2011 MLB Draft Results: Grading, Scouting Each of Milwaukee Brewers' Top Picks
Taylor Jungmann, Jed Bradley Highlight Milwaukee Brewers' First-Round of Action with Many More Picks Left To Come
While the Milwaukee Brewers were in the midst of completing a four-game sweep of the Florida Marlins Monday night, GM Doug Melvin and Bruce Seid (director of amateur scouting) were busy attempting to replenish their depleted minor league system.
Maintaining two of the top 15 picks in the 2011 first-year player draft, the Brewers had an open mind regarding how to use their selections, but were intent on boosting their pitching talent nonetheless.
With the 12th overall pick, Milwaukee selected Texas fireball right-hander Taylor Jungmann, and took Georgia Tech's ace lefty Jed Bradley at 15th overall.
Yet, as we all should realize, there is much talent to be had in the later rounds of the draft.
With that being said, let's take a thorough look at what each of Milwaukee's top picks can bring to the table for the Brewers in the near future.
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1st Round, 12th Overall: Taylor Jungmann, RHP Texas
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Height: 6'6"
Weight: 220 pounds
Scout's Take (via Mock Draft Mania)
""Rocket flamethrower for an arm, smart pitcher who makes sound decisions, and has an array of plus pitches that he can display to coaches and scouts."
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What Does This Mean for the Brewers?
Although I would've liked to see Milwaukee take a power lefty with the 12th overall selection, Jungmann is a great consolation prize for a mid-round selection.
Jungmann has an array of pitches that will serve him well in the Brewers farm system for the next two-three seasons, and also has the capability to go deep into games—he pitched five complete games for the Longhorns in 15 starts last season.
This looks like a surefire star in the making for Milwaukee, and he should be on the fast track to the majors once he hits the minor league field.
Doug Melvin, you've done it again.
Grade: A-
1st Round, 15th Overall: Jed Bradley, LHP Georgia Tech
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 224 pounds
Scout's Take (via Baseball Beginnings)
""What I love about Bradley here is how on top of the ball he is for all of his offerings, how closed his delivery is, how balanced and coordinated he is and how smooth he is. That makes him really tough on right-handed hitters, and that’s why that guy is going to pitch in the big leagues."
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What Does This Mean for the Brewers?
After passing on a plethora of left-handers with their first pick, the Brewers secured one of the nation's top lefties in Bradley.
Maintaining four solid pitches and a low-90s fastball, Bradley is clearly a seasoned pitcher who should also see the playing field by the end of the 2013 season.
Moreover, the Brewers were in serious need of a crafty left-hander to replenish their minor league system, and Bradley should fill the void well.
Grade: A-
2nd Round, 70th Overall: Jorge Lopez, RHP Coaguas Military Academy
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 175 pounds
Scout's Take (via Perfect Game)
""Slender young build, should gain strength but not much weight. Fastball to 91 mph, velocity comes easy. Flashes hard curveball spin when on top of the ball, change up shows nice sink and should be thrown more."
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What Does This Mean for the Brewers?
With their third selection, Milwaukee again went with arguably the best available pitcher, and found quite the gem in Jorge Lopez.
Ranked as the top overall prospect from Puerto Rico, Lopez has already made a name for himself as a talented, adept pitcher.
A few years with any number of Milwaukee's farm-system clubs would work wonders for Lopez's development, as he is a bit of a raw prospect by league standards. Nevertheless, Lopez brings a lot to the table, and could potentially see time in the Brewers bullpen by 2014.
Grade: B
3rd Round, 100th Overall: Andrew Gagnon, RHP Cal State Long Beach
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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 195 pounds
Scout's Take (via Baseball Beginnings)
""Tall, lean & athletic. Muscular lower half & long arms. Fastball 92-90 mph, big right-hander who is going to be pretty good. Potential middle-rotation major league starter or closer candidate, but will need to develop better breaking ball and more consistent change-up."
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What Does This Mean for the Brewers?
Once again, Melvin and Seid stuck to their plan to replenish their arms down on the farm, and found a prime prospect in Andrew Gagnon.
Interestingly enough, Gagnon was drafted by the Pirates in the 10th round of the 2008 draft, but chose school over a potential contract with Pittsburgh. Three years later, Gagnon has improved immensely, and should be on the fast track to the Brewers bullpen in the next three years.
Grade: B
Other Noteworthy Selections
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4th Round, 131st Overall: Nick Ramirez, 1B/LHP, Cal State Fullerton
Great power potential with tremendous upside, but also has some softness in his middle that will need to firm up.
5th Round, 161st Overall: Michael Reed, OF, Leander (Texas) High School
An extremely raw talent with superb power, but will need at least five years or so in the minor leagues.
6th Round, 191st Overall: Danny Keller, RHP, Newbury Park High School
Fastball topping out in the 94-93 range, sharp curveball.
7th Round, 221st Overall: David Goforth, RHP, Ole Miss
Power pitcher who consistently hits mid-90s with his fastball, but will need to polish up his command if the big leagues are in his future.
8th Round, 251st Overall: Dustin Houle, C, Brookswood (British Columbia) SS
Considered Canada's best overall prospect of 2011, and has power. If he does sign a minor league contract with Milwaukee, he'll need a considerable amount of developing time.
The Rest
9th round, 281st Overall: Malcolm Dowell, CF, La Grange (Ga.) High School
10th round, 311th Overall: Michael Strong, LHP, Oklahoma State
11th round, 341st Overall: Thomas Toledo, RHP, Florida
12th round, 371st Overall: Andrew Cain, OF, UNC-Wilmington
13th round, 401st Overall: Mallex Smith, CF, Richards (Fla.) High School
