My first six picks mock:

[PeaveyFury]

I don't see a college player available at #16 who'll be significantly quicker to the bigs.

 

While you are very likely correct and I agree, no one last year would have predicted that even a very polished bay like LaPorta would be eying AAA after less than one full season of pro ball.

[Never Outhustled]

While you are very likely correct and I agree, no one last year would have predicted that even a very polished bay like LaPorta would be eying AAA after less than one full season of pro ball.

Actually, if you look at the draft day thread from last year, I predicted he could be in the Bigs as early as this year. However, Laporta wasn't available at #16.

[Never Outhustled]

It was kind of Bush of me earlier to critique others selection without posting mine, so here I go. Bang away.

 

16. 2B Brett Lawrie, for all the reasons I posted earlier. He could be a more patient Dan Uggla, or a righthanded hitting Chase Utley.

 

32. 1B Davis Cooper, He plays at Cal, which is notorious for supressing power numbers. If you were to curve his stats for this you could argue he's been every bit as good or better than any hitter in college baseball this year. No one right now is complaing that Laporta wasn't a need pick, and Cooper's bat fits that same category. In most drafts, he'd be the top 1B, but this year is an unbelievable crop of 1Bs, pushing him down the board. To put into context how hitting at Cal effects a players numbers, just like at the Cal 1B before Cooper. Thats Brewer prospect Chris Erracert, who presently has a 900 OPS in AA as a 3rd year pro. Erracert's best college season was his Jr. year, when he hit 288 with 8 homers. Cooper is hitting 378 with 19 homers this year.

 

35. IF/CF Tyler Ladendorf, possible 5 tool player with excellent production at JuCo level.

 

53. LHP Robbie Ross, good velocity for a lefty, smooth delivery, athletic, good makeup, strong slider. Only negative is lack of height, but the Brewers don't get hung up on that.

 

54. RHP Scott Gorgen, again , the Brewers don't get hung up on height. Gorgen has pitched every bit as well this year as any draft eligible college pitcher. He has a plus changeup, which will allow him to be a quality reliever if his braking ball doesn't improve enough to keep him starting. While short, he's wide, strong, and athletic.

 

62. 3B Chris Domingez, huge raw power and power production (21 homers), and made big strides defensively this year with just 6 errors (3B draft prospect Connor Gillaspie has 16) and slicing his K totals to a manageable 45, down from a D1 leading 88 last year. Whats especially impressive is this is just his 2nd year of college game experience as he redshirted with an injury his freshman year. The Brewers love big upside, and this 6-4 240 pound rocket armed monster has it.

 

94. LHP Dave Duncan, huge with upside, sinker could be more effective in pro ball.

 

128. CF Charlie Blackmon, spent 1st 3 years of college as a pitcher, used as a position player for the 1st time this year, and still was able to hit 383 with 8 homers and 20 steals. Big, strong, and athletic with upside.

[TheCrew07]

The Brewers love big upside, and this 6-4 240 pound rocket armed monster has it.

I hope the Brewers draft him solely so I can make that my new sig when I post on the Minor League side...

[battlekow]

Glad to see someone else likes Gorgen.

[LouisEly]

Is that because your hoping for a quick impact? Fielder debuted in the majors 3 years after he was drafted, Hardy 3 1/2 years, despite a major injury. I don't see a college player available at #16 who'll be significantly quicker to the bigs.

 

No, it's because I think a college player is a safer bet, because of signability HS players tend to get drafted lower thus talented HS players can be found later in the draft, and I think the Brewers do a better job of scouting college players than HS. Looking at recent picks in the top 5 rounds:

 

College: LaPorta, Lucroy, Farris, Gillespie, Errecart, Braun, Gamel (JUCO technically), Roberts, Wahpepah (JC), Baker, Weeks, TGJ, Palmisano (CC), "Mega" Thomas, Nic Carter, Steitz, Richardson, Henderson

 

High School: Gindl, Jeffress, Brewer, Anundsen, Inman, Rogers, Gallardo, Salome, Fermaint, Opdyke, Fielder, Murray, Jones, Hardy, Nelson, Krynzel, Artman, Belcher, Hicks

 

The argument that the best three pitchers that they've drafted since 2001 (Gallardo, Jeffress, Inman) in the top five rounds are all HS players technically is true, however the top two of that group were a 2nd and 1st rounder and the Brewers have not since 1999 drafted a college pitcher in the top two rounds. So I don't think that is an apples-to-apples comparison. The highest the Brewers drafted a college pitcher in that span was the 3rd round (Wahpepah, Thomas, Steitz). So the best pitchers in recent drafts should be HS pitchers because they've had higher picks there (Jeffress, Rogers, Gallardo, Jones). But of that group, only one (Gallardo) either has made the majors or is a sure bet to make the majors.

 

Looking strictly at first round picks, the advantage goes to college players:

 

College: LaPorta, Braun, Weeks

HS: Jeffress, Rogers, Fielder, Jones, Krynzel

 

I give Braun the slight edge over Fielder overall because Braun can play more positions (OF, 3B if needed). Jeffress is one step from smoking himself out of baseball for a year, Rogers and Jones are hurt and nowhere near making the majors, and Krynzel wasn't good enough to make it. Weeks has been solid (if underperforming), and LaPorta almost undoubtedly will be a solid major leaguer. If you extend it to the first two rounds it looks like this:

 

College: LaPorta, Braun, Weeks, TGJ

HS: Jeffress, Brewer, Rogers, Gallardo, Fielder, Murray, Jones, Hardy, Krynzel

 

Looking at that, clearly the Brewers have a better track record with college players in the first two rounds than HS.

 

Oh, by the way. The last college pitcher the Brewers drafted in the top two rounds? Ben Sheets. (And he made it to Milwaukee in less than two years.)

 

I rest my case.

[Never Outhustled]

I agree with your post, but Lawrie is not a regular HS players. He's been mashing college and pro pitchers all spring.

[colbyjack]

Conor Gillaspie could soar up through the minors pretty fast, but #16 might be a little high for him, I'm not sure, as you may be able to get him with one of the team's supplemental picks. Gillaspie's errors do bother me though.

 

Chris Dominguez is actually a true sophomore. He's draft-eligible because he's old for his class. The same goes for players like Mark Sobolewski and Cole Figueroa.

 

Here's my attempt at the fix six picks:

 

16. Brett Lawrie: I think the universal love for this young man is starting to grow, and we all know Jack Z. prefers polished bats with his first rounder. If he's not here, I would go with either Zach Collier or Anthony Hewitt

 

32. Ross Seaton: Again, if he's here. A rising prep arm with good size and stuff. Mike Montgomery, a prep LHP on the rise, would be plan B.

 

35. Chris Carpenter: Another good sized righty with very good stuff. Some past injury concerns, but he's been dealing all spring while staying healthy.

 

53. Lonnie Chisenhall: Pure hitter that should be able to play 3B.

 

54. Aaron Weatherford: Closer project that I obviously have shown my interest in.

 

62. Carlos Gutierrez: Closer now, I still contend he could begin his career as a starter. The Brewers have shown more interest in college arms that haven't been used as much as most (Steve Hammond comes to mind), as Weatherford, Gutierrez and Carpenter all apply here, although all three have some injuries in their past.

 

94. Antonio Jimenez: Athletic catcher, and the Brewers have had their eyes on Puerto Rico more than most teams in recent years. Adrian Nieto and Jake Jefferies would be plans B & C as catchers at this pick since catchers always seem to get drafted higher than where you think they would go.

[LouisEly]

I agree with your post, but Lawrie is not a regular HS players. He's been mashing college and pro pitchers all spring.

I should also say that I wouldn't mind Lawrie at #16 if they could get some combination of Scheppers/Carpenter/Schlereth at #32 and #35, and if they start him behind the plate or at SS/3B (if they start him at 2B I will have a conniption). I am just sick of the Rogers/Krynzel/Jones/Brewer/Murray types that they end up coming away empty-handed with. The college players they have picked in the first round recently have just as high of a ceiling as the high-school players they've picked, except the college guys have been making it and most of the high school guys haven't. Fielder is an exception to the HS rule - he was generally regarded as the best high school bat to come out in the last 10 years and an 80 on the power scale, and the reason he was still there at #7 had nothing to do with hitting potential. He was practically a once-in-a-generation player. But for the rest, Gallardo has been great and definitely worth the pick (but again, a 2nd rounder, so no need for a HS in the first), Hardy is just an average ML SS, and their other 1st/2nd round HS picks have been busts.

Davis Cooper is an interesting suggestion, and an astute observation about playing at Cal... he is like the Jordy Nelson of this draft for me - I don't want them to pick that position high in the draft, but if they do he would be the guy I want.

 

[colbyjack]

Fielder is an exception to the HS rule - he was generally regarded as the best high school bat to come out in the last 10 years and an 80 on the power scale, and the reason he was still there at #7 had nothing to do with hitting potential. He was practically a once-in-a-generation player.

 

Actually, Fielder didn't slide at all in the 2002 draft. The Brewers were the only team that were ready to take Fielder as early as they did, with the exception of the Tigers, who picked right after the Brewers that year. Otherwise he may have very well fallen to the Indians, who were picking in the 'teens or 20s that year, and if the Indians wouldn't have taken him, he may not have been selected in the first round. Basically, he wasn't considered a once-in-a-generation player by most at the time of the 2002 draft.

[Cardinals31]

Does anyone have any opinions on my mock draft for the Brewers(first post on page 2)? I just want to make sure I didn't [mess] up knowing what the strengths and weaknesses of the system were.

 

 

(edit: language --1992)

[Never Outhustled]

Chris Dominguez is actually a true sophomore. He's draft-eligible because he's old for his class.

 

Dominguez broke his arm in the 3rd game of 2006, and redshirted. Heres his Louisville player profile

 

 

Does anyone have any opinions on my mock draft for the Brewers(first post on page 2)?

I thought you did a solid job with your last 5 picks. With #16, obviously I'd rather have Lawrie, I haven't been as excited about a potential pick since 2005, when I begged for Ryan Braun. If Lawrie was gone, and Scheppers was healthy, I'd be esctatic with him, and I don't usually want to target pitching. He'd be just too good to pass if healthy. However, with the injury, I'd need more info about him before I could pull the trigger on him.

[colbyjack]

Thanks X, for whatever reason I thought Dominguez was a true sophomore.

 

And Cardinals31, it's hard to argue with the players you took where you selected them.

[battlekow]

FWIW, Tyson Ross was bizarrely taken in the first round of Sickels' mock draft.

[kazmir19]

My First Six Picks (not really caring or trying to predict who the Brewers will take)...Just who I would take, at those spots if available:

 

#16 Casey Kelly, SS, Sarasota (FL) HS... Brewers will never take him because he doesnt fit their classic "take a guy 15 spots before he should be" history and also will be a signability issue (also a Brewer fear..see also Fielder, Jeffress, Rogers). But this kid is a great shortstop defensively and projects upward big on his offense. Also throws in the 90's as a pitcher. I would also be happy with C Jason Castro, Stanford, or CF Zach Collier, Chino Hills (CA) HS.

 

#32 Brett Devall, LHP, Niceville (FL) HS...Once again, Brewers will never take this kid because his is committed to play college ball at Georgia, which is a much more attractive option that playing pro ball as a pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers system. He's a lot like Josh Smoker from last years draft except he has a better pitchers build and does not have as advanced of pitches as Smoker did. With time his fastball is projectable in the low 90's and he has the potential to develop into a #2 starter.

 

#35 Tyson Ross, RHP, California...One guy who the Brewers might take a shot at if available. Mid 90's fastball with a plus slider. Works his change up in well also. Should remain as a starter but could be put in the bullpen to save his arm from some mechanical issues. This could be the reliever that the Brewers could take for near term help. Near team meaning earlier than 3 years away.

 

#53 Destin Hood, LF, St. Paul's Academy, Mobile (AL) HS...This guy has the offensive tools that the Brewers love. Tremendous power that has not been fully developed yet. Four tool player with great speed....a lot like Jason Hayward from last years draft, but with speed.

 

#54 James Darnell, 3B, South Carolina.....Possible 5 tool player in the future. Great body and athletic ability. Plus arm, plus bat and speed. His offense could be as good as the numbers that LaPorta is putting up this year in the minor leagues. Power to all fields and has a lot of untapped potential that gives him huge upside.

 

#62 Niko Vasquez, 2B, Durango, Las Vegas (NV) HS...Signability is not an issue with this kid as he is a sure bet to sign and does not have the interest to go to college. Great bat control and speed and can hit the ball with good pop to the gaps on both sides of the field.

 

I'll even go one further and say who I would pick at #94 and #128....

 

#94 Donnie Roach, RHP, Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (NV) HS....nice frame, smooth mechanics with 4 pitches that project as plus pitches. With some fine tuning and focus on his best pitches, he could be a middle of the rotation starter.

 

#128 Jake Jefferies, C , UC-Davis....Left handed, athletic catcher, who makes great contact. Rarely strikes out and can become a very fine catcher defensively. Jason Kendall type of player.

[battlekow]

You're a really charming guy.

[Never Outhustled]

Once again, Brewers will never take this kid because his is committed to play college ball at Georgia, which is a much more attractive option that playing pro ball as a pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers system.

Wow, another rediculous statement. Trolls aren't welcome at Brewerfan. Devall would jump at the chance to be the next Yo Gallardo, but he doesn't have that kind of ability.

[kazmir19]

" Devall would jump at the chance to be the next Yo Gallardo, but he doesn't have that kind of ability. "

 

Yeah, but maybe not the next Jeremy Jeffress, Mike Rogers, or J.M. Gold. At the same point, Devall and Gallardo are pretty much the same pitcher, give or take a mph or two on the fastball. The Brewers dont develop pitching well. Its known league wide.

 

I think "troll" is the word people like to use when their beliefs about the home team are challenged. Its the term that comes from blind loyalty.

[clancyphile]

I agree with your post, but Lawrie is not a regular HS players. He's been mashing college and pro pitchers all spring.

I should also say that I wouldn't mind Lawrie at #16 if they could get some combination of Scheppers/Carpenter/Schlereth at #32 and #35, and if they start him behind the plate or at SS/3B (if they start him at 2B I will have a conniption). I am just sick of the Rogers/Krynzel/Jones/Brewer/Murray types that they end up coming away empty-handed with. The college players they have picked in the first round recently have just as high of a ceiling as the high-school players they've picked, except the college guys have been making it and most of the high school guys haven't. Fielder is an exception to the HS rule - he was generally regarded as the best high school bat to come out in the last 10 years and an 80 on the power scale, and the reason he was still there at #7 had nothing to do with hitting potential. He was practically a once-in-a-generation player. But for the rest, Gallardo has been great and definitely worth the pick (but again, a 2nd rounder, so no need for a HS in the first), Hardy is just an average ML SS, and their other 1st/2nd round HS picks have been busts.

Davis Cooper is an interesting suggestion, and an astute observation about playing at Cal... he is like the Jordy Nelson of this draft for me - I don't want them to pick that position high in the draft, but if they do he would be the guy I want.

 

I tend to agree with this thinking. For instance, I like the idea of Jemile Weeks at the 16th pick, even though he is a 2B - I think he could play SS or 3B, and move up as fast as Rickie, batting leadoff, while Rickie bats second.

Another of my picks, Petey Paramore, has INCREDIBLE on-base skills, we're talking a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10. Even when he struggles at the plate, he walks constantly, and he plays catcher.

 

[TheCrew07]

I think "troll" is the word people like to use when their beliefs about the home team are challenged. Its the term that comes from blind loyalty.

 

It's one thing to post your mock draft, it's another to be entirely condescending towards the organization and the other fans that post on the site... This organization currently has as deep a farm system as they've ever had since I've been following the minor, I have a hard time being overly critical of what they've done in the last 4 years. I read your post and reacted pretty much the same way as Battle and X, you post with air of superiority, like you're right and everyone else is wrong. It's sad that you think because your writing style rubs people the wrong way, they suffer from "blind loyalty". I don't need to defend to them, their track record here speaks for itself. Only 8 posts in and you're that sure of their personalities that you're tossing labels around already?

 

For the record, the Brewers take the correct approach when drafting for the most part. With the relative crap shoot that the draft is, I'd rather they not handicap themselves by signing over slot value unless they are absolutely sure the kid is going to be stud. How many players drafted in the first round ever become solid major leaguers? Since when are opinions actually facts anyway? There is nothing about factual about a draft in any sport, you take the information available and make your best guess how a player projects. Sometimes you're going to be right, sometimes you're going to be wrong, that's just the way it goes.

 

[uwisfan]

I've been as big of a 'trade Prince' person as anyone, and I even think it's ludicrous to put those guys in the same league as Prince. I'm forgetting right now, but where did Kazmir finish in Cy Young voting last year? I had forgetten about the MVPs Francoeur has been netting. Barry Bonds has nothing on him, obviously. Not every rightfielder can put up a .750 career OPS like Francoeur (and still hold down a job)...that right there gets votes in my book over Prince.

 

If the Brewers were to deal Prince (and they should), they better the equivalent of all the players combined that you have mentioned or I'll be disappointed in Melvin.

[bjkrautk]

16 - Jason Castro, C, Stanford (not a flash pick, but a pretty safe pick to reach and stick in the majors)

32 - Brett DeVall, LHP, HS (Florida; I'll take the 6-4 lefty with 3 pitches...even if he is a high school kid)

35 - James Darnell, 3b/rf, S. Carolina (If the Brewers have shown a tendency, it's to draft power hitters and see if they'll stick at the hot corner...Hart, Braun, Gamel, and maybe one more? I'm guessing Gillaspie will be gone at this point; otherwise, he'd be the pick here.)

53 - Zach Putnam, RHP, Michigan

54 - Aaron Weatherford, CL/RHP, Miss. St. (or St. Clair, if he's still here this late in the draft....if both are gone, Kyle Long would be a nice pick at this point too).

62 - Ryan Flaherty, SS/3b, Vanderbilt

 

 

Granted, there's virtually no chance that the Brewers take 5 college guys with their 6 picks, but it's my mock draft.

[colbyjack]

Granted, there's virtually no chance that the Brewers take 5 college guys with their 6 picks, but it's my mock draft.

 

They've been taking more and more college players in recent years, so I don't think your projection is too big of a stretch. If that is how draft day shakes out, I think people will be pretty happy with those results. I know I would be.

 

And the one HS player you did take, DeVall, is a rather polished arm that doesn't profile to throw much harder, if at all, but he already knows how to pitch and could advance quickly.

[Brian the Automator]

I think "troll" is the word people like to use when their beliefs about the home team are challenged. Its the term that comes from blind loyalty.

But at the same time, we've banned you twice now (bradyo/gordofieldo), so I think the term sort of applies here.

*ban hammer*

 

 

[DHonks]

Colby, I've tried to follow this year, but I can't find any comparisons.

 

Who compares most favorably to Sheets?

 

Who is a HS pitcher likely to be available in the 2nd round that can be a minor league stud and fast-mover, like Inman and Gallardo?

 

Who is this year's Jeremy Sowers?

 

Who is this year's Brett Anderson?

 

Thanks for all you do