Harold Hutchison

Should the Brewers have to trade Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Willy Adames, or other players who have impending free agency, pitchers will not be their only targets. It would be a form of tunnel vision that would not benefit the team in the long run. After all, teams must score runs to win, not just prevent the other team from scoring. Image courtesy of Brock Beauchamp As with pitchers, we assume the Brewers will avoid strengthening division rivals or potential contenders in the NL. After all, the team is looking for playoff runs, and aiding rivals is a bad way to make the playoffs. So, which position prospects might the Brewers be going for? There is a veritable cornucopia for the Crew. IF Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles The Brewers could look to enhance their options at third base in a deal with Baltimore, and Westburg would make for a nice fit, given his right-handed bat. Westburg has a higher strikeout rate, and given the Crew’s experience with Keston Hiura, that may have them nervous. Unlike Hiura, Westburg at least can play defense well. C Bo Naylor and SS/2B Brayan Rocchio, Cleveland Guardians As a destination for Burnes and/or Woodruff, Cleveland has the potential for some real returns for the Crew. Naylor, a left-handed hitter, might make for an excellent platoon partner for Jeferson Quero and allow the Brewers to have William Contreras be the full-time DH (or platoon with Darrien Miller). Rocchio is a switch-hitting middle infielder with some pop and a high baseball IQ, giving the Crew another option in the infield. C Yainer Diaz and OF Justin Dirden, Houston Astros While both Diaz and Dirden made Bleacher Report’s Top 100 prospects list, they are at relatively strong positions for the Brewers. That said, Diaz also played a lot of first base so he could be at least an option there with Miller or other prospects. Dirden is a center fielder who often pulls the ball and has strikeout issues. That said, American Family Field is conducive for left-handed hitters to succeed. IFs Zach Neto, Kyren Paris, and Livan Soto, Los Angeles Angels The Angels could give the Brewers some real options for depth – either for their system or to flip in deals (see the Trevor Richards for Rowdy Tellez deal in late 2021). Neto is a shortstop with a good bat who may move to second, while Paris seemed to have something click hitting-wise. Soto is more a speed merchant and bench asset – a poor man’s Brice Turang – but bench assets are often very useful. IF Brett Wisely, San Francisco Giants Wisely is an intriguing hitter, reminiscent of Jeff Cirillo, while adding some real ability to steal bases. Maybe he can’t beat out prospects like Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Joey Wiemer, Brice Turang, Tyler Black, and Cam Devanney for playing time, but he could end up being the guy who still gets a hundred starts by giving each of them a day off – or by filling in when someone is on the disabled list. IF Curtis Mead and OF Tristan Peters, Tampa Bay Rays Mead was a steal for the Rays, who broke out in 2021 and featured a very dynamic bat that could play first, second, or third for a team. He has excellent OBP skills, and his power is on an upward trend. The Crew’s best shot to get him may be a mid-season deal if the Rays are in a pennant hunt. Peters was part of a trade that did not go well for the Brewers, and the Giants dealt him to Tampa, but his high-contact bat, speed, and doubles power could be handy off the bench when the Crew needs a hit at a crucial time. IFs Orelvis Martinez and Addison Barger and 1B Spencer Horwitz, Toronto Blue Jays The Brewers could easily lock down their corner infield spots if they strike a deal with the Blue Jays for some of their players. Martinez and Barger are both third-base prospects, one batting right-handed, the other left-handed. Horwitz could be the long-term answer the Brewers have sought at first base since Prince Fielder left as a free agent after the 2011 season. Overview If the Brewers are looking to bolster the position player group, they could have a lot of young options to do so. Ideally, they would fill holes at first base and third base rather than bank on converted shortstops, but some players could be extremely valuable role players. Durability demonstrated by Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Jr. is rare, so a team can always have a little depth. View full article

It seems inevitable – and you will even see it in some breakdowns before the June draft or in various top prospects lists. The prospect in question will be compared to a past player. In one sense, this can be helpful, to give you a sense of what that prospect can do. Image courtesy of © MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK But let’s also be very honest, since cloning a baseball player is still very well into the realms of science fiction; the single-player comparisons don’t exactly work. Why? Every player is unique, so the direct comparison doesn’t quite work. Christian Yelich wasn’t a pure repeat of past great Brewers corner outfielders like Geoff Jenkins or Ben Oglivie; he also added the ability to steal a bunch of bases and contend for a batting title, as Paul Molitor did at one point. So, with that in mind, let’s figure out which MLB players, past or present, can describe Brice Turang, who, as of this writing, has excited Brewers fans. There are two who come to mind readily. Craig Counsell Turang takes after the current Brewers manager’s playing style in some ways. He has excellent on-base skills and has shown positional versatility across the infield in the minors. Turang has also shown, to date, some very solid defense over the years. Counsell also flashed some speed, swiping as many as 26 bags in a season. That said, the Counsell/Turang comparison needs to catch up. Turang’s offense has shown signs of being far more dynamic than Counsell’s over his career. There’s also the potential for more power (Counsell’s career high in homers was nine with Arizona in 2005, and Turang looks to crack double digits as an everyday player). So, if Turang is not a complete clone of Counsell, there must be another player who “fills in the gaps” to describe Turang’s offensive capabilities more completely. It’s a somewhat bigger name. Jimmy Rollins When you look at his career from 2001-2005, you can see some other “gaps” in describing Turang’s offensive game. Rollins averaged 37 doubles, ten triples, 12 homers, and 34 steals a season, with an OPS+ of 93. This does seem to match what Turang posted in 2022, where he spent the entire season in AAA. If Rollins had a weakness compared to Turang, it was in OBP skills. Rollins put up 58 walks for every 662 at-bats per 162 games. Turang drew more than that in each of his full minor-league seasons. Rollins also developed more power than Turang will likely flash in his later career. Others Turang’s versatility also includes the ability to play in the outfield, similar to Hernan Perez, who was primarily an infielder for the Brewers from 2015-2019. This could prove helpful to Turang in Milwaukee, as there are some other blue-chip prospects at shortstop, second base, and third base. Orlando Arcia also merits some consideration, given the outstanding glove he flashed from 2016-2021. Overview Brice Turang’s ceiling is likely the best of both Counsell and Rollins's 2001-2005 versions. Turang’s defense could easily be contending for Gold Gloves. Still, offensively, he could be a very sneakily potent force between the OBP skills and the chance he could regularly hit double figures in doubles, triples, homers, and steals with regular playing time. But as a floor, Turang is still likely to be a valuable contributor who could get 60-100 starts a season among multiple positions, where the OBP skills, speed, and pop can still be valuable, a cross between Counsell and Perez. Either way, he may already be making a strong case for a lengthy contract extension. What do you think, Brewer Fanatics? Should the Brewers lock up Turang in his rookie season? View full article

The farm system will see some changes no matter how the Brewers do early in the 2023 season. If the Brewers do well, the team will likely be looking at what assets can be dealt to bolster the team for a playoff run. Image courtesy of Brock Beauchamp If the results are disappointing – and that could be decided in as few as 20 games – then the farm system could see additions. Who might the Brewers be targeting for players like Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Eric Lauer, and Willy Adames if things get to that point? As was the case when potential Burnes deals were outlined, the Brewers will try to craft a deal that minimizes the risk of them facing Burnes and Woodruff in the regular season but also could provide a superb return. So, as a rule, we will avoid a deal with division rivals or potential contenders, but an outside contender looking in will be an option. Let’s look around. RHP Grayson Rodriguez and LHP DL Hall, Baltimore Orioles As many have discussed, Baltimore may be the best opportunity for an excellent return for the Brewers in a Burnes deal. Rodriguez and Hall are two of the biggest reasons why – Rodriguez is a potential ace, offering a one-for-one replacement for Burnes, while Hall could be a solid asset. Any deal involving Burnes and Woodruff will have to involve pitching prospects. LHP Ky Bush and Eric Torres, Los Angeles Angels The Angels have been willing to take some high-priced assets off Milwaukee’s hands and send a solid return. Hunter Renfroe got the Brewers three pitchers. If the Angels are to acquire Burnes or Woodruff, then Bush may well be someone to insist on as the centerpiece of any deal. Torres would also be a nice addition, giving the Brewers another shutdown relief option to join Can Robinson, Abner Uribe, and James Meeker. RHPs Gavin Williams, Daniel Espino, Tanner Bibee, and LHP Logan Allen, Cleveland Guardians The Cleveland Guardians have a wealth of options should they and the Brewers end up talking pitchers. Espino has the highest ceiling but will start 2023 on the disabled list, something the Brewers are already sweating with their #3 starter, Freddy Peralta. However, Williams, Bibee, and Allen look excellent as starters. The Brewers could go for a quantity approach – say, Bibee and Allen – to bolster their rotation after a Burnes/Woodruff trade. LHP Kyle Harrison and RHP Landen Roupp , San Francisco Giants If the Brewers choose to risk dealing Burnes or Woodruff to an NL team, the Giants will make sense in the crowded NL West, and Harrison makes sense as the centerpiece of a deal. Harrison would make an excellent complement to Robert Gasser and Ethan Small in what would be a lefty-heavy rotation in the future in the event this shakes out. Roupp is a righty who gets a lot of strikeouts and made a huge leap in 2022. RHP Misael Tamarez, Houston Astros The Brewers may want to think outside the box when it comes to their requests for Burnes or Woodruff, and when it comes to those, Tamarez may be one of those guys who is a sneaky good acquisition, like Manny Pina was in the K-Rod deal back in 2015. His stuff has blossomed since he was a 19-year-old international free agent signing. RHP Sem Robberse and LHP Ricky Tiedemann, Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays, like the Orioles, are in a tough division and could use Burnes or Woodruff to bolster their chances against the Rays or Yankees. The return would, naturally, be high, especially if a bidding war were to erupt (see what happened with the #1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft for the Bears). Tiedemann is perhaps Toronto’s top pitching prospect and arguably a mandatory part of any deal back. Robberse is intriguing as a mostly self-taught pitcher who could be a prime candidate for the pitching lab. RHPs Jose Butto and Dominic Hamel, New York Mets Butto and Hamel are interesting contrasts. Butto may be a right-handed Brent Suter, a solid multi-inning relief option who could start in a pinch. While his ceiling is arguably low, Butto would still be a valuable component of the bullpen, which isn’t a bad thing. On the other hand, Hamel is known for a superb spin rate, which Burnes also brings to the table. Overview The Brewers have a lot of potential options when it comes to deals, and doing so in a way that avoids strengthening the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, or other potential post-season opponents – and could weaken some of them if a trade becomes necessary or at least force them to work a lot harder amid a pennant race. View full article

Brewers fans are rightly excited about the team’s top pitching prospects. Some of them are very, very good. But that doesn’t mean others, much less heralded, don’t deserve a closer look. Image courtesy of © USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Take, for instance, Brent Suter. An unheralded 31st-round draft pick in 2012, he ended up being arguably the best pitcher to emerge from that draft class, and he outperformed the more-heralded Jed Bradley, picked in the first round the prior year. Who might emerge as Suter did and become a valuable member of the Brewers' pitching staff? Brandon Knarr Between Wisconsin and Biloxi, Knarr posted an 11-8 record and a 2.89 ERA, with 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Knarr was not even drafted – he was an amateur free agent signed in 2020 after the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft. But he has easily become the Brewers’ best left-handed starting pitching prospect over the past two years. Knarr will need to be added to the 40-man roster after 2023. Justin Jarvis Jarvis rebounded to an extent from a tough 2021 and was decent in Wisconsin before he did a little better in Biloxi. Jarvis has been workmanlike and eats innings, which the Brewers often turned to high-priced free agents for as late as 2019. Could the 2018 fifth-round pick sort things out in 2023, or is he headed to the bullpen? Max Lazar Prior to the pandemic, Max Lazar was an up-and-coming prospect with a 2019 season that was dominating. Then, he spent most of the next two seasons on the disabled list, returning to action late in 2022 with some decent numbers, given his long layoff. Then, he went to Brisbane for the 2022-2023 winter season and looked closer to his pre-pandemic form. Lazar must be added to the 40-man after this season, so he could face a make-or-break season. Pablo Garabitos and Christian Morales These left-handed relievers seemed to be breaking out in 2022 with the Carolina Mudcats. Both showed some multi-inning capability, missing since Josh Hader became a strict ninth-inning closer. They may still be a few years away from Milwaukee, but their ability to contribute to the big-league team in 2023 is a potential trade asset. James Meeker While Anber Uribe and Cam Robinson drew much of the attention as potential closers, Meeker dominated, and his 2022-2023 Brisbane season put him on the map. While he is older, Meeker could, if he keeps at either pace, be a valuable reinforcement for a few seasons. Meeker also played infield in college and could be an emergency asset on the bench. Clayton Andrews Like Lazar, Andrews was an intriguing prospect for Brewers fans before the pandemic. Andrews looked like a very solid multi-inning reliever; he even saw some time in the outfield and posted a .811 OPS. After the pandemic, he had a lot of time on the disabled list and struggled, but in spring training, he showed signs of being the old Clayton Andrews, which could be very good for the Crew’s bullpen and bench. Who says the two-way player has to be a slugger? Quinton Low A potential closer? Slugging first baseman? Both? Low’s bat is quite good; he can handle first base and batting left-handed… well, that could be very good on the offensive side of things. In a sense, the Brewers could bring back their old #PitchersCanRake trend, once shown by Brandon Woodruff, Adrian Houser, and Brent Suter in recent years. In another sense, Low could be a guy who could be used regularly in a blowout (either wins or losses) to save the bullpen. Ryan Middendorf Middendorf rocketed up the ladder in 2022 after being signed from an independent league team and didn’t look bad anywhere from the complex lead to Biloxi. He held up well in the Arizona Fall League, too. His K/9 ratio was no lower than 11.2 in each stop, except for Biloxi, and his K/BB ratio was no lower than 3.20. Teams always need relief pitchers, but cheap relief pitchers are very valuable. Michele Vassalotti Vassalotti struggled as a starter but turned around when he went to the bullpen with the Mudcats in 2022. He, Morales, and Garabitos could share the late-inning duties in Wisconsin, but the Brewers will need to work fast to keep him around if he shines in the role. Overview The Brewers’ pitching depth in the minors is quite deep, with many good players out there. Among the pitchers, some could shine – and if not be a direct replacement for Burnes and Woodruff, they can be solid performers or key assets in a trade that improves the team elsewhere. View full article

Miller repeating A+ is a shock to me. I really thought he'd be partnering with Quero in AA.

Low's bat was still quite good. I could see him as a DH/PH and pitcher, even if he isn't a fielder.

The top prospects are rightly worth attention – especially when it comes to how they can affect a team in the short-term (by serving as payment for a one-year rental, see Cooper Hummel in the Eduardo Escobar deal) or the long-term (when a prospect comes up). But sometimes, prospects don’t have to be on the top prospects list to have an effect. Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK Manny Pina, for instance, was never on an MLB Pipeline top prospects list, but he was a superb asset for the Crew from 2016-2021. So, which minor-league players could be X-factors this season? Let’s take a look. C Darrien Miller Among backstops, Miller is easily the one who could surprise everyone. A left-handed hitter with superb on-base skills, some power, and some sneaky stolen-base capability, Miller profiles as a superb fit for American Family Field. But is he a catcher? A first baseman? Left fielder? DH? The Crew will have to figure that out. C/1B Wes Clarke Put it this way, if Jeferson Quero was not in the system, Brewers fans would be debating between Miller and Clarke as the catcher of the future. Like Miller, Clarke has OBP ability and power but has spent more time at first base than catcher. That being said… Clarke’s more proven versatility makes him likely to be a bench asset, at the very least. 1B/OF Ernesto Martinez The big question for Martinez is health. If he can play a full season, his left-handed bat looks to be a great fit for American Family Field, with OBP skills and power. In his breakout 2021 season, Martinez also showed he could play some outfield with a brief stint in center field, and he became a stolen-base machine. Think Eric Thames – but one playing a passable center field and able to steal 30 bases as a full-time player. If that is, he avoids the disabled list. 1B/DH/P Quinton Low A bit lower in the system, Low isn’t just a threat at the plate; he can also be a shutdown reliever, as he proved in 2022. This could make things interesting – as a hitter, his left-handed bat profiles well for American Family Field, and he has on-base skills, too. Adding the ability to come in and pitch an inning or two in a blowout (either way, whether a win or a loss), at the very least, Low will be interesting to watch. 1B/C Jesus Chirinos Chirinos is a right-handed hitter who has flashed OBP skills and power that make him look very solid. In a system that lacks a lot of pure first basemen, he is a contender for serving as the team’s best first-base prospect. Chirinos has shown he can stay healthy, and in the 2022-2023 Winter League, he appeared to improve his contact skills while drawing more walks than strikeouts. SS/2B/3B Andruw Monasterio With Brice Turang, Eric Brown, Robert Moore, Tyler Black, Eduardo Garcia, and Freddy Zamora in the system, Monasterio doesn’t get the hype, but he is the “store brand” version of Brice Turang, who bats right-handed. He’ll provide OBP skills, doubles, and can steal a few bases. He also played every infield position but first base in 2022. Maybe he sees the Brewers' dugout, but he could also easily be a guy the Crew can flip for a rental. IFs Zavier Warren and Cam Devanney The Brewers have had a revolving door at third base since they moved Ryan Braun from that position after 2007, with the fading Aramis Ramirez providing the most stability of the lot. But Warren and Devanney are both making cases that they could change that. Warren is a switch-hitter who saw action at first base, catcher, and second base over his minor-league career and the AFL. Devanney rebounded from a rough 2021 to show the potential he flashed in 2019 and has also played shortstop, second base, first base, and even some left field. OF Joe Gray Jr. Gray flashed potential in 2021, and the power was there in 2022; his batting average was looking up at Bob Uecker’s career average. Gray has power and speed, and if he can return to his 2021 form, he has a chance, given that he draws walks, as Uecker did. UT Noah Campbell Campbell was drafted by the Brewers in 2017 but didn’t sign then. After his college career, Milwaukee picked him up, and for two seasons, he has demonstrated OBP skills, the ability to make contact, gets a bunch of doubles, some speed on the basepaths, and is very versatile. He’s also done mop-up work in his minor-league career. Overview These players don’t get the big write-ups from Baseball Prospectus or Baseball America, but for the Brewers, these players could become cornerstones of the team over the next few years. If the Brewers are to continue their success, these are the kinds of players who should emerge. View full article

Not a good look for the Brewers on Opening Day.

While the Brewers' minor-league system looks robust, several uncertainties could affect what the Brewers do, not just during the season but for future years. Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK In the second part of this series, we will look at pitchers listed on the Brewer Fanatic top prospects list and MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 list and discuss some of the uncertainties and questions around them. Now, one thing we will clarify: Uncertainties don’t mean that this is a bad player, and when there are questions about a player, the various possible answers may be good. With that in mind, let’s get into it. Jacob Misiorowski The top pitcher on the MLB Pipeline list and the number two pitcher on the Brewer Fanatic list, Misiorowski has some real heat. Still, the big question is if he can avoid the injured list – and that is a very open question based on his junior college track record. He is also a bit away from the majors, having had two starts with the Mudcats in 2022. Robert Gasser Acquired in the Josh Hader trade, Gasser is the top pitcher in the Brewer Fanatic list and #2 on MLB Pipeline’s. He’s looked solid since the Brewers acquired him, and in spring training, he has posted an incredible 9:1 K/BB ratio. Here, the question is when Gasser arrives in Milwaukee and what form it takes. If one judges by how Woodruff, Burnes, and some other pitchers have been handled, he could be a boost for the bullpen in 2023. Abner Uribe and Cam Robinson Often, the Brewers have made late-season deals to bolster the bullpen, but Uribe and Robinson could fill that role at some point in the 2023 season. Both are already on the 40-man roster, and given some of the questions surrounding the state of the Brewers bullpen; the biggest question is when they arrive and who they will displace. Ethan Small The 2019 first-round pick’s debut in Milwaukee wasn’t very good and then had more walk issues in a return to AAA Nashville. So far, Small has flashed some good stuff in spring training, with 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings, but he also has walked 5.4 per nine frames. He may need extended time in the “pitching lab” to figure something out. Carlos Rodriguez Rodriguez made both the MLB Pipeline and Brewer Fanatic top prospects lists after posting solid numbers with the Carolina Mudcats before he dominated for the Timber Rattlers. He doesn’t overpower, but he knows how to pitch. The question is, does he remain a back-end starter, or does he take the next step to become a viable replacement for Burnes and/or Woodruff? Stiven Cruz and Alexander Cornielle These two pitchers were both international signees and have flashed potential. Cruz drew comparisons to one-time Brewer Zach Greinke, while Cornielle is seen as a taller Freddy Peralta. The big question is whether these pitchers break out big time. If they do, the Brewers could have an easier time replacing Burnes and Woodruff. If not, there will be a desperate scramble. Joseph Hernandez Acquired in the trade that sent Justin Topa to the Mariners, Hernandez punched out 143 batters in 116.2 innings, making him a potential high-end reliever on the low end of good outcomes for the Brewers. However, he could also emerge as a solid starting pitcher if the walks are under control. This could be a real fleecing if Hernandez emerges as a top-end pitcher. Logan Henderson Henderson performed well in the Junior College World Series and was a fourth-round pick in 2021. But his big problem is avoiding the injured list – he made only seven starts for the Mudcats, and a planned AFL assignment was postponed due to injury. Will he start? Will he relieve? Those two questions can only be answered when he is on the field. Overview The Brewers have some excellent options regarding the blue-chip pitching prospects, particularly in the bullpen. As for the rotation, there is a lot of potential, but many of these pitchers have questions about their ability to avoid the IL. This doesn’t include any return for Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, or Willy Adames, who could easily net a top-30 pitcher. View full article

I could see Wiemer being traded if the Brewers commit to Chourio at a fast pace. Frelick? No way. Even then, I think they have to be blown away to deal a Top 100 prospect under Matt Arnold, given he is from the Rays organization. More likely, I think the second tier (Lutz, Hedbert Perez, Hendry Mendez, Joe Gray Jr.) might be on the move as opposed to Mitchell/Frelick/Wiemer/Chourio.

While the Brewers' minor-league system looks very strong, several uncertainties could affect what the Brewers do, not just in the course of the season but for future years. Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports In this first part of a series, we will look at position players listed on the Brewer Fanatic top prospects list and MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 list, then discuss some of the uncertainties and questions around them. Now, one thing we will clarify: Uncertainties don’t mean that this is a bad player, and when there are questions about a player, the various possible answers may be good. With that in mind, let’s go: Jackson Chourio How can there be uncertainty around the consensus #1 prospect in the Brewers system? Consider this: He is 19 and slated to start with the Biloxi Shuckers in AA as a teenager. At AA in 2022, though, his OPS was .284, and in a 31-game stint at Wisconsin, Chourio’s OBP was .317, and he drew only 11 walks in 127 at-bats. It may behoove the Brewers to take the foot off the gas a little, given that Chourio doesn’t face Rule 5 eligibility until after 2024, especially since they have Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Joey Wiemer, who appear very high on both prospects lists, either in Milwaukee or with the Nashville Sounds in AAA. Sal Frelick and Joey Wiemer Frelick and Wiemer have been impressive in either spring training or the World Baseball Classic. Frelick’s offensive profile of speed and spraying line drives is reminiscent of Ichiro, while Wiemer looks like Hunter Renfroe with better on-base skills. These two players will be in Milwaukee; the questions are when they get there and how the Brewers will clear the roster space for them. The likely answer to “how” would be to move offseason acquisitions Brian Anderson and Jesse Winker for whatever return possible. The “when” will be dependent on health and performance, with Tyrone Taylor’s season-opening disabled list stint leaving open the possibility that Wiemer could be with the Brewers on Opening Day. Brice Turang Here, the question is whether Turang will play alongside Willy Adames in a double play tandem or if he will replace Adames at shortstop. If the former, Turang will bring superb defense, speed, and OBP skills, with some gap power to second base. If Adames ends up leaving Milwaukee, then Turang is a very capable replacement. Tyler Black Black is a potential option at second base, and when he’s on the field, he’s very, very good. He draws walks, can steal bases, and has a potent bat that has delivered a lot of doubles. Think of a left-handed Jeff Cirillo with more speed, and that’s Black. But what makes Black an X-Factor is that in 2022, he only appeared in 64 of 129 games for the Timber Rattlers and 17 out of 28 games for Glendale in the AFL due to going on the injured list. So, his ability to avoid trips to the IL is up for question. The other one is where he plays. He could be at second base, but the Brewers could have other prospects there. Third base and the outfield could be a problem due to his arm. Could he be the answer at first base or designated hitter? Hendry Mendez and Hedbert Perez These two left-handed sluggers have a lot of potential, but each comes with a big question. For Mendez, it is whether he can tap into some serious power potential because his bat-to-ball skills and ability to draw walks are already superb. For Perez, who still hangs on in the MLB Pipeline list, the question is whether he can add some OBP skills to a bat that led the Mudcats in homers for 2022. Eduardo Garcia Overshadowed in the last couple of seasons by Brice Turang and Eric Brown Jr., Garcia was once a top prospect who seems to be developing an Orlando Arcia-esque offensive profile. Arcia was not horrible in his seasons with the Brewers, but there was still plenty of room for improvement. If he can improve his on-base skills, he could become a bargain version of Willy Adames since he is flashing power. He also has good stolen-base skills, something Adames hasn’t shown in his career. Robert Moore A switch-hitting second baseman with some serious power, his dominating AFL season is enough to propel him to the top prospect at second base over Tyler Black. The big question will be how fast he can rise through the system. The other question: Is the real Robert Moore the one who posted a solid .770 OPS at Carolina, or is the real Moore the one who ricked eight homers in 40 games at Brisbane? Overview For the most part, the questions surrounding the Brewers’ blue-chip hitting prospects are mostly the kind any manager or GM would love to deal with. If the answers go the right way, Brewers fans could see a lot of exciting stuff over the next few years. View full article

I was looking through various transactions, and the names hadn't come up as released when I did.

The bullpen has been a traditional strength for the Brewers, but with the big league bullpen transitioning over the off-season, what help can we expect from the farm system in 2023? Image courtesy of © William Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK The bullpen has been a traditional strength for the Brewers. In a number of cases, they have built the bullpen from free-agent signees or acquisitions, but there have been a fair number of key contributors who the Brewers developed through the farm system as well. Dan Plesac, Devin Williams, Josh Hader, Brent Suter, Chuck Crim, and a host of home-grown talent, both closers and in roles other than closer, could soon be joined by other players who make their mark in Milwaukee. Who might that be? AAA Nashville The closer for Nashville will likely be Cam Robinson, who has emerged as a prospect over several years. Many other pitchers will come from the non-roster invitees, like one-time Brewer Alex Claudio, Lucas Erceg, Thomas Pannone, and Robert Stock. Clayton Andrews, who combined pitching with playing some center field in the past, might make his way to Nashville unless he repeats in Biloxi, and Matt Hardy could also vie for spots. AA Biloxi Abner Uribe will likely hold down the closer’s role. It is an open question whether Clayton Andrews will be in Biloxi or Nashville, and James Meeker, who is coming off a dominating season with Brisbane, also could hold down a late-inning spot. Taylor Lloyd and Brady Schanuel also could come up from Wisconsin to hold down spots, while Christian Tripp and Joey Matulovich could form the back end of the Shuckers bullpen. A+ Wisconsin Roles may be more up in the air at Wisconsin, with no clear front-runner to serve as the closer. That said, there is a lot of talent in the bullpen. Michele Vassalotti, Pablo Garabitos, and Karlos Morales are three top contenders to lock down the late innings. Still, Ryan Middendorf, Jeison Pena, Leoni de la Cruz, Brannon Jordan, and Junior Montero could also factor in. Think of it as a minor-league version of the “Nasty Boys.” A Carolina While primarily a first baseman, Quinton Low also put up credible numbers in the ACL as a reliever and could be a two-way threat for the Brewers. Raul Mendoza tied for the lead in saves with recently-released Trevor Tietz among ACL Brewers pitchers and crafted his way past a lot of hitters. Jakob Brustoski had many walks–and many more strikeouts – in the ACL, while Fraudy Maldonado posted a K-to-BB ratio of about 2 to 1. Anthony Perez, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Brady also could factor into the Mudcats’ bullpen equation. Rookie Leagues Nelson Cuevas will be the top contender to close for the ACL Brewers team after leading all DSL Brewers relievers in saves, with competition from Gregory Baez, Roman Perez, Manuel Rodriguez, and Waldin Rodriguez, who finished in a four-way tie for second. The ACL Brewers will also see Cristofher Carrasco, Jhofez Mejihas, and Franddy De Los Santos compete for bullpen roles. Overview When it comes to the future Brewers bullpen, its composition is always up for debate, one way or another. That said, there are some very real prospects in the system, some of whom have the potential to be as dominating as the bullpen legends of the past – whether it was Rollie Fingers, Dan Plesac, or Josh Hader. View full article

The Brewers' farm system has developed excellent starting pitchers in recent years, notably Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta. Yet, on the farm, who is due to replace them in years to come? Let's take a look. Image courtesy of © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports It’s a far cry from relying on free-agent signings like Randy Wolf and Matt Garza to get some form of stability to one of the most crucial groups on a baseball team. Even with the “will they or won’t they” when it comes to extensions for Burnes and Woodruff, the Brewers have several players down on the farm who will likely be assets in the rotation. AAA Nashville Three likely starters for the Sounds, Ethan Small, Robert Gasser, and Janson Junk, are in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Brewers. That’s not a bad anchor for the team. Bryse Wilson, Colin Rea, Tobias Myers, Brandon Knarr, and Tyler Herb are also in the mix, and let’s not forget Jason Alexander, who filled in gaps for the Brewers in 2022, but is on the 60-day injured list right now. AA Biloxi Knarr, who broke out big time in 2022, could be headed back to Biloxi, given that the Sounds are already seven deep in their potential rotation before Alexander returns from the IL. He’ll likely be joined by Justin Jarvis at the top of the Shuckers rotation. T.J. Shook and Nick Bennett could repeat in AA, while Russell Smith and Max Lazar could move up from Wisconsin. Some of these players are high-round picks, but others will have something to prove. A+ Wisconsin Stiven Cruz, Alexander Cornielle, and Carlos Rodriguez look to move up from the Mudcats to the Timber Rattlers this year. Joseph Hernandez, Israel Puello, and Edwin Jimenez will likely join them. The Mudcats could also see Logan Henderson, Ryne Moore, and Alexander Vallecillo compete for spots. Cruz, Cornielle, and Rodriguez all look very promising. A Carolina Given the tendency for the Brewers to have pitchers piggyback in the ACL, predicting Carolina’s rotation for 2023 will be tough. Jacob Misiorowski, who had two starts in Carolina, will likely return there. Henrison Mota, who had a 3.62 ERA and struck out 12.2 batters per nine innings in the ACL, is another contender, as are Kevin Briceno, Arielbi Gonzalez, Gerson Calzadilla, and Patricio Aquino. Beyond that, it remains to see who will emerge for the Mudcats. Rookie Leagues Osbriel Mogollon, Aneuris Rodriguez, and Wande Torres will likely start for the ACL Brewers in 2023 after posting solid seasons for the DSL Brewers 1 team. Anfernny Reyes, who posted a 1.54 ERA for the DSL Brewers 2, will likely take a spot. After that, Jeral Vizcaino leads a pack of other players who will be fiercely competing for spots on the only ACL team for the Brewers. Overview The Brewers have some blue-chip prospects in their system – some of whom could be as good as Burnes and Woodruff have been. If the Brewers secure one of Burnes and Woodruff beyond 2024 with an extension, they can fill in the back end of the rotation nicely. The Brewers have many options, though, if Burnes and Woodruff end up traded – and then we could see even more pitchers in the system. View full article

We look at the designated hitter role in our final roundup of the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system positional analysis. Image courtesy of © Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports In the minors, the designated hitter is often rotated among players – often to make sure players get their at-bats while others play the field. It can clear up a crowded situation (see the Nashville outfield, for example). So, who will be handling DH duties, and how often? Let’s take a look at each level. AAA Nashville In Nashville, the DH role will likely be split between Jon Singleton, Tyler Naquin, Luke Voit, Sal Frelick, and possibly some other players. The Singleton/Naquin/Voit trio will most likely be handling the duties, primarily because the Brewers will want Frelick and Joey Wiemer in the outfield as much as possible. Monte Harrison and Skye Bolt will also be factors at this position. AA Biloxi If Jeferson Quero is the primary catcher for the Shuckers, then Biloxi will likely see Darrien Miller, Ernesto Martinez, and Wes Clarke split a lot of time at first base and DH. Tristen Lutz and Je’Von Ward could also see some occasional time there if the outfield gets crowded, while Tyler Black could be an X-factor at that position. Some of these players have question marks – for Miller; it’s defense; for Martinez, Black, and Ward, it’s health. One thing is certain: Many talented hitters will be DHing for Biloxi. A+ Wisconsin Designated hitter gets murkier as we go lower down the ladder, and Wisconsin is one case in point. On the one hand, the Brewers have two very talented prospects, Hedbert Perez and Hendry Mendez, who clearly need to focus on offensive improvements – Perez needs to up his hitting for contact and OBP, and Mendez has to tap into his power. On the other hand, they may need to improve their defense so that it could rotate between other players. If Quero returns to Wisconsin, Jose Sibrian might also see time at DH. A Carolina If the Brewers want Eduarqui Fernandez and Luis Castillo to play the corners, they can use other corner outfielders from their 2022 ACL teams, like Jamal Zalm and Diego Larez, at DH. Jose Caballero, Jadher Areinamo, and Alexander Perez, all of whom had decent seasons while playing second base in the ACL, could also force their way into the mix. Rookie Leagues The ACL is quite murky at DH. Arnys Rodriguez could be one contender for DH, given he is behind Yeison Perez at first. Given their offensive performances in the DSL, Edgardo Ordonez and Eric Martinez could also see time there. In the DSL, there will likely be a mix of players from the signees and those who return for another season, manning the DH spot in the lineup for both affiliates. Overview The state of the Brewers' farm system at designated hitter is… complicated. The team in the past has often rotated the DH role due to liking a lot of positional flexibility. That said, looking at players like Tyler Black, Ernesto Martinez, Je’Von Ward, and Darrien Miller, there are some players for whom becoming a full-time DH might maximize their playing time – and, therefore, their value – to the Brewers. View full article