2014 Brewers' 1st-Rd. Pick Speculation & Overall 2014 Prospects Discussion Thread

[splitterpfj]

I believe Houston will take Carlos Rodon with the first pick next year, I'm not even considering him for the Brewers at this point.

[nate82]

The Astros can have Rodon I want no part of him at all as a Brewer. The two pitchers that I really like are Tyler Beede from Vaderbilt and Dylan Cease from Milton, GA. Cease has a lot of things that scouts liked about Matt Cain when he was drafted. I still like Newcomb and Finnegan but both are going to have to perform rather well in order for them to be drafted as early as the Brewers are picking unless the Brewers get a commit from either one that they will take less than slot to sign. That would then allow the Brewers to sign someone in the later rounds who maybe a questionable sign because of the amount of money they are asking for to sign.

[narwhalattack]

My favorites:

 

Tyler Kolek, Touki Toussaint, and Michael Cederoth

[Eye Black]

Last week Kiley McDaniel released his Top 30 High School Prospects List. The list includes a very short take on each player and some comparables mixed in.

 

Side note: I think we can consider this our 2014 Draft Prospects discussion thread at this point, correct?

[TooLiveBrew]

Side note: I think we can consider this our 2014 Draft Prospects discussion thread at this point, correct?

I think so, too, and have updated the thread title

[Raw Biz]

But this theory that they were targeting low ceiling guys is revisionist history.

 

Not exactly. There were many on here who didn't like the fact that they took two college pitchers who they thought they could fast-track to the majors (myself included). People had comments right after the picks were made so it's not revisionist history. And Melvin even came out and said that part of the reason they were drafted was because he thought they had the potential to make an impact in the majors within a couple of years (i.e. this year).

[heresrobin]

Does anybody have any thoughts on East Carolina RHP Jeff Hoffman? I've seen quite a bit of hype on this guy for the 2014 Draft - some talk of him being a potential candidate for the 1st overall pick. But when I went and checked his stats so far in college, I guess I expected better K/9 numbers. Obviously he must have some nice upside and a lot can change from now until the Draft - just wondering what people think of him...

[HiAndTight]

I wouldn't take this stance. If the next potential Albert Pujols was there or the next C.C. Sabathia. What would you rather have in your system?

 

 

Albert Pujols was a thirteenth-round pick. We get a top-five, we need a pitcher - and a college pitcher most likely. And, I'd take Sabathia in that scenario. I can find you a first baseman that will hit you 25 plus HR's and contribute. There are about ten consistent pitchers over the last five years that have put up the numbers that Sabathia has shown. And they're about five times as rare as high-end offensive players and we already know we can't afford one that's already broken out.

 

 

Yes, everyone understands that Pujols was a later round pick. I think the point he was making was quite clear. If you have the chance to take a truly GREAT position player as opposed to making a pre-draft decision that no matter what you're going to take the best pitcher available, well, it's not a real good way to build a top system.

 

 

Anywawy, the argument was obvious and indisputable. If you have a TALENT LIKE Albert Pujols where you're picking, a truly transcendent type hitter vs a good/great pitcher, it'd be foolish to not take that offensive player. Especially given the pct of position players who flame out vs the pct of pitchers who do.

 

[sarcasm]But I guess since Pujols was a 13th round pick, we could just wait 13 rounds to pick him....[/sarcasm]

[HiAndTight]

But this theory that they were targeting low ceiling guys is revisionist history.

 

Not exactly. There were many on here who didn't like the fact that they took two college pitchers who they thought they could fast-track to the majors (myself included). People had comments right after the picks were made so it's not revisionist history. And Melvin even came out and said that part of the reason they were drafted was because he thought they had the potential to make an impact in the majors within a couple of years (i.e. this year).

 

 

 

I think you're clearly focusing on the wrong things here. The fact that they were low ceiling pitchers is revisionist history. I never said that it was revisionist history that there were people on this board who wanted other pitchers. Most seemed to want Barnes, others wanted Meyer or Guerreri, fewer wanted Fernandez, though people were almost calling for any and every pitcher available at that point in the draft.

 

However most scouts had both as potential #1/#2 starters. Again, especially after Bradley's performance in the fall that year vs wood bats. At one point many thought he was the best left handed arm in the class.

 

And actually, I think this is a BIG part of the problem. People take small, tiny pieces of what Melvin says and they ignore the rest to prove a point.

 

 

Here is his answer to the question if Jungman can move through the system quickly;

 

Jungmann a guy who can move through the system quickly: “I’m not a big believer in that. I think there’s a theory that you sometimes you get there early, you leave early, too. So it depends on the individual. But both of them are pitchers that have pitch ability. They know how to pitch. They’re not guys that have to learn a couple pitchers. They’re both aggressive guys, aggressive pitchers with a three-, four-pitch repertoire, and they can command their pitches. I think that’s one of the big things – we’re not talking about two guys here who aren’t going to throw strikes. They’ve both been big winners and they’ve both pitched in big games. From a college standpoint, if you look at Bradley, I believe he was the second left-handed college pitcher in the draft behind (Danny) Hultzen. He’s got some similarities to Andy Pettite if you look at them physically. I just leave it up to the player. The player will determine how quickly he gets to the big leagues.”

 

 

He also makes comments about every draft to try and get a player to sign early using examples of players who sign right away and get into the system that season and how they move that much quicker than guys who wait until the signing deadline to sign and tend to take a little longer. He's been making those comments for years.

 

Fortunately we had two college pitchers – two big, physical guys that we’re pleased about. Hope to get them signed and out and pitching. We’ve done a good job, if you look at the players that have signed for us early, in getting them out and playing and now some them are playing in the big leagues. We were talking about Jonathan Lucroy the other day – he had 250 at-bats his first year because he signed quickly. If he didn’t sign, he’s probably not in the big leagues right now.”

 

 

 

So I don't see anything in there, anything in the Baseball America archives when ranking that draft class or anything....at ALL that suggests that had a "philosophy," of drafting low ceiling college pitchers with early to mid 1st round draft picks. So regardless of what the comments on here happen to say(and read the comments for this years draft where people were screaming for a talented, projectable young prep arm and we get one who was supposed to go in the 1st round and then found reason to complain after the fact, proving that you can safely say that people on every draft pick were rooting for almost every other player) I see absolutely no evidence it was ever what they as an organization DID.

[HiAndTight]

The Astros can have Rodon I want no part of him at all as a Brewer. The two pitchers that I really like are Tyler Beede from Vaderbilt and Dylan Cease from Milton, GA. Cease has a lot of things that scouts liked about Matt Cain when he was drafted. I still like Newcomb and Finnegan but both are going to have to perform rather well in order for them to be drafted as early as the Brewers are picking unless the Brewers get a commit from either one that they will take less than slot to sign. That would then allow the Brewers to sign someone in the later rounds who maybe a questionable sign because of the amount of money they are asking for to sign.

 

 

Well yeah they can have him...because they'll likely have the worst record. However if we got the chance, based on what we've heard and seen from every single scouting report sans one and his results, I'd be juuuust fine getting an advanced left handed pitcher who throws in the mid to upper 90's.

 

http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2013/1/7/3846162/carlos-rodon-prize-of-the-2014-draft

 

Being the runaway favorite for the top pick, people are going to analyze a guy to death, but if the Brewers get a second shot at picking Rodon.....I think we'd be wise to do so.

 

 

It just sucks that the Brewers couldn't get him in the system when they did draft him. They were reportedly talking to him from the 4th round on, asking what he'd sign for before eventually picking him. From the parents it sounds like a situation that could have gone either way.....which really hurts right now.

[colbyjack]

Does anybody have any thoughts on East Carolina RHP Jeff Hoffman? I've seen quite a bit of hype on this guy for the 2014 Draft - some talk of him being a potential candidate for the 1st overall pick. But when I went and checked his stats so far in college, I guess I expected better K/9 numbers. Obviously he must have some nice upside and a lot can change from now until the Draft - just wondering what people think of him...

 

My PG cohort Frankie Piliere has seen every one of Hoffman's starts and swears he's by far the top prospect for next year's draft. I'm not going to link it/them as I know people can find it if they're that inclined to see it, but we have video and reports of him up on our site as part of our summer collegiate coverage.

 

Rodon is very good, as I just saw him 2 weeks ago and he was 90-94/96 against Team Cuba, and I know someone that saw him hit 96 every inning he pitched in the CWS in a CG effort over UNC. However, his FB velo has been up and down this spring/summer, which makes some scout wonder what is causing that inconsistency.

 

Basically, he's not a slam dunk for the No. 1 pick and pretty much proved this spring that it may have been premature for people to jump on him during/after his freshman year and proclaim him as such so quickly. He was good, but not as consistently dynamic.

 

And there will be a few prep hitters (Alex Jackson, Jacob Gatewood) that could/should be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick as well. As it stands right now, the Brewers would pick No. 4, and if they get one of the 4 aforementioned players they're adding one heck of a talent into the system.

[splitterpfj]

Peter Gammons Tweeted about Rodon being Houston's choice right around the All-Star Break. I'm sure the Astros will take their time on this, and consider several players, but Rodon will be sold a bunch online.

 

In the initial post in this thread, I mentioned Rodon, Gatewood and Jackson, but I didn't include Hoffman. My business partner went to ECU, if Hoffman winds up in Milwaukee, I'm sure I'll be asked for weekly updates as he climbs the ladder.

[paul253]

I just hope we can come away with a high ceiling college pitcher who profiles as a #1. That's something this organization has lacked for a long time.

[splitterpfj]

Right now, the Brewers would pick in the top five, if they go on an amazing hot streak, they'll pick in the top ten. This hasn't happened for a while, and with young talent being so important economically, the team can't afford to miss on this pick.

 

I agree, a dominant college arm would be fantastic, but I'll be fine with a great young hitter too.

 

The '05 draft produced J. Upton, A. Gordon, R. Zimmerman, R. Braun, T. Tulowitzki, A. McCutchen, and J. Bruce, among others...the third overall pick, was Jeff Clement.

 

Brewers, just don't, "Clement" me, and I'm happy.

[TigerUppercut]

Right now, the Brewers would pick in the top five, if they go on an amazing hot streak, they'll pick in the top ten. This hasn't happened for a while, and with young talent being so important economically, the team can't afford to miss on this pick.

 

I agree, a dominant college arm would be fantastic, but I'll be fine with a great young hitter too.

 

The '05 draft produced J. Upton, A. Gordon, R. Zimmerman, R. Braun, T. Tulowitzki, A. McCutchen, and J. Bruce, among others...the third overall pick, was Jeff Clement.

Brewers, just don't, "Clement" me, and I'm happy.

 

And it's this point right here that gives me pause. Notice there are no pitchers in that group. Now, I realize there are variables that go into it but clearly it's much easier to "hit" on a position player at the top of the draft. With the Crew absolutely needing to hit next year, there is no reason to go into that draft dead set on drafting pitching as we need impact players regardless of position. In any event, Bruce Seid running the show has me nervous that this may go bad.

[Eye Black]

Does anybody have any thoughts on East Carolina RHP Jeff Hoffman? I've seen quite a bit of hype on this guy for the 2014 Draft - some talk of him being a potential candidate for the 1st overall pick. But when I went and checked his stats so far in college, I guess I expected better K/9 numbers. Obviously he must have some nice upside and a lot can change from now until the Draft - just wondering what people think of him...

 

My PG cohort Frankie Piliere has seen every one of Hoffman's starts and swears he's by far the top prospect for next year's draft. I'm not going to link it/them as I know people can find it if they're that inclined to see it, but we have video and reports of him up on our site as part of our summer collegiate coverage.

 

Rodon is very good, as I just saw him 2 weeks ago and he was 90-94/96 against Team Cuba, and I know someone that saw him hit 96 every inning he pitched in the CWS in a CG effort over UNC. However, his FB velo has been up and down this spring/summer, which makes some scout wonder what is causing that inconsistency.

 

Basically, he's not a slam dunk for the No. 1 pick and pretty much proved this spring that it may have been premature for people to jump on him during/after his freshman year and proclaim him as such so quickly. He was good, but not as consistently dynamic.

 

And there will be a few prep hitters (Alex Jackson, Jacob Gatewood) that could/should be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick as well. As it stands right now, the Brewers would pick No. 4, and if they get one of the 4 aforementioned players they're adding one heck of a talent into the system.

 

colbyjack - The rise of Hoffman is fascinating to me. I know Frankie along with Kiley McDaniel, are very high on him, but it seems like many others are slower to warm to him as the best arm in the class. His rise has been a little Sean Manaea-esk. I am curious what level of skepticism (if any) there is among other PG staff regarding Hoffman? Do you ultimately see him ending up with a legitimate shot to be the top pick?

 

Regarding Rodon, it seems predictable that after being lauded as a consensus 1-1 pick so early in his career that his status would face regression as he is analyzed closely each outing. I am curious what you think his biggest negatives are as a prospect? I have heard a handful of potential issues, such as the height (6'2"), heavy workload, inconsistent velocity (which you mentioned), minor injuries, and an over reliance on his Slider at an early age. Just curious if you put stock in any of those claims or have heard any other perceived concerns surrounding Rodon? Barring a significant injury do you think there is any chance Rodon could slide past the first or second pick in next year's draft, at least based on what you have seen of him?

 

 

Speaking of Rodon's slider...

 

http://cdn.fangraphs.com/not/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Rodon-McRae-4th-2.gif

[Eye Black]

With about 50 games to go in the season MLB Trade Rumors posted the Projected 2014 Draft Order this morning, otherwise known as the reverse standings. Seems worth noting that despite a loss filled season, the Brewers are in a tight race to maintain their top-5 pick status, and are only 5.0 games (ahead?) separated from the #15 draft spot.

 

[pre]Pick Team W L W% GB

1 Houston Astros 36 74 0.327 0.0

2 Chicago White Sox 40 69 0.367 4.5

3 Miami Marlins 43 67 0.391 7.0

4 Milwaukee Brewers 47 64 0.423 10.5

5 Chicago Cubs 49 62 0.441 12.5

6 Minnesota Twins 48 60 0.444 13.0

7 San Francisco Giants 49 61 0.445 13.0

8 New York Mets 49 60 0.450 13.5

9 Philadelphia Phillies 50 61 0.450 13.5

10 Toronto Blue Jays 51 60 0.459 14.5

11 Toronto Blue Jays [1]

12 Colorado Rockies 52 61 0.460 14.5

13 Los Angeles Angels 51 59 0.464 15.0

14 San Diego Padres 52 60 0.464 15.0

15 Seattle Mariners 52 59 0.468 15.5[/pre]

Notes:

[1] Compensation for unsigned 2013 #10 pick Phil Bickford

 

*All 10 teams that finish in the lower half of the standings have protected first round picks in the following year's draft.

 

*If two teams have the same record, the higher draft pick goes to the team that finished with a lower winning percentage in the previous season.

[colbyjack]

And it's this point right here that gives me pause. Notice there are no pitchers in that group. Now, I realize there are variables that go into it but clearly it's much easier to "hit" on a position player at the top of the draft. With the Crew absolutely needing to hit next year, there is no reason to go into that draft dead set on drafting pitching as we need impact players regardless of position.

 

I agree with this point 100%. I'm not sure why people are so hell-bent on the Brewers drafting a pitcher with their early pick. It's not like the Brewers system has a can't-miss position prospect in their system, and as this season has proved, the offense can go sour pretty quick without a handful of impact hitters to turn to. The Brewers do have a knack for drafting/developing impact hitters when they have taken such players with their early picks, so why not play to that advantage?

 

I'm not saying the team should avoid a pitcher, but it's not like their season has fallen simply because of a failed pitching staff. They need to re-stock the farm system with everything.

 

Eye Black at Night: the only reason "others" are slow to warm on Hoffman is because he's the new guy. I guarantee you that scouts have taken full notice of Hoffman's emergence this summer, much like they did with Jonathan Gray's last spring. And the only reason Peter Gammons and others are writing about Rodon as the No. 1 pick is because he's the guy people have already been talking about.

 

And there's nothing wrong with having a Sean Manaea-esque rise to the top. Manaea would have been a premium top 3-5 overall selection, if not affirmed his status as a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick, if he hadn't had serious, lingering injury issues this spring. I'm a big Manaea fan, and really liked what the Royals did to add him to their system. Very creative, and even if he doesn't pan out, they shouldn't be blamed for that. They took a risk, and if it pans out, they're going to reap the rewards.

 

As for Rodon, I'm not too concerned about his progression thus far, I just think that people don't recognize how deep the 2014 draft class is stacking up to be, which includes Hoffman and a few of the prep bats I've already mentioned. My biggest concerns with Rodon focus on his inconsistency, but he's been plenty good plenty of times for him to have a more consistent junior year to cement his status as the No. 1 overall pick next June. He misses bats, his slider (as proven by the video you provided) is a nasty pitch in the mid/upper 80s, and at his best he peaks at 97/98 while pitching in the low- to mid-90s with his fastball. He hasn't needed his changeup much, but it's another potential plus pitch. The size doesn't concern me, neither does the stature, even if he is a little pear-ish, as there's not much projection left, but when you throw as well as he does as a college arm you don't really need projection. The times I've seen him pitch he's never been hit hard, although he was to open the 2013 college season.

 

My point of contention is not to take away from what he is or what he can become, but to point out that he's not the slam-dunk No. 1 choice that far too many people are making him out to be. I may be biased, but I lean toward Alex Jackson and Jacob Gatewood from the prep side, and Braxton Davidson is another prep hitter that I don't think has been brought up that could move quickly toward the big leagues given his prowess as a hitter.

 

Regardless of what you believe the Brewers should take, with what looks to be like having the top 3-5 overall selection, along with a comp pick just after the first round, the Brewers are in an excellent position to add 3 impact players next year (factoring in their early 2nd round pick as well) in the draft if they play their cards right without getting too cute.

 

And remember these names among a few of my other favorite players for next year's draft: Luis Ortiz and Kodi Medeiros. Ortiz is a RHP from CA whose profile is incredibly similar to Gallardo's, while Medeiros is a very good overall athlete with an easy, repeatable low 3/4 delivery that creates difficult angles to pick up his 92-94 FB and low-80s slider.

[paul253]

I agree with this point 100%. I'm not sure why people are so hell-bent on the Brewers drafting a pitcher with their early pick. It's not like the Brewers system has a can't-miss position prospect in their system, and as this season has proved, the offense can go sour pretty quick without a handful of impact hitters to turn to.

 

I can answer that:

 

1) Because while the draft is far from certain, players drafted near the top still tend to be more successful.

2) The Brewers need an ace, someone who profiles as a #1. They are not going to find that with a pick in the 30's. Maybe someone they pick could eventually develop into that ace but the chances of finding one are much better with a top 5 pick

3) The Brewers have been much, much better at developing hitting so I'd rather take my chances getting a decent hitter later in the draft than a decent pitcher

4) Despite the fact that their #5 hitter hasn't played one game this year, their #4 hitter has missed more games than he's played, and their #3 hitter has been suspended for the year their offense is not that bad. They are 4th in home runs, 5th in slugging %, 7th in batting average, and 4th in total bases. They also lead the league in stolen bases. The offense isn't the problem, and it hasn't been the problem for a long time. They do still need to get more high ceiling bats in the system, but it's not the same level of problem as the lack of pitching is, at least not right now. Plus, if need be, free agent hitters are usually cheaper and more plentiful than free agent pitchers.

 

I don't think anyone is saying draft pitching no matter what. With the 4th or 5th pick you should get a good player no matter what. I kind of view this the same as I view drafting a position of need. If you need a 3rd basemen you don't necessarily just pick the best 3rd basemen available. But if the best 3rd basemen available is comparable to the best overall player available, why not take the 3rd basemen? In this case, clearly you need pitching. So if the best hitter available is not light years ahead of the best pitcher available, why not take the pitcher?

[And That]

The offense isn't the problem, and it hasn't been the problem for a long time.

 

The offense, by OPS, has been slightly above league average in 2013. The pitching, by ERA, has been slightly below league average in 2013. Middling-ness isn't going to win the Brewers any titles - they need help on both ends.

[TooLiveBrew]

The offense isn't the problem, and it hasn't been the problem for a long time.

 

The offense, by OPS, has been slightly above league average in 2013. The pitching, by ERA, has been slightly below league average in 2013. Middling-ness isn't going to win the Brewers any titles - they need help on both ends.

Not to mention that Miller Park seems to inflate offense. I'd guess that, by OPS+, the offense has been basically average so far this season.

[TheCrew07]

I'm going to actually agree with Paul.

 

Jack Z's group proved to be adept at identifying key position players, the Brewers "historically" are not. That success came in a finite set of years, not so recently, that people keep going back to. What has Bruce Seid's staff been good at? Finding role players mostly to this point, but I do like the upside in Roache and Taylor particularly and I still find Coulter intriguing from the 2012 draft. However we're a long ways away from any of those young men contributing and or being impact players on the MLB level today.

 

I firmly believe the Brewers should build around pitching first, taking 1 arm with high upside in each draft isn't going to get it done. It didn't work for Z's staff, what has changed now with the Brewers that we will be able to count on hitting on that 1 guy like San Francisco continually has? The Brewers are neither adept at identifying nor developing pitching, that's been historically true for the entire modern era.

 

I'm not suggesting that if the disparity talent is so large between 2 players that the pitcher should come first, I absolutely believe in BPA, but I don't think the Brewers should draft another OF bat if there is a pitcher of similar talent sitting there either.

 

We can find productive and cost effective position players in FA, the same hasn't been true of pitching, nor will it be easier going forward as salaries continue to escalate faster than the Brewers can grow their payroll. The gap is widening between the haves and have nots in baseball, the Brewers made tremendous gains from a payroll perspective over the last 6 years but those days are over with the new local TV contracts being signed by large market teams.

 

If the debate is between a pitcher and position player of similar talent I'd rather the Brewers take the pitcher and try to make up for in volume what they lack in precision, like what TB has done. We absolutely need impact potential on both sides of the ball, I would never debate that, however I also think it's easier to trade for young hitting than it is to trade for young pitching. Unfortunately our best trade bait that the FO may have been willing to part with is old (by professional sports standards) and got injured, I sure would have loved to flip Ramirez/Hart for another potential long-term position prospect like Corey Seager.

 

It looks like we had a pretty good year in Latin America with signings and the with last 2 drafts I'm hoping at least the positional side of the minors will start looking up. However the flip side is that it's awfully hard to say that Devin Williams is going to be an impact pitcher today, I certainly like the upside, but outside of him whom can we point to? Jorge Lopez is definitely back on my radar, but he's still awfully inconsistent as well, he's been alternating good and bad outings for a while now. We have no impact lefty anywhere in the organization, I'd argue no legitimate left handed starting pitcher, and somehow we keep letting our best lefty relievers go? It's ludicrous.

 

Given the state of potential impact pitching vs hitting, we have much a greater immediate need for better pitching talent than we do hitting.

 

As franchise we need to be able to draft/sign and develop our pitching or we'll never truly get over the top, that's been and will remain my guiding principal as such if the debate is regarding similar talent, always take the pitcher until the organization can prove otherwise.

[And That]

If the debate is between a pitcher and position player of similar talent I'd rather the Brewers take the pitcher

I don't doubt that given equal levels of talent between a pitching prospect and a hitting prospect, most here would prefer the pitcher, myself included. The sticking point for me is that different people have different definitions of similar talent, especially when it relates to players of completely different skill sets. It gets down to personal opinion to say whether Pitcher X with potential of 70 FB, 65 CB and 60 Control is better or worse or the same as Batter Y with potential of 70 Hit, 65 Power, 60 Defense. It will vary by scout, staff, and philosophy of the organization as a whole.

 

I think that, especially toward the top of the draft, teams will have definitive opinions on players. They'll say that "while two players may be somewhat similar, we think this guy is clearly a little better because..." and it does truly become BPA, or BPA in the eyes of the team at least.

 

When you start weighing in organizational need, you're in danger of tipping the scales a little too much, and potentially in the direction of the wrong player. For the most part I'd just assume that the scouting staff put blinders on during the day(s) of the draft and draft the guys that they think are better, regardless of what's going on in the player development side of things.

[paul253]

The offense, by OPS, has been slightly above league average in 2013.

 

The offense, though, has essentially been without their #3, #4, and #5 hitters this season. If you can remove the entire middle of the order and still come out above average offensively then I think the offense is ok.

 

The Brewers have a solid core of position players that will be here for years to come, players that have already had success. Braun, Segura, Lucroy, and Gomez will all likely be here for at least three more years. What is the rotation going to look like in three years? Heck what is the rotation going to look like next season? We have options, most notably Peralta, Nelson, Thornburg and Hellweg but other than maybe Peralta none of them have had success yet. And none of them really profile as top of the rotation starters.

 

I'm not saying definitely take a pitcher. There's a chance that we don't even end up with a top 10 pick. It would just be nice to get something we haven't had in years.

 

I swear though, if we take a position player and it ends up being an outfielder I will stop following this team.

[And That]

The offense, though, has essentially been without their #3, #4, and #5 hitters this season. If you can remove the entire middle of the order and still come out above average offensively then I think the offense is ok.

 

The Brewers may be permanently without Corey Hart, Aramis Ramirez is a 35 year old with a bad knee, and Ryan Braun may no longer be a lock to produce as he has. I also wouldn't pencil Gomez in for an 865 OPS going forward. Only first base stands an easy chance of getting better production next year.

 

As an aside, despite Braun only having slightly more than half of the PAs, Brewers LFers have the 4th best OPS in baseball. Wouldn't have guessed that.

 

Back to the draft...