Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 21-50

colbyjack · May 31, 2010

Please use this thread to share your thoughts, links, stories, pictures and anything else on the Brewers picks on draft day from rounds 21 through 50. Please do not start separate threads to discuss the individual picks.

battlekow · June 8, 2010

26th-round LHP Daniel Gibson was Baseball America's #148 overall talent:

Gibson led Tampa's Jesuit High to the state championship game at
Florida's 4-A classification, where they lost to Nick Castellanos and
Archbishop McCarthy. Gibson had won his previous four starts in the
playoffs, and the Florida recruit kept climbing up draft boards as he
pitched well. Prior to the state title tilt, Gibson was 14-0 and had
allowed just 13 hits and two earned runs in 21 playoff innings, before
giving up three runs in six-plus innings in the title game. Gibson has
excellent size at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, and he maintains his
solid-average stuff. His fastball usually sits in the 87-91 mph range,
but he attracted more scouting attention by bumping up his velocity in
shorter outings, at times reaching 94 mph. While his breaking ball and
changeup flash potential, the slider ranks ahead of his changeup
presently. Gibson isn't afraid to use any of the three and has better
pitchability than most of his prep peers in Florida. His
competitiveness, body and polished repertoire, as well as his jump in
velocity, had some clubs pushing him into the first five rounds,
especially in a draft short on lefthanders. Others believe more in the
velocity they've seen over Gibson's career rather than the recent spike
and see him as a solid, rather than spectacular arm. His signability
will likely determine whether he goes in the first 200 picks.

Gibson's MLB.com scouting video

Minigoon · June 8, 2010

30th Round Pick Eric Marzec

Marzec Named Top Prospect In Horizon League By Baseball America

Youngstown -- Youngstown State senior relief pitcher and outfielder Eric Marzec has been recognized as the top professional baseball prospect in the Horizon League by Baseball America in its college preview edition.

Marzec, a native of Canton, Ohio, was also picked to be a first-team all-league pick as a utility player because of his dual role. YSU senior Jacke Healey was predicted to be a first-team selection at designated hitter.

http://www.ysusports.com/baseball/top-photos/marzec-pitch09-1.jpgEric Marzec has been a Second-Team All-Horizon League selection at utility in each of the past two seasons.

Marzec has been a second-team all-league pick at utility in each of the past two seasons. Last year he batted .289 with six home runs, 27 RBIs and 22 runs scored despite missing more than a month with an injury to his glove hand. Marzec finished as the team leader in slugging percentage, and he was leading the club in home runs before his injury. On the mound, Marzec had a 2.40 ERA and two saves in his 15 innings out of the bullpen. He had 20 strikeouts and six walks in 17 innings overall in 2009.

Healey was a first-team all-league selection at shortstop in 2009, which was his first season at YSU after transferring from Potomac State College. He hit a team-high eight home runs and 17 doubles, and he also led YSU in RBIs, runs scored and total bases.

Baseball America mirrored the Horizon League preseason poll in its prediction of the final standings. The publication picked Wright State to win the conference and UIC, Milwaukee, Valparaiso, YSU, Cleveland State and Butler to follow.

Year ERA W-L App GS CG SHO/CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR BF B/Avg

2007.... 9.00 1-1 5 4 0 0/0 0 18.0 25 18 18 15 20 2 2 6 93 .325

2008.... 2.82 2-1 12 0 0 0/0 2 22.1 16 9 7 17 18 3 0 1 104 .198

2009.... 5.29 1-4 10 1 0 0/1 2 17.0 16 11 10 6 20 3 1 2 78 .242

TOT..... 5.49 4-6 27 5 0 0/1 4 57.1 57 38 35 38 58 8 3 9 275 .254

Minigoon · June 8, 2010

September 09, 2009

BA #7 Prospect: Greg Hopkins, Haymarket

http://allthingsvalleyleague.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bfe6a53ef0120a55a370e970b-320wi Up to #7- the Senator's Greg Hopkins, now a junior at St. John's. Greg was a huge part of Haymarket's championship run, even though he missed the clinching game with a broken hand. Greg assured ATVL that he would be back on the field sooner rather than later. Here's his writeup:

A pure-hitting third baseman, Hopkins anchored the heart of the order for the league champions. In 200 at-bats, he produced 69 hits, which led the Valley, finishing with a .345/.413/.495 season line. Hopkins employs a wide base at the plate, taking a short stride to the ball with a level swing path that results in gap-to-gap power. He stays inside the ball well, letting him take offspeed pitches the other way, but he also has the bat speed to turn on an inside fastball. Hopkins is a solid defender at third base with a sure glove and adequate range, although he might lack the arm strength to stay at the position in pro ball. A position change is probably in his future, but his bat is good enough to play anywhere.

You just gotta love that line- "His bat is good enough to play anywhere." I will be surprised if Greg isn't drafted next June! (Photo courtesy of the rabid Haymarket Joe!)

The # 6 hitting prospect from that league.

November 03, 2009

#6 Hitter: Greg Hopkins, Haymarket

http://allthingsvalleyleague.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bfe6a53ef0120a69e6dc1970c-320wi The #6 hitter in the league is also the Most Valuable Player of the league: Haymarket's Greg Hopkins.

Hopkins, a current junior at St. John's, was a critical part of the Senator's lineup. (And of their soul, if ATVL's observations during the finals were correct.) He pounded the ball to the tune of 345/413/495, with 34 runs, 69 hits, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 33 RBI, 99 total bases, and a 16/30 BB/K ratio in 51 games and 200 at-bats. He added 13 stolen bases in 15 attempts as well. Greg led the league in hits, finished 4th in total bases, and 5th in batting average.

Of course, Greg is no less a hitter with an aluminum bat in his hands. As a freshman at St. John's, he hit 304/386/473, with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, and a 24/30 BB/K ratio in 184 at-bats. He really walloped the ball in his sophomore season, upping his numbers to 349/411/550, with 11 doubles, a triple, 7 home runs, and a 17/18 BB/K ratio in 169 at-bats.

Obviously chosen to participate in the All-Star game, Greg went 2-4 in Woodstock, and then went 0-2 in the Mid-Atlantic Classic against the Cal Ripken League.

Hopkins showed his hitting chops in the first playoff series against the first-ranked Staunton Braves, going 5-10 in the two games, both Haymarket wins, with 6 runs scored and 5 RBI.

ATVL was able to ask Greg a couple questions last week- here's the transcript:

"ATVL: You've obviously been an excellent hitter for St. John's your first two years with aluminum. What was your approach to hitting with wood this summer?

GH: My approach with wood this summer was to use the whole field. It's easy to get away with being pull happy with aluminum. But my approach this summer was to use the whole field, I tried to stay up the middle of the field. I used [wood] last summer as well for the first time (other than in the cages), so I had a better feel and more confidence with the wood bat this past summer.

ATVL: How would you describe your experience over the summer?

GH: I wouldn't trade this past summer for a thing. Our team at Haymarket was something else, we had a good feeling from the very beginning of the summer. I made some great friends on that Haymarket team and had fun playing baseball, and won a championship, what else could you ask for? The coaches were awesome too, everyone was on the same page and things clicked from day one.

ATVL: What's it mean to be named MVP of the league?

GH: Being named MVP is definitely something I'm proud of. I had a good mindset going into this past summer, I went into it telling myself to work hard and have fun. And that's what we did, we had fun the whole summer. A lot of summer ball teams want to get home as soon as possible, but it was different with this team. We were simply having too much fun playing baseball. One of my best friends Mike Lang gets my vote for MVP though, we wouldn't have even made the playoffs if it wasn't for him. Also, Tom La Stella and Evan Noell were a huge part of the successful summer, we worked hard on and off the field, no one works harder at their game than those two. I wish them the best of luck this year at Coastal!"

Congratulations on your excellent year, Greg!

Minigoon · June 8, 2010

Dane Amedee's LSU-Eunice profile.

Game Photo from SmugMug

http://lsue.smugmug.com/Sports/Baseball/2009-World-Series-Game-5/LSUE1484/548898847_px6Jy-S.jpg

Minigoon · June 8, 2010

21st Round pick, Kevin Shackelford's profile from Marshall University

Press Release from Marshall University announcing Milwaukee's selection of Shackelford.

Baseball's Kevin Shackelford and Aaron Blair Selected in MLB Amateur Draft

http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/text/graphics/spacer.gif	http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mars/sports/m-basebl/auto_action/5368426.jpeg Kevin Shackelford	http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/text/graphics/spacer.gif

June 8, 2010

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Junior Kevin Shackelford and signee Aaron Blair of the Marshall University baseball team were both selected in the 21^st round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on Tuesday afternoon.

Shackelford was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 639^th overall pick. The Charlotte, N.C. native, had served as a catcher during his first two seasons with the Thundering Herd prior to making the switch to the mound. In his first season on the bump, the righty logged 18.0 innings in 19 relief appearances, while posting a 1-1 record and a 7.50 ERA.

battlekow · June 8, 2010

Bernal's a Brewer

Chuck King/FAU Owl Access

FAU pitcher Ryan Bernal had heard too many stories about baseball

players waiting around on draft day to hear their name, only to be

disappointed as round after round flipped by without so much as a text

message from an MLB team.

So on Tuesday during the middle of the draft’s second day the senior

right-handed reliever grabbed his glove and joined FAU teammate Dan

Scheffler for a workout at their former school, Palm Beach State

College.

While Scheffler was in the cage, PBSC coach Alex Morales walked over and

informed Bernal that he’d just been selected by the Milwaukee Brewers

in the 23rd round. Nearly simultaneously Bernal received a phone call

from the Brewers and texts from friends.

“It sill hasn’t hit me yet,” said Bernal, who finished his senior season

with a 6-3 record and a 3.00 ERA. “I still can’t believe it. The scout

told me I’m leaving in a couple days for Montana to play in the Pioneer [League]."

battlekow · June 8, 2010

Jesuit ace Gibson a true student of the game

Eduardo A. Encina/TampaBay.com

TAMPA — The education of Jesuit senior pitcher Daniel Gibson

continues every time he is on the mound, but also every week with an

introspective discussion with his pitching coach.

A pair of talented left-handers, separated by 13 years, sit across

from each other and talk power pitching.

Pitching coach Geoff Goetz, ace of the 1997 Jesuit national

championship team and No. 6 overall draft pick the same year, asks the

questions. And the discussion isn’t about blowing away the dozen or so

pro scouts, who come to every one of Gibson’s outings, with his 93 mph

fastball.

“We talk a lot, and I think the biggest things I can pass on are the

mistakes I made in pro ball that I just didn’t know,” said Goetz, who

pitched in the minors for eight seasons until arm problems forced him

from the game. “I got hurt, but there are so many reasons I got hurt. I

was outside my comfort zone and I didn’t stay within myself, which is

something I had done since Little League because I was always pitching

to impress instead of concentrating on what could make me the best I

could possibly be.

“Gibby is already starting to get that now. He knows the importance

of not doing that.”

If Jesuit (27-3) advances to its first state tournament since 2006,

Gibson will be the biggest reason.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound lefty will be the starter at Cape Coral

Mariner on Friday, just as he has been the previous two region

tournament games.

“He put the team on his shoulders his junior year as a No. 1, and

he’s taken the team on his shoulders this year,” Goetz said. “His

numbers this year and the way he goes about his business speak for

itself.

He’s gotten better each time out. He’s gotten better each year and

he’s never comfortable with thinking, ‘Well I’m good enough now.’ ”

One of 15 seniors on this year’s team — 14 of whom played together

since legion ball before their freshman year — Gibson (12-0, 1.59 ERA)

has signed with Florida. But before he heads to Gainesville, he could

get drafted in June’s MLB draft. He is projected to go anywhere from the

second to seventh round.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Gibson said. “But I’m excited about the

opportunity I have with these guys. It’s been a great four years. We’ve

had some ups and downs, mostly ups, but this year we have a really tight

group of guys and it’s a great opportunity as a team to try to finish

that last goal of winning that state championship.”

Since his freshman year, Gibson has grown into a power pitcher, but

under Goetz’s tutelage, he has become a better thinker.

The scary part is his strikeout numbers — 110 in 74 2/3 innings —

could be better, but Goetz has preached the value of getting outs more

than strikeouts. Under that philosophy, Gibson has thrown his fastballs

to be put in play early in the game, which lowers his pitch count.

It’s an approach Goetz said will get him further at the next level,

but for now, it allows Jesuit’s ace to be on the mound for the biggest

games of the season.

“It’s would be something I’ve tried to do all four years (get to

state),” Gibson said. “At the beginning of the year, we set that as our

main goal of the season. We’ve worked hard as team to get there and it

would be a great accomplishment.”

battlekow · June 8, 2010

Pitcher Gibson keeps Jesuit Tigers in hunt

Adam Adkins/Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Just as Richie Warren has done throughout this postseason, Jesuit's coach will turn and hand the ball to Daniel Gibson Friday (click here for a live chat during the game).

It probably isn't an unprecedented move to have the same pitcher start four consecutive postseason games, but it certainly would be considered rare in this day and age of high school baseball. It's a luxury Jesuit has with its senior ace, a player Warren described as the "ultimate competitor."

"A lot of guys would have a tough time doing that," Jesuit pitching coach Geoff Goetz said, "but Gibby is a special guy."

The Tigers have been fortunate to be able to lean on Gibson in each of the first three rounds on the postseason thanks to a bit of help with the schedule. They will do so again Friday (10 a.m.) in a Class 4A state semifinal matchup against Ponte Vedra at Port St. Lucie's Digital Domain Park with hopes that Gibson can lead them into Saturday's state title game.

"We're really looking forward to see what he can do," Tigers senior first baseman Chris Pagliarulo said.

What Gibson has done throughout the postseason is essentially put a string of exclamation marks on a stellar regular season. In three games, Jesuit's standout left-hander has allowed two earned runs and 12 hits in 182/3 innings. He also has struck out 20 during that stretch, while walking only four.

"He's just been so great," Goetz said of Gibson, who is 13-0 with a 1.54 ERA on the year, "and he keeps getting better and better every outing."

Gibson's signature outing this postseason might have been his region semifinal start against Bradenton Lakewood Ranch. The game was pushed back a day to accommodate Lakewood Ranch's prom, and with that extra day of rest and a low pitch count from his first postseason start three days earlier, Gibson asked for the ball again. He delivered six strong innings to power the Tigers to a 7-1 win.

Of course, that didn't come as a surprise to anyone within the Tigers program. It's the type of performance they have seen their two-year captain deliver on a routine basis during his time with the program. That consistency is the reason Gibson's teammates have so much confidence in him when he's on the mound.

"He's been doing this for so long, just amazing game after amazing game that he has, it's just like, 'Oh, that's Gibby.' That's just how he pitches," Tigers senior second baseman Nick Iacovella said. "When you get into big games like this, we know anything can happen. But when he's pitching, it's almost like we know the other team isn't going to hit him. We've just got to field the ball when they put it in play and take advantage of some opportunities on offense, and he'll close the game out for us."

Barring some unforeseen events, Friday will be Gibson's final start in a Jesuit uniform. That's a fact not lost on Warren. But Jesuit's coach is hoping for one more stellar start from Gibson, which would help keep their hopes alive for the program's fourth state championship.

"He's really had a great season. He's given us a quality start every time out," Warren said. "He's so confident in his ability, and the guys behind him are confident in him. When he gets the ball, we feel like we're going to be in the game, that he gives us a chance to stay in the game and win.

"We're going to go down there to throw our best, and hopefully we can get into that state championship game and see what happens."

http://www2.tbo.com/exposure/ar/659/372/2010/05/20/51889_sp0520prepbb.jpg

Mass Haas · June 8, 2010

JESUIT'S GIBSON SURPRISED: Jesuit left-hander Daniel Gibson entered the draft as the bay area's highest-ranked prospect — Baseball America ranked him the 148th-best prospect in the nation. But even after slipping to the 26th round, Gibson was surprised he was taken that early.

"From everything I was being told I thought I was going to drop to (Wednesday)," he said.

Gibson, who has signed with Florida, has made it clear he values his education. And once he told teams his demands in order to forgo college, he slid down many draft boards. The Brewers, one of the teams (along with the Cardinals) he said were most interested, selected him in the 26th round with the 789th pick.

"Right now I'm open to both possibilities," Gibson said.

TheCrew07 · June 8, 2010

Well this would be the steal of the draft if they could get him signed, but it seems highly unlikely.

colbyjack · June 8, 2010

At one point this spring I was told via the PG chain that a few teams considered Gibson to be the best prep LHP in the nation. I think it's safe to say that signing him away from Florida would be a HUGE signing, and unlikely to happen. Given the number of college players the Brewers have taken, it's not like they have a lot of unsignable prospects, so in other words, crazier things have happened...

Mass Haas · June 8, 2010

Miners' Shackelford taken in draft?

Kevin Shackelford, a 6-foot-5 right-hander from Marshall, was taken in the 21st round (639th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Shackelford recently completed his first season on the mound for the Thundering Herd after he was the starting catcher last season.

“I think I went pretty much where I was expecting to go,” Shackelford said. “Not bad for just pitching six months.

“I thought I had it in me. I felt like I had the arm. I liked to dream it, but for it to happen is, well, not surprising, but it’s awesome.”

battlekow · June 8, 2010

YSU’s Healey, Marzec selected in MLB draft

Joe Scalzo/Vindy.com

Around 7 p.m. on Tuesday night, YSU shortstop Jacke Healey was

sitting next to his mom in his bedroom in Tunkhannock, Pa., playing

Tiger Wood’s new game on XBox while the MLB draft tracker updated on a

nearby computer.

“I was just kind of talking about today when I glanced over and saw

my name,” said Healey. “Then I got a big smile on my face.”

Healey, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior, was picked by the Houston

Astros in the 27th round, No. 813 overall.

Minutes later, in Canton, Penguins senior pitcher Eric Marzec got a

text message from one of his friends with the news about Healey. He’d

just got off a plane after a vacation in Las Vegas with his mom and a

few friends and had spent the day avoiding the computer.

He knew the second day of the draft started at noon and ended with

the 30th round.

“So I knew it was about to be up,” said Marzec, who was mentally

preparing himself for another day of waiting. “As nerve-wracking as it

is, I just tried not to pay attention to it.”

So, like Healey, he started playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2011 on his

XBox. Then his phone lit up. It was a Brewers scout, telling him he’d

just been picked in the 30th round, the 909th overall pick.

“It’s a great day for Penguin baseball,” said YSU coach Rich

Pasquale. “They’re just two good boys and they deserve what they get.”

Healey and Marzec are the 16th and 17th Penguins to get drafted and

the first since third baseman Brandon Caipen went to the Astros in the

28th round in 2006. YSU has never before had two players picked in the

same season.

Healey played at Potomac State (Junior) College before coming to YSU

two years ago. A first-team all-Horizon League pick this year, Healey

set single-season school records for homers (12), RBIs (59) and runs

(63).

“He’s a pro-style player,” Pasquale said. “He’s a hard worker, he

understands the game and he plays the game like a big-leaguer.

“He plays with a lot of confidence.”

Three years ago, Pasquale was actually recruiting Potomac pitcher

Andy Altemus (who ended up at West Virginia) when Altemus told him about

Healey. A few weeks later, Pasquale flew to South Carolina, saw Healey

play twice and offered him a scholarship.

“I promised him he’d play every game here, and I don’t promise that

to everybody,” said Pasquale. “We did the best we could on our end to

develop him and give him the opportunity to play at the next level.”

Healey said he appreciated it.

“YSU gave me the opportunity to play Division I baseball,” he said.

“No matter where you play, Youngstown State or Ohio State, you’re

playing good competition week-in and week-out.

“Coach Pasquale, Coach [Tom] Lipari and Coach [Craig] Antush gave me

the chance to show my skills.”

Marzec played the outfield and pitched relief for the Penguins,

earning second team all-league honors the past two years. As his career

wore on, it became clear pitching was his future — he has nine career

saves — and he impressed the Minnesota Twins’ scouts at a predraft

workout last week, hitting the low 90s on the radar gun.

“He’s a hard-working kid and he deserves everything he gets,” said

Pasquale. “He’s improved every year he’s been here.”

Marzec was recruited by then-YSU coach Mike Florak out of Canton

Central Catholic High School. After several schools backed off him due

to an injury suffered his junior year, Florak gave him a chance.

“I knew if I’d gone to a smaller school, I’d never know if I could

have hacked at a Division I school,” Marzec said. “I owe YSU a lot.”

Marzec also praised his agent, Michael Giorgio of National Sports

Management, who has helped him with the transition from college to

preparing for the draft. He said he’s had a goal of making the major

leagues since he was a seventh-grader, when he told everyone he was

going to be a pro athlete and got mocking comments in return.

“Everyone just shot me down,” he said. “That and 100 other comments

on through the years, with everyone saying it wasn’t going to happen, I

used that to drive me.

“I was hoping to get drafted last year but it didn’t happen. But now

the Brewers took a chance on me and I’m looking to make Youngstown proud

and move on and go farther.”

True CryM · June 8, 2010

At one point this spring I was told via the PG chain that a few teams considered Gibson to be the best prep LHP in the nation. I think it's safe to say that signing him away from Florida would be a HUGE signing, and unlikely to happen. Given the number of college players the Brewers have taken, it's not like they have a lot of unsignable prospects, so in other words, crazier things have happened...

That's pretty interesting. As you said, there's a number of signable players, and since Gibson indicated that the Brewers were one of the top teams looking to draft him, maybe they've planned to meet his offer all along. I imagine this one will go down to the wire.

LouisEly · June 8, 2010

I like the idea of taking a flyer on a couple of guys like Alex Jones who are recovering from surgeries that are relatively successful statistically. Who knows, maybe he can be like Axford and with a little more recovery time and maybe a tweak to the delivery can become a legit prospect in a year or two.

Mass Haas · June 8, 2010

Elon senior right-hander Daniel Britt taken in the 29th round

Bob Sutton / (NC) Times-News

Elon senior right-hander Daniel Britt was taken in the 29th round (879th overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers, finding out about the selection as he was assisting in a coaching capacity for his former American Legion team.

Britt was a weekend starter for the Phoenix, though his only relief appearance in 15 outings this year came in Saturday’s finale in an NCAA regional loss to Mercer in Atlanta. He went 5-2 with a 4.99 ERA covering 79 1/3 innings.

“I knew there was some interest there,” Britt said. “During the season, I was just worried about Elon and winning games and what we do there. After the season, it kind of hit me that I was done unless this opportunity came.”

The Brewers and a few other teams made contact with Britt on Monday. By Tuesday night, Britt was in a coaching role with Whiteville Post 137 when he was approached by a spectator he knows only on a causal basis.

“He showed my on his Blackberry that I had been drafted,” Britt said. “I appreciate him doing that. It was awesome.”

Britt, 22, has a meeting scheduled for today to learn details about his first assignment.

pete · June 9, 2010

It probably isn't an unprecedented move to have the same pitcher start four consecutive postseason games, but it certainly would be considered rare in this day and age of high school baseball. It's a luxury Jesuit has with its senior ace, a player Warren described as the "ultimate competitor."

How spaced out are these games typically? This sounds kind of crazy.

Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 21-50

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September 09, 2009

BA #7 Prospect: Greg Hopkins, Haymarket

November 03, 2009

#6 Hitter: Greg Hopkins, Haymarket

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