This Milwaukee Breweries had the most first-day picks at the 2024 MLB Draft, as they selected four players. Their picks were 17th (first round), 34th (Competitive Balance Round-A acquired from the Baltimore Orioles), 57th (second round), and 67th (Competitive Balance Round-B). Here, we assign grades to each pick.
Grading the Milwaukee Brewers 17th pick: OF Braylon Payne.
As a player, Braylon Payne has 70-degree velocity and all the tools necessary to develop as a center fielder. The left-handed hitter is still developing offensively, but he already has a tiny, compact, contact-oriented swing. By selecting Payne 17th overall, the Brewers save money on the slot while gaining a 17-year-old who is a lower risk than other prep prospects due to his elite speed and defensive skills. Payne is the first prep prospect the Brewers have taken in the first round since 2018, when they selected Brice Turanga.
Milwaukee Brewers 34th pick grade: 1B Blake Burke
The last time the Brewers had a left-handed power hitter at first base for an extended period of time was Prince Fielder from 2005-11. By drafting Blake Burke, who has 70-degree power, you have to hope he’ll be Milwaukee’s first baseman of the future in a few years. He was a national champion at the University of Tennessee and finished his collegiate career (three seasons) with an OPS above 1.000.
Grading the Milwaukee Brewers’ 57th pick: RHP Bryce Meccage.
After saving money in the slot with their first two picks, the Brewers selected prep pitcher Bryce Meccage in the second round. He’s a 6’4″, 210-pound pitcher from New Jersey who swings the ball well on the mound. He’s committed to the University of Virginia, but Milwaukee should be able to pry him away and put him to work in their pitching lab.
Grading the Milwaukee Brewers’ 67th pick: RHP Chris Levonas.
Just 10 picks after Meccage was selected 57th overall, the Brewers stuck with New Jersey and selected prep player Chris Levonas. Similarly, he has a college commitment (Wake Forest), is 6’0” and swings the ball very well. This will be another pitching lab project, where the Brewers selecting him here means he fits a prototype they like and believe they can develop into a major leaguer. Milwaukee made a similarly high selection for a prep player in 2023 when they selected Josh Knoth 33rd overall.
The 2024 MLB Draft will run through Tuesday, July 16. The next pick will be the 93rd overall pick in the third round.
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