Tyler Black has always been considered an offensive prospect. The man can hit. The question for the Milwaukee Brewers’ No. 4 prospect has been what position will he play? He struggled at second and third base and now is trying his hand at first base.
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Defensive positioning has been a question mark, the bat has not. Black has sprung through the system and now is in Nashville. While he didn’t make the Brewers roster out of Spring Training, the Brewers’ No. 4 prospect was prepared to do so. He hasn’t let that disappointment faze him, though. With the Sounds, Black is mashing.
Tyler Black is red-hot! 🔥
MLB's No. 42 prospect (@Brewers) smashes his third homer (and fifth XBH) in his past six games for the @nashvillesounds: pic.twitter.com/kKNojljIle
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 24, 2024
While he would be a minus-defender he could DH primarily or play 1B when Hoskins DHs. Black could basically take Jake Bauers’ spot and get his ABs perhaps with less time at first base. Bauers hasn’t been very productive, hitting below .200. With the Brewers’ offense scuffling, scoring three or fewer runs in seven of their last eight games, they may be looking for a spark offensively. Black can provide that and is an exciting player.
Brewers prospect Black has great power, speed combo
Black was the 33rd overall pick by the Brewers in the 2021 MLB Draft from Wright State.
Black has a nice power-speed combo. Last year he stole 55 bases, had 55 extra-base hits, including 18 homers and 12 triples between Biloxi (AA) and Nashville (AAA). He is showing that off again this year. Black is hitting .329 with three homers, 16 runs scored and 15 RBI. He also has walked more (13) than he struck out (12), has a .430 on-base percentage and .969 OPS.
Tyler Black is about as athletic of a first baseman as you're going to see. Hustle triple here en route to a three hit day. 9 hits in his last 4 games.
Hard to imagine he is not an upgrade over Jake Bauers for the Brewers. One of three players with 55 XBH and 55 SB last season. pic.twitter.com/45z6qs70iJ
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) April 18, 2024
While the Brewers’ big league club is struggling to generate offense of late, not so for Black at AAA. Black is 15 for 33 (.455) with eight runs scored and 10 RBI in his last eight games. While defense may be an issue, to get more offense in the lineup, Black and Hoskins taking the majority of the 1B/DH could help. Black can hit at the top of the order and move Sal Frelick down in the order. Black also could be good in the 6-spot and keep Frelick at the top. The Wright State product could slide into virtually any spot in the lineup.
#Brewers No. 4 prospect Tyler Black is batting .382 with two homers, two triples and 10 RBIs over his past eight games.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/Y2Ddo4dVfj
— Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) April 23, 2024
Should Brewers call up Tyler Black?
The Brewers’ offense has hit a slide with little ability to score runs. With the lineup missing Christian Yelich, the Brewers need more speed and power with consistently good at-bats in the lineup. The Brewers have a nice middle of the order in William Contreras, Willy Adames and Rhys Hoskins, but need more consistency from the top of the order getting on base. Tyler Black will do that with great discipline. When he gets on base, he can also swipe a bag and be in scoring position.
With the offense scuffling a callup of Black could bring the offense back to life. Black has the on-base skills, speed and power to be a great asset to the Brewers right now.
