SPORTSLINE
– Jen Lepkowski
The 2023 MLB Draft is done, and the Milwaukee Brewers made their 21 selections even though they don’t plan to sign all 21 of them. For years, the Brewers have stocked up on college bats and they especially love college hitters. It looked like the Brewers were going to stick with this tradition as they started their first-round pick with Wake Forest’s Brock Wilken and Nebraska-Omaha’s Mike Boeve. It stopped after that. No college picks on day two or three. The Brewers did address some of their biggest concerns and needs, adding power hitting, and corner infield talent, and also went heavy on pitching adding some pitchers that could move up the system pretty quickly.
The aligning trait for all of the pitchers Milwaukee drafted seems to be an excellent feel to spin the baseball. All of their drafted hitters are large and physical, however, and none of them are listed below 6-foot-3. A name that has been talked about is Cooper Pratt. The Milwaukee Brewers had built a strong relationship with Cooper Pratt. He could very well end up as the best big-league player from this Brewer’s draft class. He has the best bat-to-ball skills and strike zone discipline of any high school player in this class. He’s big at 6-foot-4 and strong, with solid power presently and room for a lot more as he grows into his frame and matures. Pratt ultimately felt they could sign him and snatched him up with the 182nd overall pick.
The Brewers were able to add some things to their system that they’ve been lacking and that is power. The Brewers targeted high-upside players who are a bit riskier, but the reward is potentially greater. Let’s hope the reward is great and we end with a strong second half of the season.
