When it comes to the future of the Milwaukee Brewers, it's clearly all about the kids. Some of the kids have already arrived, permanently or briefly: J.J. Hardy, Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder and Dave Krynzel. Corey Hart, who slugged his first home run Sunday and could stay up for the duration of the season, is also in this first wave of prospects -- first both for its early arrival and its talent level.

What players will make up the next wave? One member earned his first trip this weekend, as a series of injuries forced Doug Melvin and Ned Yost to issue September callups in mid-August. Others have yet to arrive, but they don't figure to take too much longer. Here's a look at the next group of prospects that could make an impact in Milwaukee.

Jose Capellan, P: Capellan, of course, arrived in the Dan Kolb trade last winter. After a lousy start in AAA Nashville, Capellan thrived after moving to the bullpen (1.44 ERA since moving in June). His first Brewers outing Sunday was shaky, but he's still someone the team expects to break camp with next spring. Personally, I hate to see a stud prospect get moved to the bullpen in the minor leagues, but Capellan could be on a set-up/closer track for Milwaukee. He'll be 25 in January.

Dana Eveland, SP: If you're unsure of how the organization feels about Eveland, just look at his resume. He was drafted in June 2002 and played with Rookie League Helena in 2003. He started at Class A Beloit last year before finishing at AA Huntsville, where he began 2005 before being summoned to Milwaukee last month. The lefty has looked good, too, despite allowing three inherited Reds runners to score Saturday. And he won't be 22 until October! Clearly, the Brewers think they have something here. Eveland would like to be a starter for the Brewers next year; pitching coach Mike Maddux likes him, so it's not out of the question.

Dennis Sarfate, SP: The 6-4 righty was drafted in 2001 and is with Huntsville this year. Sarfate has harnessed his control somewhat, walking just 56 in 125 innings (he walked 78 in 129 IP for the Stars in 2004). He was also named the minor league pitcher of the month for the Brewers in May. Sarfate missed all of 2002 when he blew out his elbow, and he actually left his start for the Stars this weekend with elbow pain. If he stays healthy, he could arrive in Milwaukee at some point next year.

Nelson Cruz, OF: Cruz came over from Oakland in the Keith Ginter deal last December. A's GM Billy Beane doesn't usually give up on quality hitting prospects, but he may have let one slip away with Cruz. Beane probably disliked Cruz's low walk numbers (just 51 in around 600 plate appearances last year), but the 25-year-old has improved his overall offensive game in 2005. Between Huntsville and Nashville, the right fielder has combined for 22 homers and 72 RBI. He's also hitting better than .300 with a .393 OBP. I'm not sure where Cruz fits in to Milwaukee's outfield picture with Hart and Krynzel ahead of him, but if he continues to slug at AAA, he'll be an asset somehow.

Enrique Cruz, SS: You remember Enrique. The Rule 5 draftee spent a long 2003 in Milwaukee, hitting an anemic .085 with a comical .099 slugging percentage in 71 at bats. But a funny thing happened in single A-ball last year: Cruz found his stroke. After belting 17 homers for high-A High Desert, he was promoted to Huntsville. This year, he's hitting .301 with 13 homers and 51 RBI for the Stars, though his strikeouts are a tad high (93). Still, Cruz is showing the Brewers why they were smart to stick with him in 2003, when he was clearly overmatched by big-league pitching. J.J. Hardy is the team's shortstop of the future, but Cruz could fetch a nice price in a trade or become the team's middle utility man in 2007.

Speaking of prospects, whatever happened to Brad Nelson? The slugging outfielder has regressed since 2002, when a big season in A-ball put him on the organizational map. He's been demoted to Huntsville after struggling at AAA Nashville early this season. His power numbers are down (10 combined homers) and his whiffs continue to pile up (102). An eventual ticket to Milwaukee is now questionable.

How about pitchers Mike Jones and Manny Parra? Both high-ceiling starters had shoulder problems this season and were forced to opt for surgery (the second shoulder surgery for Jones). The Brewers are hopeful both will return to minor-league productivity next season.