Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 70 | Overall: 55

Signed for $200,000 out of Venezuela in July 2019, Quero has established himself as one of the game’s top catching prospects, leading to a spot on Milwaukee’s 40-man roster this past offseason. After solid showings at Single-A, High-A and the Arizona Fall League in 2021, the 5-foot-11 backstop spent the entire 2023 campaign with Double-A Biloxi and hit .262/.339/.440 with 16 home runs over 90 games. He was one of only two 20-year-old catchers to get more than 33 plate appearances at Double-A, and he blew that total out of the water with 381, during which he posted an above-average 107 wRC+. Quero suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder diving back to the first-base bag in his Triple-A Nashville debut in March, an injury that required season-ending surgery. 

Quero won a well-deserved 2023 Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award as he’s developed into arguably the Minors’ best defensive catcher. His receiving and blocking – aided by his right-knee-down positioning – can be top-notch, and his framing can look as smooth as it gets. His arm strength and quick reactions behind the plate also helped him throw out 34.6 percent of attempted Double-A basestealers, and those skills should help him limit opposing running games at a time when steals are taking off across baseball.

While the right-handed slugger did struggle with chasing some sliders and changeups in the Southern League, Quero still projects for average hit and power tools with the capability to pull homers down the left-field line and spray doubles the opposite way. The glovework alone would make him a regular starter in the Majors, while the bat could push him closer to All-Star catcher level. Assuming health, he could be on track for a second-half MLB debut in 2024 once he establishes himself at Triple-A Nashville.  He was on track for a 2024 debut, but the shoulder surgery will push that Major League arrival back by at least one year.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55

Having signed for $200,000 out of Venezuela in July 2019, Quero has flashed impressive tools at every stop to this point, and perhaps injuries in 2021 (concussion, hamstring, left shoulder) and 2022 (right shoulder) are the only reasons why he hasn’t risen to higher prospect status. Playing in his age-19 season last year, the backstop slashed .286/.342/.439 with 10 homers in 95 games between Single-A and High-A and moved onto the Arizona Fall League, where he held his own as one of the showcase circuit’s youngest players.

Quero’s defensive work has popped since he first signed. He moves well behind the plate, earning strong reviews for his blocking and receiving, and Milwaukee officials have long been impressed with how well he works with pitchers at such a young age. He’s always shown plus arm strength too, and that truly popped last year in the Fall League, when he caught 11 of 24 (45.8 percent) attempted base stealers. His 30.6 percent CS rate during the regular season may be a more realistic expectation over a larger sample, but still shows just how good he can be at limiting the opponents' run game.

Offensively, the right-handed slugger shows good pitch recognition (no surprise for a catcher) out of a relaxed setup at the plate, and his power potential started to turn more into actual production with increased launch angles in 2022. Quero can reach base at a decent clip and hit for decent pop, and if he combines that with his defensive skills, there’s enough upside to be a good starting catcher in the big leagues.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50

Signed for only $200,000 out of Venezuela in July 2019, Quero may have been a much more prominent name across the Minors if not for injuries that piled up in his first taste of the Minors last season. A concussion, a hamstring injury and a surgery-requiring issue with his left (non-throwing) shoulder limited him to 23 games in the Arizona Complex League. He went 21-for-68 (.309) with two homers and caught six of 19 attempted basestealers in that span.

Milwaukee coaches and coordinators noted quickly just how advanced Quero’s defensive game is behind the plate. He earns strong reviews already for his ability to work with pitchers on top of his athletic receiving and blocking. Even out of his 5-foot-10 frame, he possesses a plus arm that should control the running game at any level. He has looked more like a slasher at the plate in his early looks dating back to 2020 fall instructional league -- one that will work a good at-bat, take his walks and limit his strikeouts. He walked 12 times and struck out 10 last season. The power is mostly in the gaps at present, but he could mature into more average pop in time.

On paper, it’s a well-rounded skillset from a catcher who will still only be 19 for the duration of the 2022 season. Quero just needs more playing time to put those tools to the test. If they continue to show as they have in early brief looks, he has real breakout potential on his way to becoming a key contributor as an everyday Major League backstop.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Quero first garnered notice as a member of Venezuela’s Little League World Series team in 2015 and has continued to develop into an impressive all-around player who performs on both sides of the ball and commands the field. After rising to be one of the best catching prospects in the 2019-20 international class, he signed with the Brewers for $200,000. 

Quero initially stood out for his hitting ability, featuring an advanced approach and consistent, line-drive contact rare for a player so early in his professional development. He does not have loft power but he does have power, slashing the ball to right-center and using the whole field with more regularity as he has filled out his frame. It was especially impressive during the 2020 fall instructional league, when Quero hit with authority while other young prospects struggled to re-adjust to big velocity coming off a period of shutdown. Early concern about his smallish frame has waned since Quero began his pro career, and that's gone further away since Quero has started getting going this year in the Arizona Complex League.

While some young catchers can be reserved, Quero has developed a reputation for being unafraid. Defensively, he is an athletic backstop who already receives high marks for his above-average arm, receiving, blocking technique and feel for handling pitchers. His plus arm headlines an impressive catch-and-throw skillset that should allow him to combat the running game. He has a long way to go in his development, especially after being denied his first game action in 2020, but has one of the highest ceilings of any player in the system.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

A member of Venezuela’s Little League World Series team in 2015, Quero continued to improve in the subsequent years and was regarded by scouts as one of the better catching prospects in the 2019-20 international class. Intrigued by his potential to contribute on both sides of the ball, the Brewers signed Quero for $200,000 at the outset of the July 2 period. 

Quero stands out most right now for his hitting ability, but he also has a chance to be a good defensive catcher. He has an advanced approach and makes a lot of hard, consistent contact for a young player, barreling the ball to all fields from the right side of the plate. He has good raw power that plays to his pull side right now, and it’s easy to envision Quero applying it to all fields as he gets stronger and matures as a hitter.

Defensively, Quero is an athletic backstop who already receives high marks for his receiving, blocking technique and feel for handling pitchers. His plus arm headlines an impressive catch-and-throw skillset that should allow him to combat the running game. The Brewers are eager to see how Quero’s advanced tools and skills translate in game action in 2020, when he will make his pro debut at age 18.

Awards

Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove

Year	Team
2023

SOU Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Futures Game Selection

Year	Team
2023

AFL Rising Stars

Year	Team
2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/04/2024	Milwaukee Brewers activated C Jeferson Quero.
	09/30/2024	Milwaukee Brewers recalled C Jeferson Quero from Nashville Sounds.
	04/27/2024	Nashville Sounds placed C Jeferson Quero on the full-season injured list.
	04/01/2024	Nashville Sounds placed C Jeferson Quero on the 7-day injured list.
	03/10/2024	Milwaukee Brewers optioned C Jeferson Quero to Nashville Sounds.
	03/10/2024	Nashville Sounds placed C Jeferson Quero on the 7-day injured list.
	03/10/2024	Nashville Sounds activated C Jeferson Quero.
	03/10/2024	Nashville Sounds activated C Jeferson Quero.
	03/07/2024	Milwaukee Brewers Prospects activated C Jeferson Quero.
	11/13/2023	Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of C Jeferson Quero from Biloxi Shuckers.
	09/24/2023	Biloxi Shuckers activated C Jeferson Quero from the 7-day injured list.
	09/17/2023	Biloxi Shuckers placed C Jeferson Quero on the 7-day injured list.
	08/09/2023	Biloxi Shuckers activated C Jeferson Quero from the 7-day injured list.
	07/07/2023	National League Futures activated C Jeferson Quero.
	04/05/2023	C Jeferson Quero assigned to Biloxi Shuckers from Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
	02/10/2023	Milwaukee Brewers invited non-roster C Jeferson Quero and to spring training.
	11/05/2022	C Jeferson Quero assigned to National League Fall Stars.
	09/16/2022	Glendale Desert Dogs activated C Jeferson Quero.
	09/16/2022	Glendale Desert Dogs activated C Jeferson Quero.
	08/08/2022	C Jeferson Quero assigned to Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from Carolina Mudcats.
	08/08/2022	Wisconsin Timber Rattlers activated C Jeferson Quero.
	04/05/2022	C Jeferson Quero and assigned to Carolina Mudcats from ACL Brewers Blue.
	04/02/2022	C Jeferson Quero and assigned to Milwaukee Brewers.
	07/09/2021	ACL Brewers Blue activated C Jeferson Quero.
	06/28/2021	C Jeferson Quero assigned to ACL Brewers Blue from DSL Brewers.
	02/14/2020	C Jeferson Quero assigned to DSL Brewers.
	07/02/2019	Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent C Jeferson Quero to a minor league contract.