Top 5 Prospects for 2015: Milwaukee Brewers
This 30-part series will look at the projected Top 5 freshman contributors for each big league club for the year ahead. The rankings take into consideration a mixture of ceiling, readiness and potential playing time allocation, which is to say some players with lower ceilings may be ranked ahead of others with higher ceilings because they project to have a greater impact in the coming season.
In a Nutshell: The Brewers enter 2014 with few question marks in the field and a strong starting rotation. However, no team has too much pitching, so there’s always a need there… and the bullpen is a potential weaknesses.
1. Taylor Jungmann, RHP: Jungmann is an underrated pitcher because he doesn’t throw as hard as he once did and because he prefers to put the ball in play (on the ground) rather than chase the “sexier” out via the whiff. With that said, the right-hander out of Texas did see a significant spike in his K-rate in 2014 (while maintaining his strong GB rate) thanks to a change in approach (including pitching more off his fastball). The strong-bodied Jungmann has a chance to be a mid-rotation workhorse for the Brewers beginning in 2015.
2. Kyle Wren, OF: The Brewers obtained Wren for a song and he could end being a steal for a club low on upper-level talent. If he continues to hit in Triple-A during the early part of 2015 it could allow the club to seek salary relief with a trade of Gerardo Parra to fill a more pressing need. The outfield prospect should provide a decent bat, good defense and speed.
3. David Goforth, RHP: Goforth finally took to full-time relieving in 2014 and he enjoyed a solid season in Double-A. His fastball has some giddy-up to it but he doesn’t strike out many batters, preferring instead to put the ball in play (and often on the ground). As a result, he’s more suited to set-up duties than the closer’s role. With current question marks in the bullpen, Goforth should be considered a dark-horse candidate to win a role in spring training.
4. Orlando Arcia, SS: Back in 2013, Jean Segura looked like the shortstop of the present and future in Milwaukee. However, a down year in 2013 has taken some of the shine of the young infielder, which could eventually open the door for Arcia — an absolute wizard with the glove. Along with his ‘D,’ he also shows the ability to put the ball in play (perhaps suggesting he could be a solid No. 2 hitter in the future) and he has some speed after nabbing more than 30 bases in 2014.
5. Tyler Wagner, RHP: A closer in college, Wagner has taken to starting in pro ball like a duck to water and he’ll open 2015 in Double-A. He should continue to move quickly with improved control to go along with a solid three-pitch repertoire and a ground-ball-heavy approach. You don’t hear much about this hurler but that could chance in 2015.
Marc Hulet has been writing at FanGraphs since 2008. His work focuses on prospects and fantasy. Follow him on Twitter @marchulet.
Just a correction on Segura, 2013 was his All Star year. 2014 (last season) was his down year.
Yikes, an almost 25 year old with bad command and at best average stuff is #1. Me likey.
Yeah, the Brewers aren’t going to get much value from rookies this year. Although I think 26 year-old Jason Rogers has the best chance for some impact as the right-handed platoon partner with Adam Lind, which is likely but could possibly be replaced by Lucroy who might play first against lefties.
Well, he makes Charlie Morton look like a fly ball pitcher and has about a K per inning. If he tames the BB rate a bit, he’ll be another in a long line of mediocre to “non-prospects” to perform beyond the clique’s expectations.
Considering ChazMo leads all of MLB in grounball rate over the last 3 years combined, I’m gonna guess Jungmann won’t outperform him in this area.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Jungmann does decidedly. I guess it depends on whether “Chazmo” ever pitches regularly or effectively again and whether last season was an outlier given that his GB/FB wasn’t that high.
Of course Jungmann has to continue to do it “with at best average stuff.”
OK, you go right ahead and believe that Jungmann will be the best ground ball pitcher in baseball. We shall see.
Well, what I said was that he would be better than “Chazmo.”
And ChazMo leads MLB in ground ball %. Zips disagrees with your projection.
Does Jungmann really prefer to put the ball in play or is he just hittable? Me thinks he’s hittable
The Wren to replace Parra is sensible, but if they’re competitive it would be out of character for Melvin. If Hector Gomez makes the squad, he’ll be BU SS. Hitting will decide, but another plus defender and recent 40 man add, Yadiel Rivera would be more likely I think.
I could see a nice season from Jason Rogers, but I get a vibe he won’t get a shot.
In the bullpen, it’ll depend on who is doing well, like Ely. I think if they can get Hellweg or Pena up to the majors in the bullpen, they’ll do it even if they hope to convert them back to starter later.
I think Jungmann and Wagner are next in line as starters so injuries or a sell off at the deadline are the scenarios I can think of.
Segura is incredibly athletic, but doesn’t really hit balls hard. During that first half of 2013 he looked like a player with inflated numbers. He looks more like a .240 hitter than a .300 hitter.
Let’s not forget that Segura had to deal with the emotionally trying illness and death of his young son during the season.
no love for clint coutler? former first round pick and current catcher who hit 22 bombs in A ball at age 20. I think on potential alone he belongs in the top 5. even if he cant stick at catcher that power plays in corner outfield in todays MLB
This is 2015 MLB rankings only.