7 must-see Brewers prospects who should participate in the 2024 MLB Spring Breakout

6. Carlos Rodriguez, RHP

The first pitcher on the list is Nicaraguan right-hander Carlos Rodriguez, who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. Within just a year he was named as the Brewers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year having put up ridiculous stats in Single-A and High-A, holding batters to just a .198 average and a .106 WHIP.

In 2023 he started 25 games at Double-A where he put up a 2.77 ERA and a 9-6 record. He allowed just a .183 batting average against and that earned him a call up to Triple-A Nashville. He has added velocity to his arsenal which makes him a really deadly pitcher now and is continuing to ramp-up his pitching skills. The fastball is able to hit the mid-90s and his changeup is regarded as the best pitch of his, adding good fade and his curveball is beginning to become even more effective and gives him great options on the mound.

Rodriguez originally worked out of the bullpen at Single-A before working his way into the rotation. Heading forward there is plenty there for him to be a starter, but that potential to be used as a reliever could see him become a great option in the pen down the line.

The Spring Breakout is just one game and so it is likely that multiple pitchers will be able to shwocase their skills, with Rodriguez being one of the hottest prospects for the Brewers.

5. Tyler Black, 3B, L/R

Tyler Black is a 23-year old Canadian third baseman and is the fourth ranked prospect in the Brewers pipeline. He was drafted 33rd overall in the 2021 draft and appeared in 39 games for Triple-A Nashville having impressed at Double-A Biloxi.

He has bounced back from early setbacks during his first year in the pipeline. A left scapula fracture in July 2022 and then a fractured left thumb cut his time in the Arizona Fall League short. The lefty batter put up impressive numbers during his time in Nashville. Black ended the season with a .310 batting average and .428 OBP in those 39 games, which included four home runs and eight stolen bases.

His current ETA is 2024 and so we may see him being called up to the Majors next year. The Brewers' infield has seen a lot of faces over recent years and Black may be a player that can take advantage of the open spots. Currently, the starting third baseman would likely be Andruw Monasterio if the front office don't bring in anyone during this free agency period. GM Matt Arnold has already stated that Black is in consideration.

Question marks do remain over his arm strength and having previous experience at second base may see him move back there later down the line. The Spring Breakout will allow him to showcase the batting skills that may see him become an infield option for the Brewers.

4. Robert Gasser, LHP

The left-handed pitcher had an ETA of 2023 but remained in the Minors as he continued to work on his craft. Robert Gasser arrived in Milwaukee as part of the Josh Hader trade in 2022, having been selected in the second-round of the 2021 draft by the San Diego Padres.

In 2023, he started 25 games for Triple-A Nashville and finished the season with a 9-1 record and a 3.79 ERA. He struckout 166 batters and had an average of .236 and WHIP of 1.28. Lefty starters are hard to come by and the Brewers have Wade Miley returning and Aaron Ashby still on his way back to full health. This may allow Gasser the step up and may see one of the three used in a reliever role.

His four-seamer has progressed to be in the low-90s along with his sinker, while his low-80s slider is his highest-rated pitch as it causes batters problems with it's horizontal movement. He also has a cutter and changeup in his arsenal that have decent movement over the plate.

Gasser is so close to becoming a starting option in the Majors and so it may not be long after the Spring Breakout that he is called up. Given the Crew's need for pitching depth, this breakout could help further his case for even an Opening Day roster spot.

3. Jacob Misiorowski, RHP

The Brewers are known for their development of pitchers and next up on the list is Jacob Misiorowski. He is a 6-foot-7 right-hander and has a flamethrower of a fastball, mixed with a solid slider as part of his pitch mix. In 2022 he was drafted in the second round and is already expected to arrive in the Majors next year and as the third ranked prospect in the Brewers organization, there is every chance we see him playing at American Family Field.

In 2023 he played in Single-A, High-A and then started five games at Double-A where he registered a 2-1 record with a 5.57 ERA. At Single-A his ERA was 3.04 and then dropped to 1.90 at High-A. In Double-A Biloxi he struckout 36 batters and had an average of .215. It is more likely that Misiorowski spends the season at Triple-A Nashville before potentially making the Majors in late 2024.

His four-seamer spent most of 2023 around the mid-90s but can supposedly reach triple digits which would be a real asset for the Brewers. It tends to rise up in the zone and is a real struggle for batters to make any sort of contact with when it is at those high speeds. A cutter allows variation and as mentioned his slider is deadly and has batters chasing out of the zone.

Given the Spring Breakout is just the one game, expect Misiorowski to be on the mound for a couple of innings and be throwing serious heat against anyone that steps up to the plate. He did that in the Futures Game this past summer and opened a lot of eyes with his performance.

2. Jeferson Quero, C, R/R

Catcher Jeferson Quero was signed in 2019 out of Venezuela. He has shown great flashes of talent across all areas of his game and has is expected to be called up in 2024. William Contreras is the starting catcher for the Brewers and as it stands Quero would be the likely backup to him, potentially allowing Contreras to move to the DH spot. He is the Brewers' second-ranked prospect and the second overall catching prospect behind Ethan Salas of the San Diego Padres.

He played in 90 games at Double-A Biloxi, where he put up a .262 batting average and a .339 OBP. Quero crushed 16 homers and finished with 49 RBIs. His batting ability is clearly strong and will improve but it is the defensive side of the game where he excels. Last season his arm strength progressed excellently, seeing him throw out 11 of 24 attempted base stealers. That ability to prevent opposition's on-base game is always an asset to any team.

His power has started to show over the past two years, going from 'what could be' to actual production from the plate with a good launch angle.

Quero is so effective behind the plate, that with the offensive skills continuing to improve that he can become a very solid catcher in the Majors. MLB have mentioned they will be hoping to get all of the best prospects in the Spring Breakout and used number one-ranked prospect Jackson Holliday as an example of that. The Brewers will likely have Quero behind the plate against the Royals and as Spring Training continues he will be working towards a spot potentially on the Opening Day roster.

1. Jackson Chourio, OF. R/R

Who else was going to take the top spot than the second-ranked prospect in all of baseball and now the highest-paid player yet to make a MLB appearance? Jackson Chourio's $82MM eight-year deal is the most money guaranteed for a player with no Majors experience and can rise to $142.5MM with options and bonuses.

Chourio has only played six games at Triple-A but has shown more than enough for the front office to feel he is worth building their franchise around. In those six games he averaged .333 and had an OBP of .375. At Double-A he averaged .280 and hit 22 home runs with 89 RBIs. Originally a shortstop, he now finds himself out in center field, using his highly rated speed to cover the outfield. At just 19, the Brewers found he was making light work of the Minors and so progressed him through as they tried to find tougher work for him.

Chourio appeared in the 2022 All-Star Futures Game and was the only player taking part that was born in 2004. At the plate he makes good contact and then his speed makes him a threat on the bases. Like most young players, his plate discipline and zone coverage are continuing to improve with time and once he has that nailed he will be a star in the big leagues.

Chourio will likely be a part of the Opening Day roster and Brewers' fans cannot wait to see him in action. Spring Training will allow him to work alongside the Major league players and face them, with the Spring Breakout giving him the platform to show why he is the second-ranked prospect in baseball.

Rosters for the event will be announced nearer the time and these were just seven Brewers prospects that are must-see in the Spring Breakout. Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Brewers news over the offseason.