Brewers Send 2 Top Prospects to 2026 Futures Game as Jesús Made Starts Again

Q: Could Jesús Made's performance today fast-track his MLB debut, given the Brewers' current struggles at shortstop?

Probably not immediately, and one Futures Game performance by itself is unlikely to change the Brewers’ timetable. Made is the sport’s No. 1 prospect and has the talent to reach Milwaukee quickly. At 19, he is already holding his own in Double-A Biloxi, hitting .276/.347/.442 with nine homers while being one of the youngest players at that level. His tools are elite, and the Brewers’ weak production at shortstop earlier this season made the question reasonable. But the bigger factor is roster context. Milwaukee has already promoted another top shortstop prospect, Cooper Pratt, who has reportedly taken over the major league job after Joey Ortiz’s struggles. That reduces the urgency to rush Made, especially because he is still in Double-A and evaluators say his defense, while gifted, still needs refinement to be fully major league ready. The Futures Game is more showcase than decision point. Clubs do not typically alter promotion plans based on one exhibition, even a high-profile one. What matters more is whether Made continues to perform over a larger sample, handles advanced pitching, and shows enough defensive consistency. A move to Triple-A would be the more meaningful sign that his debut is nearing. So a big day today could strengthen the case that Made is on a fast track overall, but it is unlikely to trigger an immediate MLB call-up. The more realistic path is continued development, then a promotion when the Brewers believe both his bat and glove are ready.

Q: Beyond the hype for Made, which lesser-known prospect in this game could steal the show and become a superstar?

Josue De Paula is the best bet to steal the show beyond Jesús Made. The Dodgers outfielder is not as widely discussed as Made, but his profile is star-level already. At 20, he is producing in Double-A with a .333 average, a 1.000 OPS, 80 hits and 56 RBIs, while also stealing 22 bases. What makes him especially dangerous in a showcase setting is that he brings more than raw tools: his plate discipline is advanced, with more walks than strikeouts in recent stretches, and evaluators credit him with legitimate plus power. That combination of strike-zone control, impact contact and speed is often what separates a future regular from a future star. If De Paula is the strongest answer, Leo De Vries is close behind. The 19-year-old switch-hitting infielder has already reached Double-A and is slashing .318/.404/.506 there, with the kind of poise and offensive polish that has drawn lofty comparisons. His age, defensive versatility and mature approach give him a very high ceiling. For a deeper sleeper, Theo Gillen is a name to watch. The Rays outfielder posted a .342/.449/.589 line with 12 homers and 28 steals in 57 High-A games before moving to Double-A. Scouts see a possible 25-homer, 25-steal player, which is an All-Star template. Luis Peña also fits the breakout theme. He is overshadowed by Made, but his .304/.393/.392 line, 70-grade speed and 100 career minor league steals at age 19 suggest he could turn a national spotlight into a much bigger reputation.

Q: After major health scares, can Luis Peña prove he is more than just a high-risk, high-reward prospect?

Yes. Peña has already shown he is more than a boom-or-bust talent; the real question now is whether he can sustain that level while staying on the field. The evidence is strong. Even after a season disrupted by severe dehydration, another on-field illness and a hamstring issue, the 19-year-old has continued to hit. He enters the Futures Game batting .304/.393/.392 in 102 at-bats at High-A Wisconsin, and before the April collapse he was hitting .372 with a 1.039 OPS. Reports from within the Brewers system indicate the health scares have not diminished his production when active. His prospect profile also supports that view. Peña is MLB Pipeline’s No. 18 overall prospect, with a 55-grade hit tool and 70-grade speed. He recently reached 100 stolen bases in just 165 minor league games, and his career batting average and on-base ability point to a player with more than raw athleticism. He is not simply a tools bet; he has shown plate discipline, contact skill and defensive versatility across the infield, with possible outfield value as well. The Futures Game is a meaningful test because it puts him on a national stage alongside elite peers, including Brewers teammate Jesús Made. One exhibition will not settle long-term durability concerns, but it can reinforce what his season already suggests: Peña’s upside is matched by real baseball skill. If his health stabilizes, he looks less like a risky lottery ticket and more like a legitimate impact prospect nearing Double-A.

3 articles · Updated · Brew Crew Ball · Jul 12

Jesús Made and Luis Peña will represent Milwaukee in Sunday’s 2026 All-Star Futures Game, giving the Brewers two infielders in the National League starting lineup.
Made — baseball’s consensus No. 1 prospect — will bat third and start at shortstop in his second straight Futures Game after hitting .276/.347/.442 with 9 homers at Double-A Biloxi.
Peña, Pipeline’s No. 18 prospect, will bat eighth and start at third base in his Futures Game debut; the 19-year-old has hit .304/.393/.392 in 102 at-bats for High-A Wisconsin despite health-related absences.
The prospect showcase precedes Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, with first pitch set for 11:00 a.m. CT and the broadcast airing on NBC and Peacock.