Braun Called Up by Brewers

Of course, one of the key omissions from my Prospects to Watch list gets called up the next day. Ryan Braun will likely start at third base for the Brewers tonight against Greg Maddux and the Padres. Milwaukee fans are likely calling off work for a day of Braun worship, as he has the enviable task of replacing a third base platoon of Tony Graffanino and Craig Counsell, who have been absolutely awful to date.

Counsell: .231/.360/.308
Graffanino: .187/.261/.234

He should add some pop at a premium power position to a team that is already first in the NL with a .442 slugging average. If he performs to expectations, that's a freakishly powerful infield of Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, JJ Hardy and Braun. The 5th pick in the 2005 draft, the BA Prospect Handbook listed him as the Brewers' top position prospect heading into 2007, calling him "a rare five-tool corner infielder" with "tremendous bat speed (who) profiles as an impact hitter for average and power."