General Draft Discussion

[TooLiveBrew]

I think the Covey situation was about as big a fluke as you can find. The Brewers have a strong track record of getting their guys signed, iirc, so I'm really not worried about how they'll apply that pick in next year's draft. I don't expect them to limit themselves to just college seniors.

[battlekow]

Another consideration is budget, especially since the Brewers will likely have a fairly high pick for their standard selection as well. The Brewers aren't small-time, but they aren't the Red Sox either, and they also haven't shown the willingness to crack their wallets wide open the way the Royals and Pirates have lately.

[colbyjack]

Is anyone else following the draft signings this evening? This really has been a crazy, crazy year. Nick Castellanos gets $3.45M as a sandwich pick? That's top 2-3 pick type cash. Drew Smyly gets over $1M. Stetson Allie got $2.25M as a 2nd rounder (if the Pirates get Taillon wrapped up, kudos to them). Marcus Littlewood, Dickie Thon, Jr. and Garin Cecchini all get 1st-round cash.

 

And Zach Lee does end up signing with the Dodgers. Many felt that was kind of an empty pick given the Dodgers financial situation, almost conceding the pick for a comp pick next year, but obviously not the case. Reports are the deal is in excess of $3M, although the Dodgers can spread out whatever they gave him over 5 years since Lee was a talented FB recruit (LSU, and he reportedly already started camp for the Tigers).

[colbyjack]

The Brewers aren't small-time, but they aren't the Red Sox either, and they also haven't shown the willingness to crack their wallets wide open the way the Royals and Pirates have lately.

 

It does seem clear now that money truly wasn't an issue. A first in the history of the phrase "it wasn't about money." That said, the Brewers seemed to have a pretty conservative draft this year in a number of ways, including financially. They did budget well when they had comp picks a couple of years ago, signing all the players they did select to slot money, but they'll need an extra $1.7 million or so to accomplish that next year.

[colbyjack]

Zach Lee's deal was for $5.25. Yeah, I'd say that is in excess of $3M.

 

Take some solace Brewers fans in the fact that the Padres were also unable to sign their first-round pick, the ninth overall selection, Karsten Whitson. Although that just bumps the Brewers comp pick for Covey, and probably what will end up being the team's actual first-round pick, down a spot. Regarded as the 2nd and 3rd best prep arms behind Jameson Taillon, it's crazy to think both Whitson and Covey are heading to college.

 

And speaking of the comp picks, keep in mind that the sixth overall pick, Barret Loux, already failed his physical after reaching an agreement with the D-Backs.

 

Deck McGuire (#11 overall) signed, so one less player to push the comp pick back. Manny Machado (#3 overall) has also signed. No word yet on Harper, Taillon, Pomeranz, Harvey and Grandal.

 

And just to stir the pot a little, maybe the Brewers should have drafted this guy:

 

http://www.baseballameric...ayers/cards/?pl_id=29476

[brosto1]

If anything the way these bonuses are today, it should help over-haul the draft as it currently is run.

[Never Outhustled]

The shocker for me was Kyle Parker. He turned down $2.25 million earlier in the summer, but now signed for $1.4 million. He was my hoped selection for the Brewers.

[Cracked Bat Collector]

Anyone think we should maybe look into possibly signing Barret Loux for the right price despite him failing his Dbacks physical? They have declared that he will be a free agent come Sept. 1st. and is eligible to sign with anyone.

[battlekow]

Baseball Beginnings has a review of the Brewers' draft up, but it's not particularly relevant since it was written before the deadline and assumes that Dylan Covey signed. It doesn't help that the "guy who might surprise", Scott Matyas, didn't sign either.

[logan82]

If one guy makes the draft does that mean losing that one guy breaks the draft.

[colbyjack]

If one guy makes the draft does that mean losing that one guy breaks the draft.

 

Unfortunately, yes. Not signing Covey was a huge disappointment. I can't really point the finger at either side for not getting it done, but it's unfortunate. It's nice to have two picks next year, but that's a lost year in development time, and could effect who/how the Brewers use those two first-round picks.

 

Jim Callis of BA breaks down the teams by signing bonuses and what they spent from 2008-2010:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2928

 

Not surprising the Brewers spent the least of any team this year. With the $2M that likely would have signed Covey, they still would have only been 21st. Not terrible, but certainly not as aggressive as they have been in past years. They were 12th in '09 and 6th in '08, and both years they had extra picks. Overall they're 20th, 11th if Covey is signed at $2M.

 

And as much as I give credit to teams like the Nationals and Pirates for signing the players they did take, and both teams were aggressive in doing so, they had to be pretty terrible to begin with to draft as high as they have been in recent years.