Time for a top prospect? It should be Tyler Black time for the Milwaukee Brewers

There's no reason to wait any longer. It is time for the Milwaukee Brewers to call up Tyler Black.

Brewers Player Development tweeted out a video on Wednesday that over his last eight games, Tyler Black is has a .525 on base percentage an .818 slugging percentage for a 1.343 OPS. These numbers Tyler Black is putting up lately are just absurd.

Tyler Black was a bit of a longshot to make the Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day roster, despite some of us at Reviewing the Brew desiring to see him on the roster over Jake Bauers. The time is now to correct this injustice and swap the two.

What are the Milwaukee Brewers missing from Jake Bauers?

To be fair to Jake Bauers, he is playing very good defense at first base. He's had 90 total chances at first base, has committed only one error so far in 2024, and has helped the Milwaukee Brewers' infielders by making some impressive scoops.

However, the Milwaukee Brewers need more from Jake Bauers at the plate. In Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates he did deliver an RBI single, however, the night before he pinch hit for Owen Miller with the bases loaded and one out and struck out. In 2024 Bauers has 17 strikeouts in 46 at bats, a very high 34.7 percent of his at bats.

Bauers strikeout percentage in 2023 was 34.9 percent, however, what has changed is his power, or current lack thereof. In 2023, Bauers' home run percentage was 4.4, in 2024 it's 2.0. In 2023, his hard hit percentage was 48.7, in 2024 it's 34.5. The Milwaukee Brewers are simply not getting enough from Bauers at the plate.

What would Tyler Black do for the Milwaukee Brewers?

Starting on the defensive side of the ball like I did for Bauers, Tyler Black isn't a slouch. Comparing the 92 innings that Jake Bauers has played at first base so far in 2024, Black has played 115.2 at first base at AAA Nashville and has one error, same as Bauers in 23.2 innings more work.

As an added defensive bonus, Tyler Black carries the ability to play third base as well, should the Brewers be interested in having another option, the added versatility is just a cherry on top of what Tyler Black would do for the team.

At the plate is where Tyler Black really shines, so far in 2024, Tyler Black is batting .316, which is nearly double Jake Bauers .176 average. Tyler Black also gets on base at a crazy high rate, Black has been part of the revolution of draft picks by the Brewers since 2021 that are targeting high on base players with speed. Black gets on base at a .423 rate, 16th best in Minor League Baseball.

Tyler Black, not necessarily known for his power, has hit three home runs so far in 2024, but adds in great speed to take extra bases, Black even has more triples than doubles. Black has doubled once and tripled three times already this year, tied for the league lead in the International League and giving him a very solid .519 slugging percentage on the year and a .942 OPS.

In his minor league career, Tyler Black has struck out 188 times and drawn 172 walks, nearly an even amount of walks and strikeouts, which would solve another problem the Milwaukee Brewers have with Jake Bauers.

Lastly, what may be the most exciting thing about Tyler Black is his speed and ability to steal bases. Last season between AA Biloxi and AAA Nashville, Black stole 55 bases. Imagine adding another player to this current Milwaukee Brewers team that can steal bases as Brice Turang is doing so far this year. Tyler Black can defend, is more versatile positionally, hits more, gets on base more, strikes out less and can add even more speed to this Brewers team.

The Milwaukee Brewers are already using their speed to help manufacture runs, add a guy to the major league club who already ranks 3rd in all of baseball in stolen bases without sacrificing any of the guys who have helped contribute to that number.

It is Tyler Black time for the Milwaukee Brewers.