Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook here!
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1. Jackson Chourio, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 80 |
Background: It was a move that garnered a few waves of national publicity at that time, but not much beyond that. MLB.com revised their international free agency tracker and noted that, according to their ranking, the 18th best prospect on the international scene signed with the Brewers. Reviewing The Brew, the club’s dedicated FanSided site, relayed the information, also listing in there that Baseball America ranked him as the 15th best prospect still available. Barely a year after that fateful January 2021 day, it’s abundantly clear that Jackson Chourio (A) was – unequivocally – the best available prospect on the international market and (B) is – unequivocally – the best prospect in all of baseball. After signing for $1.8 million, Chourio spent that summer squaring off against the Dominican Summer League competition, hitting an impressive .296/.386/.447 with seven doubles, one triple, five homeruns, and eight stolen bases (in 11 attempts). Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average mark by 31%. Production that up-ticked his prospect needle and made some heads turn, but nothing could have predicted the offensive explosion awaiting Chourio in 2022. Opening the season up with the Carolina Mudcats in Low-A, the toolsy 6-foot-1, 165-pound centerfielder mashed a scorching .324/.373/.600 with 23 doubles, five triples, 12 homeruns, and 10 stolen bases in 12 total attempts. The front office brass moved him up to High-A in late July and the Maracaibo, Venezuela native continued to produce, batting .252/.317/.488 in 31 games. Chourio would spend the season’s final week squaring off against the toughest competition in the minor leagues, Double-A, at the ripe ol’ age of 18. He would finish the year with an unbelievable .288/.342/.538 slash line, belting out 30 doubles, five triples, and 20 homeruns to go along with 16 stolen bases (in 20 attempts). His overall production, per Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 36%.
Scouting Report: Just for fun, consider the following:
- Since 2006, only four 18-year-old hitters appearance in at least one Double-A game: Bryce Harper, Fernando Tatis Jr., Fernando Martinez, and – of course – Jackson Chourio. Harper is already a two-time MVP and trekking towards the Hall of Fame. Tatis Jr. looked to be the face of his generation and signed a massive 14-year, $340 million before getting popped for a PED suspension. And Martinez, a perennial consensus Top 100 prospect for multiple years, never really figured it out at the big league level.
Now let’s see how Chourio’s production in Low-A stacks up against his peers in recent peers. Consider the following:
- Since 2006, here’s the eight best 18-year-old hitters in any Low-A league (min. 250 PA) by wRC+: #1. Giancarlo Stanton (169 wRC+), #2. Bryce Harper (164), #3. Jackson Chourio (160), #4. Wander Franco (155), #5. Fernando Tatis Jr. (154), #6. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (151), Freddie Freeman (150), and #8 Carlos Correa (148).
The sky is – literally – the limit for Chourio. Just one full season into his professional career and his production is among the best over the past 17 minor league seasons. Among the best bat speed in the minors. And he’s just beginning to tap into his plus power that may eventually climb in 40-homer territory. There was an at bat against Oakland prospect Jorge Juan, a notable flamethrower, in late August. Chourio gets caught on his front foot, almost lunging at a Juan breaking ball. A mortal hitter pops it up to shallow leftfield. Chourio knocks it out of the park. Plus speed. He plays centerfield like Willie Mays or “Shoeless” Joe Jackson – his glove is the place where triples go to die. He’s breathtaking as a prospect, a perennial MVP candidate. He’s going to put a peak season together in which he slugs .320/.400/.650. One more note: this is the highest I’ve rated a player in nine Prospect Digest Handbooks.
Ceiling: 9.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2023
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2. Sal Frelick, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 60 | 40 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 60 |
Background: Maybe David Stearns, the recently departed General Manager of the Brewers, knows something we all don’t – especially when it comes to first round picks in the summer draft. During his tenure as GM with franchise, the former wunderkind owned nine (9) first round draft selections (2016-2022). He used seven of those selections on college players and six of those aforementioned picks on hitters. Here’s the list of his first round draft choices:
2016: Corey Ray (5th overall)
2017: Keston Hiura (9th)
2017: Tristen Lutz (34th)
2018: Brice Turang (21st)
2019: Ethan Small (28th)
2020: Garrett Mitchell (20th)
2021: Sal Frelick (15th)
2021: Tyler Black (33rd)
2022: Eric Brown (27th)
The Brewers fell in love with Frelick during the 2021 draft process, using the 15th overall pick and signing him to a slightly above-slot bonus of $4 million after a phenomenal tenure at Boston College. Frelick, a hard-nosed centerfielder, left the ACC Conference squad as a .345/.435/.521 hitter. And he stepped right into the professional ranks without missing a beat two years ago as well, batting .329/.414/.466 between the Complex League, Low-A, and High-A. The 2022 season was much the same, as well. Spending time between Wisconsin, Biloxi, and Nashville, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound dynamo slugged an aggregate .331/.403/.480 with 28 doubles, six triples, 11 homeruns, and 24 stolen bases in 32 total attempts. Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average mark by a stellar 37%.
Scouting Report: Double-A remains – and will always be – the true testing ground for prospects. It’s the ultimate make-it-or-break-it level. Pitchers throw offspeed for strikes more frequently, in any count. And hitters consistently hit offspeed pitches, in any count. So let’s take a look at how Frelick’s production stacks up against his peers at that level. Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only three 22-year-old hitters met the following criteria in any Double-A league (min. 250 PA): 118 to 128 wRC+, sub-15% strikeout rate, and a walk rate between 7% and 9%. Those three hitters: Max Schrock, Jose Pirela, and Sal Frelick.
Above-average defense in centerfielder that may contend for a few Gold Gloves in his career. Frelick’s similar to the Guardians’ Steven Kwan. As long as the batting average (i.e. the hit tool) hovers near .300, he’s going to be incredibly valuable. Plus speed. Below-average power. Frelick’s an absolute gamer, a grinder that will get every ounce out of his talent. In terms of big league ceiling, think: .300/.350/.410.
Ceiling: 4.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2023
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3. Jeferson Quero, C
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 55 | 40/55 | 50/35 | 50 | 55 | 60 |
Background: Two years before signing wunderkind Jackson Chourio from Valenzuela on the free agency market, the Brewers quietly signed one of the better catching prospects from the same country. Living less than five hours away from his fellow countryman, Quero, a native of Barquisimeto, joined the Brewers’ organization for $200,000 four years ago. And he’s quietly – and consistently – shown tremendous offensive promise at each step of his minor league journey. Debuting with the club’s Complex League affiliate in 2021, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound backstop slugged a hearty .309/.434/.500 with eight extra-base hits in only 23 games. Last season, the young Venezuelan blitzed through Low-A in only 75 games and continued to mash in his 20-game cameo with Wisconsin in High-A. Quero would finish his first full professional season with a .286/.342/.439 triple-slash line, belting out 22 doubles, two triples, and 10 homeruns to go along with 10 stolen bases (in only 12 attempts). Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average mark by 16%. Milwaukee sent the young catcher to the Arizona Fall League following his successful regular season, but he struggled in limited action, batting .222/.346/.333 in 15 games with the Glendale Desert Dogs.
Scouting Report: The youngest player on the Glendale Desert Dogs during his stint in the Arizona Fall League, Quero has quietly – and arguably – the most underrated catching prospect in the minor leagues. He looks like a potential plus defender behind the plate and one that can control the opposition’s running game. He tossed out 31% of would-be base stealers during the regular season and caught 11 of the 24 would-be base thieves in the Fall League. Offensively, there’s even more to like. From a statistical standpoint, Quero dealt with a bit of an adjustment period at the start of the year, hitting a disappointing .229/.295/.329 over his first 36 games. After that, though, his bat caught fire and he mashed .322/.371/.507 over his remaining 59 games. He’s a contact oriented hitter that shows intriguing power potential that may peak in the 25-homer territory. And despite strong contact numbers Quero doesn’t get cheated at the plate. Pull power, great bat speed. Midway through 2023, Quero will be a consensus Top 100 prospect.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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4. Joey Wiemer, OF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 55 | 60 | 55 | 65 | 65 |
Background: The front office brass dipped into a pair of non-traditional Ohio baseball schools to make a pair of early rounds picks in 2020 and 2021. Two years ago the Milwaukee Brain Trust used a late first round pick on Ty Black, a product of Dayton-based Wright State University. And, of course, the previous year the organization plucked toolsy outfielder Joey Wiemer out of the University of Cincinnati in the fourth round. Weimer, an athletic 6-foot-4, 215-pound rightfielder / part-time centerfielder, made his professional debut in 2021, easily surpassing the High-A test before absolutely torching the Double-A competition for 34 games. Wiemer would finish the campaign with an aggregate .296/.403/.556 with 18 doubles, two triples, 27 homeruns, and 30 stolen bases (in 36 total attempts). And his bat remained hot as he moved into the Arizona Fall League that year as well, slugging .467/.568/.667 in nine games with the Salt River Rafters. Needless to say, but Wiemer’s prospect status was boiling as the 2022 season kicked off. And, for the most part, he lived up to the hype. The former Bearcat started the year off back in Double-A with Biloxi, batting .243/.321/.440 with 35 extra-base hits. And just like the previous year, he manhandled the competition after his promotion. This time, though, mashing .287/.368/.520 in 43 games with the Nashville Sounds. Wiemer finished the year with an aggregate .256/.336/.465 production line, to go along with 34 doubles, two triples, 21 homeruns, and 31 stolen bases. His overall production, per Weighted Runs Created Plus, was 9% above the league average status.
Scouting Report: Beyond the club’s obvious top prospect, Jackson Chourio, Wiemer is easily the most toolsy prospect brewing in their farm system. The former Bearcat, who slugged just 12 homeruns in his college career, continued to showcase his above-average power and speed combination. The hit tool still has some questions – and his 30% whiff rate in his extended look in Double-A further raised those concerns – but the potential is evident. Elite defender in rightfield. Patience. Power. Speed. If the hit tool hovers in the 50-grade territory, he’s going to be a borderline All-Star contributor year-in-and-year-out. He could go one of two routes: Hunter Pence or Bradley Zimmer. There’s .250/.330/.430-type potential with Gold Glove defense in rightfield.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: Moderate to High
MLB ETA: 2023
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5. Brice Turang, IF / CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 40 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
Background: It seems, at least to me, that Turang has been around forever at this point. And in a lot of way, he has been around forever. Turang was one of the more well-known prospects heading into the 2018 draft thanks in part to years spent playing on some of the country’s best amateur teams growing up. He had the look, the feel, of being a potential prep prospect that could move rather quickly through the minor leagues. A prospect that didn’t own any elite tools, but one that didn’t really have a lot of flaws either. The Santiago High School product reached Triple-A two years ago as a grinder-type 21-year-old, batting a league average-ish .245/.381/.315 in 44 games with the Nashville Sounds. Again, production that’s serviceable, but it’s not standout in any way. The lefty-swinging infielder / part-time centerfielder returned back to the level for a more extended look in 2022. And the results, while improved, lacked any eye-catching notoriety. In a career-best 131 games, the 6-foot, 173-pound prospect batted .286/.360/.412 with 24 doubles, two triples, 13 homeruns, and 34 stolen bases (in 36 total attempts). Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average mark by 8%. .
Scouting Report: At this point, Turang may be one of the more known commodities developing in the minor leagues. He continues to be a high contact, high walk rate offensive player. But he began driving the ball with more authority last season – which is particularly surprising because the Sounds’ home ballpark – especially when it comes to homeruns – is one of the more suppressive hitting environments in the minor leagues. He hit more dingers at home (four) last season, than he had in any previous season. Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only a pair of 22-year-old hitters met the following criteria in Triple-A (min. 350 PA): 103 to 113 wRC+, 18% to 21% strikeout rate, and a walk rate between 10% and 12%. Those two hitters: Daniel Robertson and Brice Turang. Robertson, by the way, was a consensus Top 100 prospect and batted .262/.382/.415 during his best Major League season.
The former first rounder spent time at second and third bases, shortstop, and – for the first time in his career – centerfield last season. Milwaukee is already grooming him for a utility role and having someone that can play three up the middle positions is valuable. He’s going to be a .270/.340/.380-type hitter.
Ceiling: 2.0- to 2.5-win player
Risk: Low
MLB ETA: 2023
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6. Garrett Mitchell, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 45 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Background: The 2020 and 2021 drafts marked just the second time the club drafted college outfielders in the opening round in back-to-back years. The first time it happened: 1995-1996 when the Brew Crew selected former fan favorite Geoff Jenkins and Chad Green with the ninth and eighth overall picks. One of the best bats in college over his final two seasons, Mitchell was one of the biggest breakout stars in 2019 as he mashed .349/.418/.566 for UCLA and he followed that up with a .355/.425/.484 slash line in his COVID-abbreviated junior campaign. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound centerfielder started his professional career off in similar fashion in 2021, slugging .359/.508/.620 in 29 games with Wisconsin – though his numbers came crashing back to earth upon his promotion up to Double-A. Last season, in another injury-marred campaign, Mitchell batted an aggregate .287/.377/.426 with 16 doubles, two triples, five homeruns, and 17 stolen bases (in 18 attempts) in 68 minor league games. And he acquitted himself nicely in 28 games in Milwaukee, hitting .312/.373/.459 with three doubles, two homeruns, and a perfect eight-for-eight in the stolen base department.
Scouting Report: For the second consecutive season, the former first rounder missed considerable time due to injury. The latest ailment: a barking oblique that forced him out of action for nearly two full months. Mitchell, perhaps more than any Top 150 prospect, had questions to answer after his dreadful performance in Double-A at the end of the 2021 season. And, for the most part, he showed a solid – if unremarkable – bounce back year in the minors’ toughest proving ground. The former UCLA Bruin is showing signs of some concerning swing-and-miss issues – he whiffed nearly 28% of the time in Double-A last season and fanned a whopping 41.2% of his plate appearances in the big leagues. But he’s toolsy with plus speed, an above-average glove, and enough pop to keep pitchers / defenses honest. The lefty-swinging centerfielder also allayed platoon split concerns last season as well. The hit tool – or lack thereof – is the only thing keeping him from stardom. In terms of big league ceiling (over a full year), think: .245/.320/.430.
Ceiling: 2.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2022
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7. Eric Brown, SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50 | 45 | 60 | 55 | 55 | 50 |
Background: The talented shortstop was able to live up to the hype entering his senior season at Parkway High School in 2019, batting a red hot .523 with seven doubles, six triples, and six homeruns while knocking in 36 runs. That production earned Brown a bevy of awards and recognition, including the All-District 1-5A MVP. Perfect Game ranked him as the 85th bestshortstop in the nation; the second best shortstop in Louisiana; and 10th overall best prospect in the state. Splitting time between second and third bases during his freshman season at Coastal Carolina, Brown put together a mediocre offensive debut, hitting .259/.377/.310 with a trio of doubles before COVID prematurely ended the year. Brown followed that up with a breakout campaign for the Chanticleers during his sophomore season, slugging .294/.413/.513 with 12 doubles, one triple, nine homeruns, and 11 stolen bases. And he was able to continue showcasing his offensive potential during the summer with the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League (.282/.375/.436) as well. Last season the 5-foot-10, 190-pound shortstop turned in his best performance to date for Coastal Carolina. Appearing in a career best 57 games, Brown set personnel bests in average (.330), on-base percentage (.460), slugging percentage (.544), doubles (19), triples (two), and stolen bases (12). He also banged out seven homeruns, two off from his previous high. Milwaukee drafted the Coastal Carolina star in the opening round, 27th overall, and signed him to a deal worth a smidgeon over $2 million. Brown made four starts in the Complex League before moving up to Low-A for another 23 contests. He batted an aggregate .268/.385/.454 with seven doubles, one triple, three homeruns, and 19 stolen bases.
Scouting Report: Per the usual, my pre-draft write-up:
“Consider the following:
- Since 2011, only five Sun Belt Conference hitters met the following criteria in a season (min. 250 PA): hit at least .325/.450/.525 with a walk rate north of 14% and a strikeout rate between 8% and 12%. Those five players: Zach George, Mike Martinez, Matt Sanders, Billy Cooke, and – of course – Eric Brown.
Another one of these extreme contact hitters that is becoming more en vogue nowadays. Good patience at the plate. Average hit tool. 45-grade power and a little bit of speed. Brown’s stance is a bit peculiar, starting with his hands held high, at the top of his head. As he gets his bat in position he points the bat head almost directly at the pitcher. Brown doesn’t have a lot of offensive upside, but his above-average defense could make him a low end starting option.”
Just to note: I had Brown as a late second / early third round grade.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024/2025
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8. Tyler Black 2B / 3B/ CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50/55 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
Background: Wright State University’s produced just a pair of first round picks in their history, coming nearly 30 years apart. Back in 1993, the “Alex Rodriguez Draft Class”, the Angels selected southpaw Brian Anderson two picks after the former high school phenom. Twenty-eight years later the Brewers called out Tyler Black’s name in the first round. The former Raider star went 33rd overall and signed for $2 million, approximately $200,000 below the recommended slot bonus. A stout bat throughout his two-plus years at the Horizon Conference School, the lefty-swinging second baseman, who sported a .353/.468/.612 slash line in college, struggled – mightily – during his brief 23-game debut in Low-A East two years ago; he batted a lowly .222/.388/.272. Unconcerned about his initial struggles in pro ball, the front office sent the 6-foot-2, 190-pound infielder up to Wisconsin in 2022. Black slugged .281/.406/.424 with 13 doubles, four triples, four homeruns, and 13 stolen bases (in 19 attempts). His season prematurely ended in late July courtesy of a broken left scapula. His overall production, per Weighted Runs Created Plus, was 37% above the league average mark. Finally healthy – at least, temporarily – Black spent the fall playing with the Glendale Desert Dogs, hitting .279/.413/.377 in 17 games. Unfortunately for the snake-bitten top prospect, Black broke his left thumb near the end of Fall Ball, a result from sliding into second base.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only two 21-year-old hitters posted a 132 to 142 wRC+ with a 14% to 17% strikeout rate and a walk rate north of 14% in High-A (min. 275 PA): Yonny Hernandez and Tyler Black.
Ignoring his knack for injuring the left side of his body, Black’s cut from a similar cloth as current Brewers manager Craig Counsell: wiry, big leg kick, scrappy. Black shows a short, quick path to the ball, but doesn’t project to hit for much power – though it’s more than Counsell showed during his lengthy big league career. Decent glove, good not great. He profiles as a low end starting option. One more thought: He handles lefties and righties equally well. If he can stay healthy, he could be a strong candidate for a late-season call up in 2023.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2023/2024
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9. Hendry Mendez, RF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40/55 | 35/45 | 45/40 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
Background: Signed out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, prior to the start of the 2021 season. The Brewers sent him to their Dominican rookie league affiliate that summer, but Mendez’s stay lasted a mere few weeks. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound corner outfielder batted .296/.391/.482 while striking out just two times in 64 plate appearances. He would spend the rest of the summer mashing in the Arizona Complex League (.333/.425/.460). Last season, to the utter surprise of no one, Mendez made the move up to full season action – despite being only 18-years-old. As expected, the results were mixed. He batted a respectable .244/.357/.318 with 11 doubles, one triple, five homeruns, and seven stolen bases (in a whopping 15 attempts). His overall production, per Weighted Runs Created Plus, was 2% below the league average threshold.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
- Since 2006, only 67 hitters made at least 350 trips to the plate in Low-A during their age-18 season. Of those aforementioned 67, only 23 of them posted a strikeout rate below 17%. And, finally of those 23 only five posted a double-digit walk rate. Those five hitters are: Mike Trout, Carlos Correa, Jurickson Profar, Jon Singleton, and – of course – Hendry Mendez.
Now to be fair Mendez’s production level was – literally – two-thirds of anyone in the group. But the peripherals are certainly intriguing. Mendez struggled throughout the entire year – except for a scorching July. Starting from a slightly open stance, Mendez owns some of the best bat speed in the Brewers’ system. His extreme contact approach doesn’t lend itself to a whole lot of projection. But there’s a chance for a 55-grade hit tool. Very raw, but he’s the type of prospect that could put it all together quickly and shoot through the farm system.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2025
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10. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP
| FB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 70/80 | 60 | N/A | 40 | 55 |
Background: The Milwaukee Brewers are no strangers to JuCo Crowder College. The NL Central Division team unearthed hard-throwing left-hander Aaron Ashby in the fourth round from the Missouri-based junior college in 2018, making him the highest drafted Roughrider in school history. That is…until Milwaukee called for flame-throwing right-hander Jacob Misiorowski’s name last July. Standing a wispy 6-foot-7 and 190 pounds, Misiorowski teamed with fellow Grain Valley High Schooler Mason Rogers to capture Missouri All-State honors during their respective junior seasons. The big right-hander tossed a pair of no-hitters that year, compiling a 1.48 ERA with nine wins (against two losses) and 67 strikeouts in 47 innings of work. Misiorowski, who missed all of his senior year due to the COVID pandemic, changed his commitment from Oregon State University to JuCo Crowder College. After redshirting in the 2021 season, Misiorowski made 15 starts for the Roughriders last year, striking out 136, walking 45, and tallying a 2.72 ERA in 76.0 innings of work. The Brewers selected him in the second round, 63rd overall, and signed him to a deal worth 2.35 million – roughly double the recommended slot bonus value. The big righty, though, had a disastrous – albeit incredibly short – debut last summer. He walked seven in only 1.2 innings of work.
Scouting Report: Misiorowski opened as many eyes as anyone during the Draft Combine last summer. According to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, the hard-throwing right-hander not only topped out at 100.7 mph, but his cumulative fastball velocity, 99.8 mph, was the highest among all participants. Callis also noted that his fastball peaked at 2,816 rpm and averaged 2,688 rpm, also best among the group. Misiorowski complements the plus-plus offering with upper 80s / low 90s hellacious slider. Milwaukee will need to work with him on developing a third offering – any type of third offering – or he could be headed down the path of Jeremy Jeffress. He’s a lottery ticket that not only needs a third pitch, but he’ll have to throw strikes far more frequently as well.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2025
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All statistics were provided via the following website: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, TheBaseballCube, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport.com, and Baseball America.
