Baseball America releases top-10 Milwaukee Brewers prospect list

Baseball America has released its Top 10 Milwaukee Brewers prospects list for the 2019 season:

1. Keston Hiura, 2B
2. Corbin Burnes, RHP
3. Corey Ray, OF
4. Brice Turang, SS
5. Zack Brown, RHP
6. Mauricio Dubon, SS
7. Tristen Lutz, OF
8. Lucas Erceg, 3B
9. Joe Gray, OF
10. Jacob Nottingham, C

Possibly the most shocking portion of this list is Corbin Burnes coming in at number two. Yes, Burnes is technically rookie eligible, it hardly feels like he is a prospect anymore given his experience. Still, there’s no fighting his ranking.

We can speed past Keston Hiura at this point. All Brewers fans know that the Crew’s best prospect has a wonderful bat and OK defense. This rating is no different, if nothing else, validating every other ranking before this point.

Burnes’ report lauds the righty’s four-pitch repertoire and mound presence. While we saw a lot of his fastball and slider and last season, Baseball America’s report reminds us that Burnes also has a solid change up and curveball. That mix and his command should make him a sure-fire number three.

Ray gets a good grade for his power ability; however, he gets knocked for his worrisome strikeout tendency. Still, the power is real and Ray has the plus speed to play above-average defense and steal a ton of bags.

Baseball America predicts that 2018 first round pick Brice Turang will make his full season debut at Wisconsin this season. Turang gets plus grades on his speed and average skills throughout. His defense is solid but he likely won’t be a substantial power hitter.

The report on Brown gives him points for his average fastball and consistently improving curveball. Brown has a solid three pitches and is liked by the Crew’s system.

Starting the bottom five, Dubon is a speedy threat who can play average ball in the field. His contact rate is solid enough that his lack of patience and power at the plate aren’t detractors.

Tristen Lutz is given points for his 5-tool profile. His power is the most exciting tool he possesses but he has a solid hit tool. As he builds muscle, he’ll likely lose speed and be limited to right field where his above-average arm will play.

Next up is third baseman Lucas Erceg. Erceg’s performance has gone down, but unlike the Fangraphs report, much of that decrease is linked to bad luck, including Erceg taking a pitch to the head. All of the tools that excited the system when they drafted him are still there, he just needs to get it all together.

The second 2019 draft pick to make the list is Joe Gray. Gray is a rawer prospect than Turang, but his potential makes him as exciting as any prospect in the org. He has great power and arm strength, he has the speed to play center, he just needs to find the ball with his bat.

Finally, Nottingham is described as a backup catcher who is no longer a defensive liability. His size limits his mobility, but he is still able to make plays behind the plate with his superb arm. His power hasn’t yet developed, but he still has solid offensive potential.