Brewers Weekly Prospect Watch: Checking in on the top 10 prospects

2. Jeferson Quero - C

When he was added to the 40-man roster last offseason, many Brewers fans hoped they'd get to see another rookie debut in 2024 in the form of catcher Jeferson Quero. Unfortunately, just like for so many other Milwaukee players, the injury bug had a different plan.

Quero suffered a shoulder injury on the basepaths in his very first career game for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds this season. The result was season-ending surgery, meaning fans will have to wait until at least 2025 for his MLB debut.

3. Tyler Black - 1B/3B

Though he didn't win a spot on the MLB roster out of spring training, most felt it would only be a matter of time before corner infielder Tyler Black would be added to the Brewers roster. Those people would have been right.

Black was added to the Milwaukee roster on April 30th and made his debut that same day, going 2-for-4 with a double. He would play in six more games and tally three more hits, ultimately giving himself a .227/.261/.318 slash line before heading back down to the minors.

The 23-year-old already has little left to prove in the minors. After making his way to Triple-A in 2023, he's excelling there again in 2024 with a .284/.384/.497 slash line with four doubles, four triples, and nine homers. He'll almost certainly get another crack at the majors this year and at some point will end up sticking for good.

4. Robert Gasser - LHP

Another prospect who didn't make the team out of camp but was expected to contribute quickly, pitcher Robert Gasser was called upon to help a battered starting rotation in early May. He was an instant success, starting five games and pitching to the tune of a 2.57 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.

In what has been the story of the Brewers season so far, Gasser felt off after his most recent start and had his pitching arm looked at. While he is still in the process of seeking a third medical opinion, things aren't looking good, to the point that Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy fears the southpaw may be lost for the rest of the year.

5. Brock Wilken - 3B

After a strong start to his professional career in 2023 that saw him jump all the way to Double-A in less than two months, 2024 did not get off to as fun of a start for third baseman Brock Wilken. Just five games into this season, last year's 18th overall pick was hit in the face by a pitch and immediately headed to the injured list.

Considering the nature of the injury, it's lucky that Wilken ended up missing less than a month, but it still caused him to miss some valuable playing time. Back in the full swing of things, the 21-year-old hasn't been quite as hot as last year, slashing .227/.297/.371 with seven doubles and four homers in 35 games. Things have looked a little better in June with hits in four of seven games so hopefully the breakout is right around the corner.

6. Carlos F. Rodriguez - RHP

Reaching Triple-A for the first time in his career to begin 2024, Brewers pitching prospect and potential starting pitching depth piece Carlos Rodriguez struggled at first in his new home. In six starts through the end of April, the righty was sitting with a 8.13 ERA and had given up three or more runs in every one of his starts.

Apparently a turn of the page on the calendar was all he needed because in his next six starts, he would give up three or fewer in all of them, dropping his ERA on the season to 5.17. That was apparently exactly what the team needed to see as it has been reported he will make his first career MLB start with the Brewers on Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

7. Luis Lara - OF

One of the best stories of the minor league season for the Brewers in 2023 was that of outfielder Luis Lara. The then 18-year-old hit affiliated ball for the first time, playing for both Carolina and Wisconsin and combining to hit .286 with a .732 OPS in 87 games.

Lara has begun this season back with Wisconsin and while his numbers are down a little from last year, it's not by much and still good for a player his age at a .259/.346/.323 slash line in 42 games. His strikeout rate and defense have still stayed in a good spot so there's not much to be concerned about, he just needs time to continue to develop.

8. Cooper Pratt - SS

The Brewers made it their mission to sign shortstop Cooper Pratt away from his college commitment when they drafted him in the sixth round last summer. They were successful and it's already looking like a match made in heaven.

Pratt is getting his first taste of affiliated ball with Carolina in 2024 and is already giving pitchers fits. He is slashing an impressive .291/.398/.397 with six doubles, two triples, and two homers while also stealing 13 bases in 14 attempts, all at just 19 years old.

9. Yophery Rodriguez - OF

The prize of the 2022-23 international signing class, outfielder Yophery Rodriguez is also in Carolina for the first time in his career and is even younger than Pratt at 18 years old. And like his teammate, Rodriguez has been a terror at the plate.

The youngster has slashed .265/.361/.444 in 51 games with plenty of extra base hits - 11 doubles, six triples, and four homers. His doubles and triples, as well as his 35 RBIs, all lead the Mudcats for the season. As if the future of the Brewers outfield wasn't bright enough.

10. Eric Brown Jr. - SS

The Brewers' first-round pick back in 2022, shortstop Eric Brown Jr. has been hit with nagging injuries throughout his minor league career but has still managed to make it up to the Double-A level. Unfortunately, 2024 hasn't been going his way at all.

Brown Jr. has slashed a lowly .156/.229/.214 in 40 games and has six doubles to go with a lone home run. He has continued to provide stellar defense at both the shortstop and second base positions, but that will only matter so much if he doesn't figure out what's ailing him at the plate.