A Bold Move in a Time of Crisis: Milwaukee brewers Propose $139.5 Million Trade for Rivals’ Pitcher Amidst…..Read more

The slightest hesitation in the box could ruin a player whose value depends on his bat. He set an ACC record with 71 homers in three seasons at Wake Forest, and his 31 homers as a junior in 2023 placed him second in Division I.

That tremendous power drew the Brewers to take the right-handed slugger 18th overall, send him to Double-A in his Draft year, and return him there in 2024.

However, Wilken entered July with a.225/.315/.393 line and eight homers in 51 games. After a scorching July (.874 OPS), he fell in August and September to complete the season at.199/.312/.363. His 17 homers were fourth-best in the Southern League, where the OPS was.664—13th out of 14 full-season affiliated leagues.

Wilken said, “If a guy’s hitting.230, you’re like, wow, this guy is a good hitter,” since the league is so tough.

Wilken’s AFL assignment was partly to get him into the dry desert air, where balls soar better than in damp Southern League ballparks. After a strong Fall League season and return to form, the former Demon Deacon wants to bat behind Brewers prospect Jackson Chourio in the Biloxi lineup again at the Majors.

“The Brewers love to move guys if you’re doing well,” Wilken added. “You have more to play for.”

Arizona Fall League summaries:
AL: BAL, BOS, NYY, TB, TOR ALC: CLE, CWS, DET, KC, MIN ALW: HOU, LAA, OAK, SEA, TEX NLE: ATL, MIA, NYM, PHI, WSH NLC: CHC, CIN, MIL, PIT, STL NLW: AZ, COL, LAD, SD, SF

Brewers Fall League hitters

Luis Lara, OF (17): In the last two seasons, the Brewers have aggressively pursued Lara, who signed for $1.1 million in 2022 and skipped the Arizona Complex League last year before joining High-A Wisconsin for a full season this summer. The only Top 100 prospects with more High-A plate appearances were Cam Collier (507) and Sebastian Walcott (491). Lara had only four homers and a.327 slugging percentage despite making good contact and stealing 45 bags. Though his speed, glove, and arm are still good, he should emphasis on driving the ball more in the AFL and beyond in his 20s.

Juan Baez, 3B/2B (No. 27): Baez debuted in 2023 as a.370 hitter with a.952 OPS in 48 games in the Arizona Complex League. He was warming up for Single-A Carolina when a pickoff attempt on May 29 injured his right shoulder. The Mudcats infielder missed six weeks before hitting the ACL for rehab and never found a rhythm at the plate, finishing with a.272/.332/.361 line and 106 wRC+ in 81 games. Though he struck out 9.0%, the 19-year-old made lots of contact. With 45s and 50s in his profile, he needs that hit tool to drive.

Brewers Fall League pitchers

RHP Coleman Crow (No. 30): Crow pitched his last Minor League game on April 26, 2023. He was a Double-A Angel. He was dealt to the Mets in June, had Tommy John surgery in the summer, and joined the Brewers last offseason. On Oct. 10, the 23-year-old right-hander made his Milwaukee debut with Peoria, throwing a 90-91 mph fastball, upper-80s cutter, and mid-80s slider His signature pitch is a mid-70s curveball that sometimes reached 3,000 rpm and broke sharply. A strong Fall League might make the Crew’s 40-man decision or another club’s Rule 5 selection fascinating.

Ryan Birchard, RHP: Milwaukee likes junior-college arms, and Birchard looked like its latest find last year when it drafted the Niagara County product in the fifth round. Birchard boasted mid-90s velocity and two above-average breaks in his curve and slider, but oblique troubles limited him to 21 1/3 innings in his first full season.

Will Childers, RHP: Matt Childers had eight Brewers appearances as a rookie in 2002, and 20 years later, his son Will signed as an undrafted free agent from Georgia. The younger pitcher had a breakout summer with a 4.15 ERA, 56 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 52 relief innings between High-A and Double-A. He throws a 97-mph fastball, upper-80s cutter, 82-86 mph slider, and low-80s curveball.

In his first complete season at High-A Wisconsin, ninth-round pick Mark Manfredi out of Dayton last year, pitched 76 innings as a starter and reliever with a 3.91 ERA, 95 strikeouts, and 43 walks. His control concerns suggest he’ll play full-time in the bullpen, and his stuff fits there. Southpaws can throw 97-98 mph fastballs and good sliders from low three-quarters slots.

Two years after joining the Brewers from the tiny Pioneer League in 2022, Nick Merkel, RHP, has reached Double-A as a reliever. The 6-foot-7 righty, known as The Large Mammal, had a 3.43 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in 78 2/3 innings for Biloxi in his age-25 season before joining Peoria in the fall. Merkel’s secondary offerings, including a low-80s knucklecurve, can miss despite his 91-93 fastball velocity.