Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Lara was one of three seven-figure additions in the Brewers’ 2022 international class, signing for $1.1 million out of Venezuela. After a standout turn in the Dominican Summer League, he followed in Jackson Chourio’s footsteps by skipping over the complex league in his first stateside season and jumped straight to Single-A Carolina, where he slashed .285/.379/.354 with 22 steals in 70 games. He appeared in 17 contests for High-A Wisconsin before the season was out, becoming one of only four hitters aged 18 or younger to reach that level in 2023 (along with Ethan Salas, Samuel Basallo and Samuel Zavala). 

A switch-hitter who performs better from the left side to this point, Lara proved to the Brewers he was worth pushing with impressive bat speed, discipline and bat-to-ball skills in the Carolina and Midwest Leagues, especially for someone his age. There were only 10 players aged 18 or younger who made more than 300 Minor League plate appearances last season (regardless of level), and his 15.4 percent K rate and 7.4 percent swinging-strike rate led that group. That protection from the plate has come with little power, however. Lara managed only two homers in 2023 and only 18 of his 98 hits went for extra bases. He can find the barrel out of his 5-foot-7 frame, but it’ll take some serious development to find some more in-game pop.

Lara’s plus speed helps him pick up extra bases in other ways -- he registered 30 total steals last season -- and gives him a great chance of sticking in center. He also recorded seven outfield assists from the position in 2023, thanks to impressive arm strength. Lara stalled a bit in his return to Wisconsin in 2024, but he still has plenty of time to develop into another of Milwaukee's homegrown outfielders.

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

Lara ($1.1 million) was one of three players to sign with the Brewers for seven figures in January 2022, joining Venezuelan shortstop Johan Barrios ($1.385 million) and Dominican shortstop Jhonny Severino ($1.23 million). The Venezuelan outfielder has taken the early lead as the best prospect of the group after slashing .260/.341/.385 with two homers and just a 12.2 percent K rate over 58 games in the Dominican Summer League. He was a solid performer in instructs as well, cementing his place as one to watch in his first stateside summer in 2023. Milwaukee made good on those reports by moving Lara to Single-A Carolina in his age-18 season.

A switch-hitter, Lara already shows impressive bat speed and ball-strike recognition that has helped cut down on the strikeouts. He’s proved to be more adept at hitting from the left side in his early career -- all 17 of his extra-base hits came against righties in 2022 -- but that could become more balanced with time and experience. Given his size at 5-foot-9, Lara needs all the bat speed he can to show his power, but his early ability to find the barrel has been promising.

At least a plus runner, Lara made all but three of his defensive DSL starts in center field, where he was best able to make the most of his wheels. He shows promising arm strength too, earning three outfield assists, and that could help him should he ever need to be (an admittedly short) right fielder. He’s headed to The States at the same age as many high school seniors, a sign of how advanced he is and how far along he still has to go in his baseball development.

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

The Brewers signed three players to seven-figure bonuses when the international window opened last January -- Venezuelan shortstop Johan Barrios ($1.385 million), Dominican shortstop Jhonny Severino ($1.23 million) and Venezuelan outfielder Lara ($1.1 million). Lara has begun his career in the Dominican Summer League, where he’s been an impressive early performer through his first 40 games.

Standing at just 5-foot-9, Lara won’t wow many with his physicality on the diamond, but he certainly finds ways to shine with his athleticism. He’s a switch-hitter with promising bat speed that helps him keep down the strikeouts, notable given his age at just 17. While he’s a natural right-handed thrower, his best early results have been from the left side of the plate, both in terms of power and overall production. Barring a late growth spurt and significant added muscle, Lara will need to rely on that bat speed to generate his power -- not an impossibility given how much development runway he has remaining. 

The 17-year-old already draws raves for his speed, and he’s made the center field position his own in the DSL. Decent arm strength should give him another defensive asset. The Brewers already have shown success in developing one twitchy center fielder in Jackson Chourio over the last two seasons, and Lara could become their next project.

Awards

MiLB.com Organization All-Star

Year	Team
2023

DSL Mid-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2022

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/25/2024	CF Luis Lara assigned to Peoria Javelinas.
	06/05/2024	Wisconsin Timber Rattlers activated CF Luis Lara from the 7-day injured list.
	05/25/2024	Wisconsin Timber Rattlers placed CF Luis Lara on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2024	Milwaukee Brewers Prospects activated CF Luis Lara.
	02/24/2024	CF Luis Lara assigned to Milwaukee Brewers.
	08/14/2023	CF Luis Lara assigned to Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from Carolina Mudcats.
	05/02/2023	CF Luis Lara assigned to Carolina Mudcats from DSL Brewers 1.
	03/26/2023	CF Luis Lara roster status changed by Milwaukee Brewers.
	03/26/2023	CF Luis Lara assigned to Milwaukee Brewers.
	07/23/2022	CF Luis Lara and assigned to DSL NL All-Stars.
	07/23/2022	CF Luis Lara assigned to DSL NL All-Stars.
	06/04/2022	CF Luis Lara assigned to DSL Brewers 1.
	06/03/2022	Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent CF Luis Lara to a minor league contract.