Brewers: 3 Observations on MLB Pipeline’s New Top 30 Prospects List

Milwaukee Brewers fans who enjoy reading up on their favorite prospects likely had a good day last Wednesday. That was when MLB Pipeline revealed their new top 30 prospects list for the Crew, which was created by writer Sam Dykstra.

Just like previous years, there was plenty of movement compared to the top 30 list to end the 2021 season. There were new faces, some big risers from some existing names, as well as some who fell, a trend that started all the way at the top.

Brewers prospect watchers can already guess who the top two on the list are, considering they also made MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects list. But what are some trends that may have been revealed by how the rest of the list shook out?

Here are three observations from MLB Pipeline’s new top 30 Brewers prospects list.

1. Last year’s top Brewers prospect drops a few spots

Last year, the top spot on Milwaukee’s top 30 prospects list was occupied by the team’s 2020 1st round pick, outfielder Garrett Mitchell. And it’s not hard to see why. Drafted as a potential five-tool player, he was invited to spring training last year and performed well, then got off to a hot start (29 G, .359/.508/.620) at High-A Wisconsin in his professional debut.

After a promotion to Double-A Biloxi, however, Mitchell struggled. In 35 games, he slashed just .186/.291/.264 for the Shuckers and managed just one double, three homers, and five steals after putting up five, five, and twelve, respectively, in fewer games (29) at his previous stop.

A jump to Double-A in a young prospect’s first professional season could explain a lot of that drop in production. But then this spring, Brewers beat writer for MLB.com, Adam McCalvy, revealed in an interview with Mitchell that the former 20th overall pick was also affected by a double bout of strep throat while in Biloxi.

Mitchell still has an incredibly high ceiling for a prospect and his drop to No. 4 on the top 30 list speaks as much to the talent level of the players that leap frogged him. If a healthy Garrett Mitchell returns to form in 2022, he still figures firmly into the Crew’s future plans.

2. The future of the Brewers’ outfield looks very bright

With Mitchell clocking in at No. 4 on the Brewers top 30 prospects list, that means three of the team’s top four prospects with 2021 first round pick Sal Frelick taking the top spot and 2020 fourth rounder Joey Wiemer sitting at No. 2.

Splitting up the trio is left-handed pitcher Aaron Ashby in the three hole, a name already familiar to many Brewers fans since he made 13 appearances for Milwaukee last season. He’ll likely graduate from the list early in 2022, meaning the top three Brewers prospects will all be outfielders.

The outfield fun doesn’t stop there. Two 18-year-old outfielders inhabit the top 10 in Hedbert Perez (No. 9) and Jackson Chourio (No. 10). Joe Gray Jr, who worked his way back into the top 30 with a strong start to 2021, isn’t far behind at No. 14, nor is fast riser Hendry Mendez at No. 16.

Not every one of these players will ultimately make it to the big leagues with the Brewers. Some could flame out while others could be traded. But you will probably see more than one of them in a Milwaukee uniform at some point down the road, and that is a good sign for the future of the Crew.

3. Brewers international signings are well represented

This offseason, the Brewers did what they’ve been known to do recently and added to their prospect talent pool through the international signing period. They started by adding two top 25 players in shortstops Johnny Severino and Johan Barrios, then added several more players after that, to say the least.

Barrios joins the top 30 list to start 2022 at No. 30 with Severino apparently nipping at his heels. And as you look at the rest of the Brewers top 30, you can see the imprint the team’s focus on international signings has had on the organization.

We’ve mentioned four international signees on the top 30 already but look up and down the list and you will see plenty more. Other names include catcher Jeferson Quero (No. 6), shortstop Eduardo Garcia (No. 13), pitcher Abner Uribe (No. 21), outfielder Carlos Rodriguez (No. 23), and pitcher Victor Castaneda (No. 27).

The Brewers have gone with an approach of signing a large number of international players and seeing which ones might hit. Looking at their top 30 prospects list, it appears that their current strategy might be working out.

Want your voice heard? Join the Reviewing The Brew team!

Write for us!

Minor league seasons will be starting soon, so get to know these top prospects because before we know it, they’ll be playing games and developing their way toward their hopeful Brewers debuts.