The Milwaukee Brewers face a familiar dilemma: balancing the long-term value of their farm system with the short-term need to compete for a postseason berth. With limited financial flexibility, Milwaukee must be particularly cautious about parting ways with young talent under team control. However, clinging too tightly to prospects could mean missing out on a key trade deadline opportunity. Several minor leaguers currently ranked on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 or Brewer Fanatic’s Top 20 may be expendable if the right deal presents itself.
3B Brock Wilken
Currently ranked No. 11 by Brewer Fanatic and No. 18 on MLB.com, Wilken is slashing .230/.392/.550 at Double-A Biloxi. Despite decent power numbers, Wilken may be the third-best third base prospect in Milwaukee’s system, trailing Luke Adams and Mike Boeve. His high strikeout rate—74 Ks in 222 at-bats—adds to concerns. With Adams showing speed and power, and Boeve offering more consistent contact, Wilken might be a logical trade piece.
SS Jorge Quintana
Quintana ranks No. 19 on MLB Pipeline. Playing in the Arizona Complex League, he’s batting .254/.345/.373. Unfortunately, his output has lagged behind fellow shortstop prospects Jesus Made and Luis Pena, who’ve already advanced to Single-A. Given Quintana’s $1.7 million signing bonus, the Brewers may look to recoup value through a trade while his stock remains moderately intact.
RHP Carlos Rodriguez
Ranked No. 22 by MLB Pipeline, Rodriguez is having a solid season at Triple-A (3-2, 2.64 ERA), but has struggled in limited MLB exposure (8.10 ERA, 2.70 WHIP). While serviceable, he’s seen as a back-end starter with limited upside compared to arms like Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson. With more promising options in the system and MLB depth, Rodriguez could be a candidate to move.
UT/DH Tyler Black
Once a rising star, Black’s 2025 campaign has been derailed by injuries and underperformance. After struggling at Triple-A (.097 AVG), he’s now rehabbing in the ACL. Trades for Joey Ortiz and Oliver Dunn have pushed him down the depth chart, and younger prospects like Caleb Durbin may soon leapfrog him. Black’s future in Milwaukee is murky, and a fresh start elsewhere might benefit both sides.
1B Blake Burke
Acquired in the Corbin Burnes trade with Baltimore, Burke is slashing .303/.394/.427 in High-A. Originally expected to be a slugger with defensive limitations, Burke has shown more contact and defensive skill than anticipated. Still, with a crowded first base pipeline, including Andrew Vaughn, Ernesto Martinez, and Mike Boeve, the Brewers may consider selling high on Burke.
RHP Coleman Crow
Crow was the return in the offseason deal that sent Tyrone Taylor and Adrian Houser to the Angels. Now healthy, he’s been outstanding at Double-A (4-0, 2.51 ERA, 0.91 WHIP). But with depth in the upper minors—K.C. Hunt, Tate Kuehner, and others—Milwaukee might be tempted to explore Crow’s market value while it’s peaking.
Ultimately, the Brewers are not expected to gut their farm system, but in a competitive NL Central and with playoff positioning on the line, moving one or two mid-tier prospects could be a savvy way to reinforce the big-league club without compromising their long-term vision.
