Milwaukee Brewers: Checking in on Brice Turang

The Milwaukee Brewers drafted high schooler Brice Turang in the first round last year. While he’s still a few years away from the Majors, how does he look in the low Minors?

Only two first rounders from 2017 have made it to the Majors. One of them is Milwaukee Brewers top prospect and current second baseman Keston Hiura. None of the 2018 first rounders have made it to the Majors yet. Brice Turang won’t be the first player from the class of 2018 to make the Majors. He could end up as one of the last, but how is his development really progressing?

What are Turang’s current numbers

Turang owns a .297/.411/.407 slash line in 33 games at Single-A. He has a higher on-base percentage than slugging percentage. He owns a 16.4% walk rate, despite striking out at a 19.2% clip.

Turang has only one homer to his 2019 stat line, but he’s managed to steal eight bases in 10 attempts.

What’s really promising is his spray chart. Turang has hit to the opposite field on 52.7% of the balls he’s hit in play this year. Anyone can pull the ball, and it’s great to see a 19-year old hitter capable of going the opposite direction. His power still needs to develop, but it’s clear that he can take a walk, steal a base, and go oppo.

Will he stick at shortstop?

It’s possible. He’s played 13 games at second base, and 19 games at short stop this year. He has a pair of errors at short, but he has the natural athleticism to stay there as he develops. That’s great news because by the time he’s ready, Orlando Arcia could be on the way out, and Hiura is viewed as the long term solution at second base.

It’s important to remember that Turang is still a year and a half away from legally buying beer. He’s not even 19 1/2 years old yet. Turang will spend the full season in Single-A, and won’t start really climbing the organizational ladder until next year at the earliest. He’s clearly not a bust, but there’s a lot of work left to do before the Milwaukee Brewers will know if Turang fits into their future plans.