Brew Crew Ball Community Top Prospects #21-30

We made it! You helped us decide who all 30 of the Brew Crew Ball community’s top prospects were. Some of the picks drifted from the “expert” opinions. Some came out of left field. But ALL were voted on democratically and decided by you. Let’s take a look at #21-30.

#21. OF Trent Grisham

Age: 22
2018 stats (AA): 405 PA || .233/.356/.337 || 7 HR || 11 SB || 87 K || 63 BB

Grisham was the Brewers’ first round pick in 2015. At the time, he was touted as the best high school hitter to come out of the draft. That has not exactly come to fruition. Grisham has shown grate discipline and been an adept fielder, but he has struggled to wow at the plate. The career .358 SLG is well below expectations. Still, Milwaukee has challenged the now 22-year-old throughout his professional tenure. There’s a chance that he could make the needed adjustment and become a regular outfielder. At this point, he’s organizational depth.

#22. IF Antonio Pinero

Age: 19
2018 stats (Rk): 22 PA || .238/.238/.286 || 0 HR || 0 SB || 4 K || 0 BB

Pinero is a former international free agent known for his defensive versatility more than anything else. Since starting professional play in 2016, he hasn’t shown much of any skill with the bat. He was signed after the Red Sox lost him due to a violation of the International Free Agency rules. He has a strong arm and instincts, but his average to below average speed makes him more likely to be a third baseman than a shortstop. The bat can develop, and the Brewers have shown some confidence in him. The ceiling is still very far away for Pinero.

#23. OF Je’Von Ward

Age: 19
2018 stats (Rk): 271 PA || .307/.391/.403 || 2 HR || 13 SB || 57 K || 32 BB

Drafted at 17 in the 11th round of 2017, the young Ward is one of the more intriguing prospects in the entire system. Ward is still very raw, but shows phenomenal talent that the org hopes will translate into baseball skill. After some rigid work in the offseason, he showed great strides with his swing at Helena last season. He still needs to add power to his swing and develop his instincts in the outfield.

#24. OF Tyrone Taylor

Age: 25
2018 stats (AAA): 481 PA || .278/.321/.504 || 20 HR || 13 SB || 74 K || 27 BB

Just a few years ago, Taylor was a top prospect in the Brewers’ org. After a few injuries that hindered his development, he’s just now crawling back into the organization’s plans. He’s a solid fielder who was the arm to play all three outfield spots. He makes average contact, but has seen a dip in his average as he tries to add more power to his swing. Taylor can be a good fourth outfielder that can handle starting responsibilities for a season or two.

#25. RHP Adrian Houser

Age: 25
2018 stats (AA-AAA): 78.2 IP || 5.03 ERA || 67 K || 25 BB || 9 HR || 1.538 WHIP
MLB: 13.2 IP || 3.29 ERA || 8 K || 7 BB || 0 HR || 1.463 WHIP

After a phenomenal pro debut, Houser had to take a step back when he suffered a UCL injury that required Tommy John Surgery. His low to mid 90’s fastball works well and he can get his above average curveball over for strikes. Houser projects to fill the back end of the rotation, or the back end of a bullpen.

#26. RHP Adam Hill

Age: 21
2018 stats (A): 15.1 IP || 2.35 ERA || 26 K || 7 BB || 1 HR || 1.500 WHIP

Hill was an interesting acquisition from the Mets in the Keon Broxton trade. He has minimal pro-ball experience, but does have back end rotation potential. If the Brewers want to fast track him, the Brewers can use him as a reliever, where his ineffective command can be overcome by his talented arsenal.

#27. RHP Lun Zhao

Age: 17
2018 stats (Rk): 8.1 IP || 1.08 ERA || 6 K || 2 BB || 0 HR || 0.960 WHIP

Zhao is, in my opinion, the most interesting international signing Milwaukee has made since Gilbert Lara. While Lara certainly didn’t live up to the extraordinarily high expectations, Zhao has the talent to make everyone forget that the signing even occurred. Zhao has some of the top spin rates recorded on his fastball and breaking pitches, even compared to the major leagues. At just 17, his velocity is in the high-90’s. It’s a wow experience to watch him.

#28. OF Micah Bello

Age: 18
2018 stats (Rk): 174 PA || .240/.324/.325 || 1 HR || 10 SB || 41 K || 18 BB

Drafted in 2018, Bello has the tools to be an every day outfielder in the majors. His above-average speed and projection for high contact makes him an ideal top-of-the-lineup presence. Bello will of course need to make adjustments, but he has four tools that project to be average or better. His strong arm means he can play all three outfield spots confidently. He has the potential to be a Gold Glove corner outfielder, or a solid centerfielder.

#29. RHP Caden Lemons

Age: 20
2018 stats (Rk): 31.2 IP || 4.26 ERA || 28 K || 14 BB || 2 HR || 1.484 WHIP

The Brewers drafted Lemons in the second round of the 2017 draft knowing that he’d need a lot of work, but believing the end result would be worth it. Lemons can hit the upper 90’s with his fastball, has a secondary pitch that projects to be above-average, and his changeup shows potential. When everything is working, it can be easy to give Lemons a front-line grade. But Lemons needs a lot of work and has a lot of risk. His progression will be slow, but Milwaukee sees the potential as being well worth the risk.

#30. OF Pablo Abreu

Age: 19
2018 stats (Rk): 241 PA || .250/.335/.418 || 7 HR || 9 SB || 61 K || 28 BB

Abreu was one of Milwaukee’s top international signings in 2016. He projected to be organizational depth, but has grown leaps and bounds since putting pen to paper. Based on early returns, Abreu shows five-tool potential. He has been greatly patient at the plate, continues to add surprising power, and has played admirable defense. As he continues to age, he’ll likely be relegated to left field, but should still be able to play center in a pinch. His arm would make him less than ideal in right field, but he’s capable enough. With some adjustments, he could be a 20-25 home run hitter. At 20, there’s still a lot of growth needed but the early samples have been great.

Statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference