2021 Draft Pick Discussion, Rounds 11-20

[colbyjack]

Not surprising that the Brewers saved almost exactly $1 million on their top 10 round picks. $865,000 of that went to Vire, Low and Avina. Did we ever hear the signing bonus for Moore? That might have accounted for that extra $135,000. I can almost guarantee you they initially offered Riggio that $1 million and thought he would take it. If I had to further speculate, Holton and Rogers were longer-shot backup plans if Riggio didn't sign. This series of events didn't happen by accident.

 

And if any of those guys bite on the $1 million bonus we don't have anyone else from that group, including Vire, Low and Avina.

 

I've seen all three of Holton, Rogers and Riggio at some point during their prep careers and they're legit. That also means they could make a lot more money coming out of college. If you're disappointed they didn't sign you should probably also be disappointed we didn't draft them in the top 3 rounds and give them money more in line with their talent because they each were deserving of that. The Brewers always take a few shots on players knowing it's unlikely they sign and the same is true for each of the other 29 teams out there.

 

I don't understand why they even bothered with Mendez. He's 28. He should have been a non-drafted FA. Something happened there and I feel more bad for the player than the Brew Crew as I have a feeling something popped up on his medical like MillerParkSouth guessed. If he got more than $50,000 I would have been surprised.

[Jenkins5]

Not surprising that the Brewers saved almost exactly $1 million on their top 10 round picks. $865,000 of that went to Vire, Low and Avina. Did we ever hear the signing bonus for Moore? That might have accounted for that extra $135,000. I can almost guarantee you they initially offered Riggio that $1 million and thought he would take it. If I had to further speculate, Holton and Rogers were longer-shot backup plans if Riggio didn't sign. This series of events didn't happen by accident.

 

And if any of those guys bite on the $1 million bonus we don't have anyone else from that group, including Vire, Low and Avina.

 

I've seen all three of Holton, Rogers and Riggio at some point during their prep careers and they're legit. That also means they could make a lot more money coming out of college. If you're disappointed they didn't sign you should probably also be disappointed we didn't draft them in the top 3 rounds and give them money more in line with their talent because they each were deserving of that. The Brewers always take a few shots on players knowing it's unlikely they sign and the same is true for each of the other 29 teams out there.

 

I don't understand why they even bothered with Mendez. He's 28. He should have been a non-drafted FA. Something happened there and I feel more bad for the player than the Brew Crew as I have a feeling something popped up on his medical like MillerParkSouth guessed. If he got more than $50,000 I would have been surprised.

 

Great to hear from you Colby! You know much or get to see much of Low, Vire, or Avina at all in prep careers?

[colbyjack]

No, I never saw any of those three guys. They all obviously sound exciting for different reasons.

 

I do really like their first two picks in Frelick and Black. Those guys combine tools with performance, especially Frelick. I have seen Binelas and Raabe quite a bit in their careers, and got a look at Ethan Murray last spring before the season was shut down. Raabe is a base hit machine but he's going to have to keep hitting to advance as his other tools are a little suspect. Murray has some definite upside but I'm not sure how much he'll do with the bat. He could have some power but I think he's going to be prone to strikeouts which will limit the upside. Binelas is a special hitter when he's right but he's streaky. He actually fits the team's organizational needs perfectly and could continue to play both third and first base. I like the pick of Russell Smith too, but I have only seen him once I think and that was a few years ago.

[IIAY]

Great article by Will Sammon today at the Athletic about the 4 high schoolers the Brewers signed (Vire, Low, Avina, and Nicasia).

 

https://theathletic.com/2754716/2021/08/06/seeing-the-brewers-high-school-draft-picks-through-eyes-of-the-scouts-who-evaluated-their-potential/

 

There are very few things that I am willing to subscribe to, but as a Wisconsin sports fan, the Brewers content by Sammon and the Badgers content by Jesse Temple are well worth the $5 a month.

[Mass Haas]

Nice video report on Jace Avina's family support system here

[balsamlaker]

It will be interesting to look back 5-6 years from now at these four high schoolers. If Riggio or Holton would have signed, it may not have been possible to sign any of them. Overall the team spent the majority of their money without going into the penalties, which is fairly typical for the team (2018 they went into the first stage of penalty - just financial). In hindsight you can always look back and see how you could do more. Maybe you take a Morissette, Abbott, or Whitaker instead of Smith or draft Tresh and/or McGowan later, but overall I would say they spent fairly well.