Milwaukee Brewers: Meet the new prospects in the Brewers’ Top 30

In order to obtain Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins, the Milwaukee Brewers needed to trade away three of their top 30 prospects. Who replaced them? Read on to find out.

With Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison and Isan Diaz moving to the Marlins’ top 30 prospects list, three new Milwaukee Brewers needed to fill the void. Shortly after the Yelich trade went down, MLB Pipeline revealed who would enter the fray. Two of the names are very familiar. Both Adrian Houser and Taylor Williams have spent time in the big leagues. Infielder Jean Carmona rounds out the newest additions. So who are these new prospects anyway?

New Prospect #1: Jean Carmona, SS/2B

The 2018 edition of the Brewers’ top 30 prospects isn’t due until sometime in February, but as things stand now, Carmona is the highest ranked of the new additions. A strong rookie season has the switch-hitting 18-year-old notched at number 13 in the system. Standing at just 6-foot-1, 183 pounds, Carmona is a quick middle infielder from the Dominican Republic.

In his first taste of pro ball, he batted .302 with 16 extra-base hits in 47 Dominican Summer League contests. He also scored 37 runs and stole eight bases. He struggled mightily after a promotion to the Arizona League, but his quickness and good fielding should aid him as he rises up the organizational ladder. Carmona still has room to grow physically and has the tools to be an excellent middle infield prospect in the system.

New Prospect #2: Adrian Houser, RHP

Houser is next in the rankings, checking in at number 19 in the system. He’s a unique prospect in that he already has major-league experience. Back in 2015, he logged two innings in Milwaukee following a September callup. He kept the opposition off the scoreboard in his limited appearances.

His stock suffered a bit after he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the bulk of 2016 and half of 2017. However, he came back stronger and impressed with an 11.3 K/9 across two levels and the Arizona Fall League. His big mid-90s fastball pairs nicely with a plus curveball that should have him knocking on Milwaukee’s door later this season.

New Prospect #3: Taylor Williams, RHP

Like Houser, Williams is a right-hander with major-league experience. The 26-year-old distinguishes himself with an outstanding slider as his go-to off speed offering. Williams compiled a 3.09 ERA in 14 starts and eight relief appearances for Double-A Biloxi last season.

This was good enough for a call to the big leagues, in which he allowed just one run in five appearances. He’s much older than the other prospects on the list, and he likely won’t be a starter long-term. However, Williams’ stuff has the potential to play up in a relief role. In a best-case scenario, he’ll thrive in the bullpen and develop into an excellent late-inning reliever.

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All in all, these three new prospects carry lots of promise. They all may be at different points in their professional careers, but all have the potential to make a big impact for the Milwaukee Brewers at some point down the road.