BF.net Fan Community Top 25 Prospects - 2021 Mid-Season Edition - Voting closed

[reillymcshane]

Hey, it's time for another prospect poll. We we would like to invite everyone to take part in the 2021 Mid-Season BF.net Fan Community Top 25 Prospects voting.

 

Voting is now open. You need to submit on this thread your top 25 Brewer prospects. Feel free to list any resources or news that you feel might help people with their voting.

 

IMPORTANT: Please include upwards of 30 prospects in your list. This way, if one your guys gets traded before the deadline, we can just bump everyone. As the Brewers will likely be active at this year's deadline, this is VERY important.

 

Voting concludes on August 8. You can change your votes at anytime through that date. This will be especially important if we acquire any prospects in any trades - or lose guys and you don't include extras.

 

RULES

 

1. Submit your Top 25 prospects (again, a list of 30 is best), in order, by end of day on August 8, 2021. Put the player's full name to avoid any confusion. I appreciate it you would number them. Also, please list your players from #1 to #30.

2. You MUST submit 25 prospects. If there are only 10 or 15 or whatever, your list will not be included.

3. You are encouraged to go beyond pick #25. 30 is best. This way if a player you vote for is released or traded, or you list someone twice, or whatever, we can just bump up your next player.

4. Rankings are determined by total points. The top prospect gets 25 points, second prospect gets 24 points, etc.

4. As noted above, if you submit your list and want to change something, just add the change to the thread via the edit function. I'll accept changes up to the deadline.

5. Within a week or so after the deadline, we'll publish the new BF.net Community Top 25.

 

Eligibility guidelines

 

Rookie eligibility is determined by the same standards as MLB:

 

“A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).”

 

- Players graduated from Top 25 list: No one!

- Other players who have exceeded rookie limits: Tyrone Taylor (finally!)

- Eligible players with ML experience: Angel Perdomo, Justin Topa, Alec Bettinger, Corey Ray, Mario Feliciano, Miguel Sanchez, Aaron Ashby, Zach Green, Jake Cousins, Patrick Weigel

- Ineligible players: Pablo Reyes, Hoby Milner, Tim Lopes, Jandel Gustave, Ryan Weber

 

If there are any questions, please ask in the thread.

 

Players no longer in organization

 

- JP Feyereisen - traded

- Bowden Francis - traded

- Phil Bickford - released

- Bobby Wahl - released

 

We will add any other names here if someone is dealt or released or there is an error.

 

New players in organization to consider

 

Here are this year's draft picks you may want to consider.

 

1 (15). Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College

1 (33). Tyler Black, 2B/3B, Wright State

2 (51). Russell Smith, LHP, TCU

3 (86). Alex Binelas, 3B, Louisville

 

I'm not sure about international signings - so please leave a note in the comments if you think someone is worth adding here.

 

Prospect Rankings

 

Here are a few mid-season prospect ranking sites. Feel free to add more in the thread - and I will add here

 

MLB Pipeline: https://www.mlb.com/prospects/brewers/

Fangraphs: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/top-42-prospects-milwaukee-brewers/

 

Previous Polls

 

BF.net 2021 Pre-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=40379

BF.net 2020 Pre-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=39654

BF.net 2019 Mid-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=38964

BF.net 2019 Pre-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=38282

BF.net 2018 Post-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=37894

BF.net 2018 Mid-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=37395

BF.net 2018 Pre-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=36597

BF.net 2017 Post-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=36082

BF.net 2017 Mid-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=35723

BF.net 2017 Pre-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=35089

BF.net 2016 Post-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=34747

BF.net 2016 Mid-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=34472

BF.net 2016 Pre-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=33867

BF.net 2015 Post-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=33436

BF.net 2015 Mid-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=33032

BF.net 2015 Pre-Season Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=32447

BF.net August 2014 Top 25 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=31859

BF.net May 2014 Top 20 - viewtopic.php?f=64&t=31355

 

Please note that we reserve the right to throw out ballots if we feel that the voting was done without following the rules or spirit of the exercise.

 

Thanks for participating!

[reillymcshane]

Everyone, I want to please be respectful of other peoples' lists. If you want to ask questions, fine. But don't mock or belittle others. Thanks.

[reillymcshane]

As a note, there are a few players - all relievers - who are on the cusp graduating from 'prospect' status. This includes Perdomo, Cousins and Sanchez.

 

This is primarily because they are approaching the 45 days of service limit. But it's impossible to pinpoint these things exactly - so for the sake of this exercise, all are eligible.

 

Thanks.

[Manty Brewer Fan]

1. Hedbert Perez

2. Garrett Mitchell

3. Brice Turang

4. Sal Frelick

5. Ethan Small

6. Mario Feliciano

7. Tyler Black

8. Aaron Ashby

9. Antoine Kelly

10. Eduardo Garcia

11. Zavier Warren

12. Freddy Zamora

13. Jefferson Quero

14. Hendry Mendez

15. Alex Binelas

16. Korry Howell

17. Joe Gray Jr.

18. Jheremy Vargas

19. Felix Valerio

20. Jackson Chourio

21. Jesus Parra

22. Jake Cousins

23. Justin Topa

24. Russell Smith

25. Hayden Cantrelle

26. Jesus Chirinos

27. Ernesto Martinez

28. Micah Bello

29. Payton Henry

30. Dylan File

31. Carlos Rodriguez

32. David Hamilton

33. Dylan File

34. Nick Bennett

35. Je’Von Ward

36. Abner Uribe

37. Reese Olson

38. Justin Bullock

39. Luis Medina

40. Max Lazar

41. Alec Bettinger

 

 

 

Really liking the growth of the system and I think many rookie complex/dsl names will continue to emerge and move up the ranks by end of the year.

[reillymcshane]

1. Hedbert Perez

2. Garrett Mitchell

3. Brice Turang

4. Sal Frelick

5. Ethan Small

Thanks for kicking things off.

[LouisEly]

I thought we traditionally waited until after the trade deadline?

[reillymcshane]

I thought we traditionally waited until after the trade deadline?

And it will be.

 

The time period to vote goes to one week after the deadline. That way people can tweak their lists if necessary.

 

Also, I asked people to simply include extra guys in their list in case one or more are traded.

[Austin Tatious]

1. Garrett Mitchell - premium prospect

2. Hedbert Perez - Brewers are very high on him. Talented.

3. Brice Turang - good hit tool and producing as a young player at every level he has played; could easily just be coming out of the draft now

4. Aaron Ashby - wipeout slider; profiles well as a starter

5. Ethan Small - not as electric as Ashby but he delivers as a starter

6. Jeferson Quero - obviously very young, but is highly regarded

7. Sal Frelick - sparkplug and aggressive mentality; lack of pop limits his ranking

8. Antoine Kelly - injury creates question marks but he has electric talent if he recovers fully

9. Joe Gray - has erupted this year, showing why the Brewers drafted him early; prodigious pop in that bat

10. Zavier Warren - talented hitter; will be interesting if he stays behind the plate, could envision him at 3b, 2b or OF

11. Korry Howell - very good athlete who has really been performing; versatility is interesting

12. David Hamilton - fast, productive guy. Brewers got a steal in the draft out of Texas due to injury

13. Mario Feliciano - injuries this year may result in a lost season. Can hit and is a good athlete

14. Tyler Black - reputation as a good hitter; interested to see how he develops; would love to see him be a good 3b prospect with a strong hit tool

15. Jackson Churio - highly rated recent signing from Venezuela

16. Freddy Zamora - talented SS prospect; coming back from big knee injury

17. Abner Uribe - fireballer could have back of the pen upside

18. Luis Medina - bonus baby is well put together

19. Russell Smith - interesting prospect, command is compelling

20. Payton Henry - ranking may ultimately be too low; legit catcher

21. Jesus Parra - seems raw but reportedly has talent and potential

22. Eduardo Garcia - good prospect but his legitimate upside is a mystery

23. Ernesto Martinez - slugging first baseman with some early production; long way to go

24. Alex Binelas - home state talent was talked about for the first round, and then after some warts were perceived, there was an over-correction in his draft status. Brewers got him in a good spot. Good slugger, might be headed for first base or DH

25. Tristen Lutz - development stalling a bit, ranking plunging; can still get back on track, big strong kid.

26. Felix Valerio - batting average gets him noticed

27. Eduarqui Fernandez - intriguing potential

28. Je’Von Ward - has talent and may be putting it together

29. Carlos Rodriguez, OF, good hit tool, not a very big guy and upside is a question mark

30 Justin Bullock, has performed well this year, worth watching

31. Reese Olson - stats aren't there but Fangraphs likes him

32. Max Lazar - does not wow you but his career stats are noteworthy

33. Thomas Dillard - good hitter but true upside is a question mark

34. Dylan File - recent injury is a setback but he had been improving his velocity significantly before the injury (hopefully there is no connection)

[umphrey]

1 Garrett Mitchell

2 Aaron Ashby

3 Ethan Small

4 Brice Turang

5 Sal Frelick

6 Jefferson Quero

7 Korry Howell

8 Hedbert Perez

9 Zavier Warren

10 Joe Gray Jr.

11 Abner Uribe

12 Reese Olson

13 Mario Feliciano

14 Tyler Black

15 David Hamilton

16 Reese Olson

17 Felix Valerio

18 Alex Binelas

19 Justin Topa

20 Freddy Zamora

21 Jackson Chourio

22 Antoine Kelly

23 Jake Cousins

24 Joey Wiemer

25 Hayden Cantrelle

26 Eduardo Garcia

27 Hendry Mendez

[clancyphile]

Here's my ballot. Major shifts in first minor-league action since 2019.

 

1. Ernesto Wilson Martinez, 1B/OF (18) - What warrants a 17-place jump? This bopper not only has shown versatility (playing CF well), he's also added a "steal bases" tool. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin004ern

2. Korry Howell, OF/IF (25) - He had speed, versatility, and OBP, but added power tool warrants a big jump. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=howell000kor

3. David Fry, UT (2) - Still slugging, still versatile. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=fry---002dav

4. Weston Wilson, UT (7) - Hernan Perez with a plus bat - and at AAA - makes him front-runner for 2022 26th man. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=642215

5. Garrett Mitchell, OF (21) - Looking on course to replace Cain in 2023. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=669003

6. Ethan Small, LHP (8) - Is he ready to join the punch-out firm of Woodruff, Burnes, Peralta, and Houser in 2022? https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=small-000eth

7. Joe Gray Jr., OF (unranked) - Broke out big time. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=669336

8. Felix Valerio, IF (unranked) - Hummel-esque plate discipline, stolen base threat, and a lot of doubles. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=valeri001fel

9. Luke Barker, RHP (20) - Probably should be considered for a call-up. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=barker000luk

10. Ashton McGee, OF/IF/P (unranked) - Offense made major improvement from 2019. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mcgee-000ash

11. Aaron Ashby, LHP (4) – Struggled with shift to bullpen. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ashby-001aar

12. Thomas Dillard, 1B/C (15) – Another Mickey Tettleton-type. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dillar002tho

13. Mario Feliciano, C (5) – Has barely made the field. Young enough to rebound. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=felici000mar

14. Victor Castenada, RHP (27) – Making the transition to starting pitcher. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=674810

15. Alec Bettinger, RHP (10) – Solid, but got knocked around at MLB level in small sample. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bettin000ale

16. Zavier Warren, C/3B/1B/? (unranked) – Big bat, superb walk rate, versatile (history of playing SS). https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=warren000zav

17. Carlos Luna, RHP (unranked) – Just dominating and worth a look. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=650690

18. Hayden Cantrelle, IF (29) – Superb walk rate, still has speed, added plenty of power. Could sub-Uecker-line batting average be bad luck? https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=676463

19. Noah Campbell, UT (unranked) – Versatile switch hitter with OBP skills, speed, and hits a lot of doubles. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=668929

20. Noah Zavolas, RHP (11) – Took a step back – did pandemic layoff throw him off? https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=zavola000noa

21. Justin Bullock, RHP (unranked) – A WHIP of 0.900 is worth a longer look. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=668908

22. Quintin Torres-Costa, LHP (17) – Comeback from Tommy John is going rough. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=torres000qui

23. Brice Turang, SS (14) – Massive drop in his walk rate is a big red flag. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=turang002bri

24. Alex Hall, C (38) – Has turned the offense around some. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hall--000ale

25. Hedbert Perez, OF (unranked) – Promising start in some ways, but very small sample size. Low walk rate is a concern. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=691616

26. Clayton Andrews, LHP (9) – Injuries and layoff raise questions. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=andrew003cla

27. Eduardo Garcia, SS (unranked) – Very small sample size, and a long way away. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=682633

28. Jeferson Quero, C (unranked) – Promising start, but a small sample size. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=691620

29. Jhonnys Cabrera, C/1B (39) – A very small sample size, but still looking like he did before the pandemic. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cabrer000jho

30. Corey Ray, OF (32) – A left-handed Keon Broxton: Power, speed, outstanding D. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ray---000cor

31. Ryan Aguilar, OF/1B (19) – Walk rate, pop, and speed are there, but the hit tool vanished. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=aguila000rya

32. Jamie Westbrook, UT (unranked) – Has performed well. Worth a longer look. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=642197

33. Freddy Zamora, SS (28) – Underwhelming start. OBP Skills a bright spot. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=668965

34. Lucas Erceg, UT/P (34) – Slow start to “toolshed” status. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=erceg-000luc

35. Oscar Castaneda, RHP, (37) – VERY small sample precludes bigger jump. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=castan002osc

36. Cam Robinson, RHP (unranked) – Showing signs of being a future closer. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=676515

37. Joey Matulovich, RHP (unranked) – Potential multi-inning fireman. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=664771

38. Joey Weimer, OF (unranked) – Could be a solid backup. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=686894

39. Jesus Chirinos, C/1B (unranked) – Very small sample size, but has intrigued in DSL action. https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=678652

40. David Hamilton, SS (unranked) - Good speed, OBP, and some pop. Stealing LOTs of bases. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hamilt004dav

 

Honorable Mentions:

IF Gabe Holt - https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=686746

OF Luis Castillo - https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=699127

RHP Keegan McCarville - https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=682033

LHP Brandon Knarr - https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=687822

RHP Nick Belzer - https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=691108

 

Martinez and Howell got huge jumps for adding significant new tools. I've long been intrigued by Martinez as a potential fix at 1B. Now that guy's looking like he could be an Eric Thames-esque bat who also plays center field and can steal 30 bases a season - making him my #1 in the wake of the Cooper Hummel trade. As for Howell, all that guy did was add a power stroke to his OBP skills, versatility, and speed, a worthy #2. Both are projections, but given that they ADDED tools, those are good signs.

 

Fry and Wilson could be the heart of the 2022 Brewers bench, just on their versatility and the fact they have bats. Here, production and their proximity to the majors warranted their ranking.

 

Joe Gray is clearly breaking out, and Felix Valerio's made the adjustment. Both were huge risers from the unranked.

 

Ethan Small is looking like he'll be the guy to join the punch-out firm of Woodruff, Burnes, Peralta, and Houser. Here's hoping that Woodruff, Burnes, and Houser get extensions to keep them here for a while.

 

Luke Barker should be called up to help the bullpen.

 

Turang is a big dropper, mostly because his walk rate has plummeted. Payton Henry lost his power stroke. Tristan Lutz is looking like he's flamed out. Max Lazar, Justin Topa, Dylan File, and Scott Sunitch have been injured, so they're off my ballot. Andrews and Feliciano were almost off for injury reasons.

 

EDIT: Changed based on the trades of Cooper Hummel and Payton Henry.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Hummel got the #1 spot because he's emerged strong after missing time. 2019 was clearly not a fluke, he's become a plate discipline freak of nature. I know Tellez hit two homers last night (as of this post's writing), but Cooper Hummel warrants a shot, and he'd be a more stable solution at first base.

 

He's a backup at AAA. Never played an inning of 1B before a couple days ago, but OK. You do you.

[82brewcrew82]

Hummel got the #1 spot because he's emerged strong after missing time. 2019 was clearly not a fluke, he's become a plate discipline freak of nature. I know Tellez hit two homers last night (as of this post's writing), but Cooper Hummel warrants a shot, and he'd be a more stable solution at first base.

 

He's a backup at AAA. Never played an inning of 1B before a couple days ago, but OK. You do you.

This is why I've stopped participating in these things.

[CheeseheadInQC]

Hummel got the #1 spot because he's emerged strong after missing time. 2019 was clearly not a fluke, he's become a plate discipline freak of nature. I know Tellez hit two homers last night (as of this post's writing), but Cooper Hummel warrants a shot, and he'd be a more stable solution at first base.

 

He's a backup at AAA. Never played an inning of 1B before a couple days ago, but OK. You do you.

While he does need to show he can actually play the position and isn't Khris Davis defensively, among guys with at least 100 at-bats, Hummel ranks among the top 5 in the system in walk rate (#1), K rate, ISO and swinging strike rate (only non-middle infielder in the top 5). Age and defensive value are definite knocks but the idea of Hummel being able to be a competent big league hitter can't be discounted at this point. Compare him to Thomas Dillard, who kind of seems to have a similar profile at this point (defensive limited emergency catcher). It is getting increasingly tough to make the case for Dillard being the better prospect. He's going to be on my list this time around, albeit more in the 15-20 area.

[clancyphile]

He's a backup at AAA. Never played an inning of 1B before a couple days ago, but OK. You do you.

While he does need to show he can actually play the position and isn't Khris Davis defensively, among guys with at least 100 at-bats, Hummel ranks among the top 5 in the system in walk rate (#1), K rate, ISO and swinging strike rate (only non-middle infielder in the top 5). Age and defensive value are definite knocks but the idea of Hummel being able to be a competent big league hitter can't be discounted at this point. Compare him to Thomas Dillard, who kind of seems to have a similar profile at this point (defensive limited emergency catcher). It is getting increasingly tough to make the case for Dillard being the better prospect. He's going to be on my list this time around, albeit more in the 15-20 area.

 

What I like about the fan voting on this is that it gives us the chance to really talk about these prospects and to maybe see how fellow Brewers fans see them.

 

For instance, take Hummel. I look at years of someone who can draw lots of walks and who has a solid bat. I had him at #16 in my 2019 mid-season ballot (viewtopic.php?p=1242412#p1242412). I jumped him higher when I read an interview he did (https://www.brewcrewball.com/2019/11/25/20982116/milwaukee-brewers-cooper-hummel-prospect-interview) and I went with my gut, figuring this was a guy who would break out in 2020, and voted accordingly. Well, it's a year later (thanks, pandemic), but that does seem to have happened.

 

Incidentally, I do have Dillard on my list at #13, and view him to be a Mickey Tettleton type, much like Hummel. Hummel, I think, is a good option as a corner OF, at 1B, or even spending time at C (he'd be bat-first, but I don't think his defense would be horrible). Dillard seems more limited defensively to me between the two, and he is at a lower level.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Hummel got the #1 spot because he's emerged strong after missing time. 2019 was clearly not a fluke, he's become a plate discipline freak of nature. I know Tellez hit two homers last night (as of this post's writing), but Cooper Hummel warrants a shot, and he'd be a more stable solution at first base.

 

He's a backup at AAA. Never played an inning of 1B before a couple days ago, but OK. You do you.

While he does need to show he can actually play the position and isn't Khris Davis defensively, among guys with at least 100 at-bats, Hummel ranks among the top 5 in the system in walk rate (#1), K rate, ISO and swinging strike rate (only non-middle infielder in the top 5). Age and defensive value are definite knocks but the idea of Hummel being able to be a competent big league hitter can't be discounted at this point. Compare him to Thomas Dillard, who kind of seems to have a similar profile at this point (defensive limited emergency catcher). It is getting increasingly tough to make the case for Dillard being the better prospect. He's going to be on my list this time around, albeit more in the 15-20 area.

 

Th Brewers' player development department isn't a bunch of idiots, though. If Hummel had any kind of big league future, he'd be playing every day. But as it is now, his playing time is sporadic. The fact that he hasn't been able to carve out even a full time role as a 26-year-old in AAA tells me that the Brewers view him as, at most, an organizational soldier

[82brewcrew82]

Th Brewers' player development department isn't a bunch of idiots, though. If Hummel had any kind of big league future, he'd be playing every day. But as it is now, his playing time is sporadic. The fact that he hasn't been able to carve out even a full time role as a 26-year-old in AAA tells me that the Brewers view him as, at most, an organizational soldier

To me the number one prospect should have the best blend of performance and upside to make a significant impact on the future fortunes of major league club. If that guy is Cooper Hummel, this organization deserves to be rated at the bottom of organizational prospect rankings. Last year it was Cam Devanney on his list that was going to break out but we don't talk about that.

[CheeseheadInQC]

The Brewers' player development department isn't a bunch of idiots, though. If Hummel had any kind of big league future, he'd be playing every day. But as it is now, his playing time is sporadic. The fact that he hasn't been able to carve out even a full time role as a 26-year-old in AAA tells me that the Brewers view him as, at most, an organizational soldier

 

Why do you consider him a backup? He's fourth on the team in plate appearances despite not being activated until the end of May. Since then it seems he's played about as regularly as anyone other than maybe Green. For me there are 14-15 prospects who really stand out and then a very large, flat tier, and Hummel's strikeout and walk rates at such a high level make him as good of a guess as any of them. Upside is tantalizing, but let's face it, better than 50/50 if we go back in a dozen years and look at the WAR for everyone eligible for this list, a reliever like Cousins is in the top 10. Sometimes there is something to be said for likelihood of being a passable major leaguer.

[foamboy1]

Clancy....

 

As is common, you provoke commentary. It makes me laugh - it's not contrarian - it's just your own work product that doesn't follow groupthink. I always appreciate your insight since nobody is always right or wrong.

 

You were high on Brent Suter when nobody else thought his weak-armed 88 mph fastball (improved since then) translated to anything. Suter has outperformed all expectations. You were right on other guys as well, in a similar, controversial fashion.

 

I'm not saying Hummell is going to be a player - I don't know. But I sure admire your willingness to reshuffle the deck and offer a wildcat viewpoint, which I believe you enjoy. Keep it up.

[clancyphile]

Clancy....

 

As is common, you provoke commentary. It makes me laugh - it's not contrarian - it's just your own work product that doesn't follow groupthink. I always appreciate your insight since nobody is always right or wrong.

 

You were high on Brent Suter when nobody else thought his weak-armed 88 mph fastball (improved since then) translated to anything. Suter has outperformed all expectations. You were right on other guys as well, in a similar, controversial fashion.

 

I'm not saying Hummell is going to be a player - I don't know. But I sure admire your willingness to reshuffle the deck and offer a wildcat viewpoint, which I believe you enjoy. Keep it up.

 

Thanks. Some of my highly-rated guys have missed. Big time. Ronnie Gideon flamed out quickly. Dallas Carroll did as well. Some others didn't work out.

 

The one thing that I think too many people here do is dismiss performance on the field. I get the desire to see upside. I try to find it as well, and I miss, too. We play the games to find out who will make it to Milwaukee.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Instead of just bagging on a selection, I'll ask this question. Clancy, you definitely do like to be "contrarian", so in regards to the Hummel selection, what's your thought process? No publication has him ranked highly, he's 26 at AAA, and still hanging out, he's not a highly touted prospect, and you have him #1 ahead of Mitchell, Small, Ashby, and other highly touted guys. So, instead of just bashing your selection, I wanna ask what your thought process is.

 

He's definitely got a good OPS/OBP, but as others have pointed out, that doesn't necessarily just translate to the MLB level. Do you legitimately think C Hummel is a 'better' prospect than Mitchell and Turang, or do you just think that he can help sooner? Do you weight that in your rankings? I'm legitimately asking, because understanding HOW you make your rankings may quell some of the flack you take when we do these.

[clancyphile]

Instead of just bagging on a selection, I'll ask this question. Clancy, you definitely do like to be "contrarian", so in regards to the Hummel selection, what's your thought process? No publication has him ranked highly, he's 26 at AAA, and still hanging out, he's not a highly touted prospect, and you have him #1 ahead of Mitchell, Small, Ashby, and other highly touted guys. So, instead of just bashing your selection, I wanna ask what your thought process is.

 

He's definitely got a good OPS/OBP, but as others have pointed out, that doesn't necessarily just translate to the MLB level. Do you legitimately think C Hummel is a 'better' prospect than Mitchell and Turang, or do you just think that he can help sooner? Do you weight that in your rankings? I'm legitimately asking, because understanding HOW you make your rankings may quell some of the flack you take when we do these.

 

1. I think the OPS/OBP numbers do matter for hitters. For pitchers, I look at WHIP, ERA, BB/9, and BB:K ratio. I get the upside argument, but look at Gilbert Lara, Cristian Guerrero, etc. There are touted guys who flop. Production has to matter at some point. The physical tools just aren't all of it. Jed Bradley had the hype, but when the Brewers made their late-season runs, it was 31st-round pick Brent Suter who was producing while Bradley was out of baseball.

 

2. Hummel is close and can help VERY soon. I could see him as worth a look at first. I think he's worth a look as a replacement for Garcia next year (either in right or by moving Yelich to right). Heck, give him some starts behind the plate to lessen the load on Narvaez (or, let him catch and deal Narvaez). I gave Wes Wilson a similar boost, because that guy looks like a Hernan Perez who actually can tear the cover off the ball. So, the higher up and the better he performs, the higher the player may appear on the ballot.

 

3. What also won me over with Hummel was his BrewCrewBall interview. It vaulted him from the middle of the Top 25 to the tops. Kind of a Suter-ish level of knowledge/intelligence. Honestly, with the way "launch angle" seems to have made a dog's breakfast of Hiura's swing, maybe Hummel's worth a look just for his approach to hitting. It's a gut call.

 

4. I also will boost a guy if he develops another tool. See Troy Stokes in 2017. Pre-season, he was at 16. He developed a power stroke, and I sent him up my ballot as a result. In this ballot, Ernesto Wilson Martinez got a boost because he initially struck me as a ERic Thames type - only he's now shown he can play a semi-decent CF, and he can steal a bunch of bases. He'd been on and off my ballot before, but the new tools/versatility warranted a massive boost. Similarly, Korry Howell was not on my ballot until mid-season 2019 at 33 due to speed and OBP skills. I even had compared him to Turang on a thread, wondering if he might be a better player. Well, Howell's hit 12 homers this year - a power stroke from out of nowhere. In the same park he played in 2019, he's already got 10 more XBH. On the flip side, Turang's walk rate nosedived, and I lowered him on that basis.

 

5. Sometimes, some stat will jump out at me. With Suter, it was the dominating 2015, then in 2016, he goes to Colorado Springs, and unlike many pitchers, he's not those who envy a baby seal in the Arctic who ran into a Canadian fisherman with a club. Michael Mediavilla was one who had jarringly good numbers. On my ballot, I saw some good WHIPs from Carlos Luna and Justin Bullock. Jorge Ortega's stats showed real great control until his elbow gave out.

 

6. Injuries will take a player off my ballot or result in a drop. See Clayton Andrews and Mario Feliciano.

 

I've hit on some guys (Garrett Cooper was a productive major leaguer, albeit not for the Crew). I've missed on some (Ronnie Gideon, Cam Roegner). But I'll roll the dice on production, especially at higher levels of the minors.

[damuelle]

I guess I'll throw some darts, though I can't help but lean toward the more experienced players since the outcomes for young players tend to vary so widely:

 

1. Garrett Mitchell

2. Mario Feliciano

3. Ethan Small

4. Aaron Ashby

5. Brice Turang

6. Sal Frelick

7. Jeferson Quero

8. Hedbert Perez

9. Justin Topa

10. Jake Cousins

11. Eduardo Garcia

12. Alec Bettinger

13. Miguel Sanchez

14. Tyler Black

15. Angel Perdomo

16. Dylan File

17. Justin Bullock

18. Joe Gray

19. Zavier Warren

20. Corey Ray

21. Felix Valerio

22. Korry Howell

23. Weston Wilson

24. Ernesto Martinez

25. Jackson Chourio

26. Antoine Kelly

27. Eduarqui Fernandez

28. Jesus Chirinos

29. Joey Wiemer

30. Luis Medina

31. Jesus Parra

32. Carlos Rodriguez (OF)

33. Luke Barker

34. Andy Otero

35. Abner Uribe

36. Tristen Lutz

37. Jamie Westbrook

38. Carlos Luna

39. Max Lazar

40. Taylor Floyd

41. Nick Bennett

42. Zack Brown

43. Justin Jarvis

44. David Hamilton

45. Darrien Miller

46. Ashton McGee

47. David Fry

48. Freddy Zamora

49. Clayton Andrews

50. Thomas Dillard

51. Victor Castaneda

52. Jheremy Vargas

53. Miguel Segura

54. Patricio Aquino

55. Hendry Mendez

[clancyphile]

Instead of just bagging on a selection, I'll ask this question. Clancy, you definitely do like to be "contrarian", so in regards to the Hummel selection, what's your thought process? No publication has him ranked highly, he's 26 at AAA, and still hanging out, he's not a highly touted prospect, and you have him #1 ahead of Mitchell, Small, Ashby, and other highly touted guys. So, instead of just bashing your selection, I wanna ask what your thought process is.

 

He's definitely got a good OPS/OBP, but as others have pointed out, that doesn't necessarily just translate to the MLB level. Do you legitimately think C Hummel is a 'better' prospect than Mitchell and Turang, or do you just think that he can help sooner? Do you weight that in your rankings? I'm legitimately asking, because understanding HOW you make your rankings may quell some of the flack you take when we do these.

 

1. I think the OPS/OBP numbers do matter for hitters. For pitchers, I look at WHIP, ERA, BB/9, and BB:K ratio. I get the upside argument, but look at Gilbert Lara, Cristian Guerrero, etc. There are touted guys who flop. Production has to matter at some point. The physical tools just aren't all of it. Jed Bradley had the hype, but when the Brewers made their late-season runs, it was 31st-round pick Brent Suter who was producing while Bradley was out of baseball.

 

2. Hummel is close and can help VERY soon. I could see him as worth a look at first. I think he's worth a look as a replacement for Garcia next year (either in right or by moving Yelich to right). Heck, give him some starts behind the plate to lessen the load on Narvaez (or, let him catch and deal Narvaez). I gave Wes Wilson a similar boost, because that guy looks like a Hernan Perez who actually can tear the cover off the ball. So, the higher up and the better he performs, the higher the player may appear on the ballot.

 

3. What also won me over with Hummel was his BrewCrewBall interview. It vaulted him from the middle of the Top 25 to the tops. Kind of a Suter-ish level of knowledge/intelligence. Honestly, with the way "launch angle" seems to have made a dog's breakfast of Hiura's swing, maybe Hummel's worth a look just for his approach to hitting. It's a gut call.

 

4. I also will boost a guy if he develops another tool. See Troy Stokes in 2017. Pre-season, he was at 16. He developed a power stroke, and I sent him up my ballot as a result. In this ballot, Ernesto Wilson Martinez got a boost because he initially struck me as a ERic Thames type - only he's now shown he can play a semi-decent CF, and he can steal a bunch of bases. He'd been on and off my ballot before, but the new tools/versatility warranted a massive boost. Similarly, Korry Howell was not on my ballot until mid-season 2019 at 33 due to speed and OBP skills. I even had compared him to Turang on a thread, wondering if he might be a better player. Well, Howell's hit 12 homers this year - a power stroke from out of nowhere. In the same park he played in 2019, he's already got 10 more XBH. On the flip side, Turang's walk rate nosedived, and I lowered him on that basis.

 

5. Sometimes, some stat will jump out at me. With Suter, it was the dominating 2015, then in 2016, he goes to Colorado Springs, and unlike many pitchers, he's not those who envy a baby seal in the Arctic who ran into a Canadian fisherman with a club. Michael Mediavilla was one who had jarringly good numbers. On my ballot, I saw some good WHIPs from Carlos Luna and Justin Bullock. Jorge Ortega's stats showed real great control until his elbow gave out.

 

6. Injuries will take a player off my ballot or result in a drop. See Clayton Andrews and Mario Feliciano.

 

I've hit on some guys (Garrett Cooper was a productive major leaguer, albeit not for the Crew). I've missed on some (Ronnie Gideon, Cam Roegner). But I'll roll the dice on production, especially at higher levels of the minors.

 

One other thing, in light of the Nelson Cruz trade.

 

In 2006, the Brewers dealt him. He was, arguably, a throw-in on the Carlos Lee trade. An older prospect (25) when dealt with Carlos Lee for Mench, Nix, and Codero. Looking back... he was arguably the one the Crew never should have let get away.

 

So, I don't think age should dismiss prospect status. Justin Topa is getting votes, and is seen as help. So is Luke Barker. Topa and Barker are 30. Look at the Crew's 20th-round pick in the draft: He's 28.

[ctmyers]

Top-60

1 Garrett Mitchell OF

2 Ethan Small SP

3 Aaron Ashby SP

4 Brice Turang SS

5 Antoine Kelly SP

6 Hedbert Perez OF

7 Joe Gray Jr. OF

8 Freddy Zamora SS

9 Zavier Warren C

10 Felix Valerio 2B

11 Eduardo Garcia SS

12 Sal Frelick OF

13 Korry Howell OF

14 Nick Bennett SP

15 Tyler Black 2B/3B

16 David Hamilton SS

17 Max Lazar SP

18 Jeferson Quero C

19 Jake Cousins RP

20 Luis Medina OF

21 Joey Wiemer OF

22 Ashton McGee 3B/1B

23 Noah Campbell 3B

24 Tristen Lutz OF

25 Luke Barker RP

26 Mario Feliciano C

27 Joey Matulovich RP

28 Carlos Rodriguez OF

29 Hayden Cantrelle SS

30 Justin Bullock SP

31 Ernesto Martinez 1B

32 Taylor Floyd RP

33 Thomas Dillard 1B

34 Dylan File SP

35 Russell Smith P

36 Jhonnys Cabrera C

37 Alex Binelas 3B

38 Miguel Sanchez RP

39 Gabe Holt 2B

40 David Fry C/3B

41 Cam Robinson RP

42 Payton Henry C

43 Cooper Hummel OF

44 Weston Wilson OF

45 Jamie Westbrook IF

46 Corey Ray OF

47 Je'Von Ward OF

48 Carlos Luna SP

49 Abner Uribe RP

50 Evan Reifert RP

51 Jesus Chirinos 1B

52 Alec Bettinger SP

53 Clayton Andrews RP

54 Patrick Weigel RP

55 Micah Bello OF

56 Zack Brown SP

57 Victor Castaneda SP

58 Eduarqui Fernandez OF

59 Jheremy Vargas 3B

60 TJ Shook SP

[Outlander]

I kind of like Cooper Hummel and think he will have a decent career in the majors as he gets on base and is a switch hitter. Would like to see how he is defensively though, always wondered why he was taken off of catcher and now suddenly starts playing some there again and 1B also. The Brewers seem to get a fair amount out of some of their older prospects over the years that don't get much attention, bullpen would be in a bad spot without Cousins or Sanchez right now. Barker is another guy easy to root for.