2017 Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 1-5

[CheezWizHed]

KJ Harrison, a catcher....drafting for need here?

 

He was the 76th rated player (MLB.com's ratings) picked at #84. So that doesn't seem like a need pick (i.e. reach)

 

And sounds like a 1B, not a catcher.

[brewcrewdue80]

Maybe Lutz will be a tough sign because what tod johnson? His name? In his interview I seen desribing day a1 I believe he said that Lutz was a top 10 player in this draft. So great negotiating by stating such. Youll be signing him to slot if not more now.

[MrTPlush]

KJ Harrison, a catcher....drafting for need here?

 

He was the 76th rated player (MLB.com's ratings) picked at #84. So that doesn't seem like a need pick (i.e. reach)

 

 

Baseball America had him at #68

[82brewcrew82]

Not exactly a senior sign.

[Harry Doyles JD]

Maybe Lutz will be a tough sign because what tod johnson? His name? In his interview I seen desribing day a1 I believe he said that Lutz was a top 10 player in this draft. So great negotiating by stating such. Youll be signing him to slot if not more now.

 

WOAHH SOLVDD...part deux?

[MrTPlush]

Just read the synopsis, seems many doubt he can stick at catcher, more like a 1B...hit tool is why he's drafted. Brewers going with the Cubs draft mantra a little here?

 

That isn't really true. It is more no one really knows if he can or not because he hasn't played there that much since his freshman year.

[82brewcrew82]

Just read the synopsis, seems many doubt he can stick at catcher, more like a 1B...hit tool is why he's drafted. Brewers going with the Cubs draft mantra a little here?

 

That isn't really true. It is more no one really knows if he can or not because he hasn't played there that much since his freshman year.

 

So now we need to change the rules so we can play with a DH and no catcher, right?

[And That]

I would say more than a few people are optimistic that he can play catcher. He played second fiddle to superior defensive catchers the past few years, which is not to say he can't stick.

[Harry Doyles JD]

Just read the synopsis, seems many doubt he can stick at catcher, more like a 1B...hit tool is why he's drafted. Brewers going with the Cubs draft mantra a little here?

 

That isn't really true. It is more no one really knows if he can or not because he hasn't played there that much since his freshman year.

 

What's the likelihood that he'll stick behind the plate if he was moved from Catcher in college? (not flaming, asking seriously for your thoughts, I know almost nothing about him).

[Harry Doyles JD]

I would say more than a few people are optimistic that he can play catcher. He played second fiddle to superior defensive catchers the past few years, which is not to say he can't stick.

Oh, OK...got it. I'm all for the "the bat plays" mantra, so I'm good with the pick, not criticizing at all.

 

Thanks T and AT for the knowledge.

[82brewcrew82]

So we have drafted a second basemen who can't play second, some dude named Lutz that we can't sign, a pitcher that is too tall to pitch and a catcher that can't catch. Do I have that about right?

[Harry Doyles JD]

So we have drafted a second basemen who can't play second, some dude named Lutz that we can't sign, a pitcher that is too tall to pitch and a catcher that can't catch. Do I have that about right?

 

If you do, you should call Attanasio and explain to him why you should be in the front office instead of Sterns and company.

[MrTPlush]

So we have drafted a second basemen who can't play second, some dude named Lutz that we can't sign, a pitcher that is too tall to pitch and a catcher that can't catch. Do I have that about right?

 

I think when it was orginally said he didn't have a defensive position was a bit off the mark. Everything I have read today says there is no concern about playing 2B.

[82brewcrew82]

So we have drafted a second basemen who can't play second, some dude named Lutz that we can't sign, a pitcher that is too tall to pitch and a catcher that can't catch. Do I have that about right?

 

If you do, you should call Attanasio and explain to him why you should be in the front office instead of Sterns and company.

 

 

**Sarcasm**

[And That]

Patrick (colbyjack) had thoughts on Harrison playing catcher in the pre-draft thread. I don't have time to go look them up right now, maybe he'll chime in here, but I remember him not being too pessimistic on Harrison behind the plate.

[82brewcrew82]

So we have drafted a second basemen who can't play second, some dude named Lutz that we can't sign, a pitcher that is too tall to pitch and a catcher that can't catch. Do I have that about right?

 

I think when it was orginally said he didn't have a defensive position was a bit off the mark. Everything I have read today says there is no concern about playing 2B.

 

 

Yeah, I forgot about the blue font thing.

[Eye Black]

KJ Harrison, a catcher....drafting for need here?

 

He was the 76th rated player (MLB.com's ratings) picked at #84. So that doesn't seem like a need pick (i.e. reach)

 

Baseball America had him at #68

Perfect Game had him ranked at #164, so a little lower than the others.

[MrTPlush]

Just read the synopsis, seems many doubt he can stick at catcher, more like a 1B...hit tool is why he's drafted. Brewers going with the Cubs draft mantra a little here?

 

That isn't really true. It is more no one really knows if he can or not because he hasn't played there that much since his freshman year.

 

What's the likelihood that he'll stick behind the plate if he was moved from Catcher in college? (not flaming, asking seriously for your thoughts, I know almost nothing about him).

 

It is a Kyle Schwarber type situation. You are going to give him a chance and I am sure the Brewers will be patient with him as long as the defense is promising. That being said if he is just mashing away you probably abort him catching if it isn't coming along fast enough and find a spot for him elsewhere. If that happens you won't even care that he isn't catching because he is hitting that well.

[Boomer5]

So we have drafted a second basemen who can't play second, some dude named Lutz that we can't sign, a pitcher that is too tall to pitch and a catcher that can't catch. Do I have that about right?

 

Hiura can hit though you're right, he doesn't have a position at least until they can evaluate his injury and the proper medical evaluation.

 

Lutz will sign. No way the Brewers draft him if they don't think he can sign.

 

I agree about Lemons. Seems like a big project and we don't do well with those in the past.

 

KJ is a hitter pure and simple. Much like Hiura, they are drafting bats and finding places to put them.

[Humans Need Water]

The Brewers picks pretty much make me want to puke. Here are my thoughts:

 

1. Hiura - I know many are high on his hit tool. I don't see it. To me, his ceiling is an MLB average second baseman. I would compare him to Rob Refsnyder or Kolton Wong. Decent player but I don't see All-Star potential. I agree with those who see him moving through the system fast and I would have liked him at pick #20+. However, I dont like him in the top 10.-

 

2. Lutz - He looks like a football player. I might even compare his body type to Mike Trout, but that is where the comparison to Trout ends. He doesn't have anythwere near the athleticism of Trout. Moreover, I believe his swing is a mess and needs completely reworked.

 

3. Lemons - I actually don't hate this pick. However, my big question is whether his recent velocity tick from 91 to 97 is for real. My big concern is that he upped his velocity without adding much weight. Either way, he is likely 5 years from the bigs. Lots of time to add weight and hammer out the delivery.

 

I hope I'm proven very wrong about Hiura and Lutz. However, I feel the same as I did in 2011 and 2012 with Gray and Gallo, respectively. The Astros got a damn good pitcher at 15. The Pirates and Marlins also did very well with Baz and Rogers at 12 and 13.

1 - what is it about his hit tool that you don't see?

2 - please breakdown his mechanics as to why they're a mess

3 - uptick in velocity doesn't have to come from adding weight. it can be created with simple mechanical adjustments or one's starting position on the mound (ie Burnes saw an uptick this year by squaring his body toward home plate vs previously almost simulating coming out of the stretch when he was in his windup).

 

When these guys are drafted the first thing I do is watch as much video on youtube as possible then turn to the scouting reports then what the Brewers say about them. Hiura doesn't have the sexiest swing but the kid flat out barrels up the ball line to line and has surprising power for his stature and swing (12HR senior year in HS and on pace for 16 this past year if given 500 PA). His swing is almost identical from his HS days to now. There's video on him at both SS (HS) and 2b (Prospect Pipeline) so you can get a quick feel for how he moves, fielding mechanics, throwing, etc. He looks like he buries the ball in his hand when he throws. His arm strength reminds me of Scooter. He's not ultra-athletic but is fluid in his movement. His brains allow his skill set to play up as well. Lutz I like a lot too. Wouldn't be surprised if they make him into more of Phillips (standing taller and potentially adding a leg kick). If they do he'll need to get that timing down and it'll take a bit of time to adjust. From the point his hands go back through the rest of the swing he's mechanically pretty good. There will be adjustments made but nothing overly significant. He's definitely more fluid than he looks; he's going to have to make sure he's increasing his flexibility as he matures too as he's got a good strong build. I like Lemons too. The ball flies out of this guy's hand and could have several strong offerings in time. I really like what I see and am excited to see what he works toward becoming.

[shanedog19]

I like the Harrison pick. Looks like a guy who can swing the bat, if he can stick at catcher we may really have something here.

[82brewcrew82]

So we have drafted a second basemen who can't play second, some dude named Lutz that we can't sign, a pitcher that is too tall to pitch and a catcher that can't catch. Do I have that about right?

 

Hiura can hit though you're right, he doesn't have a position at least until they can evaluate his injury and the proper medical evaluation.

 

Lutz will sign. No way the Brewers draft him if they don't think he can sign.

 

I agree about Lemons. Seems like a big project and we don't do well with those in the past.

 

KJ is a hitter pure and simple. Much like Hiura, they are drafting bats and finding places to put them.

 

 

You did note the blue, right?

 

I actually have very little concern over whether he can handle second

 

I am nearly certain Lutz will sign

 

Lemons may be a project but we have plenty of candidates for the middle and back end of a rotation. I have no issue with going after what hey believe is a TOR arm in the future at that spot. Even if that means its a project.

 

I have no issue with finding a position for a good bat.

[brewerfan82]

Think this is the last chance for them to grab Beck before he just heads back to school? Or are we too late already? We'll find out soon...

[colbyjack]

I'm surprised by the number of hitters!

 

I really liked Harrison defensively coming out of high school. I saw him at our National Showcase the summer before his senior year and his leadership and overall defensive skills really stood out. But his body took a different turn while in high school. Not necessarily a bad one, but he isn't as long and loose as he once was, he's more strong and compact now, built kind of like Steven Pearce, and the profile to Pearce might be similar. I think he can catcher, and given the team's newfound appreciation for versatility, I could see him being a catcher a couple of days a week, playing first base a couple of days a week and filling in at DH during interleague play. Kind of like Kyle Schwarber, initially, but I hate to use that comp too much since the two are really different players. They just have similar profiles.

 

Anyway, here's his PG Draft Pack scouting report:

 

K.J. Harrison – C/1B

 

Height/Weight: 6-0/209

Bats/Throws: R/R

Birthdate: August 11, 1996

College: Oregon State

Hometown: Kailua, Hawaii

Projected Draft Round: 2-3

 

One of the potentially more intriguing storylines of the 2017 draft, Oregon State’s K.J. Harrison has been lauded as one of the best pure hitters in college baseball since stepping foot on campus, but retains some positional concerns about where he’ll profile in professional baseball.

 

A catcher by nature, Harrison hasn’t seen a lot of reps behind the plate, due mostly to the presence of ’16 third rounder Logan Ice and current freshman Adley Rutschman, but his tools at the catcher positon are intriguing even though he’s spent most of his time at first base, where he’s a solid defender in his own right. He has solid arm strength and his footwork on throw downs is clean, but the blocking skills and overall lateral agility raise some question marks, as does the projectability of his receiving skills.

 

Regardless, Harrison’s calling card is the bat. He’s hitting .365/.427/.510 thus far in 2017 and has shown over the course of his career that there is plenty of juice in the bat as well. With a very easy, powerful swing generating plenty of bat speed and seemingly effortless loft, Harrison projects to hit for both average and power at the next level, and collectively scouts aren’t worried about projecting his bat into the future.

 

His draft stock likely hinges on where he profiles defensively. If a team believes he can catch at an average level long-term he’ll likely be taken quite high in the draft, whereas if he’s seen as more of a first baseman he could slip a little. From our perspective, there’s no reason not to send him out as a catcher when first signed, as he shows the tools necessary to project behind the plate long-term with more and more repetitions.

[JDBrewCrew]

Christopher Crawford‏Verified account @Crawford_MILB 9s10 seconds ago

Really like the Brendan Murphy pick for the Brewers. Left-hander with a plus fastball and change possibly, gaining feel for slider.