Brewers: 5 Prospects That Should Be Untouchable This Offseason

RHP Drew Rasmussen

It’s another pitcher, but this time, he’s right handed. Drew Rasmussen was the Crew’s 6th round pick in 2018 but he’s been pitching more like a first round pick. Oh wait, that’s because he was a first round pick. In 2017, the Rays selected Rasmussen 31st overall out of Oregon State but didn’t sign him due to concerns over his elbow.

Those concerns proved true as Rasmussen needed his second Tommy John surgery that fall. That next June, the Brewers selected Rasmussen in the 6th round as a buy-low target with a ton of upside. They essentially got a first round talent in the sixth round, for sixth round money. That’s too good a deal to pass up.

Rasmussen made his professional debut in 2019 and was on pitch count and workload restrictions, due to having multiple TJ surgeries on his arm at such a young age, but he pitched beautifully in his appearances.

He lasted just one outing in Low-A Wisconsin, where he threw two shutout innings. He was immediately promoted to High-A Carolina, where he hung around for just four starts, posting a 1.59 ERA over 11.1 innings.

Then he was promoted to Double-A Biloxi, where he remained the rest of the season, finishing with a 3.54 ERA in 18 starts and 22 total appearances covering 61 IP. He struck out 77 batters in those 61 innings.

Each team gets only one first round pick each year, and it’s important to make them count. The Brewers essentially got an extra first rounder in 2018 by selecting Rasmussen when they did. It was a low-risk, high-reward pick and it’s paying off so far.

Rasmussen has moved up the ladder quickly and could easily help out the 2020 Brewers pitching staff in some capacity. A talented pitcher like this is one that should be untouchable in trade conversations. He’s not going anywhere.

These prospects should be untouchable for the Brewers. None of the Crew’s top 4 prospects are included on this list and that’s because they’re either the best trade bait options or are coming off bad seasons.