2018 Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 6-20

[homer]

Jose Altuve says pish posh.

[JDBrewCrew]

MLB Draft Tracker

Verified account

@MLBDraftTracker

18 (545): @Brewers select Washington St U LHS Scott Sunitsch. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2018/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&=mil … #MLBDraft

 

First real senior drafted by the Brewers.

[JDBrewCrew]

Pac-12 Network

Verified account

@Pac12Network

Apr 9

More

✅ Career-high 9 strikeouts

✅ Pitch nine-inning no-hitter

✅ 78th appearance, tied for third-most in program history

✅ #Pac12BSB Pitcher of the Week

 

Take a bow Scott Sunitsch: http://pac12.me/BSBPOTW

 

http://wsucougars.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3355

[CheeseheadInQC]

http://www.longbeachstate.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/clayton_andrews_1065674.html

 

All I got. He's 5'6'"!

 

I don't know how he projects at that size, but man, give him credit, sub-2.00 ERA and one of the team's best hitters. He's one heck of a college player.

[JDBrewCrew]

MLB Draft Tracker

@MLBDraftTracker

19 (575): @Brewers select T.F. Riggs HS RHS Peyton Zabel. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2018/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&=mil … #MLBDraft

 

I mentioned on the Forum earlier this week that he had a pre-draft workout at Miller Park on Thursday.

[JDBrewCrew]

MLB Draft Tracker

Verified account

@MLBDraftTracker

19s19 seconds ago

20 (605): @Brewers select California (CA) RHP Joey Matulovich. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2018/drafttracker.jsp#ft=team&=mil … #MLBDraft

[JDBrewCrew]

CodBall

@codball

After going 2-2 with a 2.34 ERA in 7 games for @WarehamGatemen in '17, RHP Joey Matulovich will return to the Gatemen this summer. Matulovich has appeared in 17 games, starting 4, and is 1-1; 3.43 ERA, has 41 K / 25 BB and a .238 OBA in 42 innings for @CalBaseball this spring.

 

Britt Smith

@SmittyHawk0

JR Joey Matulovich (6’3 207) with feel for filling the zone with 3 pitches for @CalBaseball Fastball with slight AS 90-91, SL and this CH 79-80 with hand speed, late down action @FriscoClassic @PGCollegeBall #BestOutsideOfOmaha – at Dr Pepper Ballpark

[Jenkins5]

Brewers go for their 2nd high ceiling/high rank high school player in LHP Steven Hajjar.... most likely going to college but Michigan isn’t that great of a hot bed for prospects. Maybe they can pay up & take him out of it.

[Jenkins5]

Peyton Zabel is 6’6 220 & was one of the top football (QB), basketball, and baseball players in state. Committed to play at D2 champ Augustana where he is set to compete for starting QB & a rotation spot.

 

https://www.argusleader.com/story/sports/2018/06/06/pierres-peyton-zabel-drafted-19th-round-milwaukee-brewers/677857002/

[JDBrewCrew]

FYI picks 20-40 are being discussed and tracked in the other thread.

[Jenkins5]

Clayton Andrews is very intriguing prospect at only 5’6. Huge K numbers. Spent two years in relieve.... transferred to Long Beach & converted to starter. Highest amount of Ks since Jered Weaver. LHP, sits 87-90 with great change, and slider he commands well. Also very good college bat for both schools. He’s a very confident kid who makes most of size

[JDBrewCrew]

Nick J. Faleris

@NickJFaleris

Really like the #Brewers grabbing Nick Trogerlic-Iverson early here on Day 3. Got a good look early this spring -- nice three pitch mix with some room for the stuff to bump up. Good feel; nice presence on the bump. #MLBDraft

[MadScientist]

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.

 

I feel the same way, but who knows. The MO of Sterns and co is becoming clearer. The really favor the SS/CF types who can run and throw, and they favor control in the pitchers. Position flexibility is a good thing, plus I seem to remember a time in the late 80's when just about every position player for the Brewers had started out as a shortstop. For pitchers they either found data saying that control is a better indicator of future success, or that you can project stuff, and if a player has control, you can teach him how to pitch. It doesn't matter if he can throw through a wall if he can't execute his pitches.

[Mass Haas]

"As of right now, I'm leaning toward going back to school."

 

Brewers draft former Champaign Central standout Alec Barger in 16th round

Scott Richey, Champaign (IL) News-Gazette

 

CHAMPAIGN — Former Champaign Central standout Alec Barger was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday during the second day of the MLB draft. Barger played this past season at Polk State College in Lakeland, Fla., after transferring following one season at Northern Illinois.

 

Barger, who is committed to play at North Carolina State next season, was 7-3 with a 3.56 ERA in 17 appearances at Polk State College. The 6-foot-3 right-hander struck out 86 batters and walked just 16. The Eagles finished the season 29-23.

 

Barger was a News-Gazette first-team All-Area selection during his senior season at Central. He had a 1.10 ERA and three wins for the Maroons on the mound, but he also hit .434 with five home runs, 30 RBI and 24 stolen bases as a two-way threat.

 

***

 

UPDATED STORY WITH QUOTES:

 

Alec Barger's ongoing rise through the ranks of organized baseball reached another high point — with this one occurring on the professional level.

 

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Barger, a 2016 Champaign Central graduate, in Wednesday's portion of the MLB draft. Barger was taken in the 16th round, 485th overall.

 

"It feels good," Barger said. "It's something I've worked for my whole life, and it's just a dream come true."

 

Barger recently concluded a season at Polk State College in Lakeland, Fla., which followed a single campaign at Northern Illinois. He was a News-Gazette first-team All-Area choice as a Maroons senior in 2016, as well as a two-time All-Big 12 Conference athlete.

 

Barger is the most recent Central alumnus to earn a position in the MLB draft. He follows in the footsteps of Dan O'Neill, a former Maroon and Illini who was nabbed by Philadelphia in the 1999 draft's 27th round.

 

"We were hopeful (Barger would be drafted)," Central baseball coach John Staab said. "We heard some things and thought it was a possibility. I'm just excited. I'm proud of him and happy for him."

 

Barger presently is committed to continue his college career at North Carolina State. He admitted Wednesday that he hadn't finalized a decision between going pro and staying at the amateur level.

 

"I still have some thinking to do," Barger said. "As of right now, I'm leaning toward going back to school."

 

Barger's Central tenure ended with three victories and a 1.10 ERA on the mound under Staab, as well as a .434 batting average with five home runs, 30 RBI and 24 stolen bases.

 

Though Barger was clearly a dual threat for the Maroons, Staab said he wasn't surprised his former pupil carved a collegiate path through pitching.

 

"He's one of those athletes that doesn't come around very often," Staab said. "I always thought his ticket would be his arm. As he got older, and certainly in college, it became more apparent if he was going to continue to play, it would be as a pitcher."

 

Perhaps that wasn't immediately clear to Barger, but his time spent with Northern Illinois and Polk State College has resulted in an evolved view of his role on the diamond.

 

"At Central, I was mostly a position player. I was just a kid that had a strong arm," Barger said. "Now, getting into college, I've realized my calling. I really just put forth all my efforts into pitching instead of playing both ways, and I think that really helped a lot."

 

In one season with Polk State, Barger posted a 7-3 ledger with a 3.56 ERA in 17 appearances to go along with 86 strikeouts and 16 walks.

 

Barger's baseball involvement hit a bit of a stumbling block as a freshman at Northern Illinois, where he said he wasn't truly happy. Connecting with head coach Al Corbeil and pitching coach Brad Cook at Polk State, though, eventually sent Barger's stock soaring to draft-quality heights.

 

"It transformed me into a starting pitcher when I'd usually been a reliever," Barger said. "After this year, I started really getting attention from scouts and schools, and it was something to see."

 

Regardless of whether Barger decides to compete for Milwaukee or N.C. State, he's not forgetting his roots at such a critical juncture of his athletic life. Especially considering he's the first Maroon baseballer to be drafted in nearly 20 years.

 

"That program has had some great history, and that's an old school," Barger said. "For my name to be the first one in however many years, that's truly a blessing."

[brewmann04]

Question what guys should we be excited about and hope the crew sign

[Mass Haas]

Found at the bottom of linked article regarding the 12th round community college shortstop:

 

Hawkeye shortstop signee Korry Howell went to Milwaukee as well in the 12th round (No. 365 overall). The former Kirkwood standout told HawkCentral he’ll “most likely” sign with the Brewers.

 

The MLB signing deadline for underclassmen and high school seniors is July 6 at 4 p.m. CT.

 

"It was an extreme relief," said Howell, who Baseball America ranked as the No. 385 overall prospect heading into the draft. "I’ve been working my whole life for this, and to finally see everything pay off in literally 30 seconds of my future, I just got a nice little view of what’s going to happen."

 

Howell piled up 40 stolen bases, 45 RBIs and hit .401/.483/.572 as Kirkwood's leadoff hitter. His Baseball America scouting report describes him as having "excellent athleticism" with solid range and speed.

[Mass Haas]

“Playing baseball on the professional level has been a dream of mine since I was first able to walk and throw a baseball,” Hintzen said. “Having the opportunity to pursue this, which is something I love, as a career, is crazy.”

 

There was never a doubt whether 10th round Florida Southern senior J.T. Hintzen would sign, and this confirms he already has and is headed to Helena.

 

Quotes galore and photos at the article link...

 

Greenwich native J.T. Hintzen will soon live his baseball dream

By David Fierro, Greenwichtime.com (CT)

[Jenkins5]

Article on Reese Olson, sounds like he has good relationship with Brewers and is open to signing

 

“Recent North Hall High graduate Reese Olson has a major decision in front of him.

 

Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 13th round of the MLB draft on Wednesday, June 6, the Georgia Tech signee said he and his family are looking at his options to decide whether to go pro or head to college.

 

The right-handed pitcher was the 395th overall pick.

 

“It feels awesome to know all the hard work paid off,” Olson said.

 

A first-team all-state selection as a senior in 2018, Olson was also a major part of North Hall’s 2017 state title team.

 

Jared Oliver, a North Hall grad drafted in 2016 out of Truett-McConnell who is working his way through the Red Sox organization, has been in touch with Olson, telling him what pro baseball is like and what to expect. Olson said Oliver has been a “big help” in the decision process.

 

Olson said four or five other teams had a similar interest level in him, with the Brewers and Cubs showing the most interest.

 

North Hall coach Trevor Flow even thought Olson could have been picked higher.

 

“It’s not a surprise that he went this high,” Flow said. “They see his upside.”

 

Olson thanked his teammates and coaches for pushing him to reach this point.

 

And while there’s certainly plenty to consider, either option is a winner for Olson.

 

“Whatever happens, it’s a great decision,” Olson said.

 

https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/sports/north-halls-olson-faces-decision-after-being-drafted-brewers/

[Mass Haas]

Pierre, South Dakota's ’s Zabel drafted by MLB’s Brewers in 19th Round

 

The RHP is mulling the big decision. By the way, former Brewers big league OF and longtime farmhand Drew Anderson is the area scout who suggested Zabel.

 

A few quotes from the Zabel's within...

[Scott.fossum]

While I was reading about LSU coach talking about Brice Turang still having a possibility of going to LSU. The article goes on to talk about Elijah Cabell the Brewers 14th round pick getting out of his commitment to LSU. It doesn't guarantee anything, but I think its a good sign for a possible Brewers signing.

 

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_c4ca0132-6aac-11e8-bc55-a3fb7753dc7a.html

[Scott.fossum]

This article suggests Clayton Andrews 17th round pick leaning towards signing with the Brewers.

 

“It feels crazy right now,” said Andrews, who hails from Rohnert Park. “It’s one of the best days in my life. I’m ready to take the next step.”

 

Andrews, who also played in the outfield for the Dirtbags and batted .302, went 7-7 on the mound with a 1.99 ERA in 99.2 innings. Working with a two- and four-seam fastball, slider and changeup, he struck out 118 batters while walking just 17 and allowed less than a hit per inning (78).

 

“It would be hard to duplicate that,” Andrews said of why he’s leaning on signing a pro contract instead of return for his senior season.

 

 

Local trio selected on final day of MLB Draft; Joe Gillete, Clayton Andrews will turn pro, Chris Rivera unsure

[Eye Black]

While I was reading about LSU coach talking about Brice Turang still having a possibility of going to LSU. The article goes on to talk about Elijah Cabell the Brewers 14th round pick getting out of his commitment to LSU. It doesn't guarantee anything, but I think its a good sign for a possible Brewers signing.

 

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_c4ca0132-6aac-11e8-bc55-a3fb7753dc7a.html

Yeah, it is a little strange that they announced the other player was going pro while using different language for Elijah Cabell (“released from his National Letter of Intent”), but it is at least a good sign that the LSU scholarship is off the table now. If the Brewers manage to sign their first five draft picks and Cabell I would consider this a very successful draft.

[JDBrewCrew]

HS RHP Luis Gonzalez lists "Professional Baseball player For the Milwaukee Brewers," on his twitter bio. Safe to assume he is signed.

[Scott.fossum]

Another article about Cabell. BlazingGunz posted it in the draft 1-5 discussion because of Turang, but I thought it was worth adding here.

 

The Tigers expect to keep six of the nine players – not counting Turang – who was drafted out of their 17-man Class of 2019 that is ranked No. 2 in the nation by the Perfect Game website. Mainieri said he will lose outfielder Elijah Cabell of Winter Park, Florida, to the Brewers, who took him in the 14th round, and right-handed pitcher Levi Kelly of Cape Coral, Florida, to Arizona, which took him in the eighth round.

Feeling good about the chances of Elijah Cabell becoming a Brewer. It is going to be interesting to see how all these signings work out, with the Brewers having such a small draft pool. Here's to the Brewers working some magic.

 

LSU article about players moving on

[JDBrewCrew]

LSU actually released him from his letter of intent. He won't be signing with LSU. He could still go the JC route or commit to another school. Not guaranteed he signs. I would say this slightly increases the odds however.