The 2017 MLB Draft Thread (#9 Pick + #34 & #46)

[MrTPlush]

Personally don't see J.B. as a starter moving forward, but he could be a very valuable piece to a team.

 

I see him as something similar to the elite looking Tyler Thornburg in the bullpen. He has a better arsenal and a higher ceiling though. I certainly don't like him as a Top 10 pick when he doesn't project as a starter very well. I think he has a better shot than Thornburg did, but jesh Top 10? Unless the Brewers think he can be one of the best relievers in the game I would be pretty mad if they took him(which the fastball/slider combo could do).

[paul253]

I'm curious as to why JB doesn't project as a starter? Is it only because of his size? Do results not matter any more? Thornburg always seemed destined for the bullpen despite nothing but success as a starter. I certainly hope there is more to this projection than his height and/or body frame.

[Austin Tatious]

Fifth installment of reports:

 

• *Brendan McKay
  *Sam Carlson
  *Jake Burger
  *Tanner Houck
  *Garrett Mitchell
  *Ryan Vilade
  *Luis Campusano
  *Jake Eder
  *Daniel Cabrera
  *Cole Turney

 

Reading your bios, of the pitchers we focused on, I might have to prioritize Carlson, then Hall, then Baz, then Petersen. That's assuming Greene, Gore, Wright, and Bukauskus are gone.

[CheezWizHed]

Carlson looks interesting based on that write-up. And since I work in Burnsville, I vote for him!

[colbyjack]

madtownhawk, picking between Adell and Beck is hard. Both offer the best tools this draft has to offer. While at first I may lean toward Beck due to the insane bat speed he hasn't exactly had an opportunity that he had hit advanced hitting. While Adell is having a ridiculous season, there are still concerns that he will be able to continue to make the proper adjustments as a pro. That said, either one has the upside of a perennial all-star.

 

I'm glad Bukauskas is in the picture and that the Brewers are connected to him. There are a lot of things in his profile that point to a role as a future short reliever, but I'm fairly confident he could stick as a starter. I don't feel that way with every short-ish pitcher, as I believed Carson Fulmer would be a reliever long-term, but there's something about Bukauksas that reminds me of Roy Oswalt. That may start with his stuff, as he could have the most electric arm in this year's draft with three very good pitches. His changeup gets the most scrutiny, but I know scouts that have seen the pitch as a 60-65 grade pitch at its best with the potential for more. He's the one player that has a chance to fall to the Brewers pick who I would not let fall any further.

 

And it's more than just size with Bukauskas, as he does pitch with a fair amount of visible effort, although not quite as "violent" as the aforementioned Fulmer.

[JDBrewCrew]

MLB Pipeline had a new mock today with a new name. One I'd be all for.

 

9. Brewers: Alex Faedo, RHP, Florida

 

The Brewers have largely been associated with toolsy high schoolers like Beck or Jo Adell, but Faedo, Florida's Friday night starter, is in the mix as well.

[And That]

Profiles part six:

 

• *JB Bukauskas
  *Jo Adell
  *Chris McMahon
  *Seth Corry
  *Ricardo De La Torre
  *JJ Matijevic
  *Landon Leach
  *Drew Ellis
  *Zac Lowther
  *KJ Harrison
  

[patrickgpe]

i am intrigued by Adell, but i hope it a position player at 9 and at 34 or 46. The cubs built up their team by drafting position players well in the 1st round and then acquiring pitchers via trade / free agency. i like this route.

[lynchp]

Have the Brewers had more success developing HS pitchers or college pitchers they selected in the draft? Who was the last starting HS pitcher to make it to the Brewers and then start for multiple seasons?

 

It appears the prospects (pitching and position) that were acquired via trade are performing the best and developing.

[Austin Tatious]

Probably Gallardo.

[lynchp]

Besides Braun is Arcia the only position player that has made it to the majors from the Brewer farm system?

 

What position player selected by the Brewers is doing well in the farm system? Roach, Taylor, Coulter aren't developing and don't look like they will make it past double A.

[brewmann04]

Did sheets come straight to the Majors?

[patrickgpe]

Did sheets come straight to the Majors?

no, a quick search showed 2 years in the minors, drafted in 1999, debut in 2001.

 

if i remember right, he made his debut out of spring training against the braves?

[And That]

Perfect Game's Mock v.2 is up.

 

A familiar name at #9, a new (I think) name at #34.

[patrickgpe]

Besides Braun is Arcia the only position player that has made it to the majors from the Brewer farm system?

 

What position player selected by the Brewers is doing well in the farm system? Roach, Taylor, Coulter aren't developing and don't look like they will make it past double A.

 

technically Arcia wasn't drafted but was an international free agent. I think it is fair to say that the currently the brewers have done much better developing other peoples prospects from trade rather than there own. Currently only 16 / 30 on MLB pipelines top 30 are home grown, and the position players that were drafted by milwaukee on the top of the list are early in their development (Ray, Clark, Erceg)

[patrickgpe]

Perfect Game's Mock v.2 is up.

 

A familiar name at #9, a new (I think) name at #34.

i would be happy with that Patrick. I like the idea of drafting a high upside position player at 9 and a college pitcher at 34.

 

I wonder if the brewers will back away from Schmidt though after drafting Kirby though

[reillymcshane]

Besides Braun is Arcia the only position player that has made it to the majors from the Brewer farm system?

 

What position player selected by the Brewers is doing well in the farm system? Roach, Taylor, Coulter aren't developing and don't look like they will make it past double A.

There are none on the team other than Braun. There are other guys around the league that we drafted and are playing in the bigs - Khris Davis, Scooter, Lorenzo Cain, Lucroy. JJ Hardy, Michael Brantley, Brett Lawrie, Mitch Haniger. Weeks is still playing (I think).

 

Probably missed a few guys.

[brewcrewdue80]

Besides Braun is Arcia the only position player that has made it to the majors from the Brewer farm system?

 

What position player selected by the Brewers is doing well in the farm system? Roach, Taylor, Coulter aren't developing and don't look like they will make it past double A.

There are none on the team other than Braun. There are other guys around the league that we drafted and are playing in the bigs - Khris Davis, Scooter, Lorenzo Cain, Lucroy. JJ Hardy, Michael Brantley, Brett Lawrie, Mitch Haniger. Weeks is still playing (I think).

 

Probably missed a few guys.

That nails my thoughts if naming players still playing.

jason Rogers I suppose.

[Oxy]

Besides Braun is Arcia the only position player that has made it to the majors from the Brewer farm system?

 

What position player selected by the Brewers is doing well in the farm system? Roach, Taylor, Coulter aren't developing and don't look like they will make it past double A.

There are none on the team other than Braun. There are other guys around the league that we drafted and are playing in the bigs - Khris Davis, Scooter, Lorenzo Cain, Lucroy. JJ Hardy, Michael Brantley, Brett Lawrie, Mitch Haniger. Weeks is still playing (I think).

 

Probably missed a few guys.

 

A bunch of those guys are/were pretty good, too. Cain, Brantley, Davis and Haniger is a playoff caliber OF. I don't remember exactly what sort of ceilings were placed on these guys as prospects, but I'm pretty sure they've exceeded those optimistic projections.

[JosephC]

Since there are so many mock drafts saying the Brewers will take a toolsy prep outfielder, it's pretty much a slam-dunk that they are going to take a college pitcher.

[Oxy]

Since there are so many mock drafts saying the Brewers will take a toolsy prep outfielder, it's pretty much a slam-dunk that they are going to take a college pitcher.

 

I sure hope so. If that pitcher turns out like a Corey Knebel (1st round, 2013, so be it).

[Eye Black]

As we keep tabs on possibilities for the Brewers #9 selection here are some recent draft notes on teams picking right before the Brewers...

 

- The Atlanta Braves (#5) and Oakland A's (#6) both hosted HS OF Austin Beck at their home parks for private workouts this past week.

 

- The Arizona D-Backs (#7) and Philadelphia Phillies (#8) have both been connected to college players expected to go in the top ten and each team's top brass, including their general managers, have attended Virginia games this spring. The Phillies reportedly had very heavy representation at the ACC tournament. Both appear to be possible landing spots for the Virginia hitters (Smith and Haseley).

 

- Back-to-back tough outings have put J.B. Bukauskas' top eight draft projection in a little bit of question. He currently seems to be the most likely guy that we thought would be gone before the Brewers selection two weeks ago to now possibly be available.

 

Also, the note from that Perfect Game mock draft linked above (written by Brian Sakowski) included that in addition to being tied to Jordon Adell and Austin Beck this spring the Brewers have also been linked to Drew Waters (HS outfielder) and college pitching.

[Eye Black]

With a week left before the draft thought I would take a stab at my preference list for the Brewers first selection. For this exercise I assumed five players are close to locks to be off the board before the Brewers pick, Hunter Greene, Brendan McKay, Kyle Wright, MacKenzie Gore, and Royce Lewis. With that in mind, below are the five players I would like to see in consideration next. I realize some of them will also be drafted before the Brewers pick, but at least two of them would be available at #9.

 

Player Pref List (Beyond top five expected to be taken)

 

J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina - Despite some very recent struggles I think the arm is too special to pass up if he is available. Believe he is a starter, but the fall back would appear to be one heck of a reliever.

 

David Peterson, LHP, Oregon - The combination of command and stuff on a 6'6" college lefty seems too good to be true. I think he is a decent bet to make his way into a major league rotation by 2019, and he looks the part of a mid-rotation horse for a first division team.

 

Shane Baz, RHP, Concordia Lutheran HS (TX) - Combines a deep repertoire of pitches with elite velocity. High School pitchers are very risky, but with Baz the potential reward of adding a front of the rotation arm to the organization is probably worth the risk. A slight concern would be strong TCU commitment.

 

Keston Hiura, 2B/OF, UC-Irvine - If I had to pick one college hitter that I believe in above all others, here he is. I think he is going to be a special hitter, the type of doubles swing that will fit great as a future two hole hitter. He is likely going to need TJ surgery after the PRP injections apparently didn't do the trick with the elbow. TJ surgery doesn't completely scare teams away from drafting pitchers let alone a player who is going to be either a second baseman or corner outfielder.

 

Austin Beck, OF, North Davidson HS (NC) - If I was completely convinced his bat speed was the second coming of Clint Frazier I would probably have him further up my list. Even with excellent bat speed it seems like there are some legitimate contact concerns. Still, if the Brewers want to find a tooled up high school outfielder with the best combination of ceiling/floor in this draft this is probably their best chance.

 

 

Next Tier

 

Adam Haseley, OF, Virginia

 

Nick Pratto, 1B, Huntington Beach HS (CA)

 

Trevor Rodgers, LHP, Carlsbad HS (NM)

 

Sam Carlson, RHP, Burnsville HS (MN)

[brewcrewdue80]

I like the readup on Shane Baz the most. Duo threat in that he'll be a hitting SP. So theres help in his cause if made a NL Starter. Texas HS? Could Stearns have some extra info on Texas Preps still with his Houston past?

 

Really wish I had a working computer to see video and rate my top Pitcher picks. I seem to have a good hit rate on calling the standouts I like.

[StearnsFTW]

With a week left before the draft thought I would take a stab at my preference list for the Brewers first selection. For this exercise I assumed five players are close to locks to be off the board before the Brewers pick, Hunter Greene, Brendan McKay, Kyle Wright, MacKenzie Gore, and Royce Lewis. With that in mind, below are the five players I would like to see in consideration next. I realize some of them will also be drafted before the Brewers pick, but at least two of them would be available at #9.

 

Player Pref List (Beyond top five expected to be taken)

 

J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina - Despite some very recent struggles I think the arm is too special to pass up if he is available. Believe he is a starter, but the fall back would appear to be one heck of a reliever.

 

David Peterson, LHP, Oregon - The combination of command and stuff on a 6'6" college lefty seems too good to be true. I think he is a decent bet to make his way into a major league rotation by 2019, and he looks the part of a mid-rotation horse for a first division team.

 

Shane Baz, RHP, Concordia Lutheran HS (TX) - Combines a deep repertoire of pitches with elite velocity. High School pitchers are very risky, but with Baz the potential reward of adding a front of the rotation arm to the organization is probably worth the risk. A slight concern would be strong TCU commitment.

 

Keston Hiura, 2B/OF, UC-Irvine - If I had to pick one college hitter that I believe in above all others, here he is. I think he is going to be a special hitter, the type of doubles swing that will fit great as a future two hole hitter. He is likely going to need TJ surgery after the PRP injections apparently didn't do the trick with the elbow. TJ surgery doesn't completely scare teams away from drafting pitchers let alone a player who is going to be either a second baseman or corner outfielder.

 

Austin Beck, OF, North Davidson HS (NC) - If I was completely convinced his bat speed was the second coming of Clint Frazier I would probably have him further up my list. Even with excellent bat speed it seems like there are some legitimate contact concerns. Still, if the Brewers want to find a tooled up high school outfielder with the best combination of ceiling/floor in this draft this is probably their best chance.

 

 

Next Tier

 

Adam Haseley, OF, Virginia

 

Nick Pratto, 1B, Huntington Beach HS (CA)

 

Trevor Rodgers, LHP, Carlsbad HS (NM)

 

Sam Carlson, RHP, Burnsville HS (MN)

 

Preface: I'm not a scout, I don't pretend to be a scout, I just read a lot and watch some videos.

 

I like your list. I would make it Baz, Bukauskas, Beck. I like the highest ceiling possible.

 

I think I'd take Pavin Smith over everyone else you listed too, although I don't know a lot about the next tier guys. Peterson's ceiling seems low to me. shrug.