Milwaukee Brewers: Ranking the top 20 prospects, Part II

2- Luis Ortiz RHP (3)

Ortiz is something Brewers fans have been pining for. A true top of the rotation pitcher coming from the minor league system. Acquired, along with Lewis Brinson and Ryan Cordell last summer, Ortiz could wind up being the gem of that deal.

At 6’3″, and with a fastball that ranges from 92-97 MPH, he is as tantalizing a pitching prospect as the Milwaukee Brewers have had in years. His fastball grades out as a plus pitch, as well as his slider. He also throws a developing change-up which gets an average grade.

Ortiz has spent this season with the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers. He owns a 3.57 ERA, with a 4-5 record in 17 starts. That doesn’t exactly scream future Major Leaguer, but this guy has it written all over him.

His frame allows him to maintain his velocity deep into games. Although his strikeout numbers don’t jump off the page, he has 8.03 K/9 this season. His slider is nasty and will prove to be an out pitch in Milwaukee. As long as he continues to develop his change-up, he will be a nuisance for Major League hitters.

Most projections don’t have him in the majors until next season. However, with the current state of the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff, he should get a taste of the big leagues in September. Ortiz is a player that every Brewers fan should get to know. When the Brewers reach the other side of this rebuild, Ortiz will be a key cog in helping the Brew Crew achieve sustained success.

1- Lewis Brinson OF (1)

This brings us to the crème de la crème. The cream of the crop in the Milwaukee Brewers system. Unquestionably, Lewis Brinson is the top dog among Milwaukee Brewers prospects.

Brewers fans were disappointed when the team didn’t pull the trigger on a trade for Sonny Gray at the deadline. GM David Stearns made the right choice, Gray was not worth giving up Brinson for. Brinson has the potential to be a superstar in Milwaukee for the next decade or more.

He has had a couple of brief moments with the Milwaukee Brewers this season. In his limited opportunity, Brinson did next to nothing with the bat. However, he showed his prowess defensively, making some nice plays in center field.

Playing for Colorado Springs this season, he is hitting .333 with an on base percentage of .403. He can hit , and his 10 home runs in 325 plate appearances show a glimpse of his power. As he gets comfortable, he should clear 20 home runs a season easily.

His speed is his true calling card. He hasn’t shown the propensity for stealing bases to this point, but his speed is undeniable. As he matures, he should steal at least 20-30 bases a season. That speed will also help him play an above average center field.

The writing is on the wall for Keon Broxton in center field. Although Broxton is a quality Major Leaguer, Brinson’s upside is too high to ignore. He has a chance to provide stability at one of the most important defensive positions on the diamond for the Brewers.

We’ve already covered what the future holds for Brinson. He should be at the top of the Milwaukee Brewers batting order by the time next season begins. The Lewis Brinson era hit a little blip this summer. However, he is in a  prime position to break out in a big way for the Brewers.

Next: How Is Tristen Lutz Doing In The Minors?

With the Brew Crew in contention this season, the window opened earlier than expected. A few of these players will play a role in the coming years for the Brewers. Some will, undoubtedly, be traded in order to sustain their success. Either way, the future is bright for the Crew.