As my fellow Brewers writer Cody Braun mentioned in his article the other day, Jonathan Lucroy is only helping his value and increasing the likelihood that Milwaukee tries to flip him for prospects come the end of July. Lucroy is arguably one of the best catchers in Major League Baseball and outside of backup catcher Martin Maldonado, Milwaukee has very few options for replacing the 2014 All Star. However, the Brewers did expand their options when they acquired catcher Jacob Nottingham and pitcher Bubba Derby from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for outfielder Khris Davis.

Nottingham is currently the #10 prospect in the Brewers’ system and after spending a portion of spring training in major league camp, was assigned to the AA-level Biloxi Shuckers of the Southern League. Despite some struggles to begin this season at the AA-level, the Brewers are hopeful that Nottingham can grow into the replacement for Lucroy should he be traded. Not only is Nottingham listed as the #10 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers’ system, but he is also the #8 catcher prospect in Major League Baseball.

Coming off of a solid season in which he split time between A and High A ball, expectations were high for Nottingham. He posted a .316/.372/.505 with 17 home runs and 82 RBI in 2015, and the Brewers hoped that he would be able to continue that trend come 2016. This season with Biloxi, Nottingham has posted a .247/.310/.357 with 5 home runs and 14 RBI. These stats are obviously down from a year ago, but it will likely take a bit of time for him to adjust to the AA level.

At 6’2″ and 230 pounds, Nottingham is built more like a linebacker than a major league catcher. Due to his size, there have been some questions regarding his body’s ability to take the wear and tear of a strenuous 162 game season. Nottingham has room to improve behind the plate, but has the ability to be a solid catcher in the majors. He has also played a bit of first base and with his power and the lack of available prospects in the Brewers’ system, he could fit nicely into that spot should he be moved. The Brewers have some flexibility when it comes to Nottingham, and he should be a contributor in the future regardless of position.

As such a highly touted prospect, Nottingham brings a lot of promise to a young Brewers team that is at the beginning of what could be a long, strenuous rebuild for Milwaukee baseball fans. Although he may not be where the Brewers would like him to be at this point in the season at AA, he will have time to grow into the player that everyone hopes he can be. At only 21 years old, there are no expectations that he will be able to come in and be a difference maker at the Major League level any time soon. Only time will tell, but #10 Brewers Prospect Jacob Nottingham has the potential to be a difference maker for this team well into the future.

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