Milwaukee Brewers: 3 Most Tradeable prospects right now

The Winter Meetings are over, but several key players are still in need of new addresses for 2019. The Milwaukee Brewers are still very much involved on a number of fronts, and we have their most tradeable assets from their Minor League system below.

While names like Keston Hiura and Corey Ray would draw the most interest in a trade, they’re both key to the future of the Milwaukee Brewers. We’ve got a list of the top three prospects that wouldn’t have a great impact on the 25-man roster, but could still get a return.

We went looking for quality prospects that are a year or less away from the Major League roster, but appear blocked at the moment due to the Brewers roster depth at the highest level of the organization.

It wouldn’t come as a huge surprise to see any of the names on our list end up with a new franchise before the start of Spring Training.

3. Trent Grisham

Did you know that not only is Trent Grisham still with the Milwaukee Brewers organization, but he’s only 22 years old? It’s true! Grisham was drafted out of high school in 2015. He’s been with the Brewers for four years, and he only just turned 22 years old.

Grisham spent the 2018 season in Double-A with the Biloxi Shuckers. He slashed .233/.356/.337 in 107 games. He hit seven homers, and stole 11 bases, while scoring 45 runs, and driving in 31.

It’s getting harder and harder to remember that Grisham was selected 15th overall in the 2015 amateur draft, but he was. He’s also still a toolsy athlete that has impressive raw power, tremendous speed, and great athleticism. However, the clock is ticking on his career. If his tools don’t start to show up in his statline soon, he may never make it to the Majors.

Also, the Milwaukee Brewers have a ton of outfield depth in the upper Minors, and at the Major League level. Grisham doesn’t have a spot on the 40-man roster, and a lot would have to occur for him to reach the Majors any time soon.

Grisham is likely to start 2019 by repeating Double-A, if he stays with the Brewers. A change of scenery may make sense for Grisham at this point in his career. New voices in a new organization may help Grisham unlock his tools, and he could make sense in a trade package to a rebuilding team that needs to improve organizational athleticism.

Grisham won’t provide much value in a one-for-one deal, unless the Brewers are taking on a massive salary. Adding him to a package in a deal for the positions that the Brewers are known to be shopping for will get the most in terms of a return.

2. Lucas Erceg

Lucas Erceg is a solid prospect who happens to be completely blocked by a franchise cornerstone.

As long as Travis Shaw is on the Milwaukee Brewers Major League roster, Erceg will be stuck in Triple-A. If the Brewers reconnect with Mike Moustakas or add another third baseman and move Shaw to second, Erceg’s path to the Majors is even more difficult.

Erceg spent the entire 2018 season in Double-A. He played 123 games, and managed a .248/.306/.382 slash line. He bashed 13 homers, stole three bases, drove in 51 runs, and scored 52 times.

His 2018 season was down from a solid effort in 2017 at High-A. In 2017, Erceg slashed .256/.307/.417 with 15 homers.

Erceg won’t turn 24 until after the start of the 2019 season, and he should start the year in Double-A with an eye towards an early call-up to Triple-A. He could also start 2019 in Triple-A if he shows progress during the Spring.

However, he may be better off moving on to another organization to get a chance at an everyday role. Brett Phillips needed to move on to Kansas City in order to get a chance at a starting job, and the same may end up being true for Erceg.

Less than three years removed from getting selected in the top-50 picks of the 2016 amateur draft, Erceg is an above average season in the upper Minors away from being ready. However, he won’t get a chance at a starting job with the Milwaukee Brewers because Shaw isn’t going anywhere for a few years.

Adding Erceg to a trade package for an upgrade at catcher or second base makes sense for the Brewers in 2019, and could benefit Erceg’s career in the long term.