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Prospect1500 Season Preview, Part 2

Prospect1500 takes a look at some of the top talent likely to head to MGM Park this summer.
(Photo - Mike Krebs)
March 20, 2023

In the second installment of the 2023 Prospect1500 Shuckers season preview, David Gasper takes a look at five more stars of the system likely to play at MGM Park this summer. The list includes 2022 Shuckers, like former Miami Hurricanes star Freddy Zamora and Wes Clarke, along with new faces

In the second installment of the 2023 Prospect1500 Shuckers season preview, David Gasper takes a look at five more stars of the system likely to play at MGM Park this summer. The list includes 2022 Shuckers, like former Miami Hurricanes star Freddy Zamora and Wes Clarke, along with new faces such as the tall and speedy first baseman, Ernesto Martinez.

Freddy Zamora, SS

Shuckers fans got to see a little bit of Zamora in action early in the 2022 season before he went down with an injury, but he figures to be back in Biloxi for 2023 now that he's fully recovered. The former second-round pick hit .300 with a .404 OBP in 2021 when he was healthy and he has the talent to put those kinds of numbers up once again now that he's 100%. He can play a slick shortstop and has a knack for getting on base. He'll be looking to get back on track this season and when he's healthy, he's incredible to watch play.

Ernesto Martinez, 1B

If you like fun personalities and big, mammoth home runs, you'll love Ernesto Martinez. If you like watching a 6'6" first baseman go into the full splits, you'll love Ernesto Martinez. If you like watching a 6'6" first baseman steal bases, you'll love Ernesto Martinez. If you like anything fun, you'll love Ernesto Martinez. The hulking, slugging first baseman may have dealt with some injuries last year but was productive. Martinez has put up an OPS above .800 for each of the past three seasons and now is poised to make the jump to Double-A.

Carlos Rodriguez, OF

There are two Carlos Rodriguez in the Brewers system. Although you may not be able to tell them apart by name, this Carlos Rodriguez is a speedy outfielder with a keen ability to make contact. The 22-year-old is a career .294 hitter and he can play all three outfield positions. Don't expect Rodriguez to hit for much power, but he can get on base and steal some bases and will put the ball in play a lot. He's spent the past two years in High-A and likely would've made it to Double-A already were it not for an injury.

Russell Smith, LHP

It'll be hard to miss Russell Smith when you see him on the diamond. The 6'7" left-hander was the Brewers’ second-round pick in 2021 out of TCU. He missed the last two months of the season last year on the IL but returned to play in the Arizona Fall League and is 100% healthy and ready to go for 2023. Smith had a solid year in the starting rotation in High-A and figures to remain in the rotation for his jump to Double-A. Smith has an excellent fastball-changeup combo and a solid slider along with it.

Wes Clarke, C/1B

Clarke was promoted to Biloxi late last season and he figures to return to the Shuckers to begin 2023. Fans may remember him well as he slugged five homers in just 16 games with the Shuckers and he's poised to slug even more this year. The South Carolina product brings plenty of power but also patience, drawing 64 walks last year. Clarke spent some time at catcher last year but also plenty of time at first base, which is his most likely position going forward.