Milwaukee Brewers: Which prospects are heading to Triple-A?
The Milwaukee Brewers announced where each prospect will start their season in the lower levels of organized baseball. The Brewers Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs received a few surprising names for 2018.
Triple-A is the last stop for Minor Leaguers to hone their skills before reaching the Majors. Josh Hader, Brandon Woodruff, and Eric Sogard all started in Colorado Springs, but ended up helping the Milwaukee Brewers. Which names stood out on the current Sky Sox roster?
Corbin Burnes
It’s no surprise that the Milwaukee Brewers added Corbin Burnes to the Sky Sox roster. He’s widely considered their top pitching prospect, and has dominated every level he’s been at. Burnes only worked four innings for the Brewers this spring before getting reassigned to Minor League camp, but it’s obvious he made an impression. Could Burnes make a similar impact in the bullpen as Hader did last year? Or is he ticketed to the starting rotation? Burnes will start in Colorado Springs, but if he flies through Triple-A like he did in Double-A, he’ll arrive in Milwaukee at some point this summer.
Freddy Peralta
Milwaukee Brewers prospect Freddy Peralta hasn’t turned 22 years old yet, but he’ll start the season in Colorado Springs. Peralta was similar to Burnes last year. Both started the year in High-A, and ended the year in Double-A. They also dominated at both levels. Peralta tossed three innings with the Brewers this spring and struck out three.
His frame lends itself to the bullpen, but he’s going to begin the season in the Sky Sox starting rotation.
Mauricio Dubon
Mauricio Dubon ended the 2017 season in Colorado Springs, so it makes sense that he starts 2018 with the Sky Sox. Dubon has the speed and glove to stick at second base, but has to develop his plate discipline. If Jonathan Villar or Sogard struggle early, Dubon is just about ready for the Major Leagues. He saw 21 plate appearances with the Milwaukee Brewers this spring, and posted a .333/.435/.389 slash line with three walks and a stolen base.
Taylor Williams
Taylor Williams threw well enough this spring to earn a bullpen role with the Milwaukee Brewers, but lost out in the numbers game. Williams posted a 3.48 ERA in 10 1/3 innings of work during Spring Training. He struck out 12 and walked only three. He’s clearly next in line for a relief role if there’s an injury or a demotion.
Whether there’s an injury or a need for a change, the Milwaukee Brewers have several top prospects on the verge of reaching baseball’s highest level. The Triple-A roster also features names such as Junior Guerra, Ji-man Choi, Brett Phillips, and Andres Blanco. The Brewers don’t have to look outside the organization if they need a player to fill a short term role.