Brewers: 5 Top Prospects To Keep A Close Eye On In Spring Training

Brewers Prospect To Watch #2: SS/2B Brice Turang

Many people believed that Brice Turang would get a September call up at the end of last season, including Turang himself. It didn't happen. The Brewers opted to bring up Mitchell instead and while calling up Mitchell was a good move, it's led Turang to come to camp hungry.

The Brewers added Turang to the 40 man roster this offseason and traded incumbent second baseman Kolten Wong away. While Turang is a shortstop by trade, he played all around the diamond last season for Triple-A Nashville. Since Willy Adames is entrenched at shortstop, for now, Turang won't be playing there but there's plenty of open playing time at second base.

However, the Brewers added a lot of competition for Turang in the infield over the offseason. They brought in Abraham Toro in that Wong trade, as well as Owen Miller, and Brian Anderson. Plus there's Luis Urias and Mike Brosseau who were already on the roster that can handle second base duties.

The plan at second base is very much up in the air. One thing working in Turang's favor is that he's a left handed hitter. All the other candidates for time at second base are right handed hitters, with the exception of Toro who is a switch hitter. If the Brewers opt for a platoon to split time, Turang is likely to be a part of it and as a lefty, he'd get the lion's share of the starts.

Turang had the best season of his career to this point in 2022. HIs power ticked up, he set career highs in several categories, including doubles, homers, OPS, batting average, stolen bases, and RBIs. He appears ready to make the jump, but the final step is a strong spring training to prove he's ready. Keep a close eye on him as the spring unfolds.

Brewers Prospect To Watch #3: LHP Robert Gasser

Robert Gasser is the sole remaining original piece of the Josh Hader trade. He was the true prize the Brewers were after in that deal. After acquiring him, he was instantly promoted to Double-A and dominated, earning another promotion to Triple-A a few weeks later.

The Brewers pitching staff is already dealing with injuries as Aaron Ashby and Jason Alexander are out until May. There's enough depth to where Gasser likely won't factor into the Opening Day roster conversation, but that doesn't mean fans shouldn't watch him closely when he pitches.

Gasser is likely to start the season back in Triple-A, but he could be the first name called to fill a spot in the rotation if one opens up due to injury. Ethan Small has been moved to the bullpen and his future likely isn't in the starting rotation anymore. That moves Gasser up the starting pitching depth chart.

Milwaukee targeted Gasser in that Hader deal for a reason. They have shown quite the eye for pitching talent in recent years and if they were willing to do something as unpopular as trading Hader mid-season while in first place to get this guy, they see something special in him.

Watch his stuff this spring. If he's able to show out in spring training, he could find himself in the big leagues sooner than later. Gasser was somewhat struggling with the Padres when the Brewers acquired him and he's been much better since. The pitching lab is right down the hall and if he shows signs of dominance this spring, not only does this bode well for the Brewers pitching staff now and in the future, but it also helps that Hader trade maybe sting a little less.

Brewers Prospect To Watch #4: OF Joey Wiemer

The future in right field for the Brewers belongs to Joey Wiemer. Of the Crew's bevy of outfield prospects, Wiemer is the one best suited to take over right field. He has a bazooka of a throwing arm with 13 outfield assists last season. He's also a classic power bat that fits the offensive profile you want in a corner outfielder.

It just so happens that the Brewers previous power hitting, bazooka throwing right fielder, Hunter Renfroe, was traded away over the offseason. Now that job is up for grabs.

The big league roster has a couple of options. Tyrone Taylor is the favorite to get the job for Opening Day with Brian Anderson splitting some time out there as well. That's about it. The Brewers signed Tyler Naquin a few days ago and he's an experienced right fielder that could crack the roster. Naquin, however, is a short term plug. The long term plan and goal is for Joey Wiemer to take over. How quickly that happens though, is up to Wiemer.

Wiemer broke out in a big way in 2021 and continued to play well in 2022. He dealt with a bit of a slump in Double-A Biloxi though and his strikeout rate was around 30%, which is concerning. Upon his promotion to Triple-A, that strikeout rate was brought down to around 19%, which is much better. Whether he can sustain that lower strikeout rate remains to be seen. With all the noise and movement in Wiemer's swing, there's a good chance he'll have some swing and miss in his game.

If Wiemer starts out hot in spring training, that could push up his timeline to earning a roster spot. He isn't currently on the 40 man roster, but if he just keeps hitting, the Brewers will have no choice but to call him up.

Provided all goes well with his hit tool and cutting down on the strikeouts, the Brewers could have essentially a younger, faster version of Hunter Renfroe. Watch him closely because how he looks in spring training will determine how much more seasoning he'll need in Triple-A before he gets the call.

Brewers prospect to watch #5: RHP Gus Varland

The Brewers made their first Rule 5 Draft selection in several years when they plucked Gus Varland from the Dodgers organization in December. Milwaukee needs to keep him on the big league roster for the entire season or else they will have to return him to the Dodgers. He's fighting for a spot in a crowded bullpen picture.

There are plenty of bullpen spots up for grabs this spring. Departed are mainstays Brent Suter and Brad Boxberger, as well as Taylor Rogers, Trevor Gott, Justin Topa, and Jandel Gustave. While there are several new faces to help replace them, few spots are set in stone.

Milwaukee added several relievers who have big league experience, giving them a leg up over someone like Varland who is fighting to make his MLB debut. But if Varland performs well in camp, he could very easily earn a spot on the roster and force the Brewers to want to keep him around.

There is no return to Triple-A and maybe he'll be ready for a big league job in a month or two with Varland. Spring training is all he has to prove himself worthy of a roster spot this year. That makes every outing count. Every time he steps on the mound, fans should keep a close eye on how he does. If he goes back to the Dodgers, he may not get a chance to crack the big league club given how deep that organization is.

The bullpen battles will be fascinating to watch and there is no reliever with more urgency to perform well in spring than Gus Varland.