Arizona Fall League Prospect Report: Brewers SS Bounces Back
Image credit: (Photo by Bill Mitchell)
Eric Brown Jr., SS, Brewers: It’s no stretch to say Brown’s 2023 season was a disappointment. He was viewed as a breakout candidate, but hit just .265/.362/.347 over 63 games with High-A Wisconsin. Brown is looking to make up for lost time after dealing with injuries in the second half of the season. He went 2-for-4 Thursday night and stole his seventh base, raising his batting average to .340. Brown has always possessed strong plate skills and a knack for the barrel, with athleticism and twitch.
Max Muncy, SS, Athletics: The other Max Muncy is a former touted prep talent that has struggled as a professional. His plate skills are below-average, as Muncy struggles with contact and approach. Muncy’s greatest asset is his ability to make hard contact at optimal angles. It’s been more of the same so far for Muncy in AFL play. He went 1-for-3 with a home run, two runs and two RBIs, but is hitting just .209.
CJ Van Eyk, RHP, Blue Jays: Injuries have plagued the last few seasons for Van Eyk. He missed all of 2022 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Van Eyk returned late in 2023 and is looking to make up for lost time. He continued his standout Arizona Fall League on Thursday, going five scoreless innings while allowing one hit, walking none and striking out five. He primarily mixes a 92-94 mph four-seam fastball with a low-80s power curve and a mid-80s gyro slider.
Sterlin Thompson, 3B, Rockies: The former Florida star has continued to hit as a professional. Thompson is hitting .395 with a 1.117 OPS so far in AFL play. He went for 1-for-4 on Thursday and reached base twice. Thompson has one of the more advanced hit tools in the minors and will likely raise his stock with a continued good showing in Arizona.
Jack Brannigan, 3B, Pirates: A former two-way star at Notre Dame, Brannigan is one of the more underappreciated good prospects in the minor leagues. He has a good combination of power, approach and contact with defensive chops at third that are backed by an easy plus throwing arm. On Thursday, Brannigan went 2-for-5 with a home run, his second of the Fall League. Brannigan’s hype has yet to match his ability. He’s a name to follow heading into next season.
Thursday’s Top Performers
| Player | Team | ORG | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | Note |
| McCabe, David | SRR | ATL | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .314 | .510 | .371 | 2B |
| Ogans, Keshawn | SRR | ATL | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .316 | .366 | .421 | 2B, HR |
| Bowens, TT | MSS | BAL | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .200 | .289 | .400 | 2B |
| Cook, Billy | MSS | BAL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .206 | .386 | .441 | HR |
| McDonough, Tyler | GDD | BOS | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .231 | .353 | .462 | 3 2B |
| Callahan, Austin | SUR | CIN | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .103 | .129 | .207 | 2B |
| Trautwein, Michael | SUR | CIN | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .269 | .406 | .654 | 2B |
| Burke, Jacobs | GDD | CWS | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .204 | .328 | .367 | 2B |
| Bigbie, Justice | SRR | DET | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 | .375 | .325 | 2B |
| Dezenzo, Zach | MSS | HOU | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .226 | .328 | .415 | |
| Brown Jr., Eric | SUR | MIL | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .340 | .431 | .480 | 2B, SB |
| Clarke, Wes | SUR | MIL | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .302 | .455 | .651 | |
| Jordan, Rowdey | GDD | NYM | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .275 | .341 | .425 | 2B |
| Schwartz, JT | GDD | NYM | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .342 | .381 | .605 | 2 2B |
| Durbin, Caleb | MSS | NYY | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .342 | .479 | .605 | 2B |
| Muncy, Max | MSS | OAK | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .209 | .277 | .395 | HR |
| Brannigan, Jack | SRR | PIT | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .200 | .294 | .444 | HR |
| Pauley, Graham | PEJ | SDP | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .239 | .260 | .478 | 2B |
| Montgomery, Carson | GDD | TBR | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | .255 | .280 | .553 | 3B |
| Cauley, Cam | SUR | TEX | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .178 | .260 | .378 | 2 HR |
| Brown, Dasan | SUR | TOR | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .294 | .375 | .441 | 2B |
| Player | Team | ORG | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | |
| Mata, Bryan | GDD | BOS | 1.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6.75 | |
| Webb, Ryan | PEJ | CLE | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6.97 | L |
| McMahon, Chris | SRR | COL | 2.1 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12.71 | |
| Williams, Case | SRR | COL | 2.1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3.24 | |
| Coffey, Adisyn | GDD | CWS | 1.1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 27.00 | |
| Cousin, Josimar | GDD | CWS | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11.57 | |
| Blubaugh, A.J. | MSS | HOU | 2.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3.86 | SV |
| Guilfoil, Tyler | MSS | HOU | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 12.91 | W |
| Chaney, Chase | SCO | LAA | 3.1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 13.50 | |
| Veen, Zach | GDD | MIN | 1.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7.20 | |
| McGowan, Christian | SCO | PHI | 4.1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4.05 | L |
| Taylor, Troy | PEJ | SEA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.50 | |
| Palmer, Trent | SUR | TOR | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 18.00 | |
| Van Eyk, CJ | SUR | TOR | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.79 | W |
