BA Staff Draft V 1.0: Brewers Draft Prep Infielder

They carefully explain that it’s not a mock draft, per se. They aren’t using any intel to try and determine who these teams are taking. They are, instead, talking through what they would do if they were in these positions.

In this version, Ben Badler selects Pennsylvanian prep shortstop Kevin McGonigle at #18.

About McGonigle he says this:

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The Brewers have used their top pick the last four drafts on college players. That generally seems to be by design, but looking at who’s on the board, there isn’t a college hitter who’s especially exciting to me. McGonigle is exciting though, and the prep shortstop checks a lot of boxes that the Brewers look for in hitters with his advanced contact skills, good swing decisions and an impressive track record. He has a knack for consistently barreling balls in games, whether it’s high velocity, adjusting to offspeed stuff or covering a pitch in any quadrant of the strike zone with his quick, compact swing from the left side.

McGonigle is pretty well-known, for a high schooler. He’s been a prominent figure on the showcase circuit, as well as playing on USA Baseball’s gold medal-winning 18-and-under team. 

Committed to Auburn, McGonigle could be a mildly tough sign, but almost all high schoolers drafted in the first round forego college to turn professional. There are still some questions about McGonigle’s game. What he lacks in athleticism and overall power, he makes up for with hand-eye coordination and a high baseball IQ. But he doesn’t have an overly strong arm or great speed, so there is some doubt that he could play on the left side of the infield professionally. There’s also doubt that he will ever develop 20-home run power. 

But when a prospect has an uncanny ability to get the barrel on the ball, you can overlook some other things. McGonigle can still be an extremely valuable part of a lineup. If that's your second baseman, fine. If you can keep him at shortstop... well, that's even better.

How would you feel about taking McGonigle in the first round? Do you have confidence in the developmental team to keep him at shortstop and help him discover some power? 

On a different note, do the Brewers deviate from what they've done in past? Maybe they still cleave to the college hitter demographic.