MLB Prospect Watch: Garrett Mitchell, a 2020 first-round pick, could be key part of Brewers’ playoff push

With just over a month remaining in the regular season, the Milwaukee Brewers are in an interesting spot. They are the only National League team currently outside of the playoff picture that has a real chance of slipping into the bracket. 

The Brewers entered Thursday 2 1/2 games back of the San Diego Padres, but they have a few things working in their favor. Foremost, the Brewers have an easier schedule. Milwaukee’s average opponent the rest of the way has a 48.8 winning percentage this season; San Diego’s, conversely, has a 55.4 winning percentage. Strength of schedule doesn’t always matter — they play the games for a reason — but the Brewers have to be happy about having what appears to be a sizable edge in that respect.

The Brewers also have to be happy about the arrival of rookie outfielder Garrett Mitchell, who is the focus of this week’s Prospect Watch. Who, exactly, is he — and how much can he help the Brewers’ playoff push? Allow us to answer.

Mitchell, now days away from celebrating his 24th birthday, was Milwaukee’s first-round pick back in 2020. Entering that draft, CBS Sports ranked him as the 11th-best prospect in the class, writing the following:

Mitchell is one of the fastest runners in the class, and he should have no problem remaining in center for the long haul. The other elements of his game are less certain. Mitchell has the kind of athleticism and angular frame that scouts dream about, and he puts on a better BP than his in-game power numbers indicate (his .151 career ISO is propped up by 15 triples, as compared to six home runs). He’s already reconfigured his swing once since high school, and a team hoping to help him unlock his star potential could task him with trying it again. Mitchell, a Type 1 diabetic, should serve as a positive role model regardless.

Mitchell has since made a quick ascent, hitting .287/.377/.426 across Double- and Triple-A this year, his second full professional season. The Brewers promoted him to the majors last week, and he had an eventful first few days in The Show. Entering Thursday, he’d batted .222/.364/.556 (155 OPS+) with a home run, five runs batted in, and a stolen base in five games. That home run, a two-run shot that tied the score in the bottom of the eighth, paved the way for a recent Brewers victory. Take a look:

Most of the above scouting report remains true about Mitchell. He’s a legitimate center fielder…