Prospect1500 Shuckers' Season Preview, Part 1
As the Shuckers move towards the 2023 season, they’re once again proud to partner with Prospects1500 to preview the top talent that is likely on its way to Coastal Mississippi. In part one of the installment, Prospects1500 writer David Gasper previews the top stars of the Brewers’ system, including consensus
As the Shuckers move towards the 2023 season, they’re once again proud to partner with Prospects1500 to preview the top talent that is likely on its way to Coastal Mississippi. In part one of the installment, Prospects1500 writer David Gasper previews the top stars of the Brewers’ system, including consensus top prospect Jackson Chourio.
Jackson Chourio, OF
Shuckers' fans got a one-week look at Chourio at the end of last season, but they'll get a much better look at the Brewers’ top prospect in 2023 as he seeks to build upon his breakout 2022 season. Chourio has quickly risen the ranks to become a consensus Top 10 prospect in all of baseball and the clear top prospect in the Brewers' system. He has all five tools, but the loudest are with his bat as he brings the ability to hit for both average and power. The hype around Chourio is higher than we've ever seen on any previous Shuckers' player. You'll want to get to MGM Park to see him before he gets promoted because given his talent, it could happen quickly.
Jackson Chourio makes quite the first impression with the @BiloxiShuckers.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 14, 2022
The top-ranked @Brewers prospect swats a two-run double in his Double-A debut: pic.twitter.com/FulEZhqxmn
Tyler Black, INF
The 33rd overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Black is likely to play for the Shuckers this season. Despite dealing with some injuries in High-A Wisconsin that limited him to just 64 games last season, Black is an advanced hitter. He hit .281 last year with a league-leading .406 OBP and an .830 OPS. Black can set the table and get on base, making him a likely regular presence at the top of the lineup for the Shuckers. Black will probably spend most of his time at second base but can bounce around to other positions as well.
The @Brewers' No. 7 prospect Tyler Black knocks two doubles in a four-hit night for the @TimberRattlers: https://t.co/R7KBHBeLgB pic.twitter.com/8Jig5yhYzT
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 3, 2022
Jeferson Quero, C
The Brewers may not start Quero out with Biloxi this season, but based on his talent and overall success so far, there's a very good chance he makes it there sometime this season, potentially very early on. The now 20-year-old catching prospect had his first year in full-season ball last year as a teenager and dominated to the tune of a .286 average, .781 OPS, and 34 extra-base hits. He got even better after his promotion to High-A. Since then, he's played in the Arizona Fall League where he opened more eyes and earned a non-roster invite to spring training. Quero is a well-rounded catcher, with above-average skills on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Once he arrives in Biloxi, he'll be an exciting one to watch.
Two days after turning 20, No. 7 @Brewers prospect Jeferson Quero celebrated with a four-knock performance that included throwing out two attempted basestealers in the AFL: https://t.co/78827w87TW pic.twitter.com/eIxVFQV0Gs
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) October 11, 2022
Carlos Rodriguez, RHP
Rodriguez was the Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2022 after a stellar season across Single-A and High-A. He had a 3.01 ERA across 26 outings with 129 strikeouts in 107.1 IP. He led the Brewers minor league pitchers in WHIP, strikeout rate, opponent batting average, and FIP last year. In Rodriguez's seven starts in High-A, he had just a 1.98 ERA. He's not an overpowering pitcher, sitting in the low-90s, occasionally hitting mid-90s, but he locates well, keeps runs off the board, and keeps hitters off balance.
Six 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 innings for Carlos Rodriguez earned him Midwest Lg Pitcher of the Week 🏆
— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) September 5, 2022
His High-A numbers are dominant:
31.1 IP
5 ER
41 K
10 BB
.455 OPS allowed#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/sqGmEKCFwS
Stiven Cruz, RHP
The Brewers have been aggressive with Cruz, who has some of the best pure stuff in the Brewers system. Cruz completely skipped the Arizona Complex league and went right into full-season ball in 2022, pitching well in Single-A in 15 starts with just a 2.2 BB/9 and a 11.0 K/9 in 72.1 IP, earning a promotion to High-A where he had a minuscule 0.47 ERA in four starts to end the season. The next step for Cruz will be to build endurance and go deeper into games and given the 21-year-old’s success so far, he'll likely get pushed to Double-A here in 2023 as he continues to put himself on the radar.
Another dominant start for Stiven Cruz in High-A 🔥🔥
— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) August 25, 2022
6 scoreless innings, 1 hit, and 7 Ks
In two High-A starts he has 12 Ks in 12 innings, allowing 2 H and 1 R#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/ulNse8Vxez
Prior to the start of the 2023 Shuckers’ season, MGM Park will host the Hancock Whitney Classic as Mississippi State matches up with Nicholls on Tuesday, March 14, and Louisiana on Wednesday, March 15. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster or at the MGM Park Box Office during normal business hours.
ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:
The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers are members of the Southern League and play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.
ABOUT SHUCKERS BASEBALL, LLC:
Shuckers Baseball, LLC is a MS entity owned and operated by John Tracy. Shuckers Baseball operates the Biloxi Shuckers baseball franchise, including operating MGM Park for Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games and other entertainment and recreational events.