This somewhat under-the-radar Brewers prospect could be prime 2025 breakout candidate

The Milwaukee Brewers have made a living in recent years developing young talent better than almost anyone and using that talent to field a competitive roster every year. Jackson Chourio is the most obvious example, but Brice Turang is another clear argument for this and the organization also correctly identified William Contreras (still no idea how that trade happened) and Joey Ortiz as young talent that could help them in trades.

A lot of that work starts with picking the right players in the MLB Draft. Cooper Pratt was just a sixth round pick and now he is a top prospect knocking at the door of the big leagues and Jacob Misiorowski was a second rounder and now has a chance to be a frontline starter. The list goes on and on the more you look at Milwaukee's talent pipeline. The Brewers just know what they like and get the most out of their guys very often.

However, one name that hasn't gotten much press just yet is 2024 first round pick Braylon Payne. While Payne isn't a household name like some of the Brewers' top prospects at the moment, his skillset is such that he could jump on to people's radars in a hurry.

Brewers' Braylon Payne is a prospect worth keeping a very close eye on

Payne didn't exactly fit the profile of a guy that is normally picked in the middle of the first round of the draft. Most didn't think that he would hit for much power and as a high school bat, the bar is usually very hit for those guys to get consideration that early. However, Milwaukee knows what they are good at developing and as a speedster who likely ends up being a plus defender in center field, he is kind of the quintessential Milwaukee prospect.

However, there may be even more upside with Payne than he had originally gotten credit for. In a short 16 game stint in low-A as his pro debut, Payne slashed .438/.526/.625 with four stolen bases. He may not end up being a masher, but it isn't a stretch to think that he could hit 10-15 homers a year and his elite speed is going to result in a lot of extra base hits if he can keep making contact like that.

Of course, that is a small sample and as a kid drafted right out of high school, Payne is going to have to learn quickly as he faces more advanced pitchers while ascending the minor league ladder. However, it appears as though Payne has all the tools needed to make a lot of noise in 2025 and it is highly likely his current #10 Brewers prospect ranking is going to change for the better in a hurry.

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