Under the Radar Prospects: Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers are the focus of this week’s Under the Radar Prospects.

The Brewers have a highly talented and deep farm system, but today we’ll focus on some lesser known names. Highlighted within their system are five players that are showcasing potential big league futures. Among them are a power reliever, an undersized, but exceptional defensive outfielder, a player that knows how to get on base, a long-time starting pitcher beginning to find his groove, and a groundball inducing sidearmer.

Shane Smith, RHP - Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers picked up Shane Smith as an undrafted free agent during the Summer of 2021. Smith had talent during his collegiate career, but COVID and Tommy John surgery led to him going undrafted. Smith made his pro debut in 2022, pitching in just three games. This past year, Smith made his full season debut and easily carved his way through opposing lineups.

Serving solely as a relief pitcher, Smith covered nearly two innings per outing. Over the course of the full season, the former Wake Forest righty appeared in 38 games, compiling a 1.96 ERA | 3.23 FIP with a 37.1% strikeout rate (the best in the organization) and 9.1% walk rate while batters hit just .176 against him over 59 2/3 innings pitched. Smith finished the year with two games in Double-A. Smith has two above-average pitches, a fastball-curveball combination that induces a lot of swing and miss. This goes along with a deceptive delivery that makes Smith an extremely effective late inning reliever.

Luis Lara, CF - Milwaukee Brewers

19-year-old Luis Lara signed with the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2022 international signing period. Lara isn’t physically imposing, with his height being listed at just 5’7”, but despite his size Lara possesses an interesting profile at the plate. His quick hands have generated high end max exit velocities and allow him to generate more power than you’d expect from such a small frame. He may never be a home run threat, but he has gap-to-gap power that should produce plenty of extra base hits. Lara also has an above-average feel for contact, possessing one of the lowest whiff rates in the Brewers’ system and only striking out in 15.4% of his plate appearances between Single-A and High-A last season — all while being just 18-year old and making his stateside debut.