Where the Brewers' Top 30 prospects are starting the season
With the Minor League season upon us, here's where the Brewers’ Top 30 prospects are projected to start. (For more, read Adam McCalvy’s breakdown of the most interesting names at each level.)
1. Jackson Chourio (MLB No. 2), OF -- Milwaukee (MLB)
2. Jacob Misiorowski (MLB No. 32), RHP -- Biloxi (Double-A)
3. Jeferson Quero (MLB No. 34), C -- Nashville (Triple-A)/Injured (right shoulder)
4. Tyler Black (MLB No. 44), 3B/1B -- Nashville (Triple-A)
5. Joey Ortiz (MLB No. 60), INF -- Milwaukee (MLB)
6. Robert Gasser, LHP -- Injured (bone spur in left elbow)
7. Brock Wilken, 3B -- Biloxi (Double-A)
8. Carlos F. Rodriguez, RHP -- Nashville (Triple-A)
9. Luis Lara, OF -- Wisconsin (High-A)
10. Cooper Pratt, SS -- Carolina (Single-A)
11. Yophery Rodriguez, OF -- Carolina (Single-A)
12. Eric Brown Jr., SS -- Biloxi (Double-A)
13. Josh Knoth, RHP -- Carolina (Single-A)
14. Eric Bitonti, 3B/SS -- Extended spring training
15. Mike Boeve, 3B/2B -- Wisconsin (High-A)
16. Luke Adams, 3B/1B -- Wisconsin (High-A)
17. Logan Henderson, RHP -- Injured (oblique)
18. Bradley Blalock, RHP -- Biloxi (Double-A)
19. Jorge Quintana, SS -- Extended spring training
20. Daniel Guilarte, SS -- Carolina (Single-A)
21. Dylan O'Rae, 2B/OF -- Wisconsin (High-A)
22. Oliver Dunn, 2B/3B -- Milwaukee (MLB)
23. Jadher Areinamo, 2B/3B -- Wisconsin (High-A)
24. Juan Baez, SS/3B -- Carolina (Single-A)
25. Wes Clarke, 1B/C -- Biloxi (Double-A)
26. Coleman Crow, RHP -- Injured (Tommy John rehab)
27. Bishop Letson, RHP -- Carolina (Single-A)
28. Pedro Ibarguen, OF/2B -- Extended spring training
29. Patricio Aquino, RHP -- Wisconsin (High-A)
30. Filippo Di Turi, SS/2B -- Extended spring training
Team to watch
There will be some loud tools on display by the Gulf of Mexico for Double-A Biloxi. Misiorowski is one of the Minors’ most electric arms with his upper-90s fastball and plus-plus slider, and even if he still needs to iron out control issues, his Shuckers starts should be must-watch for Brewers fans. Similarly, 2023 first-rounder Wilken has plus-plus raw power and jumps to the Southern League to begin his first full season. The homer competition between him and Clarke, who went deep 26 times for Biloxi last summer, could be a fun one. Milwaukee also hopes for a bounceback season from 2022 first-rounder Brown after he was limited to only 72 games last year. His plus speed could be a gamechanger.
Players we could see in 2024
As arguably the best defensive catching prospect in the Minors, Quero was trending toward a 2024 debut before suffering a right shoulder subluxation on a dive back to the first-base bag last Friday. After he recovers and returns, he could feature right back into Milwaukee’s catching depth. Black has the on-base skills and speed that should impact the Brewers’ Major League roster when the club needs infield help, though the addition of Sal Frelick to third base complicates that. Carlos F. Rodriguez and his six-pitch mix could play a role in the pitching corps as well.
New faces
The Brewers picked up Ortiz in the blockbuster deal for Corbin Burnes, and he’s opened his first spring as an option at second and third base. Another offseason trade acquisition, Dunn was a surprise late addition to the Major League roster, and the 26-year-old brings power and speed to Milwaukee’s bench. He’s also a great story as a Minor League Rule 5 pick who climbed to The Show less than two years later.
On the shelf
Gasser was expected to compete for a rotation spot this spring, but a bone spur in his left elbow means he’ll open the season on the Injured List. Henderson suffered an oblique injury during his appearance in the Spring Breakout game on March 17 and will similarly begin on the IL. Crow, who was acquired from the Mets in December, underwent Tommy John surgery late last summer.