Prospects1500 Preview - Turang, Lutz and Henry

Though the start of the Minor League Baseball season has been delayed, there are still prospects to preview heading into the 2020 season! In partnership with Prospects1500, Brewers writer Philip Case gives a preview of three players that spent time with High-A Carolina during the 2019 season; catcher Payton Henry, shortstop Brice Turang and outfielder Tristen Lutz.

PAYTON HENRY, C

Payton Henry has hit for power with 14 homers and 75 RBI in the Carolina League. Yet, there is a chance that because of a catcher log-jam in the Brewers system, he could return to the Mudcats to start the 2020 season but many expect he could see some time in Biloxi this year. Henry has an above average arm and plays above average overall defense. Henry threw out 38% of the base runners that tried to steal on him. Henry does need to add to his 26 walks and decrease his 142 strikeouts in 2020. He was drafted out Pleasant Grove High School in Utah.

BRICE TURANG, SS

Turang was the 21st overall pick in the 2018 draft. He opened his first full season in Low-A and hit well as a teenager. He hit .287 with a high quality .384 on base percentage before getting promoted to High Class-A Carolina League. Turang continued getting on base by drawing 34 walks in just 47 games. But his batting average dropped to .200 in those 47 games in High-A. Turang continued playing strong defense at both shortstop and second base. He is the type of player that could play solid defense playing any position, including catcher.

The main concern with Turang is his below average power, checking in with just 4 homers in 632 at bats. If the power does develop, he becomes the Tier 1 player that has the ability to be an All-Star. His ability to draw walks, get hits, and play solid defense make Brice Turang a high floor prospect with the potential to be a big league regular for ten plus years.

TRISTEN LUTZ, OF

Tristen Lutz has the best bat in the Brewers farm system. He is second only to Brice Turang at the top of Brewers prospect list. He is big and strong at
6'2 and 210. Like many young hitters with plus raw power, he has struck out over 130 times in each of the last two seasons. But he has also drawn 46 walks in those seasons. By not swinging at everything, he has shown the patience to make pitchers work. This plate discipline will help him as he reaches the upper minors for the first time in 2020. It should be fun to watch Tristen Lutz and Brice Turang playing together for the Shuckers.

The Shuckers will continue to preview potential prospects throughout the course of this delay leading into the Minor League season. Any questions about prospects in the Brewers' system can be directed to Garrett Greene at [email protected].