Brewers' first-round pick earns well-deserved promotion to Double-A amid dominant breakout season

Braylon Payne, the Brewers' 17th overall pick in 2024, earned promotion to Double-A after breaking the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' single-season home run record with 23 homers. The 20-year-old has dramatically improved from his .736 OPS in 2025, posting a .277/.369/.561 slash line with 15 doubles and 22 stolen bases in 77 games this season. Payne's breakout performance comes as the Brewers maintain strong outfield prospect depth despite trading Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale to St. Louis at the deadline for pitching help.

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