Brewers Weekly Prospect Watch: Breakout pitchers rising up the rankings

The Brewers have one of the most loaded farm systems in baseball. Not only are they loaded in talent and potential, they're also playing well, winning ballgames, and several less heralded prospects are breaking out in a big way and moving up the rankings.

Last week, we took a look at the top 10 Brewers prospects and how they have been performing. This week, let's look at some of the breakout prospects, led by a number of pitchers, who are opening eyes and rising up the rankings in this system.

Breakout Brewers prospects continue great performances

Logan Henderson made his home debut for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers this week. On Saturday, he threw 5.2 IP, scattering three hits while striking out 10 with no walks. He's now appeared in six games this season, the last two with Biloxi, and has a 1.23 ERA with 33 strikeouts and just three walks across 22 IP.

Henderson was slowed to start the year with an injury, but since returning to the mound, he's been electric and has moved quickly up the system. Since being drafted in 2021, Henderson has accrued just 114.1 IP in his minors career. Now healthy, his tantalizing talent makes him a top breakout prospect.

Also in Biloxi, Shane Smith continues his breakout and is putting his prospect status on the map. Smith recently moved from the bullpen to the rotation and he's thrived in the role. In his start last Tuesday, Smith went 5.0 IP and allowed just two hits, one run, and struck out five. On the season, his ERA is now down to 3.49.

Moving up to Triple-A Nashville, Chad Patrick has continued to press for a major league promotion. In his last start, Patrick threw 5.2 IP, scattering just four hits, two runs, one walk, with eight strikeouts. Patrick is leading Triple-A in ERA with a 2.86 mark on the year. Over his last eight games, he's struck out 54 batters and has just a 2.08 ERA. Acquired in the Abraham Toro trade, Patrick could be the next pitcher to hear his name called when the Brewers have an opening in the starting rotation.

Down to High-A, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are on the verge of clinching a first half season championship, which would secure them a spot in the Midwest League playoffs at the end of the year. One of the reasons for their success has been Tate Kuehner, a 7th round pick in last year's Draft. Kuehner, like Smith, has moved into a rotation role this year and has thrived. He has a 3.40 ERA on the year with 50 Ks in 39.2 IP. In his start this week against West Michigan, Kuehner threw 5.2 IP, allowing just three hits, one run, two walks, and five Ks.

Also for the Timber Rattlers, former undrafted free agent signing K.C. Hunt is opening a lot of eyeballs with his performance. In 13 appearances across two levels, Hunt has a 1.80 ERA with an astounding 62 Ks to just six BBs in 40 innings. Since being promoted to High-A Wisconsin, Hunt has struck out 30 and walked just two in 21 IP.

Any talk of breakout Brewers prospects this year would be remiss without mentioning Craig Yoho. He finally had a rough outing this week, allowing three earned runs in one inning of work on Friday. That brought his season ERA up to a whopping 1.33. Yoho has tallied 51 strikeouts and just eight walks in 27 IP out of the bullpen. His numbers are some of the best in all of minor league baseball.

Another 2023 Draft pick, Hayden Robinson out of the 14th round, has been electric for the ACL Brewers. In his six appearances, covering 18.2 IP, Robinson has a 2.41 ERA with 28 strikeouts and just seven walks. The Brewers signed Robinson for $347,500 to get him out of his commitment to Nicholls

Other Brewers prospect performances to note

• Cooper Pratt, the Brewers 8th ranked prospect, has continued his domination of the Carolina League. Pratt is still going streaking at the plate, with an active 24 game on base streak, the longest active streak in the league. Over this stretch, Pratt is hitting .380/.448/.457 with four doubles, a homer, and eight stolen bases. On the season now, Pratt has a stellar .310/.409/.404 with 15 stolen bases.

• Yhoswar Garcia has been putting up breakout numbers in Low-A Carolina as well. Released by the Phillies in spring and picked up by the Crew, Garcia is hitting .325/.390/.380 with 26 stolen bases. The speedy 22 year old outfielder is benefitting from a fresh start with a new organization.

• Luke Adams hit a grand slam for High-A Wisconsin on Saturday. It was the corner infielder's sixth homer of the year. Despite hitting just .238 on the season, Adams has a .418 OBP with 18 extra base hits, 37 walks, 46 strikeouts, and 13 stolen bases.