MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt has agreed to terms on an eight-year, $50.75 million contract, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced. USA Today first reported that the two sides were on the verge of agreeing to terms.
Pratt, 21, is regarded as one of the more promising players in a Brewers farm system that ranks among the best in the majors. He was rated by MLB Pipeline as the No. 62 prospect in all of baseball.
Pratt already has a reputation as an outstanding fielder.
He’s not as polished a hitter at this point in his development, though he does have a good eye. Pratt batted .238 with a .343 on-base percentage, eight homers, 62 RBIs, 31 steals and 67 walks in 120 games with Double-A Biloxi in the pitcher-friendly Southern League last season.
Pratt also played three games at Triple-A Nashville and went 4 of 15 with an RBI and a steal. He batted .294 with a .405 on-base percentage and four RBIs in 18 spring training games this year.
Although the Brewers haven’t confirmed the signing, Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy was asked Monday what he likes about Pratt after watching the 21-year-old in spring training camp.
“What’s not to like?” Murphy said. “Aptitude. He’s a baseball player. He’s a good baseball player. He’s got a ways to go. He’s got to develop. Great human, a worker.”
The Brewers selected Pratt in the sixth round of the 2023 draft.
This isn’t the first time the Brewers have given a lucrative extension to a prospect without major league experience. They signed outfielder Jackson Chourio in December 2023 to an eight-year, $82 million deal when he was 19 years old and had played only six games above Double-A.
Chourio reached the majors in 2024 and has collected at least 20 homers and 20 steals in each of his first two seasons.
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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FILE - Milwaukee Brewers infielder Cooper Pratt poses for an official photo, Feb. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
PHOENIX (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are confident Baker Mayfield will be their quarterback beyond the 2026 season.
Mayfield is entering the final season of a three-year, $100 million extension he signed after reviving his career in Tampa Bay in 2023. Bucs general manager Jason Licht said he’s had conversations with Mayfield’s representatives and anticipates getting an extension done.
“Baker is still our quarterback. He’s one of the toughest guys on the team. He’s a great leader,” Licht said. “Everything kind of revolves around the quarterback spot. At some point, I’m sure we’ll figure something out. There’s no timetable on that.”
Mayfield has thrived with the Buccaneers since replacing Tom Brady. Once discarded by three teams, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick led Tampa Bay to a division title and a playoff win in 2023. He followed that up with his best season in 2024, completing 71.4% of his passes for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions for a 106.8 passer rating.
Mayfield was an early front-runner for AP NFL MVP last year when the Bucs opened 6-2, but the injury-riddled team unraveled and failed to win its fifth straight NFC South title. Mayfield, playing through injuries, saw his production drop. He threw for 3,693 yards, 26 TDs, 11 picks and had a 90.6 passer rating.
The Buccaneers lost six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans in free agency and veteran linebacker Lavonte David so this is unquestionably Mayfield's team.
Licht isn’t concerned about his quarterback holding out.
“Baker is a true professional. He’s a leader of this team. I have confidence we’re going to be OK,” Licht said.
Licht also isn’t worried that Mayfield might want to play out his contract year and increase his value on the open market.
“Baker is a true pro. Baker has never let us down. I’m not going to deal with hypotheticals. We love Baker,” Licht said.
The team also wants to extend outside linebacker YaYa Diaby’s contract. He’s entering the final season of his rookie deal.
“I’d love to have YaYa here long term,” Licht said. “He’s a very good, young player that’s probably a little bit underappreciated, I think, overall for what he’s done. He’s a good, young player. We like him a lot.”
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FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Jan. 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) calls a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Dec. 28, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
