Brewers' sweeping spring training roster cuts includes top infield prospect

We are just a hair over three weeks away from the Milwaukee Brewers kicking off their 2025 regular season against the New York Yankees. As the spring training games continue to roll by, we're also getting into cut season, where the Opening Day roster begins to get some clarity.

On Friday, the Brewers took to social media to announce a large list of players who were reassigned to minor league camp. Typically, players who are sent packing this early are either nothing more than high-minors depth or top prospects who are still too far away from their big league debut. It seems that for these nine players, a spot on the Opening Day roster is officially off the table.

Brewers' first round of spring training roster cuts includes top prospect

There are few true surprises here, but that doesn't mean the names aren't ones you probably recognize. Chief among them are Cooper Pratt, the club's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline's latest top-30 update, and Luis Lara (No. 21).

Pratt, 20, has a lot riding on his shoulders, as he's projected to eventually become the long-term replacement for Willy Adames at shortstop. Pratt's still extremely young and has yet to advance past High-A, but he gets on base a ton, has earned positive reviews for his defense at shortstop, and is extremely quick on his feet. He was never going to make the Brewers' Opening Day roster this year barring something wild happening, but he's absolutely a name to watch.

Then there's Lara, another 20-year-old whose highest minor league level is High-A. The switch-hitting outfielder brings a lot of the speed and athleticism that Pratt does to the diamond, but he patrols the outfield while Pratt handles the middle infield.

Of course, there's also slugging first baseman Ernesto Martinez Jr., who we only just recently tabbed as a dark horse candidate to crack the Brewers' roster out of camp. The 25-year-old stands at 6-foot-6 and brings an intriguing blend of power and speed to the field that the Brewers can (and will) use on their big-league roster in the near future. He'll likely open the year in Triple-A but is a candidate to make that long-awaited debut in the coming campaign.

Outside of this notable trio, the three left-handed pitchers all have big league experience and will round out the Brewers' Triple-A roster. Pannone (1 G, 2.2 IP in 2023) and Jay (2 G, 3 IP in 2024) both have played for the Brewers before, while Zimmermann is a newcomer to the organization.

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