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The Milwaukee Brewers had one of the three worst systems the past couple of years thanks to trades and the inability to draft quality prospects. But they have recently added some top notch college prospects through the draft as well as some talented teenagers from outside the states.
Below are my top 16 prospects with 2012 opening day age, position, and comments on each player. Below the top 16 is a small list of additional notable names. Enjoy.
| Player | Comments | |
| 1 | Taylor Jungmann (22-RHP) | Last year’s 1st round pick has a low-to-mid-90s fastball that gets a lot of sink and when it is on can seem like a bowling ball to hitters. He has two average secondary offerings that need some refinement but he has a great frame and easy delivery. He has the upside of a #2 starter and a solid floor of at least an inning eating starter. |
| 2 | Wily Peralta (22-RHP) | He also has a similar fastball to Jungmann and gets good groundballs with the pitch but he does have some concerns about his conditioning and his change up still has a little ways to go. He does have a slider that is at least average and he is as close to MLB ready as anyone in the system. He looks like a good #3 starter who can eat innings. |
| 3 | Tyler Thornburg (23-RHP) | Older than Peralta but behind him developmentally. He has a mid-90s fastball that can touch the upper-90s and an above-average curveball that has a chance to be plus. He lacks overall command and does not have the starter’s frame that many prefer but he may have the most upside in the system but with lower probability than the two pitchers ahead of him on this list. |
| 4 | Jed Bradley (21-LHP) | Bradley has a low-90s fastball that can touch the mid-90s on occasion and a slider that is at least average. His change up is below-average right now but he has a good idea of how to pitch and also has solid control. His frame is also ideal for a starter. He has the chance to be a very good #3 starter. |
| 5 | Jorge Lopez (19-RHP) | Great frame with projection left but his fastball is only in the low-90s right now. He does have above-average command and control for a teenager and has an above-average curveball but well below-average change up. The Brewers have time to iron out the kinks and they could have a solid mid-rotation guy here. |
| 6 | Taylor Green (25-3B) | Blocked by Rickie Weeks and Aramis Ramirez at the MLB level but he has a solid approach at the plate with above-average pop. He could be a utility infielder right away with not much left to prove at the MiLB level. |
| 7 | Scooter Gennett (21-2B) | The hit tool is above-average and he has the ability to hit for a solid average with gap power but the rest of his game needs refinement. He has speed but needs to learn how to run. He has range but needs to improve the glove work. He does not strikeout a lot but needs to improve the plate discipline. |
| 8 | Cody Scarpetta (23-RHP) | Another right-hander with a low-to-mid-90s fastball and he couples it with a curveball that is inconsistent but has above-average potential. The change up is more of a batting practice pitch at the moment and he struggles with command and control. There is no need to rush him and there is a chance he can still be a back end starter who eats innings. At worst he can be a solid pen arm. |
| 9 | Jimmy Nelson (22-RHP) | Big right hander with a power fastball but gets hit an awful lot for a college arm in lower levels with a mid-90s fastball. He also struggles with command and control but does a good job of keeping the ball in the park. He could be a back end starter or a power arm out of the pen. |
| 10 | Caleb Gindl (23-OF) | Performed very well for a 22 year old in Triple-A but does not have the tools to stay in CF and may have to settle in as a very good 4th outfielder. I think there is more there than that thanks to a solid approach and good gap power but he does lack size and the big power one would want in a corner guy. |
| 11 | Logan Schafer (25-OF) | A plus defender who can handle CF but there is little in the bat and he will have to hit for a good average to be a regular. He could be a very good 4th outfielder this year. |
| 12 | Orlando Arcia (17-SS) | Has not made his state-side debut but had a 30/20 BB/K rate as a 16 year old in the DSL in 254 PAs. He has a lot of projection left in his wiry frame and could develop into an above-average hitter who can stay at SS. He is a long way away but could shoot up prospect charts with a solid debut in the states. |
| 13 | Santo Manzanillo (23-RHP) | A deadly fastball that hits upper-90s with regularity but struggles with control and has battled injuries. If he can get his slider to be above-average and improve his control slightly he could be very scary out of the pen. |
| 14 | Mike Fiers (26-RHP) | Always put up numbers that were better than his natural stuff. He projects as a 5th/6th starter or could be a solid pen guy who learns how to pitch backwards. Turns 27 next season so he is what he is. |
| 15 | David Goforth (23-RHP) | A mid-90s fastball but lacks a secondary pitch and struggles with control. He is destined for the pen but could be a quick mover if his slider/cutter develops as expected. |
| 16 | Hunter Morris (23-1B) | Legit power in his bat but has absolutely no patience and is barely average at first base. He has a lot of work to do if he wants to be a regular in the Majors at 1B. |
A few more names to watch: Drew Gagnon (RHP), Kentrail Davis (OF), D’Vontrey Richardson (OF)
-Jonathan C. Mitchell can be found writing about the Tampa Bay Rays at DRaysBay and the Florida Marlins at ESPN’s SweetSpot site Marlins Daily. You can follow him on twitter at @FigureFilbert. Be sure to follow MLBdirt at @MLBdirt
Filed under: On the Farm - Prospects Tagged: | 2012 Top Prospects, Caleb Gindl, Cody Scarpetta, D'Vontrey Richardson, David Goforth, Drew Gagnon, Hunter Morris, Jed Bradley, Jimmy Nelson, Jorge Lopez, Kentrail Davis, Logan Schafer, Mike Fiers, Milwaukee Brewers, Orlando Arcia, Prospects, Santo Manzanillo, Scooter Gennett, Taylor Green, Taylor Jungmann, Tyler Thornburg, Wily Peralta
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