Brewers: 3 New Players Join Updated MLB Pipeline Top 30 Prospects List

Over the past few seasons, the Milwaukee Brewers have done a great job at drafting experienced college players. They also have had international signees such as Jackson Chourio and Jefferson Quero start to blossom. This has led to a lot of excitement surrounding Brewers prospects and a handful of them are now close to making their MLB debuts.

That said, as we approach the start of the 2023 season, MLB pipeline has updated the Brewers Top 30 prospects list. There are three players new to the top 30 prospects list who several fans may not know about. In this article, we will provide some further background information on each of these prospects.

Here are the three new prospects who joined MLB Pipeline's Top 30 Prospects list to start 2023.

New top 30 Brewers prospect #1: INF Jadher Areinamo

Jadher Areinamo signed with the Brewers out of Venezuela and is entering the 2023 season as the 22nd ranked prospect. The 19-year-old was an Arizona League Complex postseason All-Star in 2022. In 34 games, he slashed .323/.416/.472 and walked exactly the same amount of times as he struck out (19 each).

Areinamo then was promoted to Low-A Carolina where in 28 games he continued to put up solid numbers. During that time, he hit for a .299 batting average and had a .373 OBP. He walked nine times and struck out in just 14 at-bats.

Areinamo actually had a quick cup of coffee at High-A Wisconsin as well as a part of his 2022 season, though for just seven games. Defensively, he has experience at second base, shortstop, and third base. In the long term, he currently projects best as a second basemen due average arm strength.

New top 30 Brewers prospect #2: RHP Gus Varland

26-year-old pitcher Gus Varland was selected by the Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft in November. This means that in order to remain with Milwaukee, he has to stay on the 26-man roster all season. He most recently was in the Dodgers organization.

Last year, Varland made the switch from starting pitcher to reliever. Once he started working out of the bullpen, his velocity and strikeout numbers rose. Over his last 14 appearances in 2022, he struck out 31 batters in 18.1 innings pitched. 

The Brewers brought in a lot of new players this offseason that are currently competing for spots in the bullpen. Varland, the 27th ranked prospect, is one of them. It will be interesting to see if this Rule 5 Draft selection makes the team or not.

New top 30 Brewers prospect #3: OF Jace Avina

Jace Avina is entering the 2023 season as the Brewers' 28th ranked prospect. The 19-year-old right-hander elected to sign with the Brewers after being drafted in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB draft. He has a ton of raw power but the biggest question going forward will be strikeouts.

In 64 total games last season, Avina mashed 15 home runs. His 10 long balls at the Arizona Complex League earned him MVP honors. He then went on to hit five more as a member of the Carolina Mudcats. The only downfall is that he struck out 35% of the time last year.

As a defender, Avina is very fast and could stick in center field. He also has a very strong throwing arm, which would make him a suitable right fielder as well. Regardless of where he ends up, his bat and power ability is his calling card but more focus on contact should be a point of emphasis going forward.

Hopefully the two teenagers in Areinamo and Avina can have great 2023 seasons in the Brewers minor league system and move their way farther up the top 30. The same goes for Varland in the major leagues, who could then graduate the top 30 as quickly as he entered it.