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.

The Top 5 Freshman for 2015

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.