With recent bumps up for Jacob Misiorowski to AAA and Cooper Pratt to High-A two of the Milwaukee Brewers’ top prospects earned promotions in the last week. Days later Craig Yoho was promoted to AAA as he quickly shoots up the charts. Outfielder Carlos Rodriguez also was promoted to Nashville and it was just announced Logan Henderson is also getting a promotion to Nashville.
Misiorowski is likely to be summoned to Milwaukee soon for another weapon out of the Brewers’ bullpen. I also wouldn’t be stunned to see Yoho, who has been filthy all year at every level.
With the recent strings of promotions, who else could be on the rise in the Brewers’ system, who else could have a promotion on the horizon? (I have to quickly get this article out as one of the prospects I had listed here was Henderson):
Brewer Hicklen
Hicklen has mashed in Nashville this season with a rare 20-40 season with 21 homers and 42 stolen bases. The issue is the crowded outfield at the major league level blocking Hicklen. While he strikes out a decent amount, Hicklen has produced 42 extra-base hits in 376 at-bats. He also has 36 stolen bases while slashing .247/.364/.484 for a .848 OPS. Hicklen would have a good shot at a callup if not for Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich (injured), Sal Frelick, Black Perkins and Garrett Mitchell ahead of him in Milwaukee. With all but Chourio being left-handed or switch hitters, Hicklen could get a shot in September vs. LHP. In July the Brewers did add Hicklen, 28, to the 40-man roster which helps his chances.
Shane Smith
Smith is a big dude at 6-4, 235 pounds. The Brewers signed Smith in 2021 as an undrafted free agent after Tommy John surgery in 2021 and shoulder surgery in 2019. He has been superb in the minors with a career 12-7 record with a 2.73 ERA. Smith is a right-handed pitcher and this year in Biloxi he has piled up 104 strikeouts in 85.2 innings over 26 appearances, including 16 starts with a 3.15 ERA.
The Wake Forest product also has a sparkling 1.06 WHIP. Smith was the Brewers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Month in May. After beginning May in the bullpen, Smith made his final three appearances in the rotation in May, recording a 2.77 ERA as a starter across 13 innings. In total, Smith struck out 29 batters over 22 innings with a 2.84 ERA for the month.
Luke Adams
Adams is the No. 15 prospect in the Brewers’ system and is putting together a stellar season for High-A affiliate Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Adams has a stellar on-base and power combo with speed, too. Adams was a 12th round pick in 2022 out of high school and the 20-year-old is putting together a nice 2024. The 6-4, 210 pound third baseman is slashing .232/.448/.408 for an .856 OPS. The .448-on-base percentage jumps out as he has walked 77 times while striking out 83.
Adams was just named Minor League Player of the Month for July in the Brewers’ system. Adams smacked five homers in July and had a 1.124 OPS for the month. He was also named Player of the Month for the entire Midwest League.
Adams is hitting .232 with 11 homers and 15 doubles with 55 RBI and 55 runs scored. He has added 28 stolen bases as well after a 30 stolen base season at Carolina in 2023. Brewers’ No. 6 prospect Brock Wilken may be preventing a callup right now, as he plays 3B in Biloxi and may need a bit more time before a promotion to Nashville. Adams seems ready for a promotion, though.
Jadher Areinamo
The No. 21 prospect in the Brewers’ system, Areinamo is enjoying a very strong season at High-A Wisconsin. The 20-year-old isn’t a big guy at 5-8, 160 pounds. However, the numbers Areinamo is putting up are certainly big. Areinamo is slashing .303/.353/.443 for the Rattlers good for an .796 OPS. Areinamo plays second base and has hit nine homers, driven in 66 runs and scored 60 runs while hitting over .300 in 400 at-bats this season.
Areinamo has certainly earned a promotion, and one could be coming soon for the Maracay, Venezuela native. He has had a torrid summer including slashing .358/.435/.516 good for a .951 OPS in June.
Aaron Rund
Rund has been a very good relief pitcher for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers this weekend. Rund is 6-5, 225 pounds and is 25-year-old undrafted player. On the season, Rund is 4-2 with a 2.36 ERA. He has a 1.14 WHIP, has struck out 52 batters in 53.1 innings and has compiled seven holds and seven saves.
Other prospects who could receive a promotion: Mike Boeve (again), IF, Russell Smith, RP, Ben Fitzpatrick, P, Eric Bitonti 3B/SS, Manuel Rodriguez, P, Dikember Sanchez, P
*Stats through 8/29
More Brewers prospects could be promoted soon
Recently the Brewers have been on a promotions’ run, with top prospects moving up an affiliate. Here is a look at some other Brewers’ prospects who could also get a call to move up in the system, including some prospects on the top-30 list enjoying strong seasons.
