Brewers' 2025 draft pick promoted to Double-A after Player of the Week Award

The 2026 MLB Draft is less than two weeks away, with the first round set to begin on Saturday, July 11 at 12:00 p.m. CT. The Milwaukee Brewers have found plenty of success in the draft in recent years, but with fewer early-round draft picks and therefore less bonus pool money to work with this year, their strategy may have to be altered.

As Tod Johnson, the Brewers' Vice President of Amateur Acquisition who heads the organization's draft room, and his team prepare for the upcoming draft, Milwaukee is already reaping the benefits of a strong 2025 draft class. First-round pick Andrew Fischer, whose home run binge is continuing following his midseason promotion to Double-A, is grabbing most of the headlines, but other names like shortstop Brady Ebel and right-hander Braylon Owens have also found early success in the Brewers' farm system.

One member of the Brewers' 2025 draft class who hasn't garnered as much attention despite being deserving of recognition is seventh-round pick Josiah Ragsdale. Like current Brewers' right-fielder Sal Frelick, Ragsdale played outfield for Boston College before being drafted by Milwaukee, though his college career also included two seasons at Iona University.

Known for his speed, selective approach at the plate, and above-average defensive abilities, Ragsdale fit the Brewers' mold perfectly, but questions about his power and arm strength allowed Milwaukee to wait until the seventh round to draft him. Less than one year later, Ragsdale is already looking like a Day 2 steal.

Brewers outfield prospect Josiah Ragsdale earns Midwest League Player of the Week Award and a promotion to Double-A

Ragsdale began his professional career with 21 games in Low-A last summer following his selection in the draft. He posted a .300 batting average during that small sample size, but with just one extra-base hit in 70 at-bats, it seemed Ragsdale was confirming the concerns that forced teams to pass on him for the first six rounds of the 2025 draft.

However, 2026 has been a completely different story for the left-handed hitting outfielder. Ragsdale was assigned to High-A to start the 2026 season, and, after a slow start to the campaign, he has silenced the doubters by posting impressive power numbers over the last two months. On the season, Ragsdale is slashing .327/.447/.528, good for a .975 OPS, but in June alone his OPS checks in at a ridiculous 1.285, aided by an otherworldly .751 slugging percentage. In 60 games this season, Ragsdale has seven homers, 18 doubles, and two triples, while swiping 24 bases in 26 attempts.

But for as good as Ragsdale's been in 2026 and the month of June, his performance last week was on another level altogether. In six games, Ragsdale collected 10 hits, including two homers and five doubles, seven RBI, and just four strikeouts, while posting an incredible 1.408 OPS. For his efforts, the 22-year-old Ragsdale was named the Midwest League Player of the Week.

Ragsdale, who was recently added to MLB Pipeline's list of the Top 30 prospects in the Brewers' organization, is the third member of the Timber Rattlers to win a Player of the Week Award this year, joining Fischer and Braylon Payne, both of whom are also in the midst of breakout seasons. However, being named the best player in the Midwest League over the last week wasn't the only piece of good news Ragsdale received in recent days.

According to minor league baseball insider Chase Ford, who broke the news of Fischer's recent promotion to Double-A, Ragsdale will be joining his fellow 2025 draftee on the Biloxi Shuckers' roster in the coming days. Less than a year after being drafted by the Brewers, Ragsdale has officially been promoted to Double-A.

Adding power to a profile that already includes speed, a great understanding of the strike zone, and strong defense makes Ragsdale one of the more intriguing prospects in a stacked Brewers' farm system. His success is a testament not only to the Brewers' excellent scouting department, but also their player development team, both of which have played key roles in building what is undoubtedly the best farm system in baseball.

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