Milwaukee Brewers Breakout MLB Prospects Entering 2024

Breakout Prospects

Yophery Rodriguez, OF

Preseason rank: 11
BA Grade: 55. Risk: Extreme.

TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez was one of the most advanced hitters in the Dominican Republic for 2023, when the Brewers made him their highest-paid prospect of the class with a $1.5 million bonus. Rodriguez backed up the Brewers’ belief in him as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League, where he showed a promising mix of bat control, plate discipline and power.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez stands out for his maturity at the plate. He’s a selective hitter who recognizes spin and has the hand-eye coordination that leads to a low swing-and-miss rate. He has fast bat speed from the left side and showed flashes of what should be above-average raw power. His flatter bat path means he doesn’t fully tap into that power yet, but he can hit deep home runs and should have more power coming as he gets stronger and learns how to turn on pitches for loft with more frequency. Rodriguez has the athleticism and tick above-average speed to handle center field in the lower levels, though most likely will shift to a corner as he moves up. He has an average arm that could fit in either outfield corner. 

THE FUTURE: While the Brewers have built a strong group of homegrown Venezuelan prospects, Rodriguez is one of the best Dominican prospects to come through the system in recent years. He’s talented enough that he could follow the path of Milwaukee’s top signings from their last two classes—outfielders Jackson Chourio and Luis Lara—by skipping the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and instead playing in Low-A Carolina in 2024.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Run: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.

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Luke Adams, 3B

Preseason rank: 13
BA Grade: 45. Risk: High.

TRACK RECORD: In high school, Adams was a Michigan State commit who was not a prominent prospect at national events. After his senior season, he hit .404/.478/.737 in 68 plate appearances in the summer collegiate Prospect League, which enhanced his draft stock. The Brewers signed him for $282,500 as a 12th-round pick in 2022, and after a strong pro debut that summer in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Adams followed with a solid campaign with Low-A Carolina in 2023.

SCOUTING REPORT: Adams is a split camp player with an unorthodox look. He’s a strong, physical player who can drive the ball with impact. He has above-average raw power with exit velocities up to 112 mph, he’s a patient hitter who has piled up walks and doesn’t have much swing-and-miss on pitches in the strike zone. He does it with an extremely funky swing that starts with a big, hanging leg kick and a significant hitch, starting his hands up by his ear, dropping them to his waist, then raising them back up to his shoulder. Adams is a good fastball hitter who can punish mistakes, but there’s length to his swing and a lack of adjustability that will get tested against better pitching. An average runner, Adams typically makes the routine plays at third base with an average arm from a lower slot, but his heavy feet and limited range mean he’s probably ticketed for an outfield corner or first base.

THE FUTURE: The upper levels of the minors will be the big jump for Adams to prove that his offensive skill set will translate against more advanced competition. He could get there in 2024 after likely opening in High-A Wisconsin.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 50. Fielding: 40. Arm: 50.

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Cooper Pratt, SS

Preseason rank: 14
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.

TRACK RECORD: Pratt’s barrel accuracy and high baseball IQ stood out in high school, making him the No. 63 prospect for the 2023 draft. The Brewers drafted him in the sixth round, signed him for well above-slot at $1.35 million and Pratt went on to hit well in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in the summer. After the season, Pratt was the buzziest player at the organization’s instructional league, standing out in a system that’s relatively light on shortstops.

SCOUTING REPORT: A lanky 6-foot-4 righthanded hitter, Pratt showed a knack for putting the ball in play as an amateur that continued into his pro debut. He has a calm, relaxed swing, trusting his hands with a fluid path to the ball. Pratt has an accurate barrel with the ability to consistently square up both fastballs and offspeed stuff, showing solid strike-zone judgment for his age. Pratt has mainly been a singles hitter with gap power, and while the strength projection remaining in his frame suggests more over-the-fence juice should come, it’s likely going to be a hit-over-power profile. An average runner, Pratt doesn’t have the first-step explosion that some scouts prefer at shortstop, but he plays under control at shortstop with a good internal clock and a plus arm. He impressed defensively at shortstop in his pro debut, though as he fills out there’s a chance he could slide over to third base.

THE FUTURE: The early returns have arrows pointing up on Pratt, who could take a significant leap forward if he’s able to unlock more power. He’s likely ticketed for Low-A Carolina to open 2024.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Run: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.