2018 Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 6-20

[JDBrewCrew]

Nathan Rode

 

@NathanRode

OF Arbert Cipion (NJ) has elite speed and strength. Short, aggressive swing with flat path. Strong arm. #Brewers #mlbdraft

[Austin Tatious]

We discussed Rasmussen last year, so that is an interesting selection. 6th round is great value there. With the high schoolers and juco early, I doubt we can land some more expensive later round guys.

[JDBrewCrew]

Sean Duncan

@SeanDuncan729

#Brewers take a sleeper in 9th round with OF Arbert Cipion (Passaic County HS, NJ). Blew up at @PBRNewJersey Preseason All-State event. Legit 6.6 runner, raw quick-twitch athlete. @ShooterHunt

PROFILE: https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/profiles/NJ/Arbert-Cippione-9230561874-1789453206 …

[JDBrewCrew]

MLB Draft Tracker

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10 (305): @Brewers select Florida Southern Col RHS Jt Hintzen. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2018/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&=mil … #MLBDraft

[JDBrewCrew]

Orleans Firebirds

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@FirebirdsCCBL

2017 Bird RHP JT Hintzen of Florida Southern (40-9-1) @MocsBaseball is having a sensational senior year, standing 12-0 with a 2.08 ERA

 

He's thrown 72.2IP w/ a 96K/13BB ratio as the Mocs are the #1 seed & hosting the D2 South Regional

[brewmann04]

I wonder if the OSU kid will be used as strictly Reliever with his past injuries.

[Jenkins5]

Sooooo some pretty interest picks 8-10. No clue about any of them but the CF has exciting tools like the other HS kids we got. Never mind dipping into Puerto Rico to take chance on a 6’3 175 kid. Looks solid from his picture. 10th round pick destroyed D2 hitters pretty good all year. Fry hits for extra bases half the time... that’s impressive.

 

I assume all guys will sign hence why Brewers went them in top 10. If Brewers follow last years model. I can see them going Wilcox, Rocker, and/or other signability guys. Quality over quantity I think Johnson said last year.

[yoyomayoma]

I think Stearns did a nice job of adding pieces today. It seems like we’re going for skinny guys that we hope will fill out. Some definite risks today (Is Fry really a catcher, can Rasmussen come back) but they could pay huge dividends someday.

[Jenkins5]

Last time we took a Fry at catcher in top 10 rounds... he made the majors. Not with us but still counts. Outside of Fry through, they have taken a lot of guys (9) who have plenty of room to fill out and add strength. Much more Caden Lemon type guys vs Lutz/Francis types. Not sure that factors in to projection & value or not or just kind of a fluke.

[Jenkins5]

Wayne Cavadi

Twitter › UofDWayne

Watched the newest #Brewers pitcher @FSC_Mocs JT Hintzen in #D2Baseball Championship. Pitched three games in a row and was excellent every time. Senior righty is 6’, 185 and has a nasty arsenal, 10.61 Ks-per-9. #MLBDraft

 

https://www.greenwichsentinel.com/2017/07/29/greenwichs-hintzen-living-the-dream-with-orleans-firebirds/

 

Moreover, he kind of looks like Aaron Rodgers on school page ( pitching with mustache more so) http://fscmocs.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/bios/hintzen_j.t._bd0u

[Jenkins5]

Luis Gonzalez from PG

 

Latest Showcase Report

2018 World Showcase Jan 06, 2018

PG Grade: 10

Luis A Gonzalez is a 2018 RHP with a 6-3 160 lb. frame from Carolina, PR who attends International Baseball Academy. Long and lean athletic build, lots of physical projection there. Loose easy arm from a 3/4's arm slot, ball comes out of his hand easily, clean repeatable mechanics, gets hip shoulder separation and good lower half drive to the plate, good balance through release. Fastball topped out at 91 mph, move in there with strength and physical maturity, mostly straight with occasional running action, works fastball down in the zone well. Mid-70's curveball showed good shape and spin the most he used it with 11/5 break, can spin the ball. Didn't see a change up. Has gained 8 mph since last summer and is a long way from peaking physically. Very interesting young prospect! Good student.

[Jenkins5]

Per Brewers.com

 

Round 7 (215th overall): C David Fry, Northwestern State University

The Brewers' first position-player selection on Day 2 came in the seventh round with the Northwestern State backstop.

 

"It's definitely something you dream about, and I didn't know if I would get drafted today or tomorrow [on Day 3]," Fry said. "But they contacted me early and said be ready for a call, and it just happened."

 

Fry was named the 2018 Southland Conference Baseball Player of the Year, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 55 RBIs -- both team-highs. He was one of the Southland Conference's top Draft prospects and set several Northwestern State records as a hitter.

 

"I'm coming in as a guy who is proven, and I've done that throughout the past four years," Fry said. "I want to be the older guy [in the rookie class] and show everyone how it's done."

 

Milwaukee is getting a good-hitting catcher, but also someone with a decent glove overall. Fry played first and second base early on in his four-year college career.

 

But Fry thinks he can excel as a professional catcher.

 

"I've gotten a whole lot better at catching," Fry said. "I probably got picked up as an offensive-type player, but I'm mature back there, and I think I can become a pretty good catcher."

 

Round 8 (245th overall): RHP Luis Gonzalez, PJ Education School (Puerto Rico)

The Brewers added another right-handed arm to their 2018 Draft class with Catalina, Puerto Rico native Gonzalez in the eighth round, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds.

 

Johnson said the Brewers invited Gonzalez in for a workout and got to see him throw off the mound at Miller Park.

 

"[Gonzalez is] relatively raw," Johnson said. "He's got a good arm -- fastball, breaking ball -- he's a developmental piece for us. He's a tomorrow-type guy."

 

Round 9 (275th overall): CF Arbert Cipion, Passaic County Technical Institute

According to Johnson, Milwaukee loves adding guys who play in the middle of the field -- second base, shortstop and center field -- because they give you flexibility and are typically the most athletic guys on the field.

 

Cipion fits that bill. He was the top outfield prospect in New Jersey, according to Prep Baseball Report, and his throws from the outfield top out at 89 mph. At 6-foot-2, Cipion has a short, aggressive swing and the physical attributes say he could be a five-tool player.

 

"Being from New Jersey, he's not heavily scouted, so he was a little off-the-radar probably," Johnson said. "We're really excited about up-the-middle athletic players, and he's another one who just turned 18 in May."

 

Cipion is currently committed to Division II Southern New Hampshire University.

 

Round 10 (305th overall): RHP J.T. Hintzen, Florida Southern College

Hintzen's college career started at The University in the South in Sewanee, Tenn., before he made the move to Florida Southern College for his final two years. It was a good move.

 

The senior went 14-0 with two saves last season. Hintzen struck out 114 batters and only walked 13 over 96 2/3 innings with a 1.96 ERA.

 

Drafted as a starting pitcher, it's a safe bet that Hintzen will move through the organization as a starter. Hintzen tossed eight shutout innings in late May as Florida Southern eliminated Texas A&M-Kingsville in the NCAA Division II Baseball National Tournament, and he finished the season by being named an All-American.

 

"He was very successful this year, and he'll have some interesting ingredients that he can hopefully develop," Johnson said. "He's a guy our scouts like, and to sign him for lesser dollars to manage our pool space was good news."

 

His strong performances aren't just limited to FSC, though. Hintzen pitched in 18 games with the Orleans Firebirds of the ultra-competitive Cape Cod Baseball League in 2017, finishing the regular season with a 1.95 ERA as a reliever against some of the country's top college competition.

[Never Outhustled]

I think the Crew will employ the same strategy in day 3 as they did last year. I think they have a little money to spend. They've done absolutely great so far, hope they keep it going.

[ebmackenzie]

A baseball draft really means nothing for years and even then...nothing. But am I crazy or is there a lot to pull for here with the upside of these guys. Almost everyone has an interesting story or profile. Maybe it is the outrageous amounts of youth, but this seems to be a fun draft to follow.

[JDBrewCrew]

MLB Draft Tracker

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11 (335): @Brewers select Auburn (AL) RHP Davis Daniel. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2018/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&=mil … #MLBDraft

[And That]

‘HE ACTED LIKE A CHAMPION’ – DAVIS DANIEL EMBRACES MOVE TO BULLPEN

[JDBrewCrew]

Vinnie Cervino

@vcervinoPG

Davis Daniel really helped his draft stock with a very strong outing at the #SECTournament. Power RHP, 93-96 and can manipulate the breaker. Likely 'pen piece. #Brewers #mlbdraft

[And That]

Daniel is a sophomore, so he has a little extra leverage in negotiations. Imagine the Brewers sign him though.

[And That]

Perfect Game report from 5/23:

 

In an extra-inning affair, both Auburn and Kentucky abandoned their freshmen starters in favor of higher-end arms and the Tigers turned to sophomore Davis Daniel in the second inning of the game. The affair certainly had a high stakes feel to it and Daniel exploded onto the season turning in one of his best performances of the season.

 

The energy in the stadium was palpable, and it was evident from the onset that Daniel was certainly feeding off the atmosphere, as Daniel entered with runners on and two outs then proceeded to go 95-95-96-96 for a strikeout. The fastball velocity played well off the previous pitcher Jack Owen, an upper-80s lefthander, as early on Daniel was simply able to power the fastball by opposing hitters as it exploded out of the hand.

 

Daniel has a very physical present build, with strength on the mature frame, and that allows him to hold his velocity deep into games even during his most recent few stints as a reliever. Daniel hasn't had the best of seasons, but you couldn't tell that from his outing on Tuesday. Daniel lived 93-96 mph with his fastball and that was his go to pitch to attack hitters with.

 

The righthanded pitcher has a long, loose arm stroke with whip-like features that allow him to generate arm speed and thus the high levels of velocity. He mostly threw the fastball but he showed both a breaking ball that he could manipulate with both curveball and slider shape in the 77-82 mph range as well as a straight changeup in the 84-85 mph range.

 

The pitchability stood out for Daniel too as his second time through the order he started pitching backwards, landing his breaking ball for strikes, and mixing in his changeup more often. It was very smart from a pitch-calling perspective, as the fastball was a bit hittable as it was mostly straight, and Daniel showed that he can get outs with more than just the fastball later on in the game.

 

Daniel got into some trouble early on in the showing, but settled in nicely and shut down a tough Kentucky offense and left Auburn in a situation to win the game. There are some overall reliever concerns due to effort and size, but Daniel opened eyes during this look and turned in an impressive performance.

[And That]

Also Perfect Game:

 

Daniel has endured a bit of an up-and-down season for the Tigers, however there are still very attractive MLB tools to the profile with a plus fastball up to 96 mph and offspeed pitches that show promise. Daniel’s pro future offers some reliever risk, but the arm strength alone is worthy of extended looks and his secondary pitches continue to improve with every outing.

[JDBrewCrew]

MLB Draft Tracker

@MLBDraftTracker

12 (365): @Brewers select Kirkwood CC (IA) SS Korry Howell. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2018/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&=mil … #MLBDraft

[JDBrewCrew]

Brian Sakowski

@B_Sakowski_PG

14 Jun 2017

#Royals take Korry Howell from Kirkwood CC in Cedar Rapids, IA. Also home of PG. Toolsy SS, rawness to game, has legitimate chance

 

Brian Sakowski

@B_Sakowski_PG

Brewers going with one of the more intriguing #JuCoRoute players in Kirkwood's Korry Howell. Hyper athletic MIF who can really run and play up the middle, came into some more power this year, really like the upside

 

Kirkwood Eagles

‏

 

@KCC_Athletics

Korry Howell was selected as a Second Team All-Region member!

➡️ 39 stolen bases (5th in NJCAA)

➡️ 20 doubles / 5 triples (both 3rd in ICCAC)

➡️ 3.93 batting average

 

Jeff Johnson

@jeje66

Baseball America's latest MLB draft rankings have Iowa OF Robert Neustrom at 149, Kirkwood SS Korry Howell at 265, Cedar Rapids Prairie OF Levi Usher @Ushman05 at 272. That'd put them all in the top 10 rounds. #iahsbsb #Hawkeyes #Kirkwood

[And That]

MLB Pipeline:

Howell was drafted by the Royals in the 19th round in 2017 out of junior college, but he elected to stay another season. He hit .401 in 60 games for his Kirkwood team, and he stole 40 bases. Howell is extremely athletic, with 70-80 grade speed, but he's very raw, and teams will have to do a lot of projecting on his bat. A 6-foot-2, 180-pound shortstop for now, Howell could be a center fielder in the future. He could also be headed to Iowa next year, depending on the results of the Draft.

[And That]

Perfect Game:

One of the premier athletes across JUCO baseball, Howell has had a big season for Kirkwood Community College in Iowa. He slashed .401/.483/.572 with 22 doubles, five triples, two home runs and a remarkable 40 stolen bases. His profile is rested on a ton of fast-twitch athleticism as he's an impact runner who can really change the game on the basepaths. He plays shortstop and is smooth there, with all of the requisite athleticism and tools to stay at the position. He's not a powerful hitter but can make contact and started to drive the ball a little better this year, and some scouts believe there is some untapped power in there that he will get to eventually.

[JDBrewCrew]

MLB Draft Tracker

@MLBDraftTracker

13 (395): @Brewers select North Hall HS RHS Reese Olson. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2018/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&=mil … #MLBDraft