Brewers 2022-23 Offseason Preview: Free Agents, Options, Arbitration, and More

Brewers Rule 5 Eligible Prospects

Brice Turang, Cam Robinson, Abner Uribe, Victor Castaneda, Carlos Rodriguez (OF), Felix Valerio, Cam Devanney, Eduardo Garcia, Joe Gray Jr

There are a number of other Brewers minor leaguers that are Rule 5 eligible this winter, but these are the notable names.

Brice Turang is a guaranteed lock to be added to the 40 man roster this winter and protected from the Rule 5 Draft. He seemed ready for his big league debut late in 2022 and will surely be relied upon in 2023, no matter what happens with Kolten Wong’s option decision.

There are a couple of other prospects who have strong cases to be added to the 40 man roster this winter. Cam Robinson and Abner Uribe are flamethrowing reliever prospects and those are the types that get plucked often in the Rule 5 Draft. Robinson reached Triple-A by the end of the year and could be called upon early in 2023. Uribe is a bit more raw as a pitcher but can throw 103 MPH.

Uribe is in the Arizona Fall League again this year after missing most of the 2022 season with a torn meniscus. He’s kept the walks down, which is key for him, and has been showing improved command. He may need to be protected.

Victor Castaneda is another option for protection. He made it up to Triple-A this year and has been a solid starting pitcher to this point in the minors. Castaneda could be important rotation depth going forward for Milwaukee although he likely wouldn’t be much more than a back-end rotation option. This is Castaneda’s second year being Rule 5 eligible but he’s much closer to the big leagues now and more likely to be plucked if left unprotected.

The only other name on this list that could seriously merit protecting and could be selected would be Cam Devanney. He had a very good season in Double-A and earned a late-season promotion to Triple-A. He could be a utility guy at the big league level and maybe more if he gets an opportunity. He was 2nd in the Brewers farm system in homers this year with 23, behind only Jon Singleton. Devanney hit a solid .264 with a .832 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A.

Outfielder Carlos Rodriguez only played in High-A this year and missed most of the season with an injury after starting out well. He most likely won’t be selected, even if he does, the Brewers are pretty well set in the outfield. Felix Valerio had a great 2021 season, but struggled with a full year in Double-A in 2022 and isn’t likely to get selected. Joe Gray Jr had a breakout first half of 2021, but he’s struggled mightily in High-A and had a poor 2022, making his protection unnecessary and a selection unlikely.

Eduardo Garcia is a highly rated shortstop prospect, but since he just reached High-A late in 2022, no team is likely to be willing to take the risk of trying to make him play all of 2023 in the big leagues.