role for the Mudcats, averaging over two innings an outing. While he wasn’t overpowering, he limited both hits and walks. Like Wilson, Costello was an effective bridge to the late-inning relief corps. Gerson Calzadilla (Rookie ACL Brewers/Low-A Carolina) 4-0, 2.11 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 35 hits, 13 walks, 38 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings pitched in 18 games Calzadilla was a terrific multi-inning option for the ACL Brewers in 2023, posting four saves and notching just under one strikeout per inning. He struggled a little in a brief call-up to the Mudcats, but he could be exciting to watch in 2024. Osbriel Mogollon (Rookie ACL Brewers) 2-3, 3.72 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 35 hits, 24 walks, 43 strikeouts over 38 2/3 innings pitched in 11 games (five starts) Mogollon showed he could still punch hitters out, but was a bit more hittable in the Arizona Complex League than he was in the DSL. That said, he cut down the wild pitches and hit batsmen, which compensated somewhat for the increased walk rate. Notably, in the more offense-friendly ACL, he only allowed one home run. What do you think of these pitchers? Are there others in the low minors you think could break out big-time? Let us know in the comments! View full article

Small sample size... I think with more time, he'll settle down. But hopefully, one of Small/Andrews can step up and be the in-house Milner replacement.

Elvis Peguero and Blake Perkins for Jimenez

Even in bad years, the Brewers have always been able to put together solid (and sometimes spectacular) bullpens. The farm system has helped out tremendously in that department in the past. Can it continue to do so? Image courtesy of © Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports A number of relief pitchers in the farm system are flashing significant potential. Some are not “traditional” minor-league prospects, but given the harsh hot-stove economic realities that have seen the Brewers lose arguably the franchise’s best manager of all time and have to non-tender a pitcher who is one of their best starters of all-time, the Crew needs to do a lot of improvisation to compete and thrive. Let’s look at some of the relief pitchers who stood out at the upper levels in 2023. Ethan Small (Triple-A Nashville) 2-4, 3.18 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 40 hits, 24 walks, 61 strikeouts over 51 innings pitched in 38 games (two starts) at Nashville 0-0, 11.25 ERA, 2.75 WHIP, 9 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts over 4 innings pitched in two games in Milwaukee Small, the Brewers’ first-round pick in the 2019 draft, has emerged as a solid bullpen option. Small sample aside, he punches out hitters with regularity. It is his last option year, but at this point, his ability to go multiple innings could be valuable for the Crew in 2024, given the major-league club’s rotation situation. Clayton Andrews (Nashville) 6-0, 2.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 39 hits, 31 walks, 74 strikeouts over 57 innings pitched in 48 games (one start) at Nashville 0-1, 27.00 ERA, 3.60 WHIP, 10 hits, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings pitched in four games in Milwaukee Andrews is a late-round steal for the Crew, a 17th-round pick in the 2018 draft that provided players that the Crew later dealt for 2021 contributors like Willy Adames (acquired for Drew Rasmussen) and Daniel Norris (Reese Olson). Andrews, though, could be another reliable left-handed option from the pen with multi-inning capability. He also posted a .772 OPS over 16 starts in center field between Wisconsin (then full-season A) and Carolina (then Advanced-A) in 2019. Cam Robinson (Nashville/Double-A Biloxi) 3-2, 5.33 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 58 hits, 39 walks, 58 strikeouts over 50 2/3 innings pitched in 49 games Robinson had a rough 2023, being outrighted from the 40-man roster after getting hit hard. He did rebound to post 15 saves, the most in the Brewers’ minor-league system. Robinson can generate strikeouts, and prior to 2023, he was lights-out. He is currently a minor-league free agent, but someone the Brewers should consider re-signing. Darrell Thompson (Biloxi/Nashville) 5-4, 4.12 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 49 hits, 29 walks,, 77 strikeouts over 59 innings pitched in 48 games Thompson is 29 years old, but he posted very good strikeout numbers across two upper-level minor-league stops–primarily in Nashville. While the numbers at Nashville looked rough, Thompson was playing his first full season of affiliated professional baseball in 2023 and an offseason in the pitching lab could make him very reliable. James Meeker (Biloxi/Nashville) 8-4, 3.39 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 97 hits, 15 walks, 81 strikeouts over 93 innings pitched in 36 games (eight starts) Meeker followed a dominant performance in Brisbane with a season wherein he arguably did it all. He was a shutdown relief pitcher, bridging the gap for closers. Then, he stepped into the rotation for the Shuckers after multiple starters went on the injured list. In all aspects, he was solid, and finished the season with two appearances for the Nashville Sounds. The Crew may wish they had put him on the 40-man, as he is Rule 5 eligible. TJ Shook (Biloxi) 7-5, 4.62 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 83 hits, 36 walks, 107 strikeouts over 97 1/3 innings pitched in 25 games (12 starts) Shook split time between the bullpen and rotation for the Shuckers, and the numbers were pretty solid. Notably, he struck out more than one hitter per inning, and improved on his hit, walk, and home run rates from 2022. Shook could be very valuable simply for the versatility he displayed; Bryse Wilson and Brent Suter have been recent comps to the role he could fill on the Brewers pitching staff. Max Lazar (High-A Wisconsin/Biloxi) 1-5, 3.26 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 67 hits, 19 walks, 73 strikeouts over 69 innings pitched in 33 games (one start) Prior to the 2020 pandemic, Lazar was looking like a late-round steal as a starting pitching prospect, like Brandon Woodruff. Injuries in 2021 and 2022 sidetracked him, but 2023 was a solid comeback year for Lazar in Appleton and Biloxi following a superb performance in Brisbane. He is a minor-league free agent, but the Crew should bring him back as another potential Wilsonesque, overqualified mop-up man. Nick Bennett (Biloxi/Nashville) 4-3, 4.43 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 65 hits, 25 walks, 64 strikeouts over 65 innings pitched in 33 games (three starts) Bennett posted decent numbers for Biloxi before getting a late-season call-up to Nashville. He averages just a hair under one strikeout per inning, and his metrics were on par with 2022’s. Bennett faces a lot of competition, but he has past starting experience, so he could still be valuable depth. Russell Smith (Wisconsin/Biloxi) 2-5, 4.80 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 58 hits, 29 walks, 74 strikeouts over 54 1/3 innings pitched in 29 games (two starts) Smith is tantalizing. He posts outstanding strikeout numbers, but he has been hit hard and issued too many walks. With an arm like his, though, the Brewers can only hope that he can put it all together and emerge as a late-inning asset. Blake Holub (High-A West Michigan [DET]/Double-A Erie [DET]) 6-4, 3.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 53 hits, 17 walks, 76 strikeouts over 65 1/3 innings pitched in 48 games Holub was acquired in the deal that sent Mark Canha to the Tigers, and the Crew got a guy who could be a late-inning asset, averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Holub also kept walks down for the most part, but gave up the occasional go-fer ball. Interestingly enough, Holub was a two-way player in college, a right-handed first baseman with some pop. Which of these pitchers do you think will make big contributions for the Brewers in 2024? Did we miss any pitchers in the upper minors? Let us know in the comments. View full article

The Bally blowup leads to the Crew riding some more rookies. Dunn takes 2B and platoons with Monasterio at second, with Turang coming in for defense at second and/or short. Black gets third. Caratini returns as the backup backstop - at least until Quero forces the issue. Roster also assumes that by the deadline, the Crew may sell/option players to break in Misiorowski, Carlos F. Rodriguez, and Gasser ala 2018. C: William Contreras ($0.77M) 1B: Christian Yelich ($26.00M) 2B: Oliver Dunn ($0.77M) 3B: Tyler Black ($0.77M) SS: Willy Adames ($12.40M) LF: Jackson Chourio ($0.77M) CF: Garrett Mitchell ($0.77M) RF: Joey Wiemer ($0.77M) DH: Sal Frelick ($0.77M) Bench OF: Tyrone Taylor ($1.70M) Utility: Andruw Monasterio ($0.77M) Utility: Brice Turang ($0.77M) Backup C: Victor Caratini ($5.00M) SP1: Corbin Burnes ($15.10M) SP2: Freddy Peralta ($5.50M) SP3: Aaron Ashby ($1.45M) SP4: Adrian Houser ($5.60M) SP5: Colin Rea ($3.50M) CL: Devin Williams ($6.50M) RP: Abner Uribe ($0.77M) RP: Hoby Milner ($1.70M) RP: Bryse Wilson ($1.30M) RP: Joel Payamps ($1.70M) RP: Trevor Megill ($0.77M) RP: Ethan Small ($0.77M) RP: Clayton Andrews ($0.77M) Payroll is 30.39% under budget

I wonder if teams are trying to lowball the Brewers in the wake of the Bally blowup... thinking the Crew will be desperate to cut payroll.

The Brewers farm system has developed excellent pitchers over the years. Even with the potential lossés of Corbin Burnes (via trade) and Brandon Woodruff (non-tendered, in the shadow of shoulder surgery), they could field a solid pitching staff in 2024. But will the team get big-time help down the road, as well? Image courtesy of © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports While the Brewers have some excellent starting pitching prospects in the higher levels of the minors, there are some truly exciting players on the lower rungs of the farm-system ladder. Let’s look over some of the starters who stood out in the lower levels of the minors in 2023. Nate Peterson (High-A Wisconsin, Low-A Carolina) 6-4, 3.75 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 64 hits, 31 walks, 78 strikeouts over 74 1/3 innings pitched in 19 games (12 starts) Peterson made two-thirds of his appearances with the Mudcats, and was very good in Zebulon. After earning a promotion to Wisconsin in his first year of full-season baseball (despite spending about a month on the injured list), he struggled some, but he could do better after getting used to the rigors of full-season ball. Patricio Aquino (Low-A Carolina) 5-3, 2.75 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 80 hits, 31 walks, 86 strikeouts over 88 1/3 innings pitched in 21 games (19 starts) Aquino was arguably the ace for the Mudcats, as a 20-year-old in his first full season of professional baseball. Most notable was his improved control, as he decreased his walk rate. He also lowered his home run rate. He’s likely to move up to Wisconsin to begin 2024, but could move fast. Will Rudy (Low-A Carolina) 5-3, 3.46 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 78 hits, 26 walks, 69 strikeouts over 80 2/3 innings pitched in 18 games (18 starts) Like Peterson, Rudy made his professional debut in full-season ball. He stayed with the Mudcats all season, and posted solid numbers, even if he didn’t overpower hitters (7.7 K/9 IP). This was Rudy’s first season of pro ball (he didn’t play after being drafted in 2022), so he could take a big step up in 2024. Logan Henderson (Low-A Carolina) 4-3, 2.75 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 50 hits, 26 walks, 106 strikeouts over 78 2/3 innings pitched in 18 games (18 starts) Aside from Jacob Misiorowski, Henderson arguably has the best “stuff” of any pitcher in the Brewers system. He was ramped up relatively slowly, but by the end of the 2023 season he was able to pitch into the sixth inning. He spent time on the 60-day injured list in 2022, so his health will be crucial. Brian Fitzpatrick (Low-A Carolina, Rookie ACL Brewers) 1-2, 6.46 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 31 hits, 18 walks, 33 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings pitched in 11 games (seven starts) Fitzpatrick’s 2023 was derailed by a trip to the 60-day injured list, but he put up decent numbers at Carolina. The lefty, a 10th-round pick in 2022, will seek to rebound in 2024 and is headed to Brisbane for the 2023-2024 winter season. Quinton Low (Low-A Carolina) 1-3, 4.68 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 20 hits, 29 walks, 47 strikeouts over 32 2/3 innings pitched in 14 games (seven starts) .207/.324/.345 with one double, one home run, three RBI, five walks, 11 strikeouts in 29 at-bats In some ways, Low is at a crossroads. He flashed intriguing two-way ability in 2022, splitting time between the bullpen and first base in the ACL. In Carolina, the batting took a backseat to development as a potential starter. The Brewers need to make up their mind as to what they want: a two-way threat? A reliever? A starter? Melvin Hernandez (Dominican Summer League Brewers 2) 2-2, 2.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 32 hits, 9 walks, 30 strikeouts over 35 innings pitched in 10 games (seven starts) Hernandez was one of the youngest players in the DSL, but he was arguably the ace for the Brewers 2 squad. Of particular note was the lack of free passes issued to hitters–with Hernandez almost going four innings between walks, on average. Listed at 5’11”, 139 pounds, he clearly has a lot of development ahead of him, but the command and control seem to already be there, and he may have nothing left to prove in a short-season league. Enniel Cortez (DSL Brewers 1) 4-1, 1.58 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 35 hits, 5 walks, 49 strikeouts over 45 2/3 innings pitched in 11 games (eight starts) Cortez put together a dominating season for the DSL Brewers 1 squad, punching out more than one hitter per inning, and allowing less than one walk per nine innings. Cortez earned Brewer Fanatic’s Short-Season Pitcher of the Year in 2023 with his performance, allowing just one home run on the season. Like Hernandez, he may be ready to skip future short-season leagues. Eric Prado (DSL Brewers 1) 2-1, 1.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 24 hits, 14 walks, 37 strikeouts over 41 innings pitched in 11 games (seven starts) Prado actually outperformed Cortez by some metrics in 2023, and did so while being about a year and a half younger than the average DSL player. While he was less hittable than Cortez, he did walk more batters and give up more homers. Still, he’s made a strong case to skip the ACL in 2024. Anthony Flores (DSL Brewers 1) 1-3, 3.22 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 33 hits, 16 walks, 57 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings pitched in 11 games (11 starts) Oftentimes, the numbers Flores posted would be considered indicative of the best pitcher a team had at the Rookie level. Flores improved virtually across the board in 2023 in just about every metric (his home runs allowed went up, but only fractionally). Flores spent a second year in the DSL, so it is an open question as to whether he goes to Maryvale or if he starts off in Carolina. Which of these low-level starters have you excited? Do you think we forgot any? Let us know in the comments below! View full article

I get kind of an Adam Lind vibe... Then again... Adam Lind did land us the deal that brought Freddy Peralta to Milwaukee.

Given that 2023 was his first full season, I wasn't disappointed in Moore at Appleton. If anything, I saw him as an option to replace Turang down the road. Dunn added some pop in 2023, but really, I didn't see him as a must-add. The Crew has Devanney, Dorrian and Zamora at Nashville, plus Turang/Monasterio/Miller/Toro/Adames on the 40-man, and Black's pretty much the front-runner at third. Unless we think we'll get blown away by an offer for Adames... I don't see the utility of Dunn - and would have at least kept Moore - maybe send Garcia or Murray instead.

Brewers fans are fretting about the potential departure of Corbin Burnes and the injury-related absence of Brandon Woodruff. It’s unavoidable, given that they combined with Freddy Peralta to form a dominant 1-2-3 punch. But could significant help be available from the farm? /images-custom/google-analytics/author-tracker.gif/images-custom/google-analytics/author-tracker.gif Image courtesy of © Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports The Brewers are not without starting pitching prospects in the farm system, and there is a pathway for them to not only stay seriously competitive in 2024, but to break in some of their best prospects at the same time. So, let’s look and see who the Brewers have available. We’ll divvy this up into two parts, with this one covering pitchers who were primarily at Triple A, Double A, and Advanced Class A in 2023. Janson Junk (Triple-A Nashville) 7-10, 4.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 145 hits, 44 walks, 94 strikeouts over 140 innings pitched in 27 games (25 starts) with Nashville 0-1, 4.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 8 hits, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings pitched in 2 games (one start) with Milwaukee Junk was part of the return from the Hunter Renfroe trade, and provided depth for the Brewers. A full offseason with access to the Brewers pitching lab could be beneficial for Junk, who will only be able to be optioned to the minor leagues for one more season. Caleb Boushley (Triple-A Nashville) 9-8, 5.11 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 136 hits, 51 walks, 110 strikeouts over 135 2/3 innings pitched in 29 games (26 starts) with Nashville 1-0, 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 1 hit, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings pitched in one game with Milwauke Boushley, currently a minor-league free agent, also provided some depth and notched a thrilling late-season win over the Chicago Cubs. Like Junk, he could end up on the Milwaukee-Nashville shuttle and provide some rotation depth in 2024, but that's only if the Crew re-signs him. Evan McKendry (Triple-A Durham/Nashville) 12-6, 4.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 125 hits, 46 walks, 130 strikeouts over 142 1/3 innings pitching in 28 games (23 starts) overall 4-3, 4.93 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 40 hits, 18 walks, 35 strikeouts over 45 2/3 innings pitched with Nashville (MIL) McKendry was acquired by the Crew Aug. 1, in exchange for catcher Alex Jackson. In this case, the Brewers may have picked up a solid depth prospect. McKendry, like Junk, could benefit from an offseason at the Brewers pitching lab. The team did not protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, though, so he could be out of the organization less than a month from now. Robert Gasser (Triple-A Nashville) 9-1, 3.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 123 hits, 50 walks, 166 strikeouts over 135 1/3 innings pitched in 26 games (25 starts) Gasser came to the organization in the notorious Josh Hader trade--one that is looking like a long-term win for the Brewers, even before Gasser pitches an inning in the majors. Gasser, though, could be either a key rotation piece from the start or a late-season bullpen addition. Much will depend on the health of Aaron Ashby, and on whether Wade Miley returns. Carlos F. Rodriguez (Double-A Biloxi, Triple-A Nashville) 9-6, 2.88 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 87 hits, 57 walks, 158 strikeouts over 128 1/3 innings pitched in 26 games (26 starts) Rodriguez, a two-time Brewer Fanatic Minor League Pitcher of the Year, is knocking on the door of the majors already, and looks like he could perform very well at the highest level. The big question is whether he's a relatively immediate addition to the rotation, or whether the team elects to have him begin the season in the minor leagues for further refinement of his stuff. Brandon Knarr (Double-A Biloxi) 0-2, 8.25 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, 17 hits, 9 walks, 19 strikeouts over 12 innings pitched in 5 games (3 starts) Knarr was an undrafted free agent who broke out in 2022. His 2023 season was a lost one due to injury, and he will be on the comeback trail in 2024. One bright spot: In the little work he got in during 2023, he punched out 14.3 hitters per nine innings. Adam Seminaris (Double-A Biloxi, Rookie ACL Brewers, Triple-A Nashville) 2-6, 5.95 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 76 hits, 25 walks, 64 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched over 16 games (16 starts) Seminaris, also part of the return on the Hunter Renfroe trade, struggled with injuries in 2023. He is currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League, and could earn a spot on the Milwaukee-Nashville shuttle in 2024. He, too, was left exposed to the Rule 5 Draft, with the Brewers gambling that his ugly numbers and spotty health record will scare off teams in search of left-handed relief depth. Jacob Misiorowski (Low-A Carolina, High-A Wisconsin, Double-A Biloxi) 4-2, 3.41 ERA and 1.178 WHIP, 42 hits, 42 walks, 110 strikeouts over 71 1/3 innings pitched in 20 games (20 starts) Misiorowski’s electric stuff propelled him to a rise akin to that of Jackson Chourio in 2022. The two big questions Misiorowski will have to answer are whether he can cut down on walks and if he can stretch out to handle a starter’s workload. But as of right now, he could be a right-handed Josh Hader, which is not a bad thing to have at the MLB level. Tyler Woessner (High-A Wisconsin) 6-7, 4.02 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 115 hits, 54 walks, 112 strikeouts over 121 innings pitched in 24 games (22 starts) Woessner was a solid pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. His greatest strength was keeping the ball in the park (giving up one home run every 17.3 innings) in his first full season as a professional. Woessner, a sixth-round pick in 2022, could take things up a notch in his second campaign. Cameron Wagoner (High-A Wisconsin) 6-11, 5.67 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 112 hits, 38 walks, 87 strikeouts over 100 innings pitched in 24 games (22 starts) Waggoner struggled for most of the 2023 season, after not just a solid 2022 Stateside but a strong showing in Brisbane during the 2022-2023 Australian Baseball League season. This year, over his final six appearances, he dominated, going 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA and allowing only 18 hits and 10 walks in 30 2/3 innings. Will he keep that up in 2024, or was it just a strong finish to a backslide of a season? Bradley Blalock (Low-A Salem, High-A GreenvilleWisconsin) 6-1, 2.82 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 54 hits, 20 walks, 75 strikeouts over 67 inning pitched in 15 games (15 starts) overall 0-0, 5.27 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 13 hits, 7 walks, 17 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings pitched in 4 games (4 starts) for High-A Wisconsin (MIL) The Brewers flipped infielder Luis Urias for Blalock in August, and got a potential power arm. Blalock posted some solid numbers, despite missing time with injuries, and could be in the mix as a starter for the Shuckers in 2024. Stiven Cruz (High-A Wisconsin) 7-6, 6.90 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 102 hits, 54 walks, 74 strikeouts over 90 innings pitched in 24 games (19 starts) Cruz struggled through 2023, regressing almost everywhere across the board. He’s still very young (turning 22 on November 14) and could rebound. He posted some better numbers as a reliever this season, but he and Brewers fans will be hoping he has a better 2024. Alexander Cornielle (High-A Wisconsin) 1-3, 4.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 77 hits, 34 walks, 92 strikeouts over 89 innings pitched in 20 games (18 starts) Cornielle’s season started with an injury, but he still managed to post some solid overall numbers for the Timber Rattlers. He did make strides in reducing his walk rate and in keeping the ball in the park from 2022, and could emerge as another solid option if he builds on that in 2024. Joseph Hernandez (Rookie ACL Brewers/High-A Wisconsin) 3-3, 4.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 40 hits, 35 walks, 41 strikeouts over 54 innings pitched in 15 games (11 starts) Hernandez was acquired in an off-season deal for right-handed reliever Justin Topa. He missed a lot of time with injuries in 2023, but will look to rebound in 2024. Which names here jump out at you? Do any seem like short- or long-term contributors we might have been overlooking? Throw out your hot takes and high hopes for the upper-level starters in the organization heading into the depths of the offseason. View full article

It is expected, and Murphy was perhaps the logical guy to step in if Counsell left. Villanueva staying in the front office is interesting... backup for Weeks? Maybe he's slated to replace Hook if Hook gets hired away at some point? Could be Murphy can season Weeks while Weeks is bench coach.

Cooper, incidentally, is an old Brewers farmhand who was dealt to the Yankees in 2017 for Tyler Webb... a deal I think the Crew would like back. Bringing back Miley would be a smart call, IMO.

Moore is someone I liked a lot - switch-hitter, really blew up big in Australia last winter. Just all-around solid, decent pop, OBP skills, could play short. Mendez, I was ready to move - great OBP skills, excellent physique, but the swing was just messed up. Dunn... not sure what he offers that Tyler Black doesn't do better. Depth is always nice, but the Crew had Patrick Dorrian as a 3B/2B option at AAA if need be.

Third base and shortstop experience in the minors and in college, per Baseball Reference. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=india-000joh

India is a Brewers draft pick who "got away" from the team. I'd give him a look as insurance given Turang's offensive struggles. He could also be a platoon partner with Tyler Black at third and could take some DH at-bats as well. As for who to offer? Either Tyrone Taylor (a solid outfielder similarly to India in service time) or a package of Blake Perkins, Elvis Peguero, and minor-league SS Kevin Ereu (with the latter package as my preference).

I'm assuming the SS picture looks like this: AAA: Zamora/Devanney AA: Brown/Murray A+: Guilarte/O'Rae/Areinamo A: Baez/Pratt Devanney could force his way to the majors in spring training - he's sneaky good, kind of a home-grown Monasterio with power. Zamora, of course, is the 2nd-round pick from 2020. Brown and Murray duke it out for time at short in Biloxi. Guilarte, O'Rae, and Areinamo would probably be competing for the time at short in Appleton. That puts Pratt and Baez at short for the Mudcats, with an outside chance of Josh Adamczewski forcing his way into the mix the way Luke Adams did at the corner infield in 2023. Both Baez and Pratt are very exciting. Pratt could be a devastating bat if he develops power. Baez... his ability to hit for contact went up big time. He had an 11.98 strikeout percentage in the ACL and a 12.16 strikeout percentage overall. That's very good, to put it mildly. Even in his 30-at-bat sample at Carolina, it climbed to 13.3%. He didn't draw walks, but he made contact, and it was effective contact that punished anything in the strike zone. And that low strikeout percentage tells me he ain't chasing or getting fooled. I don't doubt that Pratt makes things interesting and can be exciting in his own right, but I think Baez's just as good, and his bat seems more proven as a professional.