What Needs we have for 2008 Draft

[BucEbadger]

What does everyone think is gonna be are biggest needs for next years draft early on as it looks like we will have 3 first round picks(SL).

[colbyjack]

Pitching, and lots of it. You can go about three deep at nearly every position and find a legitimate prospect.

[splitterpfj]

Absolutely agreed - grab arms.

[sbrylski]

Maybe a college arm this time too.

[Brian the Automator]

What does everyone think is gonna be are biggest needs for next years draft early on as it looks like we will have 3 first round picks(SL).

Teams usually don't draft for need in baseball, positionally speaking.

 

But yeah, pitching is one of those "needs" that shouldn't go unattended.

 

[colbyjack]

Normally I absolutely I agree with you Brian, but the team did address their two biggest needs with their first two picks this past year: Power, and catching, and I don't think that was an accident. Braun was an obvious pick for need, as the team was looking at a few infielders that could be groomed as a 3B (like Tulowitzki).

 

But usually it's more loosely bats vs. arms, and the team right now has more promising bats than arms.

[BucEbadger]

So say we end up with 3 first round picks thanks in part to Scott signin with someone like NYY or Bos..

So does havin 3 draft picks in the first round cut down on the BPA idea and move the draft to more signable draft picks??

 

IMO

1A should be BPA (maybe a big time bat like Kyle Russell's?)

1B should come down to College closer or Power HS arm

1C Power HS arm

[colbyjack]

I'm sure the Brewers will budget appropriately. They're not going to over-spend for anyone, that much is clear, but at the same time I wouldn't count on them going the budget route either, particularly since the DFE process will be long gone, meaning the draft budget should be pretty straight forward by the time the new year rolls around since most of the FA activity should be determined.

 

If you asked the Brewers about 1A-1C, they would tell you BPA for all three picks. I've mentioned before that I would take a hitter 10 times out of 10 if all things are even, but I can really see the Brewers going after arms early and often next June.

[SoCalBrewfan]

My wild guess is that they'll go BPA with their own pick, which will probably mean a toolsy prep hitter or pitcher, but that something like half of their extra picks (if there are any) will be lower-risk pitchers...I could see the Crew with two to four college pitchers taken by the third round. Of course, they haven't gone that way of late, but I think that's in part because so many teams have emphasized college pitching, so that the best values to be had were in the prep ranks...and with relatively few high-level picks, they wanted to get as many potential impact talents as possible.

 

If they do have extra picks, though, the risk shifts a bit, and there's some reason to attempt to shore up the middle- to upper-level pitching with a few college arms. That's particularly true if there's a fast-track college closer they could nab in the back of the 1st round and/or the sandwich picks.

[biedergb]

My take is that they keep doing what they've been doing. Jack Z and co have among the best track records right now. Consider that from 2001-2005 the 1st 2 round have produced 9 players: 6 are in the big leagues (Hardy, Fielder, Weeks, Gwynn, Gallardo, Braun), 2 are minor leaguers that are injured (Jones, Rogers) and one is out of baseball (Josh Murray). The past 2 draft have 3 players who are among our best prospects (Jeffress, LaPorta, Brewer).

 

It's also amazing to think how well they have drafted in the other rounds since we have several legitimate prospects in our minor leagues, but only Jeffress, LaPorta and Brewer are top 2 round picks.

[TooLiveBrew]

Arms, please. I think BPA is pretty much always a good rule of thumb, but our system seems to be thinner on quality arms. It really stinks that Balfour and Sarfate weren't able to contribute this year, as we could have obviously used some more help in the 'pen (regardless of whether or not we make the postseason)

[bjkrautk]

All I ask is that the Brewers' draft produce 3-4 major league regulars. If they're starting pitching, relievers, infielders, outfielders, etc. -- I'll take what I can get.

 

That being said, I'd have no problem with the Brewers targeting one of the top catching prospects next year. It's the position with the most uncertainty going forward, and quite possibly the most difficult position to find a quality 2-way player.

 

A CF in the pipeline for when Hall's contract expires would also be a wise decision, if a suitable option is available when the Brewers draft in the first round.

 

I guess I'll just fall back on my old default, best college pitcher available, preferrably lefty, & one of the "closest to majors" projections (command on pitches).

[colbyjack]

I've noticed in the Estrada and Kendall threads a lot of people wishing and hoping that the Brewers will be able to develop a starting catcher from within their own system. Which brings me to ask, do you still hold out hope that they do so with one of either Palmisano, Salome or Lucroy, or should the organization continue to make this a big priority heading towards the 2008 draft?

 

2008 isn't a great year for catchers, but with the potential of having a couple of extra, compensatory picks, the Brewers may be able to gamble a little taking a player they like for need. Since they drafted their LF of the future in the first year last year, after taking their 3B of the future in 2005, the catching spot really is the only void the team has been unable to develop a player at. And for some reason, I get a vibe from the Brewers that they would love to boast an entirely homegrown starting lineup.

[dadofandrew]

As weak as catching is, I think I'd take one in the first 5 rounds every year, as long as you are not making a huge reach.

 

Given where they are in success curve, I don't see an OF taken early, and a college reliever in the top 5 picks makes perfect sense.

[splitterpfj]

I was going to make the same two points Al did, I'd draft a catcher every year, they're hard enough to develop for your own team, and if you hit on two, you have a golden trading chip.

 

Are there any college closers that might be considered in the first round? A reliever who will reach Milwaukee quickly seems to make sense right now.

[logan82]

Brian the Automator wrote:

Teams usually don't draft for need in baseball, positionally speaking.

 

But yeah, pitching is one of those "needs" that shouldn't go unattended.

 

I agree that in baseball you don't draft for need in general at the top of the draft. Best case scenario is you get a guy who can help you 2 years after he is drafted, Ryan Braun. At the bottom though I would draft to fill out depth in the minors. If you get good guys in the draft, you can always trade them or the MLB player blocking them to get what you need later. Like others have said though, drafting a catcher high, without reaching to much, would be a very good idea.

[colbyjack]

Some college closer discussion took place in the '08 college resource thread:

 

http://forum.brewerfan.net/viewtopic.php?t=8874

 

Cole St. Clair is my personal favorite, as I had him rated among the top 10-15 picks entering last spring, and while he missed some time last spring due to injury, he returned later in the season as strong as ever. He has returned to Rice for his senior year, and could soar through the minors as a short reliever. Some teams may opt to develop him as a starter since he does have three good pitches.

 

PGCrosschecker has Ryan Perry ranked among the top 10 prospects at this point in time, with the livest arm available for the '08 draft.

 

Aaron Weatherford is my own personal sleeper to be considered in the first round as a closer.

 

The one catcher most likely to be at one of the Brewers early spots (Kyle Skipworth likely will go very early) is Buster Posey of Florida State, a former Aflac All-American who went to FSU as a SS/closer, so you know he has good overall athleticism and a strong arm.

[patrickgpe]

since it would appear we will have 6 picks in the first 60, id like us to take a college closer and starter atleast. In past seasons where we would have a 1st and 3rd, and no second, Jack Z went for players with high ceilings. This year we can still do that and take a player who may help us in 09.

[TooLiveBrew]

The 2008 draft looks like it'll be crucial in establishing success for the Brewers beyond 2010-ish. I'm relieved Jack Z. is still our man, and hasn't yet been snatched away to be anyone else's GM. 6 picks in the top 60 is being handed the chance to reload on a silver platter - obviously, though, it came from calculated risks/decisions in player acquisitions.

[logan82]

If next year's draftees make it to the big leagues by 2010 I would be very surprised. That is how quickly Braun moved through the minors. I efinatley agree the next draft is a really good opportunity to restock for when our current studs leave.

[igor67]

I'd like to see them think about spending one of the bonus picks on a signability drop if there is one attractive.