Milwaukee Brewers: Who is their biggest trade chip?

5. Freddy Peralta

Freddy Peralta is only 22 years old, is under team control, and just ended a successful season that saw make a few appearances in the playoffs. Why isn’t he higher on this list?

The reasons are simple. While Peralta’s fastball is fantastic, and his breaking stuff is solid, but he lacks a developed third pitch that most starters need to succeed. Peralta is also one of the few pitchers on the Milwaukee Brewers staff who is under 6-ft. tall. While he’s shown that he can take the ball every fifth day, he doesn’t have the elite size that teams want in the centerpiece of a trade.

Peralta should earn a rotation spot to start the 2019 season, but he could also get a solid return in a trade if the Brewers are given an offer they can’t refuse.

4. Brandon Woodruff

Brandon Woodruff actually posted better numbers in 2018 than Peralta, and was a key part of the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff in the post season. He was originally projected as a starter in the Opening Day rotation, but early season struggles saw Woodruff return to Colorado Springs early in the season.

Woodruff posted a 3.61 ERA in 42 1/3 innings at the Major League level in 2018. He struck out 47, walked 17, and was tagged for four homers. He also worked 12 1/3 innings in the post season, and managed a 2.91 ERA.

He’ll turn 26 before the start of the 2019 season, but his repertoire is a bit more complete than Peralta’s. He has a solid fastball/breaking ball combo, but he also has offspeed pitches he can mix in. Woodruff has a starter’s frame and average over 95 MPH on his fastball in 2018. He’s also pre-arbitration for the next two years, and won’t become a free agent until after the 2023 season.

While Woodruff won’t fetch an elite starting pitcher in a 1:1 trade, he could work as the centerpiece of a deal for a solid starting pitcher or MLB-ready infielder.

3. Corbin Burnes

Corbin Burnes is only two years removed from pitching in college, and just turned 24 years old. He came up to the Milwaukee Brewers halfway through the 2018 season as a reliever, but he should start at the Major League level at some point.

Burnes appeared in 30 games during the regular season for the Brewers, and managed a 2.61 ERA. He struck out 35, walked 11, and surrendered four homers.

Burnes used a devastating fastball/slider combo out of the bullpen, but also possesses solid secondary stuff. His curveball may need some work, but he’s about as ready for the rotation as it gets.

If he’s dealt, and that’s a really big if, he could be the centerpiece for a major acquisition. Should the Milwaukee Brewers go after James Paxton, Burnes would like feature in the package going back to Seattle.

2. Corey Ray

Corey Ray was MLB.com’s pick as the Milwaukee Brewers top trade chip. While the former 6th overall pick is a solid choice, he’s not our pick as the best in the organization.

Ray’s 2018 campaign did a lot to rebuild his reputation after a rough 2017 campaign. Ray spent all of 2018 in Double-A and managed a .239/.323/.477 slash line in 600 plate appearances. He also clubbed 27 homers, and swiped 37 bases in 44 attempts.

Ray is a phenomenal athlete, and he’s still only 24 years old. He should fetch as part of a package for an excellent a starter or a dynamic catcher, but we don’t have him as the Milwaukee Brewers top trade chip.

1. Keston Hiura

It was hard to believe that Keston Hiura wasn’t the top name on MLB.com’s list, too. Hiura is the most polished hitter in the Milwaukee Brewers Minor League system. He’s currently shredding the Arizona Fall League, and it’s looking more and more like he’s going to stick at second base.

Hiura can hit for power, spray line drives all over the field, and can draw a walk. He plays a premium position, and is giving every signal that he’s ready for the Majors. If the Milwaukee Brewers went after a top trade target, Hiura would be the first name every team would want included.

GM David Stearns has made it clear that Hiura will only leave for an elite arm or a generational bat. If the Mariners ask for Hiura in a 1:1 deal for Paxton, the Brewers probably don’t make that deal. It would likely take Corey Kluber or Jacob deGrom coming back to get the Brewers to part with Hiura.