Top Brewers Prospects by Position

[clancyphile]

Who do you all think the top Brewers prospects are by position? We do a top 25 list overall, but you do have eight positions to fill on the field, and you have to construct a pitching staff.

 

Some thoughts on my end:

 

C: 1. David Fry; 2. Mario Feliciano; 3. Payton Henry

There is quality and quantity for the Brewers behind the plate. Jake Nottingham cannot crack the top three, and Cooper Hummel moved to the outfield. Fry has the best bat, Henry is the best defender, and Feliciano is a happy medium it seems.

 

1B: 1. Thomas Dillard; 2. Ryan Aguilar; 3. Ernesto Martinez

Dillard is a switch-hitter with power and OBP skills. Aguilar developed a decent hit-for-average tool while keeping his OBP skills and power. Martinez intrigues with OBP skills and power, rebounding from a rough 2018 after a very promising 2017.

 

2B: 1. C.J. Hinujosa; 2. Felix Valerio; 3. Yeison Coca

Second base may seem set for the next five years thanks to Keston Hiura, but Hinujosa seems to have a decent hit-for-average tool. Valerio looks to be a promising replacement. Coca has speed and can draw walks, but can't hit for average... yet.

 

SS: 1. Bryce Turang; 2. Cam Devanney; 3. Eduardo Garcia

Turang was solid in his first full year, and drew 83 walks. Even struggles in the Carolina League at 19 can't keep him from the top spot. That said, a close eye on Cam Devanney for his first full professional season is warranted. He has a complete offensive package - and could eclipse Turange. Garcia's third on potential, but how does he rebound from a broken ankle?

 

3B: 1. Weston Wilson; 2. Aaron Familia; 3. Lucas Erceg/Eddie Silva (tie)

Wilson has put together a good offensive package of OBP skills, power, and baserunning. Familia shows a lot of promise - OBP skills are there, and he comes off a good season. Erceg and Silva are tied, but Silva showed OBP improvement, while Erceg has yet to put it all together.

 

Corner OF: 1. Cooper Hummel; 2. Micah Bello; 3. Joangtel Segovia

Hummel is probably the best offensive prospect in the Brewers system you haven't heard of. Bello has flashed power and speed, but the hit-for-average tool needs work. Segovia has hit for average, but the OBP skills need work, and he hasn't shown power.

 

CF: 1. Tyrone Taylor; 2. Tristan Lutz; 3. Corey Ray

Taylor has restored his prospect status after suffering injuries. Lutz has a very intriguing offensive profile, alebit needs consistency. Ray just has to put it all together and keep healthy.

 

RHSP: 1. Dylan File; 2. Max Lazar; 3. Noah Zavolas

If there is one pitcher in the Brewers system who could be a home-grown TOR, it's File. Lazar could be as good, if not better, but is a long way off. Zavolas seems to be a right-handed Suter, who could make the Domingo Santana trade a big win for the Brewers.

 

LHSP: 1. Scott Sunitsch; 2. Aaron Ashby; 3. Ethan Small

Ashby has the higher draft status, but Sunitsch quietly posted the same K/9 ratio as Ashby, but walked fewer batters while pitching 10 more innings. Ashby did better at avoiding the gopher ball, and is a close second - just needs to cut down on the free passes. Ethan Small's initial season looks promising.

 

RHRP: 1. Jon Olczak; 2. Victor Castaneda; 3. Keegan McCarville

Olczak posted a second solid season. Castaneda did solidly in Wisconsin, then dominated the AFL as a starter. McCarville's initial posting of a 1.72 ERA and 0.955 WHIP is promising.

 

LHRP: 1. Clayton Andrews; 2. Angel Perdomo; 3. Michael Mediavilla

Andrews looks like another Hader with a decent bat and the ability to play the outfield in a pinch. Perdomo brings pure heat. Mediavilla - 0.92 ERA and 0.661 WHIP says it all.

[TigerUppercut]

Thanks for putting this together. Interesting post although I disagree in a few places. First, I don't think many would argue Feliciano as the best catching prospect given he's 3 years younger, at a more advanced level, Fry is no longer playing catcher and has been old for his league. Tyrone Taylor is about to turn 26 and given Lutz's upside, he's much more of a prospect to me at this point on age alone. Frankly, I really don't even consider Taylor a "prospect" given his age. Finally, I definitely don't see Sunitsch in the same light that I view both Ashby and Small. I think you could reasonably argue the top spot for either of them, I just don't see Sunitsch there myself.

[MrTPlush]

David Fry caught a ton last year and has exclusively played catcher in the fall league....so I don't know that he isn't a catcher anymore.

[TJseven7]

David Fry caught a ton last year and has exclusively played catcher in the fall league....so I don't know that he isn't a catcher anymore.

 

He shouldn't be one anymore. He's already age advanced and behind not only Feliciano but Henry and Kahle (who got bumped past him at years end). Open the path for a kid and see if he can stick at 1b or 3b. He's going to be a very old catcher if they keep on this path by the time he gets to the bigs.

 

Clancy, what is your fascination with guys who don't swing? High K High BB power guys seem to be your vice. Also seems to benefit them if they are playing at a level where they are older than their competition. After Grisham got promoted to AAA the bats in Biloxi were boring. You seem to like half of them and they all seem like AAAA guys at this point.

 

Also how is Andrews like Hader?

[CheeseheadInQC]

While the Arizona Fall League stats are encouraging, looking at Fry's work in Wisconsin, he was a senior sign in A ball and, while very good, wasn't dominant. Unless you're expecting a big bump from no longer having to focus on catching, does his bat really play at first? He is interesting precisely because there's still a chance he could catch. If you want to challenge the bat, have Henry repeat A+ and pair him with Feliciano at AA.

 

Clancy, out of curiosity, with as heavily results skewed as your lists typically are, why no Luke Barker? The guy was one of the best in the upper minors at keeping guys off base last year.

[TJseven7]

While the Arizona Fall League stats are encouraging, looking at Fry's work in Wisconsin, he was a senior sign in A ball and, while very good, wasn't dominant. .

 

5 in the league in slugging and 9th in OPS. Average was solid. It's more about getting a guy who is nearly 2 years old for his level a chance to catch up. 1b 3b is very thin in the system as well.

[Outlander]

Highly doubt Clayton Andrews is another Hader, he is fun to follow because he can hit and pitch but I don't know if his ceiling is very high.

[clancyphile]

Thanks for putting this together. Interesting post although I disagree in a few places. First, I don't think many would argue Feliciano as the best catching prospect given he's 3 years younger, at a more advanced level, Fry is no longer playing catcher and has been old for his league. Tyrone Taylor is about to turn 26 and given Lutz's upside, he's much more of a prospect to me at this point on age alone. Frankly, I really don't even consider Taylor a "prospect" given his age. Finally, I definitely don't see Sunitsch in the same light that I view both Ashby and Small. I think you could reasonably argue the top spot for either of them, I just don't see Sunitsch there myself.

 

Fry's defensive breakdown is as follows:

C: 66 games, 62 starts + 9 games, 9 starts in the AFL

1B: 28 games, 25 starts

2B: 1 game

SS: 1 game

3B: 21 games, 20 starts

LF: 3 games 2 starts

CF: 1 game

RF: 3 games, 2 starts

 

As for Sunitch-Ashby-Small, here's why I went the way I did: Small had a very small sample - 21 IP. It was a dominant 21 IP, but for the sake of prospect discussion, Ashby and Sunitsch are more advanced, and I ranked them ahead on that basis. 2020 could see Small rocket past them.

 

Ashby had a 3.50 ERA in 126 IP during 2019, with a 1.278 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9, 9.6 K/9, giving up 5 HR

Sunitsch had a 4.09 ERA in 136.1 IP during 2019, with a 1.350 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 9.6 K/9, giving up 8 HR

 

So, from what I see, Sunitsch eats a few more innings, and he walks fewer batters. It's not even close. This trend also holds up through 2018. Career K/BB ratio is 3.00 for Sunitsch, 2.61 for Ashby. Sunitsch's K/9 also went up big from 2018 to 2019, jumping from 6.5 to 9.6.

 

So, the improvement by Sunitsch and the lower walk total are why I put him ahead of Ashby. It was close, though.

[clancyphile]

David Fry caught a ton last year and has exclusively played catcher in the fall league....so I don't know that he isn't a catcher anymore.

 

He shouldn't be one anymore. He's already age advanced and behind not only Feliciano but Henry and Kahle (who got bumped past him at years end). Open the path for a kid and see if he can stick at 1b or 3b. He's going to be a very old catcher if they keep on this path by the time he gets to the bigs.

 

Clancy, what is your fascination with guys who don't swing? High K High BB power guys seem to be your vice. Also seems to benefit them if they are playing at a level where they are older than their competition. After Grisham got promoted to AAA the bats in Biloxi were boring. You seem to like half of them and they all seem like AAAA guys at this point.

 

Also how is Andrews like Hader?

 

Last question first:

Andrews is averaging over an inning an appearance, and he is posting some very good K/9 numbers. He also gives up less than one home run every nine innings. To me, it looks as if he could be that "fireman" reliever who can get you to the closer. In one sense, he is more valuable, since he also swings a good bat and can play the outfield.

 

As for the high-walk guys... they get on base. Cooper Hummel, for example, walks once for every 5.5 at bats. Yes, his 2019 points to a 3TO type of profile, but OPS has gone up from .749 to .807 to .835 in the 2017-2019 profile. I think could put it together and do very well in the majors. I liked his OBP skills, but really think I will jump him up int he top 25 voting based on this profile from BrewCrewBall (https://www.brewcrewball.com/2019/11/25/20982116/milwaukee-brewers-cooper-hummel-prospect-interview).

 

I actually tend to be more about high-walk guys who have another tool, not necessarily power. For instance, Brice Turang is someone I like with a high walk total, but he doesn't have power, he has speed (44-for-51 in SB over his career). He could lead off, or at worst, he can walk. This guy struggled to reach the Uecker line in Carolina, but still had a respectable .338 OBP. That sort of thing and his speed makes things interesting out of the #8 spot of the lineup.

 

Now, Cam Devanney is old for the level and a college player, but there is a complete package offensively there, at least in the small sample size. Thomas Dillard was about average for Wisconsin, but he was a walk machine with decent power. Yeah, the K totals are high, but he also has speed to go with the power (8-for-8 in SBs).

[TJseven7]

My old guys comment was directed at Aguilar, Hummel and to a lesser extent Wilson. I also said high bb AND high K guys. Emphasis on the K. I love OBP every bit as much as you but when a guy is K'ing over 100 times in under 500 AB (age advanced in AA) I don't see that as reflective of discipline. I see it as looking for something specific and taking everything else. Strike or not. Grisham also had some of that in his profile, however Grisham was always young for his level.

 

I'm all for the interesting story that Andrews is but he's more Suter than Hader. He's a junk ball guy. He's an odd short guy arm slot and most feel he's more defensive replacement CF and emergency pinch hitter than he is an MLB bat, there really isn't any power there. If you wanted to go defensive CF + Suter I wouldn't complain and that's still interesting but Hader is a totally different beast.

 

Ashby Sunitsch you are just being too cute with that ranking. Defend it all you want but your emphasis on BBs is where this goes off the rails. Ashby has a lower whip than Sunitsch despite walking considerably more batters. That's going to age better and should be seen as better currently. Sunitsch is already getting hit. Ashby is not getting hit, he's just a bit wild. Really makes Sunitsch seem more 4A and Ashby young than anything else.

 

I also want to hear back on the Cheesehead question. How are you not a Barker fan? I think he's the forgotten guy in the AAA pen who could be in the MKE shuttle this year. You don't like him? He was light out last year and seems to fit your type.

[clancyphile]

Barker... looked him up. Probably just a hair behind McCarville. I kept myself to three at each position. Barker's definitely top five.

[CheeseheadInQC]

While I disagree with a lot of them, after sitting down and actually trying to make a top three at each position (based on which position they played most often last year or which they were drafted at in the case of one player who didn't play) it is really tough with the hitters. I didn't include the Biloxi contingent or Devanney in mine, but I had to dig pretty deep in order to do it in the infield. My list would have included a grand total of three infielders (Turang, Erceg and Dillard) who played full season ball in the Brewers system last season, four who played in the DSL, one who was in a different organization, one who barely played because of injury and one who didn't play because of injury.

 

I'd rank my No. 6 catcher ahead of at least five of the infielders who made the three-deep and there are a few others who I'd have roughly even with him.

 

For me, with the exception of RH starters (I had Zavalos in the 10-15 range and I can't quibble with his inclusion to tell you how flat I find that group), the pitching is fairly clear cut as least as far as inclusion.

 

The lefty starters are Small, Ashby and Kelly in some order (with all due respect to Bennett, who probably deserves a mention), and the lefty relievers are Perdomo, Andrews and QCT, in some order. I actually might have given Sunitsch consideration if he were counted as a reliever rather than a starter. His splits against lefties last year were really good and the one Fangraphs writeup on him kind of screamed bullpen.

 

As for the righty bullpen, I'd say any combination of Feyereisen, Wahl, Williams, Barker and Bickford. Sanchez seems a step below and the might be starting next year duo of Castaneda and Lindell are too far away (that counts more for me when talking about bullpen guys).

[clancyphile]

While I disagree with a lot of them, after sitting down and actually trying to make a top three at each position (based on which position they played most often last year or which they were drafted at in the case of one player who didn't play) it is really tough with the hitters. I didn't include the Biloxi contingent or Devanney in mine, but I had to dig pretty deep in order to do it in the infield. My list would have included a grand total of three infielders (Turang, Erceg and Dillard) who played full season ball in the Brewers system last season, four who played in the DSL, one who was in a different organization, one who barely played because of injury and one who didn't play because of injury.

 

I'd rank my No. 6 catcher ahead of at least five of the infielders who made the three-deep and there are a few others who I'd have roughly even with him.

 

For me, with the exception of RH starters (I had Zavalos in the 10-15 range and I can't quibble with his inclusion to tell you how flat I find that group), the pitching is fairly clear cut as least as far as inclusion.

 

The lefty starters are Small, Ashby and Kelly in some order (with all due respect to Bennett, who probably deserves a mention), and the lefty relievers are Perdomo, Andrews and QCT, in some order. I actually might have given Sunitsch consideration if he were counted as a reliever rather than a starter. His splits against lefties last year were really good and the one Fangraphs writeup on him kind of screamed bullpen.

 

As for the righty bullpen, I'd say any combination of Feyereisen, Wahl, Williams, Barker and Bickford. Sanchez seems a step below and the might be starting next year duo of Castaneda and Lindell are too far away (that counts more for me when talking about bullpen guys).

 

The hard part about catcher is the number of folks. Fry, Feliciano, and Henry got the edge for being in full-season ball. Nottingham is 4th, Kahle 5th (mostly due to DHing).

 

First base... I feel Dillard could really move up with his OBP skills, and there is something about Martinez in particular that I like. Aguilar is a god of walks, and he has some pop and can also play center. He's a Ben Gamel/Eric Thames hybrid.

 

Devanney... I think he's going to be good. A huge steal. In a way, he's like Troy Stokes was - good OBP skills, power, some speed. How well he hits for average is the big question, but at shortstop, I think he's arguably a more complete offensive package. Turang's big edge is he was in A+ and still racking up tons of walks. If Devanney does well in 2020, I may vault him past Turang at the position.

 

The Biloxi Crew - Hummel and Wilson - are both underrated, I think. Hummel's BrewCrewBall profile has me convinced he will break out big in 2020. It's better to have players start out with too much plate discipline rather than to have to try to develop it.

 

Sunitsch took the top spot for not allowing walks. He's also, at times, put together dominant streaks. He had one in Carolina for 2019, and one with Wisconsin in 2018. He's also durable - pitching more innings than Ashby in 2019.

 

QTC is an interesting case. He'd be #4 on my lefty relievers list. The reason Mediavilla made the top three was that even though he had a very small sample at a low level, the sheer dominance catches my attention.

[JohnBriggs12]

Feliciano is 21 and Henry is 22. I'd rank both ahead of Fry. With those two ahead of him, Fry may spend most of his time at 1B where he figures in the top 3.

[JohnBriggs12]

I don't know how you can have Sunitsch and Ashby ahead of Small, who was the best pitcher in the SEC, and was dominant in his limited action in the minors.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I don't know how you can have Sunitsch and Ashby ahead of Small, who was the best pitcher in the SEC, and was dominant in his limited action in the minors.

 

You can't. As far as prospects go, Small and Ashby are substantially ahead of Sunitsch in both pedigree and upside.

[reillymcshane]

I don't know how you can have Sunitsch and Ashby ahead of Small, who was the best pitcher in the SEC, and was dominant in his limited action in the minors.

You really can't. This is one person's list. He's entitled to his opinions. But take it with a grain of salt. He probably would have had Cam Roegner as the top RHP if the Brewers had not just released him (on the flip side, Clancy loved Suter as a minor leaguer - far more than most people - and he's been a decent player so far).

[sveumrules]

Devanney... I think he's going to be good. A huge steal. In a way, he's like Troy Stokes was - good OBP skills, power, some speed. How well he hits for average is the big question, but at shortstop, I think he's arguably a more complete offensive package. Turang's big edge is he was in A+ and still racking up tons of walks. If Devanney does well in 2020, I may vault him past Turang at the position.

 

Devanney was 22 in rookie ball. When Stokes was 22 he was already in AA. That is a HUGE difference rendering any similarities mostly moot.

 

Yes, Turang's big edge was that he was two levels higher at A+...while also being three years younger & with scouting reports which got him picked 21st as a teenager instead of 463rd as a college senior.

[ctmyers]

Thanks for putting this together. Interesting post although I disagree in a few places. First, I don't think many would argue Feliciano as the best catching prospect given he's 3 years younger, at a more advanced level, Fry is no longer playing catcher and has been old for his league. Tyrone Taylor is about to turn 26 and given Lutz's upside, he's much more of a prospect to me at this point on age alone. Frankly, I really don't even consider Taylor a "prospect" given his age. Finally, I definitely don't see Sunitsch in the same light that I view both Ashby and Small. I think you could reasonably argue the top spot for either of them, I just don't see Sunitsch there myself.

 

Fry's defensive breakdown is as follows:

C: 66 games, 62 starts + 9 games, 9 starts in the AFL

1B: 28 games, 25 starts

2B: 1 game

SS: 1 game

3B: 21 games, 20 starts

LF: 3 games 2 starts

CF: 1 game

RF: 3 games, 2 starts

 

As for Sunitch-Ashby-Small, here's why I went the way I did: Small had a very small sample - 21 IP. It was a dominant 21 IP, but for the sake of prospect discussion, Ashby and Sunitsch are more advanced, and I ranked them ahead on that basis. 2020 could see Small rocket past them.

 

Ashby had a 3.50 ERA in 126 IP during 2019, with a 1.278 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9, 9.6 K/9, giving up 5 HR

Sunitsch had a 4.09 ERA in 136.1 IP during 2019, with a 1.350 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 9.6 K/9, giving up 8 HR

 

So, from what I see, Sunitsch eats a few more innings, and he walks fewer batters. It's not even close. This trend also holds up through 2018. Career K/BB ratio is 3.00 for Sunitsch, 2.61 for Ashby. Sunitsch's K/9 also went up big from 2018 to 2019, jumping from 6.5 to 9.6.

 

So, the improvement by Sunitsch and the lower walk total are why I put him ahead of Ashby. It was close, though.

 

It's kind of silly to dismiss Small's 2019 campaign as the best pitcher in college baseball, in the toughest conference. I get your fascination with advanced age soft-tossing lefties, but Small and Sunitsch aren't in the same universe, prospect-wise.

[clancyphile]

Devanney... I think he's going to be good. A huge steal. In a way, he's like Troy Stokes was - good OBP skills, power, some speed. How well he hits for average is the big question, but at shortstop, I think he's arguably a more complete offensive package. Turang's big edge is he was in A+ and still racking up tons of walks. If Devanney does well in 2020, I may vault him past Turang at the position.

 

Devanney was 22 in rookie ball. When Stokes was 22 he was already in AA. That is a HUGE difference rendering any similarities mostly moot.

 

Yes, Turang's big edge was that he was two levels higher at A+...while also being three years younger & with scouting reports which got him picked 21st as a teenager instead of 463rd as a college senior.

 

I did say that if Devanney did well in 2020. A lot remains to be seen. Still, if he posts a good year, then a steal at pick 463 is a good thing and makes the farm system much better.

 

Turang could hit .300, walk 85 times a year, steal 30 bases, and hit 10 homers.

 

Devanney might hit .260, but he will still generate walks, but he'll be a 20-25 HR player st shortstop. For the college bats drafted after the 10th round, the first full season as a pro will say a lot. Ronnie Gideon flamed out, David Fry and Cooper Hummel did well enough.

[CheeseheadInQC]

The issue with Sunitsch as a starter stats-wise is that his splits are pretty severe. Given that he's not some still green high school pitcher, I'm not sure that is something that is going to go away as a starter. The jump in K's last year and dominance of lefties make him interesting, I just don't think it does as a starter. You often cite Suter, and he was pretty much the opposite: He didn't have problems getting righties out as he moved through the system, sometimes posting reverse splits.

 

Like I said in a previous post, he intrigues me as a reliever. If the K rate stays up (or rises moving to the pen) and his stuff plays up more against righties only having to face them once out of the pen, maybe you have something.

 

As for Devanney, I'd have no problem with him being listed third behind Garcia. The other options whose primary position was shortstop who played stateside for the Brewers last season and are still with the organization: Hairston, Pinero, Castillo, Pitre. Even in the DSL, Jaraba and Roa played more third than short. Unless you're a big Ponce de Leon or Ferrer fan, the third spot comes down to how much do you trust Hamilton coming back from injury. I'd put him third, but I can understand if someone is skeptical.

[TJseven7]

BTW, cuz this has been bothering me.

 

Kahle 5th (mostly due to DHing).

 

Did he really DH an exorbitant amount with MKE? He got 1/3 of the AB of Fry and caught 1/3 of the innings. He got bumped to Carolina played 2 games and caught both.

 

MKE isn't an AL team. He's basically been C only or am I missing something? Personally I have Fry at 1b/3b due to age but have Kahle in the top 3 Cs. He's 2 years younger.

[sveumrules]

Devanney might hit .260, but he will still generate walks, but he'll be a 20-25 HR player st shortstop.

 

Last year there were 11 players that hit 20 home runs as a SS.

 

In 2018 there were 6. In 2016 & 2017 there were 9 each season.

 

SS that project to hit 20 HR don't typically make it until the 15th round of the draft.

 

In three seasons (626 PAs) using a metal bat against Colonial Athletic Association pitching he only hit 20 HR.

[clancyphile]

Devanney might hit .260, but he will still generate walks, but he'll be a 20-25 HR player st shortstop.

 

Last year there were 11 players that hit 20 home runs as a SS.

 

In 2018 there were 6. In 2016 & 2017 there were 9 each season.

 

SS that project to hit 20 HR don't typically make it until the 15th round of the draft.

 

In three seasons (626 PAs) using a metal bat against Colonial Athletic Association pitching he only hit 20 HR.

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=devann000cam

 

In 220 ABs between Arizona Brewers Blue and the Rocky Mountain Vibe, he had 7 HR and 12 doubles. That translates to 17 homers and 30 doubles in 550 ABs. He drew 28 walks in 260 PAs and went 17-for-25 in SBs.

 

Now, with the Vibe his slash was .246/.348/.456 - an .804 OPS - in 114 ABs.

 

For me, the question will be how he adapts to full-season pro ball in Wisconsin. Maybe he goes to Carolina if the Crew decides to start Turang in Biloxi, but I think he's the starting SS for the Timber Rattlers.

[sveumrules]

In 220 ABs between Arizona Brewers Blue and the Rocky Mountain Vibe, he had 7 HR and 12 doubles. That translates to 17 homers and 30 doubles in 550 ABs. He drew 28 walks in 260 PAs and went 17-for-25 in SBs.

 

There's a HUGE difference between being on pace for 17 HR while in leagues where he is two years older/more experienced than the average player & hitting 20-25 HR if he ever even makes it to MLB.

 

28 walks in 260 plate appearances for a 22 year old in rookie ball is nothing impressive. Among 150 players in domestic rookie leagues with at least 200 PAs, Cam's walk rate ranked 48th.

 

17 for 25 (68% success rate) on SBs is also pretty pedestrian when you consider how much older/more advanced Devanney is compared to his competition. As he moves up & faces better batteries he will likely run less & less (especially if he's still getting thrown out over 30% of the time.)