These five Brewers’ prospects have made the most of their time in big-league camp
Getting an invite to major league spring training can be a huge step for prospects. Not only does it give them more face time with the major league coaching staff and the players on the big-league roster, but it also gives them a chance to prove themselves against better competition.
This year, many of the Brewers’ top prospects who appear on MLB Pipeline’s recently released top 30 Brewers’ prospects list were offered invitations to major league camp, and several others have made scattered appearances for the Cactus Crew this spring (check out Adam’s article from earlier this week for a full rundown on this year’s top 30 list). Let’s take a look at a few prospects who are taking advantage of their time with the big-league roster.
Cooper Pratt (No. 3 Brewers’ prospect/No. 56 MLB prospect)
Pratt was drafted out of high school less than two years ago, but the 20-year-old looks like he’s been facing major league competition for years. In just 14 at-bats across eight games, Pratt is tied for the team lead in doubles with three. He’s collected four RBIs and struck out just three times while playing every inning at shortstop. Pratt enters the season without a clear destination after playing most of last season in Low-A with the Carolina Mudcats. He was called up to High-A for the final 23 games of the season and joined the Biloxi Shuckers in Double-A for their three postseason games at the end of the season.
The debate this offseason was whether he would start the 2025 season in High-A with the Timber Rattlers or in Double-A with the Shuckers. His strong spring seemingly makes the latter more likely, which would put just one level between Pratt and the big leagues.
Ernesto Martinez Jr. (not ranked)
Martinez continues to be criminally underrated as a prospect after missing out on MLB Pipeline’s top 30 Brewers’ prospects list once again this year. A slow start to his professional career seems to be the impetus for his absence, but Martinez has not let this lack of recognition affect his play on the field. He’s collected five hits in 15 at-bats this spring with a double, a home run, and six RBI. In the field, Martinez’s defense and athleticism continue to impress, showing an above average ability to man the cold corner.
The signing of Mark Canha added to an already crowded battle for the team’s backup first-baseman, a battle that also includes Jake Bauers and Tyler Black. Therefore, Martinez is likely destined for Triple-A Nashville regardless of how well he hits this spring. However, with the Brewers unlikely to keep both Bauers and Canha on their roster, and Black’s defensive home still unknown, Martinez will serve as valuable first-base depth in 2025 and could be an important contributor to the organization beyond this year.
Logan Henderson (No. 13 Brewers’ prospect)
Henderson has yet to make an official start this spring training, but he has still displayed his ability to cover multiple innings amassing 5 2⁄3 innings of work across three appearances. Henderson has not surrendered a run this spring and has struck out eight batters while only walking one.
After signing Jose Quintana and Tyler Alexander and then losing DL Hall and presumably Aaron Ashby to injuries, the Brewers’ starting pitching depth is about what it was a few weeks ago, which means Henderson will more than likely start the year in Triple-A.
Henderson, Chad Patrick, and Jacob Misiorowski will headline an extremely talented minor league rotation for the Nashville Sounds. I’m sure none of us need to be reminded how many starting pitchers the Brewers used last year, but it is a clear indication that Henderson will be called upon for at least a few major league starts this year.
Craig Yoho (No. 19 Brewers’ prospect)
At this time last year, Craig Yoho had yet to pitch a single inning above Rookie ball. Just a year later, he looks like one of the best relievers in a talented Brewers’ bullpen. Yoho has made four appearances this spring, including three one-inning outings and one two-inning outing. In five total innings, Yoho has yet to allow a run, surrendering just one hit to opposing batters and racking up a team-leading nine strikeouts. His lethal changeup, which produced a ridiculous 51% whiff rate last season, has been on full display this spring.
Yoho climbed through the minor leagues last year, starting in High-A and finishing the season in Triple-A with many fans calling for his promotion to the big leagues. With a crowded bullpen picture, and an incentive to keep Yoho in the minor leagues for a few weeks to gain an extra year of team control, it’s unlikely that Yoho will start the year with the Brewers, even if he continues to impress this spring. However, Yoho will almost certainly make his MLB debut at some point in 2025 and could immediately be thrown into a high-leverage relief role, with many believing he will be the next great Brewers’ closer.
Chase Costello (not ranked)
Speaking of changeups, have you seen Chase Costello’s? Costello has yet to give up a hit or a run this spring in three appearances. He has struck out three batters and walked just one. The former LSU Tiger was playing independent ball when the Brewers offered him a minor league contract two years ago.
This past season, Costello pitched most of his innings for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers but was promoted to Double-A Biloxi shortly before the season ended. Costello has looked sharp against good competition this spring and could serve as the closer in Biloxi to start the season, assuming Justin Yeager, the Shuckers’ closer from last season, starts the year in Triple-A.