When the Milwaukee Brewers decided to trade ace Freddy Peralta for Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, the initial reaction was clear: it was a long-term gamble. Sproat was seen as the direct successor in the rotation, while Williams—at least on the surface—looked more like a versatile piece than the centerpiece of the deal.
But as more analysis emerged, the narrative began to shift.
Many experts were more excited about Jett Williams than the pitcher considered a “straw man” in the trade. And that was no longer a minority opinion.
Just Baseball, one of the most respected prospect analysis platforms, placed Williams in a very different position: a player with a straight path to MLB. Joey Peterson even suggested Williams could contribute to the Brewers as early as 2026—not in the distant future.
Williams, 22, immediately became one of the top prospects in the Milwaukee system. Selected by the Mets in the first round of the 2022 draft, he climbed the prospect rankings with something the Brewers particularly appreciate: on-base skill, speed, and versatility.
Williams’ 2023 season was a serious statement. Spanning from Low-A to Double-A, he achieved a wRC+ of 144, walking nearly 20% of plate appearances—an elite number at any level. Despite being only 1.70m tall, Williams wasn’t a “speed-only” pitcher. His 13 home runs, 22 doubles, 8 triples, and 45 stolen bases showed an incredibly unpredictable profile for opposing pitchers.
More importantly, Williams wasn’t tied to one position.
He could play all over the infield, even drifting outfield when needed. For the Brewers—a team that always prioritizes versatility and lineup rotation—this was almost a golden key. If Williams’s swing moves to MLB without a shock, securing a place for him on the roster shouldn’t be a difficult task.
Of course, that path won’t open automatically.
Williams will need to dominate Triple-A early if he wants to reach MLB before the All-Star break. The Brewers have no reason to rush, especially with their deep farm system. But it’s precisely because of that depth that players who make a clear impact are often rewarded accordingly.
And Williams has the tools to do that.
In the post-Peralta era, the Brewers aren’t just looking for a replacement — they’re reshaping their winning strategy. Sproat might take time to become a rotational mainstay. Williams is different. He’s the kind of player who can come in midseason, take on a rotational role, and then… stay if things work out.
That’s why many are starting to see the Peralta trade differently. It’s not just about trading an ace for a young pitcher. Instead, it’s about trading an ace for a pitcher for the future and a positional player capable of early impact.
If Williams adjusts quickly to the Brewers’ system, the prospect of him being in a postseason race—even this year—is no longer far-fetched. And then, the Peralta trade will no longer be remembered as a step backward, but as Milwaukee’s quiet yet timely turnaround.
The only question remaining is: How much time will Jett Williams need to prove that this excitement isn’t just hype?
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