Milwaukee Brewers mid-season Top 50 Prospects following the 2024 Trade Deadline

Now that the chaos of the MLB Trade Deadline and the 2024 Draft and signing deadline for draft picks has passed, it's time to update the Brewers prospect rankings.

Most rankings haven't been totally refreshed since the beginning of the season and a lot has changed since that time as the minor league season has unfolded. Some prospects have gone on to have breakout seasons and push their way up the rankings while others have struggled at advanced levels and dropped.

The Brewers have one of the top farm systems in baseball and the results are showing that on the field. Milwaukee's minor league affiliates have a combined winning percentage of .560, which is the highest in all of baseball. High-A Wisconsin and Low-A Carolina have clinched postseason berths already with first half championships.

It's a deep group of prospects. They traded away from it a little bit at the Trade Deadline, sending out Gregory Barrios, Bradley Blalock, and Yujanyer Herrera, all of whom were going to be on this top 50 list. But they also added some new names in the Draft, including Braylon Payne, Blake Burke, and Bryce Meccage. Where do they fall? Let's get into the list.

Brewers Top 50 prospects

50. RHP Coleman Crow

The Brewers acquired Coleman Crow from the Mets as the return for Adrian Houser and Tyrone Taylor. Crow is not pitching in 2024 as he's recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Brewers knew this at the time. He broke out a little bit before the injury and the Brewers are hoping that breakout will prove to be real once he returns to the mound.

49. C Marco Dinges

Dinges was the Brewers 4th round pick in the 2024 Draft out of Florida State. The bat here is solid and he should hit enough to play everyday behind the plate. The question is if he's able to stick defensively at catcher. There's work to do but the Brewers believe he can do it.

48. SS Juan Ortuno

Juan Ortuno has burst onto the scene in the Dominican Summer League this year. After signing for a modest bonus in January out of Venezuela, Ortuno has hit over .350 with 18 stolen bases and more walks than strikeouts. His speed and plate discipline have opened some eyes and put Ortuno on the map.

47. RHP Wenderlyn King

The Crew's Complex League pitcher of the month in June, Wenderlyn King is another pop up prospect from the 2024 international signing class. What stands out most for King is his control at such a young age. King has allowed just four walks in 29.2 IP with 31 strikeouts as he's dominated the DSL.

46. RHP Alexander Cornielle

The 22 year old Cornielle has pitched really well this season at High-A Wisconsin as a starter. His walk rate has continued to drop and he's improved quite a bit in his second year at High-A. The next challenge for Cornielle will be the jump to High-A if he can make it and if his stuff will translate to that higher level.

45. 1B Ernesto Martinez

Ernesto Martinez is one of the most fun players in the organization, standing at 6'6" the first baseman hits for average and has some power and doesn't strike out very much. He's repeating Double-A this year and has been on an absolute tear at the plate. Martinez consistently posts above-average OPS numbers and he has surprising speed for his size, already stealing 16 bases this year. He should be challenged with a Triple-A promotion soon.

44. OF Jose Anderson

A DSL All Star this year, Jose Anderson is another sleeper international signing in 2024 that quickly burst onto the scene. Anderson is one of the league leaders in home runs in the DSL and he's a speed threat on the bases, too. Anderson is a talented all around hitter with big power and defensively he has a strong throwing arm as well.

43. SS Josh Adamczewski

A 15th round draft pick last year, Adamczewski was one of the Crew's top hitters in the Arizona Complex League before earning a promotion to Low-A Carolina. Adamczewski is a solid defender at short and an on-base machine with the potential for more power to come. It's early and he's a long ways out, but the low strikeout totals and early success are a great sign of things to come and future rises up the prospect list.

42. OF Yhoswar Garcia

The Brewers picked up the 22 year old Garcia after he was released following a couple mediocre seasons in the Phillies organization. Since joining Low-A Carolina, all Garcia has done is rake. He's hitting near. 300 with more extra base pop this year and has already broken the Mudcats single season stolen base record.

41. RHP Manuel Rodriguez

The 18 year old Rodriguez has steadily climbed through the system, getting better every single season. Rodriguez isn't a hard thrower, but he knows how to pitch and fill up the zone. Through his first 16 starts this season, Rodriguez has allowed just nine walks to 71 strikeouts. He gets good spin rates and is a projectable arm for the Brewers pitching lab to work with.

40. RHP KC Hunt

An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State last year, Hunt has blossomed this season. He started the year in the bullpen but made a seamless transition to the rotation after being promoted to High-A Wisconsin. Through 19 appearances, Hunt has a 1.95 ERA with a whopping 100 strikeouts in 69.1 IP with just 16 walks allowed. The Brewers just promoted Hunt to Double-A.

39. LHP Mark Manfredi

Manfredi was the Crew's 9th rounder in 2023, a senior sign with a chance to move quickly. He's also in High-A Wisconsin and was in the rotation but has recently transitioned back to the bullpen. A role as a lefty reliever in a big league bullpen is the likely outcome here and he could reach it fairly soon.

38. RHP Justin Yeager

The third piece the Brewers acquired in the William Contreras trade, Yeager missed most of last season due to an injury. Yeager has largely been the closer for Double-A Biloxi, tallying 13 saves so far and posting stellar strikeout to walk ratios. Yeager could soon put himself on the periphery of the big league bullpen.

37. LHP Tate Kuehner

Kuehner recently received a promotion to Double-A Biloxi after a surprisingly strong run as a starter in High-A. He posted a 2.75 ERA in 16 outings for Wisconsin. Kuehner misses bats and his long term home is likely in the bullpen but the Brewers will develop him as a starter until he proves can't anymore. He's already moved quickly and could be a big league option next year.

36. SS Jorge Quintana

Quintana was the crown jewel of the Brewers 2024 international signing class. He hasn't had the greatest first season in pro ball down in the DSL, but he's still showing a bit of that power-speed combo that led the Brewers to sign him for $1.7MM.

35. OF Carlos D. Rodriguez

Always an on-base machine, Rodriguez is known for his high contact rate, albeit with very little power. He has a career high home run output this season with four. His walk numbers keep trending up and Rodriguez has solid speed and fits the profile of a table-setting leadoff hitter. Cracking the big league outfield in Milwaukee will be difficult, but he just earned a promotion to Triple-A Nashville.

34. SS Luis Pena

A breakout star in the DSL, Pena received the third highest bonus in the Brewers international signing class this year. All he's done is hit nearly .400 on the year with an OPS over 1.000 and 35 stolen bases. He has more doubles (13) than strikeouts (12). Pena could be the next Brewers international signing to skip the ACL next year and go straight to Low-A like Yophery Rodriguez, Luis Lara, and Jackson Chourio before him.

33. 2B/OF Isaac Collins

A minor league Rule 5 pick a few years ago, Isaac Collins just puts up good numbers. He's in Triple-A and has an .832 OPS with 10 homers and 19 stolen bases. Collins is a switch hitter and can play multiple positions. The issue is that shortstop is not one of those positions, which limits his potential to be a big league utility option.

32. SS Eric Brown Jr

It's been a struggle for Brown since the Brewers took him in the 1st round in 2022. He dealt with injuries last year and now poor performance this year in Double-A. It's a big fall for Brown in the rankings, but he looked much better in July and if that mid-season turnaround sticks and he keeps hitting well to end the year, Brown can salvage his stock.

31. RHP Ryan Birchard

A 5th rounder last year, Birchard has shown great stuff and improvement since the Draft. He missed a good chunk of time with an injury this season. Birchard throws hard and has a nasty arsenal that has only improved since getting in the Brewers pitching development program.

30. RHP Yorman Galindez

Yorman Galindez was having a breakout season in Low-A Carolina, pitching to a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts with 64 strikeouts in 40.1 IP. Unfortunately, on July 1st, Galindez was placed on the full season injured list. He's been improving every year, even though the walks are still a bit high. There's hope that once he returns to the mound, that he can continue that upward trend.

29. RHP Chad Patrick

Chad Patrick came over in the Abraham Toro trade last offseason and he's been arguably the best starting pitcher in Triple-A this year. He's striking out nearly a batter per inning with a low walk rate and sub-3.00 ERA. Patrick is Rule 5 eligible this offseason and is making a strong case to be added to the 40 man if he's not called up before then.

28. C Matthew Wood

A 4th round pick a few years ago out of Penn State, Wood has been a solid contributor with the bat while developing behind the plate. Wood has spent this season at High-A Wisconsin, putting up good, albeit not eye-popping numbers. He looks to be trending more towards being a backup catcher at the big leagues unless that bat can take a little more of a jump.

27. RHP Bishop Letson

An 11th rounder out of high school last year, the Brewers convinced Letson to forgo college and that decision is looking good so far for both sides. He's put up strong numbers in Low-A Carolina in his first professional season. Letson is a long ways away as a young, projectable arm, but he's doing nothing to disprove the idea that he can stick as a starter.

26. RHP Brett Wichrowski

Wichrowski has gone from a forgettable, small school Day 3 Draft pick last year to a breakout pitching prospect with elite velocity. His fastball has ticked up from mid-90s to upper-90s, flashing 100 MPH at times with a wipeout slider to go with it. He has a full four pitch mix and could stick as a starter, but there's reliever risk here.

25. SS Juan Baez

If you like hitters who make contact, Juan Baez is your guy. In his first 263 plate appearances this year, Baez has just 19 strikeouts. Baez has more gap power than home run power. On the optimistic end of the scale, the comps for Baez would be a Luis Arraez or Steven Kwan type of offensive profile.

24. RHP Shane Smith

Shane Smith is a pop up prospect this year who has shown a real indication that he could be the next big league success story for the Brewers. The 24 year old was a UDFA out of Wake Forest in 2021 and he transitioned from the bullpen to the rotation this year with great results. Smith could find himself in the big leagues soon and he's Rule 5 eligible this winter.

23. 1B Blake Burke

The Brewers CB-A selection in the 2024 Draft, Blake Burke helped lead Tennessee to a College World Series title. Burke has power, hitting ability, and the ability to move quickly through the system. Burke is a left handed power bat that should thrive in American Family Field. It's a first base only profile though so a lot of pressure will be on the bat.

22. 1B Wes Clarke

Wes Clarke is similar to Burke as a power bat that's likely limited to just first base, except Clarke is right handed and further along in his development. Clarke has held his own in Triple-A with solid numbers and his proximity to the big leagues gives him a leg up over Burke in these rankings. Strikeouts are a concern here.

21. SS Jesus Made

While Made signed for the second-highest bonus in the Brewers 2024 international class, he's made the largest impact without a doubt. Made has won Complex League player of the month for the Brewers in both June and July, his OPS is over 1.000, he's hitting for power, average, and has tons of speed. Made could even skip the ACL next season and be on the fast track.

20. SS Filippo Di Turi

One of the top signings in the 2023 international class, Di Turi has moved quickly, joining Yophery Rodriguez in Low-A Carolina this season. Di Turi spent a month in the ACL, dominating the league, and hasn't been quite as good since the move to Low-A, but at just 18 years old, he's shown great skill and a high ceiling.

19. RHP Bryce Meccage

Bryce Meccage was the big over-slot signing the Brewers centered their 2024 Draft around. Meccage has top of the rotation upside which should see him climb these rankings as time goes on, but as a high school right hander, the risk is extremely high here. He'll spend the fall in instructional league and make his official professional debut next season.

18. INF Jadher Areinamo

Areinamo is putting up big numbers at High-A Wisconsin this year. His power has ticked up without coming at the expense of his on-base ability, slugging a career high nine homers so far with a .358 OBP. Areinamo can play three infield spots and could have a future as a utility infielder in Milwaukee and if that bat keeps up this performance, perhaps even a starting job, likely at second base.

17. RHP Josh Knoth

Knoth is a year ahead of Meccage as a cold weather high school righty. Knoth has a mid-4.00 ERA with Low-A Carolina. He's another long-term projectable arm that could have top of the rotation upside but there's a long way to go in his development. The important thing is he's been healthy and he's largely been solid in his first pro season.

16. 3B/OF Luke Adams

Adams won the Brewers minor league player of the month for July and he's been a fun name to watch. A 12th round pick back in 2022, Adams combines power (27 XBH this year) and plate discipline (.452 OBP, 70 walks). He's also drawn 31 hit by pitches. Despite being 6'4", Adams has speed, too, with 28 stolen bases through August 6th.

15. 3B Eric Bitonti

Eric Bitonti was one of the crown jewels of the 2023 Brewers Draft. He's a bit further behind Cooper Pratt as a hitter, but the power is definitely there. Bitonti's future is at the hot corner as a left handed power bat. Strikeouts are a concern, but they haven't negatively impacted his performance yet. He was a standout hitter in the ACL before earning a promotion to Low-A.

14. OF Luis Lara

Luis Lara is a gifted switch hitter that has moved quickly through the system, reaching High-A last year as an 18 year old. This year, at age 19, Lara's numbers have regressed a bit while continuing at High-A. He doesn't slug much, profiling as a top of the order hitter with speed. He's been a victim of some bad luck with just a .278 BABIP this year.

13. OF Braylon Payne

This is where the Brewers 1st round pick from the 2024 Draft slots in for his first Brewers prospects rankings. Payne is toolsy and athletic, but raw as a hitter. There could be some power to come, the hit tool needs to develop more, but the speed is already elite. Payne will take some time and there is five tool upside here, but there's a large gap between the floor and ceiling with Payne.

12. 2B/OF Dylan O'Rae

Similar to Payne and Lara, Dylan O'Rae is a hit-over-power player with great on-base skills and speed to burn. O'Rae is further along than both, having already reached Double-A. O'Rae has 51 stolen bases so far with a .385 OBP. O'Rae can play both second base and centerfield. He shows good plate discipline and swing decisions as well.

11. RHP Craig Yoho

The highest riser this year, Craig Yoho has now advanced three levels this season, starting in High-A and reaching Triple-A. The 24 year old was an 8th round pick in last year's Draft and could reach the big league bullpen before the season is over. He has a 0.83 ERA through the first two levels with a whopping 83 strikeouts in 43.1 IP. The next nasty Brewers bullpen arm is almost here and his name is Craig Yoho.

5. 3B Brock Wilken

Brock Wilken has been as advertised in his first full professional season. The Crew's 2023 first round pick has huge raw power, slugging 14 homers so far in Double-A Biloxi. Wilken is sticking at third base so far and while there are some concerns with strikeouts and the hit tool, Wilken is never going to hit for a high average, but he's hitting enough to tap into his power so far.

4. SS Cooper Pratt

A high riser in 2024, Cooper Pratt was a first round talent in the 2023 Draft that the Brewers snagged in the 6th round for an over-slot bonus. Tall and strong, Pratt has shown the ability to stick at shortstop and provide a ton of thump with the bat. Pratt went on a 35 game on-base streak earlier this year, was named to the All Star Futures Game, and has reached Top 100 prospect status. While his home run power is still developing, Pratt is looking every bit the five tool shortstop the Brewers envisioned when they drafted him a year ago.

3. RHP Jacob Misiorowski

The Brewers top pitching prospect is Jacob Misiorowski. So far sticking as a starter, Misiorowski has some of the best pure stuff in the minors that could play in the big league bullpen right now. Milwaukee intends to keep him as a starter for now, but upon his recent promotion to Triple-A he will pitch in shorter stints to help prepare him for a possible late 2024 call up to the majors. He could return to the rotation in 2025 or he has upside as a right-handed Josh Hader type reliever.

2. 1B Tyler Black

Black has gotten some short looks in the majors this year but the lack of a clear path to playing time has left him in Triple-A, where he continues to rake. Black has started to see some time in the outfield as well as the corner infield spots. He projects as an above-average hitter with speed but limited pop. His lack of a premium defensive home leaves him just below the top spot.

1. C Jeferson Quero

Despite Quero injuring his shoulder on Opening Day, he sits in the top spot on this prospect list. An elite defender behind the plate with an above-average bat, Quero has all the makings of a future starting catcher with All Star potential. Provided his throwing arm returns to its elite status following shoulder surgery, Quero can be the backup to William Contreras in 2025 and the heir apparent to him. He'll likely need more ABs at Triple-A before he gets called up, though.