Starting spots for Brewers' Top 30 prospects

April 4th, 2019

With the 2019 Minor League Baseball season getting underway, here's a look at where the Brewers' Top 30 prospects are starting the year. We also identify the prospect who just missed the Top 30 list, a player who didn't make the big league Opening Day roster but should make an impact this year, a prospect who is ready to break out in 2019 and the team's best defensive prospect.

  1. Keston Hiura (MLB No. 20), 2B -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  2. Corey Ray (MLB No. 100), OF -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  3. Brice Turang, SS -- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A)
  4. Tristen Lutz, OF -- Carolina Mudcats (A Adv)
  5. Mauricio Dubon, SS -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  6. Zack Brown, RHP -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  7. Joe Gray Jr., OF -- Extended spring training
  8. Lucas Erceg, 3B -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  9. Aaron Ashby, LHP -- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A)
  10. Payton Henry, C -- Carolina Mudcats (A Adv)
  11. Trey Supak, RHP -- Biloxi Shuckers (AA)
  12. Braden Webb, RHP -- Biloxi Shuckers (AA)
  13. Troy Stokes, OF -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  14. Mario Feliciano, C -- Carolina Mudcats (A Adv)
  15. Adrian Houser, RHP -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  16. Jacob Nottingham, c -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  17. Marcos Diplan, rhp -- Biloxi Shuckers (AA)
  18. Carlos Rodriguez, OF -- Extended spring training
  19. Eduardo Garcia, SS -- Extended spring training
  20. Pablo Abreu, OF -- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A)
  21. Micah Bello, OF -- Extended spring training
  22. Eduarqui Fernandez, OF -- Extended spring training
  23. Je'Von Ward, OF -- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A)
  24. Larry Ernesto, OF -- Extended spring training
  25. Caden Lemons, RHP -- Extended spring training
  26. Bobby Wahl, RHP -- Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) -- DL
  27. Adam Hill, RHP -- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A)
  28. Jake Gatewood, 1B -- Extended spring training -- rehab
  29. Tyrone Taylor, OF -- San Antonio Missions (AAA)
  30. Trent Grisham, OF -- Biloxi Shuckers (AA)
    Complete list »

Just missed Top 30: Korry Howell
Howell is one of the fastest runners in Milwaukee’s system, with wheels that grade out as 70 or better. He can hit some, too, albeit with bottom-of-the-scale power, and holds his own defensively at shortstop. He has the range and arm strength for the left side of the infield, and there’s a chance he ends up in center field on account of his speed.

Impact prospect: Keston Hiura
The 2017 first-rounder (No. 9 overall pick) raked his way up to Double-A in his first full season, finishing with a .293/.357/.464 line, 52 extra-base hits and 15 steals across two levels, then garnered MVP honors in the Arizona Fall League. And while the Brewers brought in free agent Mike Moustakas on a one-year deal to play second base, Hiura is, without question, the organization’s future at the position and could be hitting in the middle of the lineup by the end of the season.

Breakout prospect: Tristen Lutz
The No. 34 overall pick from the 2017 Draft showed a dynamic bat in his first full season as he totaled 13 homers and 33 doubles (with a 45 percent extra-base-hit rate) in the Midwest League. While Lutz struck out quite a bit in the process, he still demonstrated a solid approach, as well as pitch-recognition skills that will only improve as he gains experience. With a blend of size, athleticism, tools and baseball skills, Lutz has one of the higher ceilings in Milwaukee's system and could emerge as one of baseball's premier young outfield prospects in 2019.

Best defensive prospect: Payton Henry
A sixth-round pick in 2016 who signed for nearly twice his slot value, Henry threw out nearly 44 percent (46 of 105) of attempted basestealers and had only six passed balls in his first full season. A quick release and a strong, accurate arm help Henry to combat the running game, and evaluators have been impressed with how he's developed a receiving style that utilizes his big, athletic frame. Henry is also praised for his energy and leadership skills.