Milwaukee Brewers: Best players in the Rookie League?

The Milwaukee Brewers no longer have a Triple-A team in Colorado Springs, but they do have a Rookie-level team that played there in 2019. Who were the best players at the Rookie league level in 2019 for the Brewers?

Do your remember who was played at the Rookie League level for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018? Brice Turang and Aaron Ashby. Yesterday’s draft picks often become today’s top prospects, and it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see a few guys on this year’s Rookie League roster make an impact soon.

Rookie League rosters are usually filled with guys who just finished high school, international free agents making their stateside debuts, and guys working their way back from injuries. The previous sentence actually sounds a lot like the 2019 Rocky Mountain Vibes.

The Milwaukee Brewers Rookie League affiliate finished 32-43 in their first season in existence, but they still had a few impressive performances. Who were the top performers at the Rookie League level this year?

Who was the best hitter in Rookie ball this year?

Hitters at the Rookie League level aren’t known for impressive stats on offense. If guys have success, they usually get promoted to Low-A or Single-A.

Milwaukee Brewers 2019 4th round draft pick, Nick Kahle, played 42 games in 2019 and 40 of them occurred at the Rookie League level. He tied for the team lead in homers with six, drove in 25 runs, and posted a .255/.350/.475 slash line in 163 plate appearances.

Kahle spent time all over the field. He spent most of his time split between first base and DH, but he also appeared at first and second.

He did get a call up to High-A at the end of the season for a pair of games, so he’s a solid bet to start with the Milwaukee Brewers Single-A team in 2019.

Who was the best pitcher at the Rookie League level

Ashby impressed in 2018, and in 2019 it was Carlos Luna. Hailing from Panama, 2019 was Luna’s second year in the States, and sixth in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Luna missed the 2016 and 2017 seasons after requiring Tommy John surgery in 2016. He’s still only 22 years old, and has a bright future ahead of him.

Luna made 14 starts for the Vibes, and tossed 70 1/3 innings. He managed a 3.58 ERA and struck out 70 while walking 10. He was also tagged for only nine homers.

In addition to impressing at the Rookie level, Luna was called up to Triple-A at the end of the year, and made a start for the San Antonio Missions. Luna threw five innings of one-run baseball. He struck out five and walked only one.

Given Luna’s age and ability, it wouldn’t come as a shock to see him start 2020 in High-A, and start to climb the ladder if he shows any signs of success. Luna may not crack a top-30 prospects list, but he could really start to rise in the organization next year.