2013 Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 1-5

[And That]

I haven't followed the draft process at all this year - is Chris Okey considered a tough sign? If the Brewers could get him, seems like the perfect opportunity to move Coulter out from behind the plate.

[wichmae]

Taylor is a much better prospect than Astin.

[monty57]

Williams sounds a little better - according to the MLB.com guys, 95 MPH FB with a good slider. Bonus that he struck out the Cubs' top pick three times in a game.

[Dollarbill13]

I just hope he can stick as a starter...

[narwhalattack]

Scouting report on Taylor Williams, courtesy of Perfect Game:

Williams endured a difficult freshman season in 2011 at Washington State, going 0-1, 12.19, while allowing 34 base runners (25 H/9 BB) in 10 innings, and striking out just four. But the 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-hander has rebounded strongly from his early adversity, leading to his improbable emergence as an early-round candidate in this year’s draft. His turnaround began two summers ago playing for Keene in the New England Collegiate League, where he experienced dramatic improvement in his raw stuff and command while transitioning from a reliever to the ace of the SwampBats staff. Williams led the NECBL in wins, while going 6-1, 2.18 overall, and also sparked Keene to a league title. Perhaps of greater significance, his career path took an interesting turn that summer as his Keene teammates included four players from Kent State, including current Golden Flashes ace Tyler Skulina, who openly encouraged Williams to transfer to Kent State after it became known that he was leaving WSU. Rather than sit out a year while transferring from one Division I school to another, Williams spent the 2012 season playing at Oregon’s Mt. Hood Community College, where his fast arm and velocity at 90-94 mph quickly came to the attention of Northwest scouts. His dual role as an everyday position player took a toll on him physically, which impacted the ability for him to sustain his velocity, and he went undrafted. That paved the way for Williams to move on to Kent State as a junior, and he has been dominant this spring with a heavy, sinking fastball at 93-96, and an equally impressive slider. With his short, compact frame, two dominant pitches and a nasty, combative approach on the mound, some scouts have always been quick to cast Williams in a short, end-of-game role. But they have been less inclined to do this spring as he has shown a decent curve and changeup to complement his overpowering fastball/slider combination, and dominated as Kent State’s Saturday starter, posting a 9-1, 2.14 record with a team-high 91 strikeouts and only 16 walks in 93 innings.

 

Seems like he has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter, with the bullpen as a fallback option.

[TheCrew07]

I've been trying to pull Astin's scouting report from BA since the pick, it appears BA's mysql server is overloaded. Hire better tech guys BA!

[narwhalattack]

I've been trying to pull Astin's scouting report from BA since the pick, it appears BA's mysql server is overloaded. Hire better tech guys BA!

 

According to the MLB guys he's more of a 7th inning guy. Classic money-saving pick.

[narwhalattack]

Hey, look at that! Oakland nabs Covey. Very interesting.

[TheCrew07]

There goes Dylan Covey, good for him.

[brewmann04]

i GLAD I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH ISSUES FROM BA

[TooLiveBrew]

Not a fan in general of drafting a 5'11"/185 pitcher so high in the draft... not that I know anything about the kid, really, though.

[narwhalattack]

I posted Perfect Game's scouting report on him in the previous page. According to videos he also seems to have clean mechanics. I think he has a chance to stick as a starter, possibly a mid-rotation starter.

[TheCrew07]

Not a fan in general of drafting a 5'11"/185 pitcher so high in the draft... not that I know anything about the kid, really, though.

 

I'm right there with you bro, I haven't been excited given the talent still hanging out there, but I'm making an effort not to be negative about the picks.

 

It appears our bonus pool is having an immediate influence on the selections.

[narwhalattack]

TC07, which players do you want the Brewers to draft at this point, regardless of signability?

[TheCrew07]

I would take any halfway projectable LHP starting pitcher at this point... and there are a couple prep options out there. I like Garrett Williams quite a bit, nate has repeatedly posted about AJ Puk. Now that we're getting later in the draft some guys whom have at least 1 stand out tool would be nice.

 

edit. Even if the tool is just athleticism.

[narwhalattack]

Jake Brentz is still on the board, right?

[jschris]

Covey and I have had some email exchanges this year as he was willing to serve as a role model for my son as a ballplayer overcoming diabetes. Super, super kid and I couldn't be happier for him. He mentioned the Brewers were still interested. Sure wish he would have been back with Milwaukee, but I'm happy he still went very high.

[BrewersAA]

Im pulling for trevor Clifton. He cant be on the board much longer and hes that perfect high ceiling, but needs a lot of work, highschooler. would look great as the brewers 5th rounder!! (though i am sure they are in line to take a hitter now)

[TheCrew07]

I posted this earlier this morning.

 

Here was BA's take on the Best Available Players prior to the start of the draft today.

[ramssuperbowl1999]

Having Lohse at the front of the rotation for the next few years will allow us to trade Gallardo for the right price without completely blowing up the rotation. That way, we still have at least 1 guy we can count on for good innings and to give the bullpen a day of rest.

 

I think that's quite a reach considering his age and stuff, if Lohse is our anchor we're in huge trouble.

I meant more in terms of 2014 so that we can blow everything up and grab some high ceiling talent for Gallardo.

 

Hopefully by 2015 and beyond it's guys like Peralta, Nelson, Hellweg, and Thornburg who are anchoring the staff and not Lohse.

[BrewersAA]

where did Jon Denny go? i am actually sitting a mile down from Yukon highschool right now.

[narwhalattack]

He got drafted by the Red Sox in the third round.

[TheCrew07]

where did Jon Denny go? i am actually sitting a mile down from Yukon highschool right now.

 

#81 overall, Boston.

[ramssuperbowl1999]

It appears our bonus pool is having an immediate influence on the selections.

No question, and that is disappointing.

 

I would much prefer to have used the 3rd round pick on someone who wasn't nearly as signable since that pick is given back if we don't sign anyone. Now, if we take a risk on a HS guy, they have more leverage since we will be forfeiting the pick.

[BrewersAA]

good for him! wonder if they will get him signed