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With the All-Star break approaching, the prospect gurus are starting to take a look back at their preseason lists and make some mid-year adjustments.
Baseball Prospectus kicked off re-ranking season this morning with their Midseason Top 50 prospects. When they did their full Top 101 list in the offseason, the Brewers placed 7 -- behind only Atlanta (8) and the New York Yankees (9) -- with three players in the Top 50 (Lewis Brinson, Josh Hader and Corey Ray).
In the midseason list -- which doesn't include 2017 draft picks or international signings and prospects in the majors -- the Brewers have two names represented: Brinson (10th) and infielder Isan Diaz (38th).
BP is still a fan of Brinson's athleticism, dreaming big on his potential plus defense and combination of speed and power. However, his short stint in the majors this year when he struck out in 37.1% of his plate appearances showed he has some holes in his game, and the folks at BP say that shows it could be a few years before he puts it all together at the major league level. They do give him credit for constantly working on his swing and making adjustments when necessary, though.
If there's a surprise, it might be Diaz jumping more than 20 spots after ranking 59th on the preseason list. They give the 20-year-old credit for an advanced approach at the plate (especially with his tendency to shorten his swing against lefties to add contact) and a tantalizing combination of above-average hit and power tools. Still, the jury is out on his ability to play shortstop long-term and he tends to strike out a lot overall. BP isn't sold on his ability to hit for enough power to be what they call a "true Three True Outcomes player."
Hader wasn't included in this list due to currently being on the big league club, while Ray fell out of the Top 50 after starting the year ranked 41st in the Top 101. Ray is currently carrying a sub-.700 OPS in the extremely pitcher-friendly Carolina League.
In terms of other teams, the Braves still seem to have the best system in baseball in the eyes of Baseball Prospectus, with 5 names listed in the Top 50. The Yankees have 3. Yoan Moncada of the White Sox, Amed Rosario of the Mets and Francisco Mejia of the Indians -- who was in last year's nixed deal for Jonathan Lucroy -- are the top three ranked players on the midseason list.