The Brewers are one of four organizations leading MLB with six prospects on the Top 100 list. But across the Minors on Sunday, it was apparent that their system’s talent goes far deeper than that.
Four members of Milwaukee's Top 30 list left the yard across two levels, combining for nine RBIs. The offensive outburst was a small sampling of the hot streaks the Crew’s prospects have been riding. Here’s a look at those standout performances.
COMPLETE BREWERS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Cooper Pratt, SS (MIL No. 4/MLB No. 55)
The lone Top 100 prospect among this group, Pratt launched his first homer of the season in Triple-A Nashville’s 5-1 win over Charlotte at Truist Field. The three-run wallop gave the Sounds an early lead in the second inning.
One of several Minor Leaguers who agreed to big contract extensions this spring, Pratt has found his footing after a rocky start to the season. Over the past four contests, the 21-year-old has tallied six knocks and walked four times, raising his season batting average a full 49 points over the span.
Despite the mixed results, Pratt has been showing a mature approach at the dish, perhaps signaling more hits on the horizon. Through 20 games, he ranks in the 85th percentile among Triple-A batters in strikeout percentage (15.3%) and whiff percentage (19.2%). His 89.3% zone-contact percentage is in the 87th percentile.
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Marco Dinges, C (MIL No. 9)
Just like the reported 111.8 mph exit velocity on his homer, Dinges is sizzling this season. The 2024 fourth-rounder ranks fifth in the Midwest League with a 1.152 OPS and notched his second consecutive three-hit performance in High-A Wisconsin’s 8-0 victory over Fort Wayne at Parkview Field. The day capped a five-game streak in which the New York native, who has reached base in all but one game this season, slashed .474/.583/.895 with two homers and eight RBIs.
Despite being known for his elite bat speed and tendency to take massive cuts, Dinges has done a good job of limiting his whiffs so far in his age-22 campaign. Through 16 contests, he has walked 14 times compared to 13 strikeouts, both marks that rank in the top 25 in the league.
Luis Lara, OF (MIL No. 11)
Last season, Lara took home a Minor League Gold Glove. This year, his bat has stolen the spotlight so far. The 5-foot-7 switch-hitter mashed his career-high fifth homer of the year in Triple-A Wisconsin’s win, giving him big flies in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. In fact, Lara had never homered twice in the same week.
While the power surge is notable, Lara’s overall production is the real story. Through 26 games, the Venezuela native has slashed .347/.439/.561 with 15 walks and 12 steals -- third-best in the International League. His .561 slugging percentage currently stands 218 points higher than his mark last season.
Lara might not be able to keep the power numbers sky high throughout the whole season, but it's already an improvement for the elite defensive center fielder.
Braylon Payne, OF (MIL No. 13)
Rounding out the group is the Brewers’ 2024 first-rounder -- the hottest hitter of the bunch. Payne went back-to-back with Dinges in the seventh inning for Wisconsin, giving him homers in three straight games and five big flies over his past seven games. The 19-year-old is tied for the Midwest League lead with six total jacks and ranks second on the circuit with a 1.288 OPS.
This season marks Payne’s first at High-A after spending his entire first full season in the Single-A Carolina League. Standing 6-feet-2, 186 pounds, he projects as a valuable power-speed outfielder, but last season his 70-grade wheels greatly overshadowed his pop -- 31 steals to eight home runs. So far this year, Payne has six stolen bases to go along with his six homers, indicating he may have found his power stroke.
Bonus: Logan Henderson, RHP (MIL No. 6/MLB No. 99)
Henderson doesn't fit the “home run hitters” bill, but he certainly checks off the “top performer” box. Pitching in relief because big league right-hander Quinn Priester was making a rehab start, the 24-year-old delivered five strong innings for the Sounds, tallying a season-high nine punchouts and allowing one run. The outing lowered Henderson’s ERA to 1.02 through five appearances.