Brewers Prospect Primer: Arcia stands above

Some players are on the verge of stardom, others are entering a crucial phase of their development and still others are getting their first tastes of full-season ball. With the 2015 season approaching, MiLB.com takes a look at the most intriguing prospects from each MLB organization.

Shining star: Orlando Arcia, SS

As if the folks in Biloxi weren't fortunate enough to have a brand-new Southern League franchise open play in their backyard, they'll be graced this season -- or at least the first part of it -- with Orlando Arcia, Milwaukee's only top 100 prospect.

The No. 89 overall prospect in baseball is coming off a strong campaign in which he slashed .289/.346/.392 with four home runs, 50 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 42 attempts over 127 games at Class A Advanced Brevard County.

"Outside of being a solid defensive player, he loves to play the game, and he brings everybody's game up a level when he's on the field," said Reid Nichols, Milwaukee's director of player development. "He sees plays before they happen. He anticipates. He's [got] a good bat. He's a complete player ... good baserunner."

The slick fielder from Venezuela actually got a taste of Double-A in 2014, appearing in five Southern League semifinal games with Huntsville. In 18 postseason at-bats, Arcia collected five hits -- including a double and a triple -- and plated three runs.

Breakout prospect: David Denson, 1B

A big first baseman who can hit the ball a long way from the left side of the plate, Denson -- the club's No. 21 prospect -- carries power potential that could very well make him a household name among Brew Crew die-hards this season.

Though Denson batted just .243/.364/.350 with four homers, 29 RBIs, 43 walks and 80 strikeouts over 68 games at Class A Wisconsin in 2014, Milwaukee expects to see the 20-year-old driving the ball with much greater regularity in 2015.

"I'm hoping for a solid year from David Denson," Nichols said. "He's a guy who's got big-time power. He's got a great eye at the plate. I'm expecting more from him this year."

Major League-ready: Corey Knebel, RHP

A 2013 first-round pick (39th overall) by Detroit, Knebel made his big league debut with the Tigers last season. Over eight appearances in the Majors, he allowed seven runs -- six earned -- over 8 2/3 innings, yielding 11 hits while fanning 11 and walking three. After going to the Rangers in July, Knebel was acquired by the Brewers in the offseason as part of the Yovani Gallardo deal.

"A guy obviously I haven't been able to have a lot of experience with," Nichols said, "but I like what I've seen this spring."

Ranked as Milwaukee's No. 10 prospect, Knebel has an impressive breaking ball to go with a heater that sits around 95 mph. The righty made 34 relief appearances in the Minors last season (23 at Triple-A and 11 at Double-A), going 5-1 with a 2.18 ERA and 63 strikeouts against 22 walks in 45 1/3 innings.

Full-season debutant: Monte Harrison, RF

A second-round selection in last year's Draft, Harrison would have went earlier if teams hadn't feared he might turn down a contract to instead play football and baseball at the University of Nebraska. Of the Brewers' three 2014 Draft picks that MLB.com ranked among the team's top 10 prospects, he's the highest at No. 3.

The 19-year-old should be a solid hitter, but his speed and defensive ability are what make him really stand out. Over 50 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Harrison batted .261/.402/.339 with one home run and 20 RBIs. He led the league with 32 stolen bases and 31 walks and used his 70-grade arm to collect three assists.

"Monte is a four- or five-tool guy who's [got] a lot of confidence," Nichols said.

Loudest tool: Tyrone Taylor, CF

Before Arcia ascended to the top of Milwaukee's prospect rankings, Taylor was No. 1. He's only slipped to No. 2, and there are many who would still argue that his future is the brightest in the system. Much of that optimism is due to the 2012 second-round pick's exceptional defensive tools. On the 20-80 scale, Taylor possesses 60 speed (above average), 55 fielding ability and a 50 arm.

"He's a solid center fielder, another guy who can go get 'em," Nichols said. "He put up solid numbers last year. He's a good baserunner. I like Tyrone.

"He's a good outfielder. He's going to get better, too. He's working on getting better breaks, and he's good already, but he's going to be better."

What's more, Taylor -- a former high school running back -- is a more-than-adequate hitter. Over 130 games in the Class A Advanced Florida State League last year, he batted .278/.331/.396 with six homers, 68 RBIs and 22 steals in 28 tries. He led the circuit with 36 doubles while ranking second with 141 total hits, and he hit for the cycle in April.

More to keep an eye on: Hawaii native Kodi Medeiros -- the 12th overall pick in last year's Draft and Milwaukee's No. 8 prospect -- struggled in the Arizona League last season, but the left-hander has the raw talent to become an impact performer in his first full season. ... After slugging 22 home runs in his first pro season two years ago, Brewers No. 14 prospect Victor Roache cranked 18 dingers in 2014. ... Four starts at Triple-A Nashville is all the work Johnny Hellweg got before undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. The Brewers' No. 16 prospect, who has already pitched in the Majors, isn't fully healthy yet but should contribute this year. ... Few players in baseball are as fast as Brewers No. 28 Omar Garcia, who has used his 80-grade speed to pile up 72 stolen bases in his first two pro seasons. Though his 68 percent success rate in 2014 (down from 82 percent in 2013) suggests room for improvement, the 21-year-old's speed allows him to single-handedly change games and makes him a standout in Milwaukee's system.