5 Brewers prospects that could help Milwaukee contend again in 2025

RHP Craig Yoho

Another potential September call up candidate, Craig Yoho is another very likely bullpen arm for the Brewers next season. He dominated the minor leagues this year with video game numbers. He was named a Midwest League All Star despite not having pitched in that league since May 28th.

On the year, Yoho finished with a 0.94 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 57.2 IP with just 23 walks and zero home runs allowed across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A.

Yoho's stuff is nasty, led by his elite changeup. The strikeout stuff is there and he's big league ready in a bullpen role. If he's not in Milwaukee on Opening Day, he'll be there not much longer after that. While there's generally a shuffle of bullpen arms going up and down between the minors, Yoho's stuff is good enough that even though he's a rookie, there's a good chance he doesn't go back down again.

RHP Logan Henderson

Another high-rising Brewers pitching prospect, Logan Henderson was finally fully healthy this year and rocketed up not only the prospect ranks, but the minor league ladder as well. Henderson made it all the way to Triple-A in 2024, finishing the season with a 3.32 ERA in 19 starts covering 81.1 IP with 104 strikeouts and just 15 walks.

The lack of walks and high strikeout totals stands out with Henderson's numbers. Where there's question marks with Misiorowski's command and ability to remain in the starting rotation, Henderson clearly does not have those same question marks. The command is superb and he should stick as a starter.

The main questions have been health for Henderson. The 81.1 IP he threw this year were the most of his professional career, and he was drafted back in 2021. If the Brewers were to heavily rely on Henderson in their rotation next year, he'd likely face an innings restriction of some kind. While that may limit just how much he pitches in Milwaukee, it seems highly likely that Henderson will have an impact on the 2025 Brewers in as many innings as he's allowed to throw.

Henderson is Rule 5 eligible this winter and appears to be a virtual lock to be added to the 40 man roster given his prospect status, performance this year, and proximity to the big leagues.

1B/3B Mike Boeve

The Brewers will have a need in the corner infield this offseason. Willy Adames is going to be leaving in free agency, which means Joey Ortiz is likely to slide over to shortstop, leaving a hole at third base. Rhys Hoskins also has a player option that he hasn't decided on exercising yet as of this publication. If he leaves, first base is also going to be a vacancy.

Mike Boeve was the Brewers' second round pick in 2023, but he's quickly moved up the system, dominating High-A and putting up big numbers in Double-A this year. It's very possible Boeve hits his way to the big leagues sometime in 2025 and helps out this lineup.

Boeve just hits. In college, he had just nine strikeouts all season in his draft year. This season, he hit .338/.415/.471 with 15 doubles and six homers. The Brewers believe there is more power in Boeve's bat, but his ball-strike decisions and bat-to-ball skills make him a very clear candidate for a big league role in 2025. Those are some of the hardest skills to develop and Boeve already has them.

RHP Shane Smith

I'm going to take a stab here at the "next Tobias Myers" for the Brewers with a pitching prospect that is a little off the radar but could step in and play a big role if called upon. That prospect is Shane Smith.

Shane Smith transitioned to the starting rotation in Double-A Biloxi this year, pitching to a 3.08 ERA in 87.2 IP with 106 strikeouts and just 26 walks. Smith earned a late season promotion to Triple-A, where he had a 2.70 ERA in five outings. His stuff clearly plays at the upper levels and he could find himself with an opportunity in 2025 to prove it at the major league level. Myers took his chance and ran with it, and Smith can too.

Smith was an undrafted free agent in 2021 out of Wake Forest. He is also Rule 5 eligible this winter, meaning the Brewers will need to add him to the 40 man roster to protect him. He's not a lock like Logan Henderson, but Smith has made a solid case and the Brewers could look to protect him. If they do add Smith to the 40 man, the Brewers likely have plans on him helping this team contend in 2025. They could leave him off, hoping no one selects him and still plan on Smith having a role, but there's big risk there.