Prospects1500: Rasmussen, Francis and Feliciano 

The Biloxi Shuckers have partnered with Prospects1500 to preview potential Shuckers for the 2020 campaign. Prospects1500 Milwaukee Brewers writer Phillip Case reports on three players that all saw time in Biloxi in 2019: Drew Rasmussen, Bowden Francis and Mario Feliciano.

Drew Rasmussen

Age: 24

Highest Level: Double-A Southern League

Notes: Rasmussen has the best fastball in the Brewers farm system, often touching 99 mph. He is a solid 6’1 and 225 pounds. Rasmussen was a first-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2017, but he did not sign and underwent Tommy John surgery a few months later. The Brewers got a potential steal when they drafted him in the 6th round the following year as he rehabbed from his surgery. The Brewers currently have Rasmussen starting games, but he was limited to 3-4 innings per start in his first minor league action after his second Tommy John surgery. He should be able to add another 10-15 pitches to his pitch limit in 2020. Rasmussen compliments his grade 70 fastball with an above average slider, giving him two major league pitches on which to build upon. With his history of arm injuries, it is possible that the Brewers will seek to limit his innings again in 2020. He made 18 starts for Biloxi in 2019 and pitched a total of 61 innings over 22 appearances. If he gets moved to the bullpen at some point, he instantly becomes a favorite to be the Brewers closer of the future. He will start the 2020 in Double-A, and depending on how they utilize him, he could find himself promoted to Triple A, or even the majors before the end of the 2020 season.

Bowden Francis

Age: 24

Highest Level: Double-A Southern League

Notes: Bowden Francis does not get much mention as a prospect. But he should be considered a player that could quickly end up competing for a spot on the major league roster. Francis is a big bodied RHP at 6’5 and 225 pounds. He had a great deal of success at Chipola Junior College in Florida. He went a combined 21-5 in two years along with a 3.31 ERA. That success and his future potential got Francis drafted in the 7th round of the 2017 draft. After spending most his first full season at Class A, he finished the season with 4 starts in High-A. He returned in High Class A in 2019, then got promoted after striking out 20 batters in 3 starts covering 14 innings. Upon reaching Double-A, he continued striking out more than a batter per inning with 145 k’s in 129 innings. He will need to continue improving his command and keeping the ball in the park to reach his ceiling of a major league starting pitcher. Francis made 24 starts for Biloxi in 2020. If you want to see this future Brewer pitch in Biloxi, you might want to attend one of his early starts, or he might just get promoted after three starts again, like he did in 2019.

Mario Feliciano

Age: 21

Highest Level: High-A Carolina League

Mario Feliciano was the Brewers 2nd round pick in 2016 out of high school in Puerto Rico. Feliciano hit well as a 20 year-old in the High-A Class A Carolina League putting up a .273 batting average, with 19 homers and 81 RBI. He also has above average defense skills, including an above average arm. That combination of potential and results show that Feliciano has the potential to be a #1 catcher for the Brewers. His numbers at the plate could even get better if he could be more patient. Improved patience would mean more pitches to see as well as more pitches in favorable counts. In 2020 he drew just 29 walks in 440 at bats. Feliciano is expected to move up to Biloxi to start the 2020 season. The Brewers farm system is loaded with catchers, and Feliciano is the best of the group.

Stay tuned as we will preview more prospects soon!