Misc. Offseason Brewers Prospect Rankings

[Mass Haas]

prospect361.com

[ClosetBrewerFan]

How are they unaware that Antoine Kelly started 10 games? Hard to take their analysis seriously.

[82brewcrew82]

Very lazy review in my opinion. Why would Carlos Rodriguez not rank ahead of Ernesto? I know this is written from a fantasy perspective but it's not well researched and not at all useful for anything.

[Mass Haas]

R.J. Anderson - CBS Sports

[Mass Haas]

With a very-raised eyebrow, we'll give this Razzball post minor props for deflecting accuracy with sidebar entertainment.

[Eye Black]

With a very-raised eyebrow, we'll give this Razzball post minor props for deflecting accuracy with sidebar entertainment.

Thanks for sharing, certainly a little out there in terms of writing style. Also not a great sign when someone is claiming the 4th best prospect in your entire system is a guy who was signed as a minor league free agent three days ago.

[AKCheesehead]

Apparently he thinks Supak is going to be demoted to rookie league this upcoming season.

[Mass Haas]

Via ProspectsLive.com:

 

PODCAST: BREWERS TOP 30 BREAKDOWN

[TJseven7]

I love how the Brewers system is talked about like its garbage.

 

Like in 2016 when pipeline had Peralta 21st and Woodruff 26th. Corbin Burnes was 21st. Harrison was 16th.

Like in 2017 when pipeline had Houser 19th and Grisham 11th. By that time Woodruff was 3rd Burnes 5th and Peralta 9th.

Like in 2018 when Grisham fell to 19th Ashby clocked in at 18th Houser was up to 16th.

 

This system isn't top heavy with potential stars (you know like Ray who has flopped) but they keep sending talent into the majors.

It's almost laughable that they keep calling this system bad.

3 of our starting 6 infielders came out of the farm or were traded for out of the system in the last year.

Yelich came from 4 guys out of the farm.

2 starters and possibly 3 bullpen pieces came out of the farm in the last 2.5 years. Our best 2 pitchers are in that group.

 

The scouting department (Hiura aside) hasn't won the first 2 rounds but they've done a great job in rounds 3-15.

[TJseven7]

I love how the Brewers system is talked about like its garbage.

 

Like in 2016 when pipeline had Peralta 21st and Woodruff 26th. Corbin Burnes was 21st. Harrison was 16th.

Like in 2017 when pipeline had Houser 19th and Grisham 11th. By that time Woodruff was 3rd Burnes 5th and Peralta 9th.

Like in 2018 when Grisham fell to 19th Ashby clocked in at 18th Houser was up to 16th.

 

This system isn't top heavy with potential stars (you know like Ray who has flopped) but they keep sending talent into the majors.

It's almost laughable that they keep calling this system bad.

3 of our starting 6 infielders came out of the farm or were traded for out of the system in the last year.

Yelich came from 4 guys out of the farm.

2 starters and possibly 3 bullpen pieces came out of the farm in the last 2.5 years. Our best 2 pitchers are in that group.

 

The scouting department (Hiura aside) hasn't won the first 2 rounds but they've done a great job in rounds 3-15.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I love how the Brewers system is talked about like its garbage.

 

Like in 2016 when pipeline had Peralta 21st and Woodruff 26th. Corbin Burnes was 21st. Harrison was 16th.

Like in 2017 when pipeline had Houser 19th and Grisham 11th. By that time Woodruff was 3rd Burnes 5th and Peralta 9th.

Like in 2018 when Grisham fell to 19th Ashby clocked in at 18th Houser was up to 16th.

 

This system isn't top heavy with potential stars (you know like Ray who has flopped) but they keep sending talent into the majors.

It's almost laughable that they keep calling this system bad.

3 of our starting 6 infielders came out of the farm or were traded for out of the system in the last year.

Yelich came from 4 guys out of the farm.

2 starters and possibly 3 bullpen pieces came out of the farm in the last 2.5 years. Our best 2 pitchers are in that group.

 

The scouting department (Hiura aside) hasn't won the first 2 rounds but they've done a great job in rounds 3-15.

 

Ray - #5 overall in AAA after a very uneven minor league career due to injuries and surprising issues with his hit tool - which was one of the reasons he was considered the draft's best collegiate player the year he was drafted in what is shaping up to be a relatively poor draft class from a starpower standpoint. The talent is still there, the consistency sure isn't - which might force him into the "bust" status.

 

Hiura - #9 overall - made it to the majors less than two years from the date he was drafted. Defensive questions or not, his bat will be in the center of the Brewers' lineup for the forseeable future.

 

Turang - #21 overall - One of the Brewers top prospects after just 1 full season in the minors, they did very well to nab him when they did in the first round.

 

Small - #28 overall - this year will be a big indicator of just how high Small's ceiling can climb. If his velo returns a bit more a few years removed from Tommy John he's a legit top of the rotation starting pitcher prospect. If not his ceiling is still that of a mid-rotation lefthanded starter, which is gold to get at #28.

 

They've done just fine in the first round, IMO.

[ewitkows]

I love how the Brewers system is talked about like its garbage.

 

Like in 2016 when pipeline had Peralta 21st and Woodruff 26th. Corbin Burnes was 21st. Harrison was 16th.

Like in 2017 when pipeline had Houser 19th and Grisham 11th. By that time Woodruff was 3rd Burnes 5th and Peralta 9th.

Like in 2018 when Grisham fell to 19th Ashby clocked in at 18th Houser was up to 16th.

 

This system isn't top heavy with potential stars (you know like Ray who has flopped) but they keep sending talent into the majors.

It's almost laughable that they keep calling this system bad.

3 of our starting 6 infielders came out of the farm or were traded for out of the system in the last year.

Yelich came from 4 guys out of the farm.

2 starters and possibly 3 bullpen pieces came out of the farm in the last 2.5 years. Our best 2 pitchers are in that group.

 

The scouting department (Hiura aside) hasn't won the first 2 rounds but they've done a great job in rounds 3-15.

 

It's what are you doing for me now, not what you have graduated. We've got a few nice pitchers that could slot into that 3-5 slots, no TOR , no real corner infield guys that could help this year and a few C that hopefully will pan out in 2-3 years. It's not a great system at the moment.

[clancyphile]

It's what are you doing for me now, not what you have graduated. We've got a few nice pitchers that could slot into that 3-5 slots, no TOR , no real corner infield guys that could help this year and a few C that hopefully will pan out in 2-3 years. It's not a great system at the moment.

 

Having a lot of 3-5 pitchers means you can deal one for help elsewhere. Or, you have plenty of options for your own rotation. A rookies making $500,000 who can hold down the 3-4-5 mean no need to sign the Randy Wolf/Matt Garza/Jeff Suppan types.

 

Also, each team usually has five starters. Why not deal a potential solution for their rotation for the 3B we need? Package an extra catcher or a couple of starters for a TOR-type.

[TJseven7]

I don't think calling Burnes a 3-5 starter is fair. There are a lot of guys who could profile into that slot with Houser and Lauer being that type already in the majors. Woodruff is a 1, while not ACE TOR type he's a legitimate 1 and I don't see why Burnes can't end up at a much similar level. His stuff is filthy and 2018 and 2019 were so vastly different that it makes you wonder. FB control and mental "issues" seemed to hijack him. If he can get past that he's a heck of a pitcher.

 

If Woodruff Burnes and Ashby work out that's 1-2-2 type stuff and then there are a lot of other guys like Houser Lauer Brown Supak File Bettinger Francis before you get to the younger guys who are mostly college advanced. We all know how fast MKE is willing to move those guys. We could be looking at pulling up Small in 2021 mid season. There are a lot of options and almost too many 3-5 starter arms to keep in that role.

 

It's a very deep system and again I don't get why there is zero love for the brewers farm. It's like they undervalue quality and overvalue lottery tickets.

[Mass Haas]

Latest deep dive from Prospects1500

[reillymcshane]

The Brewers had no prospect land in Baseball America's Top 100 list for 2020.

 

Turang and Lutz were in the next 100, but no specific number.

 

https://www.brewcrewball.com/2020/1/23/21078365/milwaukee-brewers-land-zero-prospects-on-baseball-america-top-100-list

[reillymcshane]

Baseball Prospectus' Top 10 Brewers: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/56507/2020-prospects-milwaukee-brewers-top-10-prospects/

 

Pay content, but they do list the top 10 guys outside the paywall, but without any reports on them.

 

1. Brice Turang, SS

2. Tristen Lutz, OF

3. Aaron Ashby, LHP

4. Ethan Small, LHP

5. Mario Feliciano, C

6. Carlos Rodriguez, OF

7. Corey Ray, OF

8. Zack Brown, RHP

9. Antoine Kelly, LHP

10. Devin Williams, RHP

 

However, Brew Crew Ball has a full list w/reports:

 

https://www.brewcrewball.com/2020/1/22/21076527/milwaukee-brewers-top-20-prospects-baseball-prospectus-list

 

Next tier of guys:

 

11. Drew Rasmussen, RHP

12. Micah Bello, OF

13. Nick Kahle, C

14. Payton Henry, C

15. Joe Gray, OF

16. Cooper Hummel, OF

17. Eduardo Garcia, SS

18. Braden Webb, RHP

19. Je’Von Ward, OF

20. Lucas Erceg, 3B

[TJseven7]

It's absolutely incredible how many ELITE athletes they have gathered in the OF. They have 6 guys who are capable of being stars if their contact rate elevates or in the case of CRod patience elevates. That's just top 20. There are more further down the list. All of these guys could amount to absolutely nothing but Harrison and Grisham took the same profile and exploded into being highly regarded.

 

Very interesting group and I think this is the first time outside of Clancy that Hummel has hit a top 20.

[CheeseheadInQC]

It's absolutely incredible how many ELITE athletes they have gathered in the OF. They have 6 guys who are capable of being stars if their contact rate elevates or in the case of CRod patience elevates. That's just top 20. There are more further down the list. All of these guys could amount to absolutely nothing but Harrison and Grisham took the same profile and exploded into being highly regarded.

 

Very interesting group and I think this is the first time outside of Clancy that Hummel has hit a top 20.

 

There is still a non-zero chance Hummel is Jake Elmore without the defensive value, but he was legitimately one of the most productive hitters in the Southern League last season in his first go around in AA, so that has to count for something. That the power increase happened in AA rather than AAA makes it seem a little more legitimate.

[Jenkins5]

It's absolutely incredible how many ELITE athletes they have gathered in the OF. They have 6 guys who are capable of being stars if their contact rate elevates or in the case of CRod patience elevates. That's just top 20. There are more further down the list. All of these guys could amount to absolutely nothing but Harrison and Grisham took the same profile and exploded into being highly regarded.

 

Very interesting group and I think this is the first time outside of Clancy that Hummel has hit a top 20.

 

CRod doesn’t really have a patience problem (yet at least). He doesn’t K at all. His problem is his hand eye coordination is too good for competition. Kid can just hit anything anywhere. Curious to see if it improves as he faces better pitchers. However, it very well could become a problem. He just seems like to good of a hitter not to be able to improve there.

 

They have ton of outstanding athletes. Ward continues to improve and play well even with advanced placements. If he can start to fill out and add power, he could be something. Kid was a 4 star USC WR recruit. Ability is there. Gray Jr. is one you just care waiting on to go off on a tear. He is electric. If he can just start to put bat on the ball

[TJseven7]

CRod doesn’t really have a patience problem (yet at least). He doesn’t K at all. His problem is his hand eye coordination is too good for competition.

 

I get it to a degree but it's really hard for me to get excited about a guy who has 13 walks in 410 AB. Yes, he's putting his bat on everything but swinging at trash is still swinging at trash even if you hit it. It's not going to go for a hit or at the least it's not as likely. Unless his average AB is a crazy 2 pitches or something and he's hitting a ball that's a strike before they can possibly throw 4 balls, I have my concerns.

 

327/356 is quite the low split for a guy who is about speed, not power. If he was 327/400 now we are dreaming on him and looking into his defense.

[JohnBriggs12]

The Brewers had no prospect land in Baseball America's Top 100 list for 2020.

 

Turang and Lutz were in the next 100, but no specific number.

 

https://www.brewcrewball.com/2020/1/23/21078365/milwaukee-brewers-land-zero-prospects-on-baseball-america-top-100-list

 

I'm stunned that Feliciano, Small and Ashby aren't even in the top 200. I get that Small's pro sample is virtually nothing, but he was the best pitcher in the best collegiate league. A full season where he moves successfully through multiple levels should get him in the top 100 and if Feliciano can post his high A numbers at AA at age 21, he should be close to top 50.

[clancyphile]

It's absolutely incredible how many ELITE athletes they have gathered in the OF. They have 6 guys who are capable of being stars if their contact rate elevates or in the case of CRod patience elevates. That's just top 20. There are more further down the list. All of these guys could amount to absolutely nothing but Harrison and Grisham took the same profile and exploded into being highly regarded.

 

Very interesting group and I think this is the first time outside of Clancy that Hummel has hit a top 20.

 

There is still a non-zero chance Hummel is Jake Elmore without the defensive value, but he was legitimately one of the most productive hitters in the Southern League last season in his first go around in AA, so that has to count for something. That the power increase happened in AA rather than AAA makes it seem a little more legitimate.

 

Hummel's numbers have always pointed to him as a very underrated contributor on offense. I see him as a OF/1B/C off the bench at worst - but think his walk rate and power looks a lot like Mickey Tettleton's 1988-1996 seasons.

[clancyphile]

CRod doesn’t really have a patience problem (yet at least). He doesn’t K at all. His problem is his hand eye coordination is too good for competition.

 

I get it to a degree but it's really hard for me to get excited about a guy who has 13 walks in 410 AB. Yes, he's putting his bat on everything but swinging at trash is still swinging at trash even if you hit it. It's not going to go for a hit or at the least it's not as likely. Unless his average AB is a crazy 2 pitches or something and he's hitting a ball that's a strike before they can possibly throw 4 balls, I have my concerns.

 

327/356 is quite the low split for a guy who is about speed, not power. If he was 327/400 now we are dreaming on him and looking into his defense.

 

Wisconsin, I think will tell the tale. That said, if he is still hot in Wisconsin, I may use him to get a piece at the deadline. This is a profile that can flame out, especially if pitchers figure out how to get him to swing at trash more.

[TJseven7]

Wisconsin, I think will tell the tale. That said, if he is still hot in Wisconsin, I may use him to get a piece at the deadline. This is a profile that can flame out, especially if pitchers figure out how to get him to swing at trash more.

 

I'm certainly going to be watching his pitch count per AB in Wisconsin. Maybe he's just hitting the first strike he gets but if he's keeping ABs alive by fouling off balls or costing himself outs by softly putting bad pitches in play, then I won't get too excited about him. His GBOs are on the bad side of average.

 

His speed, contact skills and rumored defense in CF makes him a pretty hard type to wash out. However, controlling the strike zone is the difference between being a 5th OF and being a lead-off man. I'd also like to see him up his SB/CS percentages. Right now he's a fast kid who can't steal bases.