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There are no trophies for such things, but it did not go unnoticed by Brewers GM Matt Arnold that no National League organization won more games in 2024.
From the Major League club all the way down to the lowest level of the Minors. The Brewers and their affiliates were 389-320, for a .549 winning percentage bested only by the Tigers (.555) and Guardians (.553). Three of Milwaukee’s four full-season affiliates -- Double-A Biloxi, High-A Wisconsin and Single-A Carolina -- made the playoffs. That won’t win the World Series, but it’s a good foundation.
“As far as the job our guys are doing throughout our system, player development and scouting, the partnership that those guys have together is something unique here and very special,” Arnold said. “I think our system is in a really good spot.”
Here are some standouts from 2024 and players to watch in ‘25:
3 players who forced their way onto the radar this year
RHP K.C. Hunt (Brewers No. 29 prospect)
Hunt was a 12th-round Draft pick of the Pirates in 2022 but didn’t sign. He went undrafted in ‘23 and signed with the Brewers. In ‘24, he came out of nowhere to share Milwaukee’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year honor with another unlikely star in reliever Craig Yoho. It came after a season in which Hunt, 24, went 8-3 with a 2.03 ERA in 25 appearances (14 starts) between Carolina, Wisconsin and Biloxi, and finished second in the organization in strikeouts (139) while issuing only 25 walks. It earned him a spot on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Brewers prospects list.
INF Jadher Areinamo (Brewers No. 24)
The versatile, instinctual infielder signed for $150,000 in January 2021 as part of the same class that brought Jackson Chourio into Milwaukee’s organization. Areinamo has always hit for average, but some power came in 2024, when he set career highs with 30 doubles and 10 homers as a 20-year-old at Wisconsin. That’s a big bonus for a player known for exceptional defense.
RHP Brett Wichrowski (Brewers No. 18)
A 13th-round pick last year, Wichrowski opened eyes with 21 strikeouts over 14 2/3 innings in four starts for Wisconsin before an early promotion to Biloxi, where he held his own with a 4.12 ERA over 17 starts. He’s only 22 and Brewers officials see more strides ahead.
“He has upside and will benefit from what he experienced this year,” farm director Tom Flanagan said.
2 possible breakout players to watch in 2025
SS Jesus Made (Brewers No. 4)
Made already broke out within the Brewers' system, earning co-Minor League Player of the Year honors in his first professional season after signing for $950,000 in January. A switch-hitter with a strong arm, Made slashed .331/.458/.554 with nine doubles, six triples, six home runs, 28 RBIs, 63 runs and 28 stolen bases in 51 games in the Dominican Summer League and walked more times (39) than he struck out (28). His quick adaptation makes it tempting to compare Made to Chourio, who rocketed up prospect lists once he got going, and made it all the way to No. 2 on MLB Pipeline’s overall Top 100. Could Made be next to crack that list next season?
1B Ernesto Martinez Jr.
The 25-year-old from Cuba plays with personality and backed it up with a career year in Biloxi, where he was named to the Southern League postseason All-Star team. He finished the year as the league leader in doubles (30), second in OPS (.831), third in extra-base hits (45) and slugging percentage (.466), sixth in average (.284), all while striking out only 16.8% of the time. Much of that damage came in the second half, when Martinez led the league in average (.346), doubles (15) and slugging percentage (.543). And he can run. Martinez’s 20 stolen bases were his most in a season since he set a career high with 30 in 2021 in Carolina. With Rhys Hoskins’ status unsettled (he has a player option to decide after the World Series), Jake Bauers eligible for arbitration and Tyler Black having not made much of multiple Major League stints in 2024, first base is relatively open going into next year.
1 big question for next season
How will top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski fit the Brewers’ plans?
Barring an unforeseen setback, the 6-foot-7 2022 second-round Draft pick will surely crack the Major League roster at some point after being in consideration for a late-season callup to the bullpen in 2024. But will it be as a starter? Or did Misiorowski’s success out of Triple-A Nashville’s bullpen down the stretch signal a switch to high-leverage relief?
When he’s able to throw strikes, Misiorowski can succeed in either role. He had a 3.59 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings as a starter last season. Then he posted a 1.84 ERA and struck out 19 batters in 14 2/3 innings while picking up his first professional save as a reliever.
“On the right day, this guy is as good as it gets,” Arnold said. “He's young. He's not totally established yet. But as far as upside goes in this franchise, I mean, I don't know if you could pick a better arm than Jacob Misiorowski. So I'm certainly excited to see what he can do next year and beyond.”