Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the The 2024 Prospect Digest Handbook here.
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1. Jackson Chourio, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50/55 | 60/70 | 60 | 50 | 50/60 | 70 |
Background: The David Stearns Era with the Brewers was – unquestionably – wildly successful. The Harvard alum, who spent time interning and working for the Pirates, the Guardians, and the Astros, inherited a 94-loss club. By the end of Stearns’ second year at the helm the Brewers finished second in the always competitive NL Central division en route to winning 86 games. The small market franchise would win at least that many games for the remainder of his tenure (excluding the shortened 2020 campaign), including four straight playoff appearances. One of the best moves made under Stearns’ captainship, though, hasn’t even begun to payoff for the franchise – yet. In mid-January 2021, the front office signed Chourio, one of the top international free agents, to a deal worth $1.5 million. Three years later they turned around and signed him to the largest contract to a player without any Major League experience ever received, handing him a massive eight-year, $82 million deal. Immediately after joining the organization in 2021, Chourio began to flourish as he slugged .296/.386/.447 with 13 extra-base knocks in 45 games in the Dominican Summer League. But his true coming out party happened a year later. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound centerfielder sprinted through three separate levels, going from Low-A to High-A to Double-A as an 18-year-old. He finished his second professional campaign with an aggregate .288/.342/.538 with 30 doubles, five triples, 20 homeruns, and 16 stolen bases (in 20 total attempts). His overall production that year, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus, by a whopping 35%. After appearing in just six games with Biloxi to wrap up the 2022 season, Chourio spent the majority of 2023 squaring off against the Double-A competition. He would bat .280/.336/.467 with 23 doubles, three triples, 22 homeruns, and 43 stolen bases (in 52 attempts). His production surpassed the league average mark by 12%. The Venezuelan wunderkind spent the final week of the year with the Nashville Sounds in the International League.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: 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.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only twelve 19-year-old hitters earned at least 350 plate appearances with one club in any Double-A league. Of those twelve bats, nine posted a 100 wRC+ or greater. Here are those nine hitters: Mike Trout, Ozzie Albies, Junior Caminero, Jurickson Profar, Manny Machado, Jackson Chourio, and Fernando Martinez. With the exception of Caminero and Chourio, both of whom are consensus Top 5 prospects, the lone outlier is former Met Fernado Martinez.
The year wasn’t a complete smashing success for Chourio. In fact, for the majority of 2023 Chourio was caught in mediocrity (which is still great considering his age and level of competition). The toolsy outfielder batted .247/.303/.396 over his first 70 games with the Shuckers. His production over his final 58 games – he slugged .325/.380/.551 – helped buoy his overall numbers. Physically, Chourio has plenty of room on his wiry frame to fill out and add strength. Incredible bat speed with the just the flick of his wrists, which allows him to fight off difficult offerings last minute. With that being said, the hit tool is still only in the average range right now with the potential to jump into 55-grade territory. There’s legit 40 / 40 ceiling with Chourio, but it may come with a .260 batting average. Defensively, he really took a step backward in centerfield in 2023, going from an elite defender to one of the worst at the level. Again, he’s only entering his age-20 season so there’s plenty of time to refine some of the rough edges. He could be a perennial All-Star with production similar to Julio Rodriguez if everything breaks the right way.
Ceiling: 5.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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2. Jeferson Quero, C
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50 | 55 | 35/30 | 50 | 60 | 55 |
Background: For a small market team like the Milwaukee Brewers to remain relevant and continually look to contend and rebuild on the fly, it’s important to hit on the big ticket items – like Jackson Chourio – as well as hit on bargain options too. You know, guys like Jeferson Quero, a mid-tier prospect out of Venezuela who signed for $200,000 during the summer of 2019. After sitting out the remainder of 2019, as well as being forced out of action in 2020 due to COVID, it didn’t take long for Quero to establish himself as one of the more intriguing backstops in the minor leagues. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound prospect made quick work of the Complex League during his debut, hitting .309/.434/.500 and he continued to show a promising aptitude at the plate as he split time between Carolina and Wisconsin in 2022 (.286/.342/.439). Last season, in another injury-marked campaign, Quero appeared in 90 games with the Biloxi Shuckers in Double-A, the true minor league test, and he slugged .262/.339/.441 with 12 doubles and a career-high 16 dingers. He also went five-for-five in steals. His production, per Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 7%.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: 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. Midway through 2023, Quero will be a consensus Top 100 prospect.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only three 20-year-old hitters met the following criteria with one club in any Double-A league (min. 350 PA): 102 to 112 wRC+, a 9% to 11% walk rate, and a 15% to 19% strikeout rate. Those three hitters: Francisco Lindor, Matt Dominguez, and – of course – Jeferson Quero.
Physically, Quero’s frame looks considerably sturdier, less wiry than in years past. The Venezuelan backstop shows an impressive ability to adjust mid-pitch to offspeed offerings, displaying a knack for fighting off tough pitches. He still doesn’t get cheated at the plate, often giving the appearance that he’s swinging from his heels, but he’s consistently put up strong contact numbers. Defensively, he’s really come along way, profiling as a potential Gold Glove contender now. There’s a chance he develops into a .260/.330/.430 hitter with 16 HRs with good defense.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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3. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 80 | 60 | 70 | 45 | 30/40 | 60 |
Background: After going well under-slot with their first pick in 2022 (Eric Brown), Milwaukee went above the recommended bonus for their second round pick that summer, signing JuCo flame-thrower Jacob Misiorowski to a deal worth $2.35 million, more than double the assigned value. Heading into the draft, the 6-foot-7, 190-pound righty put on an absolute clinic during the Combine as he reached triple digits with his fastball and posted the highest average velocity as well. Last season, the Brewers unleashed him upon the low levels of the minor leagues, but after nine starts in Low-A he moved up to High-A. But that only lasted six games before he went toe-to-toe against the stiff competition in the Southern League. Overall, Misiorowski posted a dominant – though erratic – 110-to-42 strikeout-to-walk ratio in only 71.1 innings of work. He tallied an aggregate 3.41 ERA.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: 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.
Scouting Report: In today’s high octane, nitrous infused game, it’s not uncommon to see hurlers pumping 80-grade fastballs backed up by plus-plus sliders. What is uncommon is to see starting pitcher’s doing this over the course of five, six, seven innings. Jacob Misiorowski is that unicorn. A special arm with two plus-plus pitches and a third plus offering – his curveball – just sitting in his back pocket like a gift from Bert Blyleven. He’ll also mix in a rare, fringy changeup, but it’s clear that he’s never really focused on developing it. Now the bad news: even on his good days, those times where he’s throwing more strikes than not, his command is below average – which is fine because, you know, the stuff allows for it. But on those days where he’s not living near the zone, well, it’s like he’s Nuke LaLoosh and he’s still looking for his Crash Davis, Zen Master. The potential is nearly unparalleled. Whether he can throw enough strike to realize that potential is an entirely different discussion. If the Brewers are in it down the stretch, Misiorowski could be a real equalizer coming out of the pen in 2024.
Ceiling: 4.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2024/2025
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4. Joey Ortiz, 2B/3B/SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50 | 45 | 40 | 50 | 70 | 55 |
Background: Basically, two inevitabilities came to a head. Small market Milwaukee was staring down the very real – and very likely – possibility of losing ace Corbin Burnes to free agency and, on the other hand, surging Baltimore had an embarrassment of minor league hitting riches, particularly at shortstop and third base, so the two clubs got together on a big-time deal this offseason. The terms: Milwaukee sent Burnes to the Orioles in exchange for infielder Joey Ortiz, lefty D.L. Hall, and a 2024 Competitive Round A Draft pick. A fourth round pick out of New Mexico State University, Ortiz has been a quiet, consistent source of minor league production over the past couple of seasons. He batted .265/.353/.449 between Aberdeen and Bowie in 2021. The following year the former Aggie slugged .284/.349/.477 between the Orioles’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. And last season Ortiz hit an impressive .321/.378/.507 with 30 doubles, four triples, nine homeruns, and 11 stolen bases in only 88 games in the International League. His overall production, per Weighted Runs Created Plus, was 21% above the league average mark. Ortiz appeared in 15 Big League games too, batting .212/.206/.242 in 34 plate appearances.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: A tremendous defender at the infield’s premium position, [his] leatherwork is good enough to make him a starter – even if he was a Mario Mendoza-type hitter. The offensive potential could push him up as an above-average regular.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only three 24-year-old hitters posted a 115 to 125 wRC+ with a 7% to 9% walk rate, and a 16.5% to 18.5% strikeout rate with one club in any Triple-A league (min. 350 PA): Christopher Bostick, Pablo Reyes, and Joey Ortiz.
A perennial Gold Glove contender, Ortiz continued to impress on the defensive side of the ball. And, once again, it’s good enough to keep him in the Brewers’ lineup regardless of the offensive output. Above-average hit tool, 45-grade power, and 10 or so stolen bases. Ortiz is the type of guy that quietly puts up several 3.0-plus win seasons before anyone really notices. Big league production: .265/.320/.400.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Low to Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023
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5. Tyler Black, 3B
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50/55 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
Background: The Orioles and Brewers love college bats, particularly in the opening round of the draft. So it’s not surprising that former GM David Stearns opened up their 2021 draft class by selecting a pair of collegiate hitters: Sal Frelick, the 15th overall pick who already started making an impact with the big league club, and Tyler Black, who was nabbed with the 33rd pick. Taken out of Wright State University, the lefty-swinging infielder looked like a polished, competent bat during his abbreviated stint in High-A two years ago as he hit .281/.406/.424 in 64 games with Wisconsin. A broken scapula was the culprit for his premature ending that summer. Last season, the 5-foot-10, 204-pound former Raider split time between Biloxi and Nashville, slugging an aggregate .284/.417/.513 with 25 doubles, 12 triples, 18 homeruns, and – just for good measure – 55 stolen bases in only 123 games. His overall production, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus, surpassed the league average mark by a whopping 45 percentage points.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: 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.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only three 22-year-old hitters met the following criteria with one club in any Double-A league (min. 350 PA): 140 to 150 wRC+ with a walk rate of at least 12%. Those three bats: Josh Bell, the former Dodgers prospect, not the current big league; Ezequiel Carrera, and – of course – Tyler Black.
Not overly big, Black looks to be generously listed at 5-foot-10. The former Wright State star takes an old school approach to hitting: always choked up on the bat, looking to turn on inside pitches, and inside-out the away offering to left field. Black had a bit of an unexpected power surge during his half-season in Double-A, but it’s not likely going to be a repeatable skill. He’s profiling as an Eddie Stanky-type pest, hitting .275 and high OBPs, though with double-digit power and 25 stolen bases.
Ceiling: 2.5-win player
Risk: Low toModerate
MLB ETA: 2024
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6. Luis Lara, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50/60 | 35/40 | 60 | 55 | 60 | 50 |
Background: You’d be hard-pressed to find a deeper, more diverse collection of hitting prospects that can match what’s moving through the Brewers’ system nowadays. There’s young phenoms and former college sticks. There’s superstar potential and guys that can help an organization grind their way towards a win. There’s depth sprinkled throughout. Milwaukee coaxed Lara into joining the organization in January of 2022. Of course, waving $1.1 million in his face certainly helped. The pint-sized centerfielder spent his debut in the Dominican Summer League a few months later, hitting a respectable .260/.341/.385 with 17 extra-base knocks in 58 games. Last season, the front office took the aggressive developmental approach and sent him directly up to Low-A. And the then-18-year-old looked quite competent as he batted .285/.379/.354. Lara continued his contact-heavy, batting average-driven approach as he spent the final few weeks of the year in High-A. Overall, the teenager hit an aggregate .286/.373/.359 with 13 doubles, three triples, two homeruns, and 30 stolen bases. Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average threshold by 14%.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: While he showed a little bit of pop, the question is whether his 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame is going to project for more thunder in the coming years.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only three 18-year-old hitters posted a 110 to 120 wRC+ with a 13% to 16% strikeout rate with one club in any Low-A league (min. 300 PA): Isaac Paredes, Luis Garcia, and – of course – Luis Lara.
It’s worth noting that Paredes has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Rays over the past two years, totaling nearly seven wins above replacement. And Garcia, once a consensus Top 100 prospect, has accrued more than 300 big league games before his age-24 season.
At the time of his signing Lara was listed as 5-foot-9, which was already concerning but not completely damning. The organization updated his frame size and he lost two inches – which is a big difference in terms of projection. He could possess elite bat-to-ball skills at maturity to go along with his present plus speed and plus glovework in centerfield. The power isn’t likely going to climb above a 40-grade, which puts a lot of the onus on the hit tool. With that being said, the diminutive switch-hitter takes some healthy cuts at the plate. He’s tracking like a Myles Straw-type defender with an actual hit tool.
Ceiling: 2.5-win player
Risk: Moderate to High
MLB ETA: 2026
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7. Brock Wilken, 3B
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45/50 | 60 | 30 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Background: Wake Forest teams have featured some pretty impressive bats at the corner infield positions in recent years. Gavin Sheets, a second round pick by the White Sox in 2017, slugged .317/.424/.629 with 21 homeruns during his final collegiate season. Will Craig, the Pirates’ 2016 first rounder, posted OPS totals north of 1.100 over his final two years with the Demon Deacons. First baseman Allan Dykstra, who may be the ultimate minor leaguesaber-darling, was drafted by the Padres with the 23rd overall pick in 2008 after bashing .323/.519/.645 as a junior. Despite all the offensive firepower each showed, none compares to the fantastical showing by Brock Wilken in 2023. A product of Bloomingdale High School, home to former Rule 5 darling Richie Martin, Wilken put together two remarkably similar showings during his freshman and sophomore seasons, batting .279/.365/.618 and .272/.362/.602, respectively. He also made a pair of jaunts through the Cape Cod League with the Harwich Mariners following each season as well – though those production lines couldn’t have been more dissimilar. Wilken would slug a rock solid .302/.430/.519 during the summer of 2021, but he managed only a .229/.368/.413 showing the following year. Which brings us to his 2023 campaign. The big third baseman appeared in a career best 66 contests, he mashed .345/.506/.807 with 15 doubles, one triple, and 31 homeruns, tied with Florida’s Jac Caglianone for the nation’s lead. He also swiped a base – just for good measure. Unsurprisingly, Milwaukee went with the collegiate slugger in the opening round, 18th overall, last summer and signed him to a deal worth $3.15 million. Wilken made stops in the Complex League, Low-A, and Double-A during his abbreviated debut, hitting an aggregate .285/.414/.473 with eight doubles, four triples, five homeruns, and four stolen bases in 47 games.
Scouting Report: Pre-draft scouting report:
To put Wilken’s dominance in proper context, consider the following:
Since 2011, there have been only 16 instances in which a Division I hitter slugged at least .800 in season (min. 250 PA). Of those aforementioned 16 times, only eight walked more than they struck out: Kris Bryant, Andrew Vaughn, D.J. Peterson, Ivan Melendez, Nolan Schanuel, Cam Fisher, Michael Carico, and Brock Wilken.
Wilken’s stance, swing, and general approach at the plate is so impressively simple. Very little moving parts – if any. Basic stance, almost as if someone took Stan Musial’s stance and moved the hands high and the hump in his back slightly. Wilken looks a lot bigger than his already large 6-foot-4 frame would suggest. Above-average bat speed. Wilken’s shaved noticeable percentage points off his glaring swing-and-miss ratio from his sophomore season, now sporting something in the 18% range. Plus in-game power backed up by plus-plus raw power. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him battle some contact issues in the minors. The pitch recognition may be spotty at times.”
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024/2025
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8. Josh Knoth, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 60 | 60 | 45 | 45/50 | 40/45 | 50 |
Background: The Brewers have typically shied away from pitchers, particularly high school-aged pitchers, in the opening round for several years now. Focusing, instead, on potent college bats. But after they snagged Wake Forest slugger Brock Wilken with the 18th overall pick, Milwaukee swung around at the back end of the opening round last July and drafted Patchogue-Medford High School ace Josh Knoth. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-hander became the first prep arm chosen in the first round by the organization since Kodi Medeiros and just the fourth since Jake Odorizzi was taken with the 32nd overall pick in 2008. Knoth also became the fifth former Raider to make their way into professional ball, joining Marcus Stroman, Matt Vogel, John Thoden, and Alan Willett – all of whom were pitchers. As noted by a variety of media outlets, the hard-throwing youngster earned not one, but two Carl Yastrzemski Awards given to the county’s top player. He wrapped up his amateur career with 41 innings last season, fanning 109 hitters and coughing up just five singles. Milwaukee signed their newest first rounder to a deal worth $2 million, saving the club roughly $540,000 of bonus money. He did not make his professional debut after joining the NL Central Division organization.
Scouting Report: Standard four-pitch mix, Knoth is already sporting two plus pitches: an explosive mid- to upper-90s heater and a hard, downward tilting curveball – both of which are legit swing-and-miss pitches. Decent, unremarkable, vanilla changeup that needs some work. Knoth will also mess around with a decent slider / cutter, though it’s rare. The command is below-average. And while his deuce may be his top offering, it’s difficult to command. There’s some #3 / #4-type potential here. But the risk is obvious.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate High
MLB ETA: 2027
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9. Carlos Rodriguez, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CH | CU | Command | Overall |
| 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Background: While it’s not 100% certain that the Brewers’ 2021 draft class was a homer, it’s certainly trending in that direction. Sal Frelick looks like a cornerstone for the better part of a decade. Tyler Black is knocking on the big league club’s door, profiling as a solid regular. Wes Clarke, who signed for just $75,000 as a 10th rounder out of the University of South Carolina, could be a bench option after slugging 31 dingers between his time in Double-A and the Arizona Fall League last season. And then there’s Carlos Rodriguez, the right-hander out of JuCo Florida SouthWestern State College. The 177th overall player selected that summer, Rodriguez made 25 starts with Biloxi and one final appearance with Nashville last season, throwing a career best 128.1 innings while averaging 11.1 strikeouts and 4.0 walks per nine innings. He finished his second full pro season with an aggregate 2.88 ERA and a solid 3.70 FIP. Not bad for a 21-year-old mid-round selection.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: There’s some backend starting potential and Milwaukee generally gets the most out of these types too.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only two 21-year-old hurlers posted a 28% to 31% strikeout percentage with a 9% to 12% walk percentage with one club in any Double-A league (min. 100 IP): former two-time All-Star lefty Gio Gonzalez and – of course – Carlos Rodriguez, a recent sixth round pick out of a little JuCo.
Rodriguez’s arsenal isn’t overly impressive, but it is deep and diverse. And he generally gets the most out of it. Average fastball that sits in the 92- to 93-mph range and will touch a tick higher when he rears back. Average mid-70s curveball, average upper 80s cutter, a new addition to his repertoire. His sweeper / slider and changeup are his two best offerings, grading out as strong 55s. Rodriguez lives around the zone, changes speeds with the best of them, and is tracking like a very solid, useful backend big league starter.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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10. Cooper Pratt, 2B/SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 45/55 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Background: Last summer’s draft class was a little atypical for the Brewers, which may or may not be surprising given that David Stearns wasn’t officially at the helm anymore. Sure, they grabbed a collegiate bat in the first round (Brock Wilken) and another in the second (Mike Boeve), but Milwaukee’s brass snagged some high upside, big dollar prep talent too. Josh Knoth and his $2 million signing bonus went off the board with the 33rd overall pick. Eric Bitonti, the 87th overall pick, commanded a $1.75 million contract. And the club went well over the recommended slot value to sign Magnolia Heights High School product Cooper Pratt in the sixth round. Snagged with the 182nd pick, Pratt agreed to join the organization for a hefty $1.35 million, nearly three times the amount the Caden Scarborough earned from the Rangers as the second highest bonus given to a sixth round pick last July. Pratt made a brief 12-game cameo in the Arizona Complex League for his debut, slugging .356/.426/.444 with a pair of doubles and a triple in 54 plate appearances.
Scouting Report: It took quite a bit of money to convince Pratt to bypass his commitment to Ole Miss, but the early returns have been nothing but positive. Milwaukee had the 6-foot-4, 195-pound teenager splitting time between shortstop and second base, but he lacks the fluidity, quickness, and agility to stick at either position – and that’s before factoring in how his body will likely fill out in the coming years. A shift to the hot corner is a distinct – and likely – possibility. Long arms with a short, compact swing, Pratt can really turn on a ball, showcasing above-average power potential. He’s one to watch in 2024.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2027
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All statistics were provided via the following website: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, TheBaseballCube, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport.com, Baseball America, and X-user @mk237700 (for compiling Statcast Data)
