Mayo: Brewers Selecting Prep Arm

Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis have been alternating mock drafts for the better part of the summer (and spring) and they will have one more mock draft before the start of the draft on Sunday. 

It's hard to make a projection with any sort of conviction when it's a late first-round pick, so it's entirely possible that pairing LHP Jackson Ferris of IMG Academy (FL) has more to do with getting a name off the board because of good value than it does with the Brewers having interest. There's never a mock that doesn't mention the Brewers leaning towards college pitching.

But Ferris at #27 would be a heckuva value pick.

First off, he looks the part of a potential big-league pitcher. Standing at 6' 4" and weighing around 200 pounds, Ferris has the "unteachables" that scouts look for in a pitcher.

Beyond that, being equipped with a mid-90s fastball, a change-up in the 80s and curveball in the 70s, Ferris's repertoire is built like that of a great Pandora station. His delivery looks a little different, so that's one thing you worry about - is it repeatable? - because if that becomes an issue, your ceiling drops. But the Brewers know a thing or two about how to handle hard-throwing lefties in the bullpen.

The commitment to Ole Miss and rumors of a hefty price tag (not uncommon for any prep pitcher), may push Ferris down in the draft where there will certainly be a team willing to pay him what he wants. 

Is Ferris a name that would interest Brewers fans?