Amid chaos of Brewers-Rays series, Crew's No. 4 prospect debuts and chips in big

The big storyline of the recently concluded Milwaukee Brewers-Tampa Bay Rays series was clearly the umpiring. Between the questionable calls, ejections, benches clearing brawl, and resulting suspensions, it was all any Brewers fan could talk about.

That's all unfortunate because there was a much better storyline that fans should have been talking about from the series instead.

Tyler Black, the Brewers' No. 4 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was called up to the majors for the first time in his professional career prior to Tuesday's game. Owen Miller was optioned to Triple-A to make room for him on the 26-man roster while Wade Miley was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster.

Black was the team's Competitive Balance B pick in the 2021 draft, the same draft that produced Brewers first round pick Sal Frelick. And much like he did in college, all Black has done since then is hit and get on base.

The 23-year-old Black has a career .281/.412/.472 slash line for his minor league career and had been slashing .303/.393/.525 in 25 games at Triple-A Nashville to start the 2024 season. He had a chance to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training but fell short, however most felt it would be just a matter of time before he made his way to The Bigs. Sure enough, that turned out to be true.

After making his MLB debut in the Brewers-Rays series, Tyler Black made an instant impact for the team.

As nice as it would have been to ease him into the majors, Black was pressed into duty quickly. Designated hitter Gary Sanchez pulled a hamstring running to first base in the first inning of Tuesday's game. He would be pulled from the contest and Black would enter for him as a pinch runner.

In the third inning, Black would get his first major league at bat. On the fifth pitch, he'd rip a drive out to center that was just out of outfielder Jose Siri's reach, actually deflecting off of his glove and giving the youngster the first MLB hit of his career, a double.

Two innings later, Black would add a single for his second career hit, again a solid rip to the outfield. This time, he would come around to score as well on a Willy Adames homer. Black would finish the day 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and a well-deserved Gatorade shower.

The following day in the series finale, Black would get the start as the team's first baseman and cleanup hitter. He'd collect one hit, a double once again, before being lifted later in the game for outfielder Joey Wiemer. His final tally would be three hits, two of them doubles, and most importantly two Brewers wins.

Black has every opportunity to stick around for the Brewers. Jake Bauers has not provided much firepower as the backup first baseman and Sanchez is likely facing some time on the injured list. If Black just does what he normally does, hits and gets on base, he'll be just the latest Brewers youngster to stay on the roster for the foreseeable future.