After a dramatic offseason that saw franchise cornerstones Corbin Burnes and Craig Counsell depart, the Milwaukee Brewers have had an impressive first half of the season. They currently hold a 55-42 record, leading the NL Central by 4.5 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals and 8.5 games ahead of the last-place Chicago Cubs. Their 55 wins are tied for the most in franchise history before the All-Star Break.
Despite their success, the Brewers could benefit from additional reinforcements to sustain their high level of play. Here are three top prospects the Brewers might consider trading to bolster their squad before the MLB trade deadline:
**Luis Lara (Outfielder)**
– **Brewers #8 prospect**
Luis Lara, a 19-year-old outfielder from Venezuela, joined the Milwaukee system in 2022 and is currently the team’s No. 8 prospect. Known for his speed, Lara has stolen 56 bases in 156 minor league games. He also shows good plate discipline, with 44 walks to 61 strikeouts last season. However, his power is a concern, as he has only hit four home runs since the start of 2023. Given the Brewers’ abundance of speedy, undersized outfielders with strong defense, Lara’s potential as a solid leadoff hitter and centerfielder makes him a valuable trade asset.
**Eric Brown Jr. (Shortstop)**
– **Brewers #10 prospect**
Eric Brown Jr. is the only one of the eight Brewers’ top-30 prospects who are part-time shortstops playing at Double-A or higher. A speedster, Brown stole 37 bases in 63 games at High-A Wisconsin last year while maintaining a .362 OBP. Though he has struggled at Double-A Biloxi in 2024, batting .195 in 63 games, the 23-year-old still has time to adjust to higher-level pitching. Brown’s potential makes him a key asset in trade discussions.
**Brett Wichrowski (Pitcher)**
– **Brewers #14 prospect**
Milwaukee has a strong track record of developing pitching prospects, and Brett Wichrowski could be the best arm they are willing to trade. A 13th-round pick from Bryant in 2023, Wichrowski touches triple digits on the radar gun and has a mix of a deadly four-seamer, sinker, sweeping slider, and cutter. His changeup, however, needs improvement. After a strong start at High-A Wisconsin, Wichrowski has been solid but less successful at Double-A Biloxi, with a 4.47 ERA in 44.1 innings. Despite a rising walk rate and a declining strikeout rate, his high ceiling at just 21 years old gives him significant trade value.
