Brewers prospects working their way to the top
One thing strikes you immediately when perusing the list of top prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization. h There is going to be some fierce competition for playing time in center field in the coming years. h In the newest ranking of the Brewers' top 10 prospects by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, five spots are occupied by players whose primary position has been center field. Two of those players, Joey Wiemer and Joe Gray Jr., have the power potential to move to a corner outfield spot at some point, which would ease the logjam in the middle.
The Brewers' top three prospects, in order – Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick and Hedbert Pérez – are such compelling defenders in center, you'd hate to move any of them unless absolutely necessary. At age 18, Pérez is on a longer path to the majors than the other two, so there's plenty of time to figure out where his future lies.
Shortstop Brice Turang, who held the No. 1 spot in previous versions of the top 10 list, has been dropped to sixth for a couple of reasons. He wasn't particularly dynamic while being pushed to the top of the farm system in 2021, and it's also difficult to imagine an opening for him, barring injury to others, in the middle of Milwaukee's infield anytime soon, with Willy Adames imbedded at short and Kolten Wong at second.
Quality left-handed pitchers always are in demand and the Brewers have two highly ranked prospects who figure in their plans in the near future. Aaron Ashby already got his feet wet in the majors in 2021, being used primarily out of the bullpen at the outset. Ethan Small, a first-round pick in 2019, has pitched well everywhere he has been assigned and is on the horizon as well.
There are four first-round draft picks, a second-rounder and a Competitive Balance Round B selection in the top 10, so the Brewers have targeted the right players in that talent pool. Without further ado, here is an in-depth look at each player on that list:
1. Garrett Mitchell, CF
Age: 23. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 215. Acquired: 1st round, 2020 draft, UCLA.
Background: After being taken in the first round of the ’20 draft and signing for $3,242,900, Mitchell had no place to play as the pandemic shut down the minor leagues. The Brewers invited him to big-league spring camp nevertheless and he turned in an eye-opening performance (.367 batting average, .973 OPS in 22 games) that emboldened them to assign him to high Class A Wisconsin. Mitchell continued to excel there (.359 BA/1.128 OPS in 29 games) and was bumped up to Class AA Biloxi, an aggressive move for a first-year pro. He finally struggled (.186/.554 in 35 games) but considering how quickly he was moved, perfectly understandable.
Scouting report: The athletic Mitchell showed more pop as a first-year pro than he did in college, which didn’t surprise the Brewers. He does not let his Type 1 diabetes slow him from competing at a high level. With above-average speed and arm strength, Mitchell should be able to stay in the middle of the outfield. His on-base skills (.388 OBP in his first pro season) make him a natural to bat atop the lineup, particularly as an elite runner batting from the left side.
Future: Mitchell’s performance in 2021, despite the falloff at Biloxi, did nothing to dissuade those who believe he will climb quickly through the farm system to the majors. With Lorenzo Cain back for presumably a final season in 2022 and Tyrone Taylor set to serve as the primary backup, the Brewers’ real need in center likely will be in ’23.
2. Sal Frelick, CF
Age: 21. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 175. Acquired: 1st round, 2021 draft, Boston College.
Background: After making Mitchell the 20th pick in 2020, the Brewers again went with a college centerfielder in the first round in Frelick, whom they chose with the 15th pick and signed for an over-slot bonus of $4 million. After also excelling in football and hockey in high school, he played right field his first two years at BC before shifting to center, where he won ACC defensive player of the year honors. Frelick played a total of 35 games at three levels with the Brewers, topping out with 15 games at Wisconsin to close the year. Overall, he slashed .329/2/21/.880.
Scouting Report: Frelick is not as powerfully built as Mitchell but don’t let his smaller frame fool you – he still has the tools to be an impactful player. At the top of the list is 70-grade speed which, combined with his left-handed bat, selectivity and ability to hit to all fields, makes him an ideal candidate to bat leadoff in any lineup. Frelick also gets high marks for his competitiveness, which helped him become one of the top players in the ACC. He logged all of his innings defensively in center in 2021 and made several highlight-reel plays, including robbing a home run with a leaping grab while playing for low Class A Carolina.
Future: Frelick is likely to start 2022 at Wisconsin. As an advanced offensive player, he is well-positioned to move through the system quickly while providing another option for the Brewers in center.
3. Hedbert Pérez, CF
Age: 18. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 180. Acquired: International signing, 2019, Venezuela
Background: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brewers had to wait to get Pérez on the field after he signed in July 2019. He didn’t turn 18 until April 2021 but was allowed to participate at the alternate training site in Appleton in the summer of 2020 and even got into a big-league exhibition game last spring. He finally debuted in the rookie Arizona Complex League and didn’t disappoint, batting .333 in 32 games with a .969 OPS, six homers and 21 RBI. Pérez was then pushed to Carolina, where he found the going tougher over a 16-game test (.169 batting average, .452 OPS, one homer, seven RBI).
Scouting Report: Pérez has displayed advanced hitting skills with a compact and efficient swing, making consistent contact and showing power to all fields. His disciplined approach is not common at such a young age and the Brewers figure he will only get better
as he matures and becomes stronger. He is a plus runner who shows good instincts in center field, where he also flashes a strong and accurate arm. Pérez has impressed instructors with his professional manner, leadership skills and confidence.
Future: Even with lost time during the pandemic, Pérez is still very young and has plenty of time to develop. He probably will be assigned to Carolina to begin the 2022 season.
4. Ethan Small, LHP
Age: 24. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 215. Acquired: 1st round, 2019 draft, Mississippi State
Background: Small came to the Brewers as the 28th pick in 2019 with a terrific pedigree as the top starter on a Bulldogs team that advanced to the College World Series his junior year. In 25 starts at four levels since signing with the Brewers – he pitched at the alternate training site in 2020 – Small has gone 4-4 with an impressive 1.74 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 128 strikeouts in 981⁄3 innings (11.7 per nine) while topping out last season at Class AAA Nashville. He did miss more than six weeks with a finger injury suffered in the middle of the season. Small already has a pair of major-league invitations to spring training under his belt and performed well in winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
Scouting Report: Considering his somewhat lanky build, one might think Small’s high strikeout totals are largely the result of an overpowering fastball.
But that’s not the case – he usually sits in the low 90s. He instead relies on a deceptive delivery that he can alter from pitch to pitch, tremendous arm extension and primarily a fastball-changeup combination. Small was battle-tested at Mississippi State but 2021 was his first full professional season, and even that was truncated by his finger injury. He’ll be 25 by the time spring training begins, but a little more seasoning wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Future: Small appears to be a safe bet for a callup at some point during the 2022 season. It’s possible he’ll follow the same path as Ashby did in 2021 – breaking in as a reliever, then eventually moving into a starting role.
5. Aaron Ashby, LHP
Age: 23. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 187. Acquired: 4th round, 2018 draft, Crowder (Missouri) JC.
Background: When Ashby was moved from a starting role to relief at Nashville last season, it was evident the Brewers had designs on bringing him to the majors and easing him into action out of the bullpen. His debut was a forgettable start against the Cubs in which he allowed seven runs (four earned) and didn’t get out of the first inning. But he went on to make 13 appearances (3-2, 4.55 ERA, one save) in the majors (four starts), making adjustments while being used in important spots. Ashby made the Brewers’ NLDS roster and appeared twice, allowing two runs in Game 4 in Atlanta.
Scouting Report: When he throws strikes, Ashby is very difficult to hit, with a wicked slider that is his best strikeout pitch. He sets up that slider with a low 90s fastball that has good movement, and by using his two-seamer more last season, induced more groundballs than in the past. Ashby mixes in a curveball to give hitters a slower breaking ball to contemplate as well as an improving changeup. An athletic yet funky delivery adds deception to his repertoire.
Future: Though used mostly in relief in his first big-league experience, Ashby has enough pitches to be a successful starter in the big leagues, and the Brewers likely will give him a chance in the spring to prove he can hold down a rotation spot.
6. Brice Turang, SS
Age: 22. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 175. Acquired: 1st round, 2018 draft, H.S. – Corona, California.
Background: Since being drafted at No. 21 in 2018, Turang’s gradual ascent through the system left him just one rung away from Milwaukee after his promotion to Nashville in early August. Brewers manager Craig Counsell and his coaching staff are well aware of Turang’s talents, considering he’s played in 44 Cactus League games since 2019 – an impressive number for someone who didn’t turn 22 until Nov. 21. Turang already has logged 1,252 plate appearances in the minors, slashing .261/10/ 108/.715 in 288 games. His line in 44 games at Nashville was .245/1/14/.695. Turang has played primarily at shortstop (1,915 innings) with some second base mixed in (3271⁄3).
Scouting Report: In Turang’s appearances in spring training, he never seemed to be overwhelmed despite of
ten being the youngest player on the field. He displayed adequate range defensively, a strong and accurate throwing arm and good speed while generating a few timely hits. The question is: Can he hit enough to be a differencemaker at the top level? Turang has shown the ability to make consistent contact, take the ball to the opposite field and draw walks (.364 career OBP). He can steal bases but his overall lack of power (career slugging percentage of .351) stands out.
Future: With Adames seemingly entrenched as the Brewers’ shortstop for the foreseeable future and Wong at second base for potentially two more seasons, Turang’s destiny could be as a utility player or trade bait.
7. Mario Feliciano, C
Age: 23. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 200. Acquired: Competitive Balance Round B, 2016 draft, H.S. – Florida, Puerto Rico.
Background: Though Feliciano had played only three games above the Class A level entering 2021 and saw action only at their alternate training site the previous year, the Brewers were aggressive with his assignment, sending him to Nashville. Unfortunately, he suffered an impingement in his throwing shoulder in the early going and missed two months, costing valuable development time. After accumulating only 130 atbats, including a rehab stint in rookie ball, Feliciano was assigned to the Arizona Fall League for more work.
Scouting Report: Originally considered more of an offensive player with considerable pop in his bat, Feliciano worked hard on his defense and has shown significant improvement. He is athletic behind the plate with a strong arm and take-charge attitude. As with most young hitters, he needs to work on plate discipline and cut down on his strikeout rate, but his offensive upside is what makes him a top prospect at an important position.
Future: Though he missed much of the ’21 season, Feliciano just turned 23 and is still on track to be the Brewers’ No. 1 catcher in the not too distant future.
8. Jeferson Quero, C
Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 165. Acquired: International signing, 2019, Venezuela.
Background: Signed for a modest $200,000 in 2019, Quero has generated excitement in the organization despite having played only 23 games in the minors. He was a standout in fall instructionals in 2020 and hit .309/2/8/.934 in a brief stint in the Arizona Complex League this past season. Quero’s availability was hampered by a COVID-19 outbreak at the Brewers’ training facility, a concussion and finally a dislocated left shoulder suffered on a slide into home plate that ended his season. He underwent surgery but should be ready for 2022 and will begin his first full season at Carolina.
Scouting Report: Quero turned 19 on Oct. 8, so there is lots of development coming. He is a rare commodity as a young catcher with tremendous potential both at the plate and behind it. Quero is slight of build, but as he grows and gains strength his power potential should grow with him. For now, he’s mostly a gaps hitter with a decent understanding of the strike zone. Defensively, Quero moves well with a throwing arm that is strong and accurate and might be his best asset on that side of the ball.
Future: Though still very young and inexperienced, Quero looks to have all the tools to be a front-line backstop in the majors with an ETA of probably 2025 or ’26.
9. Joey Wiemer, OF
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 215. Acquired: 4th round, 2020 draft, University of Cincinnati.
Background: No player had a more exciting 2021 season in the Brewers’ system than Wiemer, who seemingly came out of nowhere to be the organization’s minor-league player of the year. His debut was delayed as 2020 draft picks had nowhere to play that year because of the pandemic. Once Wiemer made an adjustment in his approach at the plate at Carolina, his power exploded and he was promoted to Wisconsin, where he continued to pound balls out of sight. The result was a total of 27 home runs in 109 games with a .556 slugging percentage and .968 OPS. Seeking to build on that momentum, the Brewers sent Wiemer to the Arizona Fall League, where he continued to swing a hot bat before being sidelined with a minor thumb injury.
Scouting Report: There is more to Wiemer’s game than power. He is an above-average runner who swiped 30 bases in 36 attempts in ’21. And he has a cannon for an arm, which he put on display throwing high 90s fastballs in college in his dual role as a bullpen closer. He made his load at the plate less complicated by going from a high front leg kick to more of a toe tap, which improved his contact rate while unleashing his power. Wiemer’s speed allows him to play center field, but with his power and arm he profiles as a rightfielder in the majors.
Future: There certainly is no reason to send Wiemer back to Class A, so he’s likely to open 2022 at Biloxi. If he continues hitting like this, his path to the majors could be quick.
10. Joe Gray Jr., OF
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 207. Acquired: 2nd round, 2018 draft, H.S. – Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Background: Gray is a multi-talented athlete who battled injuries and illness in 2019, then endured the shutdown of the minors in ’20 before finally logging his first full pro season. It was one that made a lasting impression as he slashed .252/20/90/.854 in 110 games almost evenly split between Carolina and Wisconsin. While Wiemer was the winner as the Brewers’ top minor-leaguer, it could be argued Gray was a close runner-up. He closed the year in the Arizona Fall League, with his extreme struggles at the plate (.366 OPS) likely due in part to fatigue.
Scouting Report: Gray’s confidence blossomed in ’21, with good reason as he made an impact with both his bat and glove. As with teammate Wiemer, he showed an ability to deliver in crunch time. Gray’s power potential is what helps separate him at the plate but that has come with a high strikeout rate (131 in 479 plate appearances). Defensively, Gray’s speed allows him to run down balls in the gaps and a strong throwing arm keeps runners honest. He’s likely to see time at Biloxi at some point in 2022, but that timetable will depend on the upward mobility of Mitchell and Frelick ahead of him.
Future: Gray’s power-speed combination is rare, and he’s viewed as someone who can play center in the majors with the ability to shift to a corner spot depending on need.