Brewers to Call Up Highly Touted No. 4 Prospect

Tyler Black Call Up Signals a Time for a Change

The Brewers are off to a start that most analysts didn’t see coming. They’re 17-11 and only a half-game back of the division leader Chicago Cubs. The team is 10th in all of MLB with runs scored, and given how many runs they’ve given up, the team could use a little bit of offensive help. This is particularly true at first base, where Tyler Black has logged the most time in the minors.

At first base, the Brewers are hitting .205/.281/.404 while striking out 28.1% of the time. They’re only walking 7.6% of the time, the fifth worst in MLB. It’s punctuated by Jake Bauers, who has received the most playing time at first and is left-handed, just like Black.

Bauers, 28, has played 15 games at first base. He’s struck out 37.5% of the time, which is second of first basemen who have logged 60 plate appearances. He’s only ahead of Joey Gallo. Bauers also hasn’t been walking. He’s the third worst in the league with a 4.7% walk rate.

While Bauers isn’t necessarily known for his bat, it could be time for Milwaukee to make a change at the position for a platoon partner with Rhys Hoskins.

The Profile

For Tyler Black, he isn’t a slugger that you’d normally find at the corners of a major league infield. However, what he doesn’t have in power, he makes up for with his contact abilities. His K% this season is at 13.6%, while his walk rate sits right at 11%. He’ll get on base and cut down on the strikeouts. He’s also got the ability to steal bases. In 2023, he stole 55 bags between Triple-A and Double-A.

This season, he’s hitting .303/.393/.525 with five homers, three triples, and three stolen bases.

It remains to be seen how the Brewers will use Black, particularly with the emergence of Joey Ortiz over at third base. One thing they do have on the roster is versatility, and Black can help with that spelling at third and first base. While his defense isn’t stellar, his bat should play enough for him to be a major leaguer.