The Milwaukee Brewers have what is widely considered a weak farm system around the MLB. However, David Stearns has the system quickly back on the rise thanks to a couple strong drafts and international signing periods.
Stearns and company have put a premium on toolsy athletes with above average plate discipline and good contact skills. The array of tools gives Milwaukee a ball of clay with a higher ceiling if their development goes according to plan, but the plate discipline helps to raise the floor of the prospects as well.
Top to bottom the system may still have a ways to go, but the high end talent on the farm should have fans excited about the future of the Milwaukee Brewers lineup.
Today we take a look at the Brewers top 5 hitting prospects currently in the system, ranked in terms of upside.
1. Hedbert Perez – 18 – ETA 2024
Tools: Hit – 55, Power – 50, Run – 60, Arm/Field 55
Hedbert Perez tops my list due to his immense upside. At just 18 years old, Perez has some big time tools coupled with an advanced approach at the plate. Talent evaluators in the Brewers system definitely feel like he could be their diamond in the rough.
Hedbert Perez is a left handed bat with quick hands, phenomenal bat speed and contact skills. He is very athletic and currently projects as a center fielder at the major league level. However, I believe his frame has some room to fill out and will ultimately lead him to playing a corner outfield spot – which won’t be an issue due to his impressive arm strength.
Perez already has a great deal of physical maturity having already added 20 pounds since signing with Milwaukee, and still has a frame with plenty of room to grow.
Through his first 20 minor league games of rookie ball: .337 average with 6 home runs, 15 RBI and a 1.021 OPS.
No prospect is a sure thing, I want to make that clear, but Hedbert Perez has the greatest raw set of tools in the entire system and has a middle of the order bat type of ceiling. I think Perez will hit for average and projects as a (25+) homerun bat that could still steal 10+ bags.
Hedbert Perez has a chance to be a star in the major leagues, and someone I expect to rise quickly to the top of prospect lists. Perez is someone I believe should be untouchable at this point. The ceiling is sky high.