New Year's Draft

[colbyjack]

I normally don't do this, but I wrote down a bunch of names at different positions that I think would be good fits for the Brewers in next June's draft to try and give an idea of what their draft could look like. Here's a collection of those names, just for kicks of course, through the first two rounds:

 

16. Aaron Hicks, OF/RHP, California HS

Hicks is the most electrifying talent available for the 2008 draft. His draft stock may differ as scouts try to determine where he's more valuable: As a top of the order switch-hitting outfielder or as a fire-balling right-handed pitcher with a killer curveball. He has the type of talent that you don't blink about acquiring knowing he has so many different ways to help your ballcub.

 

32. Daniel Marrs, RHP, Virginia HS

The Brewers have spent some very high picks on Virginia preps in recent years, including Jeremy Jeffress and Will Inman. Marrs has a better pitcher's frame and an overall better repertoire than both. He also receives high marks for his smarts and character off the field, something the Brewers likely will be looking to invest in after their troubles with Jeffress.

 

35. Zach Putnam, RHP, Michigan

A very good athlete that has excelled as both a hitter and as a pitcher at both the high school and college levels, Putnam seems to elevate his game when he's most needed to. He also knows what it is like to pitch in cold weather as a native of Michigan, and he has a very polished repertoire that should allow him to compete at the highest of levels.

 

54. Aaron Weatherford, CL, Mississippi St.

If Weatherford has the type of spring I think he could have for the Bulldogs next spring, he won't even be around when the Brewers make this pick. He continues a long an impressive line of closers from Mississippi State, which includes Jonathan Papelbon and Bobby Thigpen, with a mid-90s fastball and knockout slider.

 

55. Tim Murphy, LHP, UCLA

Jack Z makes some noise taking not only his first college pitcher in the top two rounds since being named the Brewers scouting director, but three. Murphy has been getting better and better in recent years, with very good stuff for a lefty after coming to UCLA known more for his bat than his arm as a talented two-way player.

 

63. Antonio Jimenez, C, Puerto Rico HS

A rare five-tool catcher, Jimenez firmly established himself as the top player from Puerto Rico for the 2008 draft by showcasing incredible bat speed, cat-like quickness and a cannon for an arm behind the plate in Jupiter last October. The Brewers are slowly but surely developing some intriguing catching depth, as they can afford to be patient with Jimenez.

 

Happy New Year!

[heresrobin]

Colby, I can get on board with that draft. I like the idea of going after the best everyday player available with that first pick and then going after pitching with the next four or five picks. It just seems like your best bet to add an impact bat/high upside everyday player is with that first pick.

But if the Brewers do decide to go with a pitcher with the first pick, I like the following High School pitchers based off of your Brewerfan.net profiles (assuming Tim Melville and Gerrit Cole are not available):
Sonny Gray
Jarret Martin
Brett DeVall
They all seem to have the following in common: good pitching IQ, good control, and smooth deliveries. Pitching projects with control problems or delivery question marks or injury concerns, no matter how small, scare me a little in the first round.

I also really like the idea of the Brewers taking a chance on a college closer with one of their first six picks. With so many picks at the top of the draft this year, it would be great to try to get a guy who could potentially move quickly and help the big league club sooner rather than later.

[colbyjack]

I'm with you heresrobin, I would prefer taking hitters early over pitchers since historically they are more likely to make an impact. But I do feel the Brewers will target pitching, and that they could take the toolsiest player on the board since they have extra early picks to help absorb the blow should that toolsy player not pan out.

 

And after last year when the team focused on polished college players, I think there's a good chance the team will target a handful of arms that could be knocking at the door a lot more quickly than any prep arms they may be tempted to take.

 

I almost made Sonny Gray the pick at #16 because he has size, stuff and athleticism that Jeffress has, but also receives high praise for his makeup.

[BucEbadger]

Where does Weeks fall in ur draft at this point also??? Top three rounds and if so would he be a BPA??

[colbyjack]

Check out the Brewerfan.net draft page BucEbadger, as Jemile currently sits at #29 of the top 30, meaning he's a legitimate first-round pick.

 

I'm not sure if the Brewers would target him though. If it's for a pure need, probably not, as the system is strong at 2B starting with his big brother Rickie and going down to a player the Brewers took early in last year's draft that profiles in a similar fashion to Jemile: Eric Farris.

[logan82]

I have to say I would be surprised to see that many pitchers taken. Not that we don't need them, but we seem to have more luck picking up pitchers as throwins from other teams more than drafting our own. Of course that has to change at some point, or I would hope it does.

[Gopher74]

I have to say I would be surprised to see that many pitchers taken. Not that we don't need them, but we seem to have more luck picking up pitchers as throwins from other teams more than drafting our own. Of course that has to change at some point, or I would hope it does.

Well, I doubt I'm saying anything that people don't already know, or think themselves, but I'd rather have a pitcher heavy farm system than a hitter heavy one. You can always deal pitching for bats, and when it comes time to invest in Free Agents, I'd rather invest in offensive players with a better chance to predict future success rather than pitching where so many things can happen. That's to say, I'd rather pony up the money to keep Weeks, Hart, Hardy and Braun and continue to develop the arms. I'd just never feel good about committing 5-6 years to a pitcher at a high salary.

 

[logan82]

You can always deal bats for pitching also as long as you don't need it right away. I was commenting more on the fact our current management and drafting team is more adept at picking out pitchers that have already been drafting as opposed to judging pitching tallent that has yet to even play in the minors.

[ILuvDaBush]

Beckett v. Hamilton. (Doesn't this sound like some nineteenth century court case as opposed to a debate of hitter v. pitcher, all things being equal?) But that debate was blurred by Hamlton's makeup. As for Miracle Grow for our farm in this draft, I would like to see a big toolsy outfielder/a good college closer/a few high ceiling prep arms, and young high ceiling catcher. Thus....concur, though you obviously like fast-tracked pitchers who can be squired in through the bullpen, which is in line with the Brewers' usage of young arms this year.