Milwaukee Brewers: Ranking the top 20 prospects

18- K.J. Harrison C (17)

Drafted in the third round of this years draft, K.J. Harrison is another project at catcher. This ranking feels a little bit too high, but Harrison can swing the bat. The Milwaukee Brewers feel confident he can catch. In college, he never had the opportunity to catch on a regular basis. His bat still kept him in the lineup daily.

At 6-feet tall and a shade over 200 pounds, Harrison has the size for the position. His MLB scouting report grades him as above average for his hit skill. His power, arm, and defense all grade as average. He has all the tools to be successful in the  Major Leagues. The question with him is at what position?

First base would definitely be an option for Harrison. It’s hard to project catchers, but if the Brewers believe he can play the position, then he probably can. You can never have too many catchers in the system. Manny Piña is currently entrenched at the position in the majors. There is plenty of time for Harrison to put it all together.

17- Jake Gatewood 1B (18)

Gatewood was a high-risk, high-reward prospect when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 2014 draft. Drafted as a shortstop, Gatewood has shifted over to first base for a clearer path to the majors.

It has taken him some time, but Gatewood seems to be settling in at the plate. This season, playing for the Carolina Mud Cats, he has hit 11 home runs in 395 at bats. Unfortunately, the 122 strikeouts to this point really stand out.

Gatewood is helped at the plate with his plus bat speed. This season, he has started wearing contact lenses, and that seems to have helped his plate discipline. He has walked 42 times this season, more than doubling his total from a year ago.

Hitting .268 with a .341 on base percentage, Gatewood looks like he’s only beginning to find himself as a baseball player. Having committed 14 errors at first base, he shows he has a long way to go before he reaches The Show.