Impressive Prospect Making A Big Impact For Brewers Amid Playoff Push

The Milwaukee Brewers are looking incredibly smart as one of their top prospects continues to make an impact after being promoted.

Jul 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a Milwaukee Brewers hat and glove on the bench against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Milwaukee Brewers still hold the best record in baseball, but with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves not far behind, they will need players to step up big down the stretch as the playoff race intensifies.

Though the Brewers continue to find ways to win, going 22-14 since the beginning of July, the team has only a plus-5 run differential in that span, as the offense has experienced inconsistent stretches. One player who's made a big impact recently and helped Milwaukee find ways to win is rookie outfielder Luis Lara.

Lara, 21, is the Brewers' No. 3 prospect and the MLB's No. 64 prospect. The young outfielder was called up to the big leagues at the beginning of July after excelling in Triple-A and has been a spark for Milwaukee, most notably seen in the team's 4-3 extra-innings win against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, where Lara made two acrobatic catches to keep the Brewers in the game down the stretch.

Lara has already made some big plays early in his career

Aug 9, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Luis Lara (18) saves a possible home run by Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee (22) in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"The Brewers signed Lara out of Venezuela in 2022, and he’s proven to be an excellent defensive outfielder -- as demonstrated by his two spectacular grabs at the wall in right field against the Twins on Sunday -- who also has solid contact skills as a switch-hitter at the plate," MLB.com's Manny Randhawa wrote on Wednesday. "Despite producing mediocre offensive numbers to begin his pro career, Lara saw a big improvement in that department in 78 games with Triple-A Nashville this season -- he hit .321/.432/.470 with nine homers before being called up.

"The diminutive 21-year-old could make a significant impact for Milwaukee as the Crew tries to capture its fourth consecutive NL Central title. And the Brewers are betting he’ll make a significant impact for years to come, locking him up with a seven-year contract before he even made his MLB debut."

With the Dodgers and Braves surging in the standings, the Brewers need to keep winning if they want to hold on to a top seed and receive a first-round bye in the playoffs. Milwaukee believes in Lara so much that the team was willing to hand him a seven-year contract before he ever even reached the majors, because they believed in what he was capable of.

Lara has already shown some outfield heroics as he settles into his role with the Brewers, and will look to build on that and continue making a big impact for the team down the stretch as the playoffs grow closer.