Top Prospect Update: #10- Clint Coulter

May 5, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Milwaukee Brewers logo on the field behind home plate prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

As we move toward the end of our series looking at the Reviewing the Brew top prospects, we check in with our 10th ranked prospect catcher Clint Coulter.

Coulter was drafted by the Brewers in the 1st round (27th) of the 2012 draft from Union HS (Camas, WA). Coulter’s selection was a compensatory pick awarded to the Brewers for the free agent loss of Prince Fielder. Following the selection of the prep star the Brewers selected Victor Roache with the 28th pick as well. With the two “high ceiling” prospects in place fans excitement level grew around a farm system that was considered barren by many experts.

The then 18 year-old spent the remainder of 2012 in Arizona playing rookie ball. In 49 games Coulter hit .302 with five home runs and 33 runs batted in.

After opening 2013 in Wisconsin with the Timber Rattlers, Coulter bounced around spending some time in Helena and Arizona. The promise that Coulter had shown wasn’t translating. Between the three teams, Coulter hit .244 with seven home runs and 36 runs batted in.

Coulter opened 2014 in Appleton, making a return trip to join the Timber Rattlers. Not only has Coulter returned but his place as a prospect has never shined brighter. Through 112 games Coulter has 19 home runs with 79 runs batted in while scoring 70 runs. What is even more impressive is Coulter’s walk total in 2014, he has walked 67 times with 95 strikeouts. While Coulter’s plate discipline and work with breaking pitches needs to continue to improve, he has made great strides in 2014.

While Coulter gets nitpicked at times he is a legitimate prospect. He has shown great growth in 2014 and while he does need to learn the strike zone better, improve on pitch identification and continue to grow defensively he is only 21 years old. It is unknown if he will stay behind the plate, most have felt he wouldn’t since he was drafted but he has also grown in that role as well. I would expect Coulter to make the jump to Brevard County in 2015 with Huntsville a definite option considering the year he has had. At 21 years-old Coulter has the upside that Bruce Seid has been looking for as he rebuilds a system that has bared major league fruit. The question is will Coulter continue to develop and realize that upside and make it to Milwaukee. Smart money says, yes.