Corbin Burnes Shows Off Wide Repertoire

When Phillips scuffled at Double-A Biloxi in 2016, the Brewers could have sent him back to repeat that level. Instead, they challenged the 23-year-old lefthanded hitter by bumping him to Triple-A Colorado Springs, where hitters often flourish.

Phillips responded to that challenge with a big year, helping the Sky Sox win their division. He hit .305/.377/.567 with 19 home runs and 78 RBIs. He performed well enough to be called up three times by the Brewers, including joining the group summoned in September.

“It was a confidence thing,” Phillips said of his turnaround. “It was just a matter of letting my talent take over and do what I’m capable of doing.”

Best Pitcher: RHP Corbin Burnes

Simply put, Burnes was one of the best pitchers in the minors this season while splitting time at high Class A Carolina and Biloxi. All told, he made 26 starts and went 8-3, 1.67 in 145.2 innings. The 22-year-old struck out 140 and walked 36. Impressively, he allowed just three home runs.

The Brewers thought Burnes was an advanced pitcher when they drafted him in the fourth round in 2016 out of St. Mary’s, but he exceeded expectations. His ETA to the majors might be shorter than originally thought, with a chance to get a look in 2018.

Burnes has the tools to be a big league starter. He maintains velocity on his 92-95 mph fastball and mixes in a hard slider, curveball and changeup. He pounds the bottom of the strike zone, generating groundball outs. And he does all of that with above-average control.

Keep An Eye On: RHP Freddy Peralta

When the Brewers traded first baseman Adam Lind to the Mariners in December 2015 for three 18-year-old righthanders, Peralta was perceived as the one to watch despite being undersized at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds. That certainly was the case this season, when Peralta established himself as a bona fide prospect.

The 21-year-old Peralta began the season at Carolina and recorded a 3.04 ERA in 12 games (eight starts) with 78 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. Promoted to Biloxi, he raised the level of his game with a 2.26 ERA in 13 games (11 starts) with 91 strikeouts in 63.2 innings. Peralta led the minors with a .178 opponent average and ranked seventh with 169 strikeouts.

“It all starts with his work ethic and approach, and not just on the field or in the weight room,” farm director Tom Flanagan said. “It’s everything he does, from the way he takes care of his work off the field as well as improving his English skills. He has an above-average feel for pitching and what he wants to do on the mound. He’s very unique for such a young pitcher.”