ESPN’s Keith Law puts six Milwaukee Brewers on his top-100 prospect list

Well, the top 100s just keep on rolling! Over the last two days, Keith Law has released his top 100 MLB prospects in two lists (blocked by the ESPN Insider paywall). He leads off with a prospect I know is going to excited Brewers fans:

24. Corbin Burnes, RHP
32. Lewis Brinson, OF
35. Keston Hiura, 2B
66. Lucas Erceg, 3B
85. Monte Harrison, OF
93. Brandon Woodruff, RHP

Starting with the prospect the Brewers community is very excited about: Corbin Burnes. Keith Law is as high on Burnes as anyone in the prospect evaluation community. To direct quote him, “He has the command of a finesse guy, but the stuff of a No. 2 starter.” Law goes on to say that Burnes has a plus fastball, plus changeup and an above-average slider. Really, the three paragraphs are nothing but compliments for the Brewers righty.

Next is Lewis Brinson and Law also has something to say about Lew that no one else has said about the Brewers prospect: he has 80 raw power. That means, if Brinson were ever to actualize his power potential, you’re looking at Joey Gallo power. Law later walks some of those statements back to give a profile that looks like Mike Cameron - plus defense, 25 homer power, with slightly low average.

Law advertises Hiura as a Dustin Ackley-esque prospect. Not that good a comp, but Law says Hiura’s long history of hitting makes it more likely he will actually succeed in the majors. His other comments are status quo for the Brewers’ first-round draft pick: great bat, defensive questions.

Another prospect Law is high on is third baseman, Lucas Erceg. Law gives Erceg plus defensive grades, only knocking his propensity to try to be too aggressive on the field. Despite a rough start to the season, Law says Erceg’s second-half success shows the righty can make hard contact and has great potential to be a doubles machine.

Law gives Monte Harrison a direct Mike Cameron comp. The young outfielder gets plusses for his defense and power but knocks for instincts. Law credits him for being able to cut down on strikeouts but cites a bit of swing and miss that still exists in his game, along with bad instincts in the outfield and on the base paths.

Finally, Woodruff is graded as a fourth starter with average stuff who should be able to pitch above that level due to his velocity. Law also gives Woodruff points for a repeatable delivery and the attitude to attack hitters on the mound.

The changes from last year? Corey Ray (34), Isan Diaz (41), Trent Grisham (67) and Luis Ortiz (79) were all ranked by Law last year. So, maybe don’t get too excited about guys being put particularly high on this list as it changes quickly based on results.