Milwaukee Brewers: Ranking the top 20 prospects, Part II

6- Corbin Burnes RHP (7)

What else can be said about Burnes that hasn’t already been said? He has been unbelievable over the last two seasons. He has made everybody, from the Rookie League, to the Major Leagues take notice.

Burnes made his first appearance in Rookie League on June 24th, 2016. After dominating through two levels of the Minor Leagues, he was called up to Double-A Biloxi this season. He lost his first game on June 28th, 2017, more than a calendar year after beginning his professional baseball career.

The 6’3″ righty throws an above average fastball and slider. As well as an average curveball and below average change-up with above average control. His fastball sits in the low-mid 90’s, and he shows swing and miss ability.

This season, across two levels of the minors, Burnes is 8-3 with a 1.58 ERA in 21 starts.  He has 122 strikeouts with only 25 walks in 119 1/3 innings pitched. He has shown he can command the strike zone while limiting base runners.

It is only a matter of time before Burnes finds his way to the Major League level. The Milwaukee Brewers have needs in the starting rotation moving forward. He should find his way into the conversation as early as next season. He could even provide a jolt for the staff this September. Either way, Burnes figures prominently into the Milwaukee Brewers future.

5- Brett Phillips OF (12)

Phillips is this high on the list because of the impact he has had for the Milwaukee Brewers this season. With his plus speed, he could be the solution at the lead-off spot.

2016 was a disappointment for Phillips. It is that simple. He did club 16 home runs and had 62 runs batted in. However, he hit a meager .229 in 124 games. He walked a career high 67 times last season. He also struck out a whopping 154 times. Strikeouts have plagued him for his entire career.

This season has been kinder to Phillips. In 86 games, playing for Triple-A Colorado Springs, he has hit .310 with 17 home runs and 69 runs batted in. With 104 strikeouts, he still needs to show improvement, but he has only scratched the surface of his potential.

He also has very good speed. If he can get on base consistently, he will be a terror on the base-paths. He hasn’t shown the propensity for stealing bases to this point in his professional career. But that is something that should come easy for him as he matures.

He can play anywhere in the outfield. His speed allows him the ability to cover a lot of ground in center field. He has a cannon for an arm, so right field would be no problem for him. In the coming seasons, Phillips will have a big impact at the major league level.