He's also likely on the verge of being the Brewers starting 3B. Would likely be up now had he not gotten dinged last week, necessitating the move for Shewmake.
Ranked as high as 10th in the Astros farm system (2023-24). 16th last year. 2021 8th round pick. Has a funky delivery. Been a starter throughout his minor league career, but I'd bet they are looking at him as a reliever.
The Cubs just passed him through waivers, and he went unclaimed. If the Brewers wanted him on the 40-man, they just would have claimed him. That they didn't makes me believe this is a minors deal.
It is a little ironic that Joey actually started looking like the same guy offensively he was in 2024 (as the predominant 3B) as soon as he was moved off of SS this season. Probably just a coincidence ...
Pratt also had more than 66 plate appearances above A ball. The Brewers are typically very smart about not setting these guys up to fail, and throwing Fischer to the wolves at this point would be very non-Brewer like.