Milwaukee Brewers: Who were the best players in Double-A?

The Biloxi Shuckers went 82-57 in 2019, and were the only Milwaukee Brewers affiliate to make the playoffs. But who was their best hitter and best pitcher this year?

Not only did the Biloxi Shuckers make the Southern League playoffs, but they advanced to the finals after winning their semi-final series, 3-2, over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. They took the Jackson Generals to the limit in the finals. However, they lost the deciding fifth game 6-2, and had to watch the Generals spray each other with beer.

Which players helped the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate come within a game of the Southern League championship?

Who was the best hitter for the Shuckers in 2019?

Weston Wilson and Cooper Hummel had solid seasons, but Trent Grisham was the 2019 Milwaukee Brewers Minor League player of the year. He did most of his damage at Double-A, so it’s easy to say that Grisham was the best player on the Shuckers in 2019.

Grisham slashed .254/.371/.504 in 63 games for the Shuckers. In 236 at-bats, Grisham racked up 13 homers, 34 runs scored, 41 RBIs, and six steals in 10 attempts.

Grisham earned a call up to Triple-A in July, and didn’t stay long. He only played 34 games before getting another call up to the Majors, but he slashed .381/.471/.776, and bashed 13 more homers for the San Antonio Missions.

Grisham has played 50 games to date for the Milwaukee Brewers, and has managed a .237/.328/.421 slash line in 177 plate appearances at baseball’s highest level. He should also continue to feature in the Brewers lineup in the playoffs if Ryan Braun‘s calf injury keeps him out of the early rounds. Not bad for a guy who started the year at Double-A.

Who was the best pitcher for the Shuckers in 2019?

It really comes down to two guys. Nate Griep was lights out as the Shuckers closer for 2019, but Trey Supak racked up an impressive record in 20 starts. Both earned promotions to Triple-A, but Supak threw 122 innings and was easily the best starter for the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate. He gets the nod.

Supak posted an 11-4 record for the Shuckers in 20 starts. He fanned 91, walked 23, and was tagged for only six homers in his time at Double-A.

However, it wasn’t quite as easy for Supak in Triple-A as it was in Double-A. Supak made seven starts for the San Antonio Missions, but posted a 9.30 ERA in 30 innings. Supak managed to strike out 27, walk nine, and was battered for six homers in his short stint with the Missions.

Supak is only 24 years old, but he was drafted in 2014 and it feels like he’s been around forever. He’ll likely get added to the Milwaukee Brewers 40-man roster next year and start the year at Triple-A. The Pacific Coast League is a challenge for young pitchers, and it won’t be a huge surprise if Supak earns a call up with mediocre numbers next year.