What are the Milwaukee Brewers doing at the corners? First Base Edition

Who will start at first base for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024: Prospects

The Milwaukee Brewers have two players who could be options for the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day should they agree that Jake Bauers and Owen Miller are not the guys for the job.

First is Tyler Black, a very highly regarded prospect in the Brewers farm system, listed currently as their #4 prospect. Last year between AA and AAA Tyler Black slashed .284/.417/.513, equating to a .930 OPS. In that time, Black hit 18 home runs and stole 55 bases. Tyler Black should absolutely be in the conversation to start at first base. He also is in the conversation at third base, another position of need.

There were rumors before the Milwaukee Brewers traded for Carlos Santana that they were considering calling up Tyler Black to play first base. Black played 16 games at first base between the Biloxi Shuckers and Nashville Sounds in 2023, 137.2 total innings. In those innings Black posted a .993 fielding percentage at first base, a respectable number that makes him an option.

The other prospect that the Brewers could consider is Wes Clarke. Clarke is the Milwaukee Brewers #30 prospect. In 2023 his slash numbers were .241/.392/.498 totaling an .890 OPS. Clarke plain and simple, hits dingers, he tallied 26 home runs in 2023 and another five in 21 games in the Arizona Fall League. For his efforts, Clarke was recognized by being named an Arizona Fall League Rising Star.

Wes Clarke has played 104 minor league games at first base at a .990 fielding percentage, so he doesn't seem to be a better option than Tyler Black.

Wes Clarke may not be ready to make the jump to the big leagues after spending all of last year in AA, however, should his services be needed, it is worth noting that Wes Clarke can also play catcher, so should the Brewers find themselves in need of some first base and catching help, Wes Clarke could be a one man solution.