The Brewers system is pretty much Hiura and then everybody else. It’s kind of like how there is Blatz beer, and then everything else. Can I use my powers as an internet blogger – whose words reach tens of people – to say something slightly controversial? *whispers* I don’t get the craft beer thing. I mean, I understand micro-brewing and that, but when did we start talking about beer like it’s wine with “notes” and such? I guess I’m a reverse beer snob. I stick to the classics. Hamm’s, Carling Black Label, Genesee, and, if I’m feeling extra fancy, Miller High Life. If you’re a craft beer guy or gal…cheers to you. Just remember stubborn old farts like me are still out there when you’re stocking up for your next party. Rant over. Back to baseball…
1. Keston Hiura, 2B | Age: 22 | ETA: 2019
It’s hard to find an unkind word about Hiura. His stock might have taken the biggest leap since midseason lists published last summer. The departure of Schoop only pumps his value further. He’s the type of prospect I really like…one that draws most of his value from the oft-unappreciated ability to just hit a damn baseball. Steamer’s projections aren’t positive for 2019, but you can at least check out Grey’s 2019 projections here.
Grade B
2. Tristen Lutz, OF | Age: 20 | ETA: 2022
Lutz is sort of a B+ grade prospect who just about sneaked into the Top 100. The power is interesting and grades out at plus or more, but the strikeouts are a concern and he hasn’t reached the upper minors yet. That said, I like that he’s younger and has more time to develop than Ray, and in my mind that leads to a touch more upside with the bat.
3. Corey Ray, OF | Age: 24 | ETA: 2019
Speaking of Ray, here he is. He absolutely beat up on Double-A pitching in 2018 – hitting 27 homers and stealing 37 bases. My concern is he was a bit long in the tooth against that competition and it came with a .240 average and a near 30% strikeout rate. I could be totally wrong and he’ll be fantasy gold, but the approach gives me the willies…and not in a good way.
Grade C
4. Brice Turang, SS | Age: 19 | ETA: 2022
I dig Turang’s speed, but he doesn’t have a whole lot going on outside of that – especially for a guy picked in the first round. If you’re his mom and reading this, I apologize. He has a kind face! Here’s what’s promising, and why I have him ranked so highly – in 2018 he matched a 17% K-rate with a 16% walk rate. That led to a .283 average and near .400 on-base percentage.
5. Mauricio Dubon, SS | Age: 24 | ETA: 2019
It’s very easy to picture a scenario where Dubon plays the “middle man” while the Brew Crew lets Hiura cook a bit longer in the minors. I think eventually he’s a utility infielder, but in the time being he’d be a decent boost to batting average and possibly runs scored in deeper formats…that’s if he gets the gig. Big if. I went on Roster Resource (my go to for projected lineups) and Moist Ass Kiss is listed at the keystone. I give up.
6. Zack Brown, RHP | Age: 24 | ETA: 2019
Brown has an above average fastball and curve (the heater sits low-to-mid 90s). He’s not so much a dominant starter type, more a control freak who won’t let his walks rise above three per nine. That’s useful as depth and pretty much ensures he’ll get a long leash to start in the bigs. Oddly enough, he reminds me of the other “Zack” – Zach Davies.
7. Aaron Ashby, LHP | Age: 20 | ETA: 2022
Between two levels in 2018, this fourth round pick threw 57 innings and struck out 66. He’s a college arm that could advance very quickly if he maintains the strikeout to walk ratio he posted last year. My guess is he’s under the radar in most dynasty formats and can be had rather cheaply. I’d buy.
8. Lucas Erceg, 3B | Age: 23 | ETA: 2020
Erceg’s offensive tools aren’t going to make an impact in any fantasy categories, but there’s a chance he carves out a role in the bigs with patience at the plate and a double-plus arm at the hot corner. If you’ve ever owned a guy like Gio Urshela, you feel what I’m saying. If you’re synesthetic, you’ve been feeling what I’ve been saying since the beginning of this post.
9. Eduardo Garcia, SS | Age: 16 | ETA: 2024
My best guess is as good as yours when it comes to projecting 16-year-old prospects, but the fact that the Brewers gave the kid a million bucks in July must say something about his potential. He wasn’t even old enough to sign on July 2nd. You’re not going to bother with this type of prospect in anything but the deepest of dynasties, and if you play in those leagues I tip my cap in your general direction.
10. Micah Bello, OF | Age: 18 | ETA: 2022
Bello actually has the best grade for his hit tool among the bottom feeders in this system. That’s something to be proud of…unlike that damn traitor Micah Bell from RDR2 who’d I’d like to string up and then drag across all of New Hanover. I swear if Micah Bello is just Micah Bell trying to disguise himself as an Italian-American I might lose it.
