Milwaukee Brewers: Ranking the top 20 prospects, Part II

Welcome back to the official Reviewing The Brew top 20 Milwaukee Brewers prospects. Recently, we’ve covered prospects 11-20. Today, we take a look at the top 10. Let’s dive right in. MLB rankings are in parentheses.

If you missed part one of the top 20 Milwaukee Brewers prospects, you can check it out here.

10- Tristen Lutz OF (8)

Lutz has been on a tear since the Milwaukee Brewers drafted the high schooler this year. He’s a big bodied, big bat, corner outfielder, who will make an impact in the Major Leagues.

At 6’3″ and 210 pounds, Lutz has prototypical size. His MLB scouting report grades his power as above average. As he matures, Lutz should hit 20+ home runs a season, easily. He also receives an above average grade for defense. That is what will help him advance through the system.

Lutz won’t be stealing many bases, but shows good base running skills. He moves well enough to play either corner position in the outfield. His highly rated arm allows him to play a solid right field. To improve his versatility, Lutz has seen time in center field so far this season.

He has not disappointed so far. Although it is a small sample size, at the Rookie League level this season, Lutz has 4 home runs and 14 runs batted in through his first 90 plate appearances. He has struck out a lot, 19 times, with only six walks. However, his 1.018 OPS is outstanding.

Only 18 years old, Lutz has the potential to be in Milwaukee by the time he is 20. He is a powerful right-handed bat that will hit at every level he plays. As a Brewer, he could shift to first base. That would be a waste of his arm, but sitting on the bench would waste his huge bat.

9- Lucas Erceg 3B (10)

Drafted in 2016, Erceg came as advertised. He has huge power and a strong-arm. His scouting report gives him an above average grade for his power, and a plus grade for his arm. That arm will profile well at the hot corner.

After getting off to a slow start this season, Erceg has shown improvements. He doesn’t walk enough, and that will be an issue moving forward. However, with his left-handed bat in the middle of the order, he will drive in runs.

Through 415 at bats with the Carolina Mud Cats this season, he is batting a pedestrian .243 with an on base percentage of .282. He has hit 12 home runs, while driving in 65 runs. That’s great run production, but he needs to get on base more to have a real impact. He has 13 errors at third base this season. That’s not great, but not terrible.

With Travis Shaw enjoying a breakout year, Erceg will have plenty of time to work on his game. He provides a solid glove in the field and has shown versatility. The Milwaukee Brewers second base situation this season hasn’t exactly been ideal.

If Jonathan Villar is unable to reach the level he was playing in 2016, Erceg could factor into the mix there. However, Villar is a good player and is a prime candidate to bounce back next season. Furthermore, the Brewers have a few other prospects who will push Villar in due time.

Erceg will have a productive MLB career, just not any time soon in Milwaukee. The Brewers are set right now at third base with Shaw. Unless he switches over to the other side of the diamond, his impact may only be felt in September for next few seasons.