Future Milwaukee Brewer Stars?

While the Milwaukee Brewers have struck gold in players like Jean Segura and Carlos Gomez, one has to wonder if they have more talent in hiding. With all the rookies that made their debuts this season, there would have to be someone who will break through.

So, let’s a take look at some players who may be future stars for the Brew Crew.

Wily Peralta has been lights out for the Brewers since July. Will he continue to be a dominant pitcher? Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Wily Peralta – RHP

Peralta has lately established himself as one of manager Ron Roenicke‘s most reliable starters this season, something he started to prove last September. Earlier this season, Peralta was rocked game after game but literally flipped a switch and has been a completely different pitcher since then. Not only has Peralta now thrown his first two career complete games (one being a shutout), but he’s been electric since July, going 3-3 with an ERA of 2.07 and has 43 strikeouts in 52.1 innings pitched.

Sure, it took Peralta awhile to get adjusted this season, but he’s young and at 24, has a lot of potential from this year on. Plus, if Peralta is able to lock in now, that very well may carry over into the next season and he’ll find himself sitting pretty in the rotation. The only other starter that’s been as effective as Peralta is Kyle Lohse, who is 10 years older than the right-hander. Peralta has a lot of upside come 2014 and if he can find his stuff earlier in the season, he’s going to be hard pitcher for opposing teams to beat.

Scooter Gennett – Second base

With the way the 2013 has gone, Gennett has had his first taste at the majors and will continue to do so for the rest of the season. Rickie Weeks was placed on the 15-day disabled list not too long ago and it was revealed he would miss the rest of the year, meaning that Gennett’s window of opportunity instantly opened wide. Since making his debut on June 3, Gennett has taken advantage of his time up in the majors, hitting .270/.313/.460 with two home runs, eight RBIs and has scored seven runs.

Gennett, who is only 23 years-old, will have time to work on his approaches to the plate and at second base with Weeks gone for 2013, but may split time with Jeff Bianchi. Looking at 2014, Weeks will be in the final year of his contract (he has an option for 2015) with the team, so the cards may be in play for the young second baseman beyond that season. Gennett had always been highly touted as one of the Brewers’ top prospects so we’ll see if he can be consistent.

Tyler Thornburg could find himself competing for a starting rotation job in 2014. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Thornburg – RHP

For Thornburg, he’s been a back and forth pitcher not only between starting and relief, but between Triple-A Nashville and Milwaukee. Now it seems Thornburg has earned his spot on the 25-man roster and is taking advantage of it in any way he can. This season ,Thornburg has pitched in nine games, two of which were starts, and has a record of 1-0 with an ERA of 1.72 in 31.1 innings pitched.

The biggest key for Thornburg is his ability to pitch long relief out of the bullpen. Come 2014, the starting rotation may already be set, but for the fifth spot, Thornburg has a real shot at being a starter. This season, the Brewers experimented with many starters in the role, but Thornburg has proven to be the most effective so far because in his two starts, he’s pitched 12 innings of shutout baseball. Going forward, Thornburg could very well be a cog in the wheel for the Brewers’ starting rotation.

Propsects on the cusp: Jimmy Nelson, Taylor Jungmann, Hunter Morris

These three are poised to make some damage in the MLB, especially with Morris and Nelson having the possibilities of being called up next month. In all honesty, you could even throw around guys like Tyrone Taylor and Nick Delmonico for players who may be future stars with this team as they sit among the top rated prospects in the organization. Even rookie outfielders Khris Davis and Caleb Gindl have shown some promise this season.

Now, does this mean the players listed will become automatic year in, year out All-Stars with multiple awards at a season’s end? No, but they could definitely build up the presence in Milwaukee that say Yovani Gallardo, Jonathan Lucroy and Corey Hart have. These players, especially the main three listed, are young talents that the Brewers can work with in the coming years as they look to put this team back on track.