Brock

Wilken

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold told reporters Friday that Wilken did not suffer a concussion or any vision-related issues when he was hit in the face by a 94-mph fastball during Thursday’s game at Double-A Biloxi. He’ll be evaluated for surgery once the swelling has subsided enough to undergo addition testing. He’s going to wind up missing some time, but his long-term prognosis is much more optimistic than originally expected immediately after the injury.

It’ll be top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski toeing the rubber for Milwaukee in the showcase with fellow top prospects Tyler Black, Brock Wilken and Jeferson Quero in the lineup. It’s an interesting look at the future for the Brewers with Chourio at the epicenter.

Misiorowski is arguably the biggest name here for Milwaukee as he possesses top-of-the-rotation stuff, but has an extremely wide range of potential outcomes. Wilken was the Brewers’ first-round pick last year and figures to move quickly though their system. McGee is still working his way back from injury, but could provide some extra pitching depth at some point.

There’s no shortage of interesting prospects among the group of spring training invitees for the Brewers, but Black has the best shot out of this group to break camp with Milwaukee. The 23-year-old burgeoning slugger clobbered 18 homers and also stole 55 bases last year in 123 contests between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville. Misiorowski possesses top-of-the-rotation upside, but will likely require some extra development time in the minors. Gasser misses enough bats to make an instant impact for fantasy managers, but he’s a dark horse to make the season-opening roster. Wilken has done nothing but hit since being selected 18th overall in last year’s MLB Draft. The 21-year-old third baseman could factor into the Brewers’ infield mix at some point later this year.

Wilken had a ridiculous .345/.506/.807 line for Wake Forest this year, and he’s continued to rake as a pro, batting .296/.433/.458 in 41 games. He might be a threat to reach the majors before the end of next year.

The 18th overall pick played just seven games in the complex league, with a home run and a 1.046 OPS. The success was enough for Milwaukee to think he deserved more of a challenge. The 21-year-old hit .354/.517/.805 with 27 homers for Wake Forest this spring and has all the makings of a valuable fantasy infielder.

According to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline, Wilken winds up with a $3.15 million signing bonus, which is well under the slot value of $4,021,400 for the 18th selection in the draft. The 21-year-old slugger clubbed a school record 71 home runs during his career at Wake Forest.

Wilken should be a solid-average third baseman in the big leagues as a result of plus raw power, solid defense (led by a strong arm), and a swing that heated up later in the spring season. He hit .354/.517/.805 with 27 homers this spring, and profiles to do just about anything you’d want out of a fantasy infielder, except steal bases, but he’ll have to keep his strikeout rate in check after whiffing 121 times in his last 120 games of college competition. He’s landed in an excellent spot for a power hitter in Milwaukee.