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1. Brice Turang, 2B/SS

Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 55/60 35/45 60 65/60 55 50

Background: Scouts were quite familiar with the talented prep prospect long before he became an upper classman at Santiago High School. For instance: USA Baseball gave him the Dick Case Award, the first time a player rostered on the 15U team was recognized in such a manner. Turang, the 21st overall pick in the draft two years ago, looked comfortable as he transitioned into the low levels of the minor leagues during his debut. Splitting time between the Arizona Summer and Pioneer Leagues, he batted a respectable .283/.396/.352 with six doubles, one triple, and one homerun to go along with 14 stolen bases in 16 attempts. The 6-foot, 173-pound lefty-swinging infielder opened the year up as a teenager squaring off against the Midwest League. In 82 games with the Wisconsin Rattlers, he batted .287/.384/.376. The front office brass bounced the top prospect up to High Class A in early July for the remainder of the season. Turang batted an aggregate .256/.367/.340 with 19 doubles, six triples, three homeruns, and 30 stolen bases (in 35 attempts).

Scouting Report: Let’s take a look at Turang’s production in Low Class A last season; consider the following:

Since 2006, there have been just three 19-year-old hitters to meet the following criteria in the Midwest League (min. 300 PA): a DRC+ total between 137 and 147 and a sub-20% strikeout rate. Those three hitters and their credentials: Corey Seager, a two-time All-Star; Xavier Edwards, a former first round pick and current top prospect who accomplished the feat last season; and – of course – Brice Turang.

An absolute on-base machine thanks to his impeccable patience at the plate; Turang has walked in more than 15% of his plate appearances as a professional. He’s not only fast, but he’s incredibly efficient on the base paths. He’s an above-average defender at either up-the-middle position. The sweet-swinging prospect shows no concerning platoon splits. The lone knock on him: his lack of over-the-fence thump, though it’s improving. Turang began elevating the ball more frequently last year, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him belt out 12 or 15-homeruns during his peak. He’s a gamer and a potential All-Star.

Ceiling: 3.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2022

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2. Drew Rasmussen, RHP

FB CB CH Command Overall 65 55 N/A 45 50

Background: It’s been one helluva whirlwind couple of years for the hard-throwing, firebolt-slinging right-hander. The former Oregon State University stud – who, by the way, authored the only perfect game in school history as a freshman – underwent his first Tommy John surgery in March of 2016. Fast forward a little more than a year later and the Tampa Bay Rays called his name near the end of the first round. A routine post-draft physical, however, revealed the 6-foot-1, 225-pound right-hander was going to require a second Tommy John surgery. The two sides failed to come to an agreement, so Rasmussen essentially sat out another year as he recovered from the surgical procedure. The Brewers wisely gambled on the former Beaver in sixth round, 185th overall, in 2018. Finally healthy, Rasmussen made his highly anticipated debut last season. And he quickly made up for lost time. He made one dominant two-inning appearance with Wisconsin before moving up to High Class A. His stint with the Mudcats lasted all of just four starts. And he finally settled in – and dominated – the Class AA level for the remainder of the season. In total, Rasmussen tossed 74.1 innings with 96 strikeouts and just 31 walks to go along with an aggregate 3.15 ERA.

Scouting Report: Various mid-season reports had Rasmussen’s fastball back to approaching triple-digits. Personally, I saw him sitting comfortably 92- to 95-mph with a relative amount of ease. His tightly-spun slider was an above-average offering, showing plenty of late bite almost resembling a power-cutter. He reportedly throws a changeup, though I saw him primarily throwing the fastball/slider. And, surprisingly, despite the long layoff and multiple elbow procedures, Rasmussen’s control / command looked solid. With respect to his work in Class AA, consider the following:

Since 2006, only three 23-year-old pitchers posted a strikeout percentage between 29% and 31% with a walk percentage between 10% and 13% in the Southern League (min. 50 IP): Alejandro Chacin, Peter Tago, and – of course – Drew Rasmussen.

It’s easy to peg Rasmussen as a hard-throwing pitcher destined for late-inning, high leverage relief work. But it looks like the Brewers are content on stretching him out as a starting option. His arsenal / repertoire is reminiscent of the Marlins’ All-Star representative Sandy Alcantara – assuming the former can avoid any more injury issues.

Ceiling: 3.0-win player

Risk: Moderate to High

MLB ETA: 2020

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3. Bowden Francis, RHP

FB SL CH Command Overall 60 60/65 50 45 50

Background: The Brewers don’t get enough credit for developing collegiate pitchers taken in the middle round rounds of the draft. Brandon Woodruff, an All-Star last season, is the poster boy after being selected in the 11th round of the 2014 draft. Other examples include: Zack Brown, a former fifth round pick, Alec Bettinger, who was added in the tenth round, Dylan File was a 21st round pick, Drew Rasmussen was a sixth round pick (who, admittedly, was taken in the first round the year before), and – of course – Bowden Francis. A product of Florida JuCo powerhouse Chipola College, Francis was one of the bigger surprises in the Brewers’ system in 2019. After three dominant starts in High Class A, Francis moved up to – and continued to produce in – Class AA, the most important challenge for a minor leaguer. In 25 appearances with the Biloxi Shuckers, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound right-hander posted a strong 145-to-49 strikeout-to-walk ratio to go along with a 3.99 ERA in 128.2 innings of work. His DRA with the Shuckers was 4.76.

Scouting Report: Quietly impressive – so much so, in fact, that I’m surprised he’s not getting more national publicity / notoriety. His fastball is sneaky quick with impressive late life, sitting in the low- to mid-90s without much effort. His slider is a wipeout, swing-and-miss offering that flashes – on occasion – a 65-grade. It’s late, sharp with tremendous downward slant. His changeup is a workable, average third option. There’s some Brandon Woodruff-type upside here. With respect to his work in Class AA, consider the following:

Since 2006, here’s the list of 23-year-old pitchers to fan between 26% and 28% of the hitters they faced with a walk percentage between 7% and 10% in the Southern League (min. 100 IP): Tucker Davidson, a top prospect in the Braves’ system, and Bowden Francis.

Ceiling: 2.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2020

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4. Ethan Small, LHP

FB CB CH Command Overall 50+ 55 60 55 50

Background: One of the preeminent strikeout artists in college baseball last season, the story on Small is hardly so. A two-time All-American coming out of Lexington High School, Small appeared – briefly – in 15 games for Mississippi State during his freshman season, striking out 20 against 10 walks in only 10 innings of work. The 6-foot-3, 214-pound southpaw spent the ensuing summer hurling games for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League, posting a poor 11-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in another 20.0 innings of action. Unfortunately, he succumbed to elbow woes that pushed him under the knife for Tommy John surgery, which knocked him out for the entire 2017 season. Finally healthy, the Tennessee native turned in one of the more surprising seasons two years ago: in a career high 18 starts, Small fanned a remarkable 122 against just 33 free passes to go along with a 3.20 ERA. The Arizona Diamondbacks took a late round gamble on him, though Small opted to head back to school for his redshirt junior season. The lanky left-hander turned in one of the more dominant showings last season: in 17 starts for the Bulldogs, Small fanned 168 and walked just 29 in 102.0 innings of work. Milwaukee used a late first round pick on him. Small would make seven brief appearances during his debut, posting an incredible 36-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in only 21.0 innings. He finished his first taste of pro ball with a 0.86 ERA.

Scouting Report: Per the usual, here’s what I wrote prior to the draft last season:

“A herky-jerky southpaw with three solid offerings: a low 90s fastball sitting comfortably in the 91- to 92-mph range, a late-breaking sharp 12-6 curveball, and an average changeup. Small commands the inner part of the plate exceedingly well and generates a lot of success working up in the zone – which may not go as well as he transitions into the professional ranks. In terms of production, consider the following:

Between 2011 and 2018, here’s the list of Division I arms that average at least 13 strikeouts and fewer than 3.0 walks per nine innings in a season (min. 70 IP): Trevor Bauer, Logan Gilbert, Robert Broom, and J.P. Sears.

Bauer and Gilbert were both first round picks. Broom and Sears were late round selections.

Here’s the intriguing part though:

Between 2011 and 2018, here’s the list of pitchers to average at least 14 strikeout per nine innings (min. 70 IP): Shane McClanahan. (Small, by the way, is averaging more than 15 strikeouts every nine innings.)

Mississippi’s ace doesn’t have an eye popping arsenal. But the production is beyond elite. Repertoire-wise Small’s similar to former Missouri ace – and current Chicago Cub – Rob Zastryzny, though the former’s production is far superior. Small looks like a solid #3/#4-type arm at maturity. One final thought: Love to the bulldog mentality on the mound.”

A few additional notes: his changeup looked far better after he joined Milwaukee’s system and, frankly, I’m shocked he missed as many bats as he did. The fastball continues to sneak up on hitters, especially up in the zone.

Ceiling: 2.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021/2022

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5. Aaron Ashby, LHP

FB CB SL CH Command Overall 55+ 65 50/55 55 45/50 50

Background: One of my favorite pitching prospects in the entire minor leagues. Ashby, who’s uncle is former big league veteran Andy Ashby, was a fourth round product out of Crowder College two years ago. A wiry, 6-foot-2, 181-pound southpaw – who, by the way, looks thicker in the lower half – was incredibly dominant during a first half stint in the Midwest League but faltered a bit after his promotion up to High Class A. In total, Ashby made a career best 24 appearances, 23 of them coming via the start, throwing 126.0 innings with 135 punch outs against 60 free passes. He compiled an aggregate 3.50 ERA.

Scouting Report: Pretty much the same thing a year later – except better. Along with looking physically stronger / bulkier in the lower half, Ashby’s fastball gained a few ticks on the radar gun, touching – on several occasions – as high as 95 mph. It’s a borderline plus pitch that may eventually move into 60-grade territory in the next year or two as he continues to get stronger. His curveball looked sharper with that same late tilt and bite. And his changeup remained in the above-average / 55-grade territory. The lanky lefty also added a fourth pitch: a low-80s slider with a lot of horizontal movement. There’s some #4-type potential, maybe more if the command ticks up. With respect to his work in Low Class A, consider the following:

Since 2006, only two 21-year-old pitchers met the following criteria in the Midwest League (min. 50 IP): a strikeout percentage of at least 30% and a walk percentage between 10% and 13%. Those two pitchers: Dylan Cease, budding Chicago White Sox ace, and – of course – Aaron Ashby.

Ceiling: 2.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021/2022

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6. Carlos Rodriguez, OF

Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 50/60 35/45 35 30/35 50 50

Background: One of the more recognizable prospects on the international scene three years ago, the Brewers handed the then-16-year-old outfielder a hefty $1.355 million deal. Rodriguez, who measures in at 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds, turned in a dynamic professional debut a year later as he slugged .325/.363/.414 with 13 doubles, one triple, two homeruns, and 14 stolen bases (in 23 attempts) between stints in the foreign and domestic rookie leagues. Rodriguez, who capped off his debut with a brief five-game stint in the Arizona Summer League, opened last season back up in the low level rookie league – though that stint lasted just seven games. Milwaukee bumped the young Venezuelan up to the Pioneer League at the end of July. He popped up for 36 games with Rocky Mountain, hitting a solid .331/.350/.424 with three doubles, one triple, and three homeruns. He swiped four bags in 10 attempts. His overall production in the advanced rookie league, according to Baseball Prospectus’ Deserved Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 20%.

Scouting Report: Consider the following:

Since 2006, only two 18-year-old hitters met the following criteria in the Pioneer League (min. 150 PA): DRC+ between 115 and 125, a sub-16.0% strikeout rate, and a walk rate below 6.0%. Those two hitters: All-Star outfielder Ender Inciarte and – of course – Carlos Rodriguez.

Let’s take it a step further:

NAME YEAR AGE PA AVG OBP SLG ISO BB% K% DRC+ Ender Inciarte 2009 18 258 0.325 0.358 0.405 0.080 5.81% 15.50% 121 Carlos Rodriguez 2019 18 157 0.331 0.350 0.424 0.093 2.55% 12.74% 120

Rodriguez is a player cut from a similar cloth: a strong hit tool that may peak on the lower end of the plus grade, near nonexistent walk rates, not a ton of power, strong bat-to-ball skills, and above-average speed. Defensively speaking, Rodriguez is no Inciarte; he’s average, maybe a tick better in center field. Rodriguez’s bat doesn’t play as well in a corner spot. If the hit tool continues to perform and approach plus territory, he’s a lock to become an above-average regular. If not, he could be a capable fourth outfielder on a contending team.

Ceiling: 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2022

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7. Tristen Lutz, OF

Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 40/45 50/55 30 50+ 45 50

Background: Sandwiched between a couple polished collegiate hitters – Kevin Merrell and Brent Rooker – at the end of the first round of the 2017 draft, Lutz has taken the slow-and-steady approach at conquering the minor leagues. He split time between both of the organization’s rookie league affiliates during his debut. He followed that up with a decent, semi-strong showing in the Midwest League a year later. And last season the 6-foot-2, 210-pound outfielder squared off against the Carolina League. In 112 games with the Mudcats, the former James W. Martin High School product batted .255/.335/.419 with 24 doubles, three triples, and a career-high tying 13 homeruns. He also swiped a trio of bags and was caught stealing twice. Per Deserved Runs Created Plus, his overall production was 9% better than the league average mark.

Scouting Report: Just like his stint in the Midwest League two years ago, Lutz got off to a – say it with me – predictably slow start as he moved into the Carolina League. Across his first 19 games the former first round pick batted a putrid .159/.227/.217 with just a pair of extra-base hits. In comparison, he slugged a healthy .274/.356/.459 over his final 93 contests. While just inching up ever so slightly, Lutz’s swing-and-miss issues are becoming problematic; he posted a strikeout rate of 27.6% in 2018 and followed that up with a 28.7% last season. Lutz saw a lot of time as a center fielder last season, but he’s eventually going to slide over into a corner spot soon. He has some Khris Davis feel to him with the offensive ceiling as a .245/.320/.480 type hitter.

Ceiling: 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021/2022

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8. Mario Feliciano, C

Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 45 50 35 45 45 45

Background: Arguably the best prospect to come out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy. Milwaukee snagged the 6-foot-1, 195-pound backstop in the second round of the 2016 draft. Feliciano, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, looked like a burgeoning middle-tier prospect after a solid showing as an 18-year-old in the Midwest League three seasons ago when he batted .251/.320/.331. But his production tanked in an injury-shortened follow up campaign in the Carolina League in 2018; he hit a lowly .205/.282/.329. Milwaukee pushed Feliciano back down to High Class A last season. And his production rebounded – considerably. In 116 games with the Carolina Mudcats, he slugged .273/.324/.477 with career bests in doubles (25), triples (four), and homeruns (19). His overall production with the High Class A squad, per Deserved Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 19%. He spent the final three games of the year with Biloxi in the Southern League.

Scouting Report: Consider the following:

Since 2006, there have been four 20-year-old hitters that posted a DRC+ between 115 and 125 with a strikeout rate north of 25.0% in the Carolina League (min. 350 PA): Anderson Tejeda, Bobby Bradley, Nick Williams, and Mario Feliciano.

Early in his career Feliciano employed a high contact, no power approach at the plate – which resulted in production marks south of the league average threshold. Since entering High Class A two years ago, he’s morphed his approach heavily towards more power with high strikeout rates. Defensively, well, he’s not good and – frankly – barely passable. The state of catching at the big league level is beyond terrible, so that opens the door – widely – for Feliciano’s prospects. If the power holds firm without regressing, he has a chance to be a bat-first option but he’s unlikely to ever approach above average status at the big league level.

Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021/2022

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9. Antoine Kelly, LHP

FB SL CH Command Overall 70 45/55 40/45 40/45 45

Background: Originally taken by the Padres in the 13th round of the 2018 draft. Instead of joining San Diego’s loaded system, Kelly opted to attend JuCo Wabash Valley College last season. Predictably so, the tall, lanky left-hander was practically unhittable: across 52.2 innings, Kelly fanned an incredible 112 – which, for those counting at home, is 19.1 K/9 – to go along with a 1.88 ERA. That production, as well as Kelly’s high octane fastball, caught the attention of the Brewers, who would eventually draft him in the second round, 65th overall. Kelly made nine appearances in the Arizona Summer League and one final – disastrous – start in Low Class A during his debut, throwing 31.2 innings with 45 strikeouts and nine walks to go along with a 2.84 ERA.

Scouting Report: Nitrous infused fastball that (A) not only regularly touches 97 mph and sits 94- to 95-mph comfortably, but (B) also has a chance to add a little bit of velocity as his wiry 6-foot-6, 205-pound frame continues to fill out. It’s a plus offering that has a chance to blossom into a plus-plus weapon. As far as the secondary pitches are concerned, well, they’re raw – very, very raw. I was only able to catch one of Kelly’s professional games, the Low Class A contest against the Kane County Cougars. He was primarily – and by that I mean, solely – throwing his 70-grade fastball. I went back to older video of the left-hander to find the secondary offerings: the slider shows nice shape and break, but it’s slow and needs to be tightened up. I did not see a changeup at any point. Despite the high draft status, Milwaukee’s front office is betting that they can cultivate his slider and changeup to make him a viable starting pitcher. Mechanically, he’s an extreme cross-body thrower. His lead foot is hindering his hips and arm to work in sync. It’s also causing his control / command issues on the third base side of the plate. Kelly already has a big league fastball, but he could – and likely will – fall into the Taylor Hearn category of one plus pitch, little secondary, perennial noteworthy prospect without making too many waves at the big league level. One final note: David Stearns, the Brewers GM is a former Astros assistant general manager; and Houston really honed in and specialized in their ability to drastically improve pitchers’ breaking balls.

Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2022/2023

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10. Reese Olson, RHP

FB CB CH Command Overall 60 65 50 40/45 45

Background: The former 13th round bonus baby has quietly become one of the more intriguing prospects in the Brewers’ system, but in the entire minor leagues. The lanky 6-foot-1, 160-pound right-hander signed with the organization for $400,000 two years ago, roughly late fourth / early fifth round money. The North Hall High School product was limited to just four brief appearances in the Arizona Summer League during his debut. And despite the limited action – with, at best, mediocre results, the front office brass aggressively pushed the then-19-year-old up to full season ball to start 2019. And Olson proved up to the task. Making 14 starts and 13 relief appearances with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the hard-throwing righty fanned 84 and walked 47 in 94.2 innings of work. He finished his first full season in pro ball with a 4.66 ERA and a 6.81 DRA (Deserved Runs Average).

Scouting Report: Incredibly intriguing low-level arm. Olson’s fastball was sitting – easily – in the 92- to 94-mph range, and touching a 95 at will during a late season start with the Timber Rattlers. His curveball adds a second plus-pitch, showing tremendous hard, late bit. Olson will vary the break from a traditional 12-6 to 1-7 at times. His changeup is solid-average. Olson’s control / command still have ways to go. And it’s likely to settle in as a 45-grade. He’s erratic now, but not wild. With respect to his work in Low Class A last season, consider the following:

Since 2006, here’s the list of 19-year-old pitchers to post a strikeout percentage between 19% and 21% and a walk percentage between 10% and 12% in the Midwest League (min. 75 IP): Max Fried, Fabio Castillo, Robinson Ortiz, Zachary Bird, Zach Phillips, and Reese Olson.

The former prep arm is still quite raw, but he has the potential to help fill out the backend of a big league rotation if the control / command continues to trend in the right direction – perhaps peaking as a #4.

Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2022/2023

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Statistics provided by FanGraphs, BaseballReference, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport, and TheBaseballCube.