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Could the Milwaukee Brewers Pick the Next Carlos Correa in the 2016 MLB Draft?

By Ace Schneider |
Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; National team Taylor Trammel (left) and Delvin Perez (right) celebrate after scoring against the American team during the fifth inning in the Under Armour All America Baseball game at Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; National team Taylor Trammel (left) and Delvin Perez (right) celebrate after scoring against the American team during the fifth inning in the Under Armour All America Baseball game at Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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The MLB Draft is June 9-11 and the Milwaukee Brewers have the 5th overall pick, but should they go for the obvious need…pitching?

As I recently wrote in my “How the Milwaukee Brewers Can Learn From Theo Epstein…” article, I tried to point out just how they made it a point to go after hitting first when all signs say a team must go after pitching in order to win. Coming up soon, the Milwaukee Brewers and their new GM David Stearns has his first big choice to make on just how he should address the team…draft on needs or best talent available?

So, let’s break each player down by where which websites had the Milwaukee Brewers taking them first. (Because mock drafts always get them right…I mean, right?)

Delvin Perez, SS

17 yrs old

6-3, 165 lb

International Baseball Academy

Both Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis have the Milwaukee Brewers taking the young SS at #5 (at least once before they were updated). Certainly would first make fans wonder why a SS when Orlando Arcia is right on his way up and we may not be in need of this position and second he’s obviously not a pitcher, an area the Milwaukee Brewers need.

But, let’s take a look at why he’d be the right choice. Being a Puerto Rican prep, GM David Stearns is familiar with one with the Houston Astros, SS Carlos Correa. And things have gone pretty well for him. Let’s break down the simplicities of him by positives and negatives.

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Positives: Not quite ready to throw the “5-tool player” line on him, but he could simply be an all around player. If anything, he’ll have the glove to stand out on defense and need the time to develop his bat. Being that he has the “physical frame” to develop as more than a hitter due to his size, his potential is very high.

Negatives: Youth, immaturity is huge on Perez’s half. Both Mayo and Callis had the Milwaukee Brewers taking him in their latest mock draft at #5, but then he dropped down to #8 to the Padres. While GM David Stearns knows the team is rebuilding, how long is he willing to wait for a prospect and where would Perez go if he fully develops and there isn’t a spot for him with Arcia coming up?

Next: OFs Corey Ray & Mickey Moniak

Should the Brewers play it safe?

OF Corey Ray

21 yrs old

5-11, 170 lb

University of Louisville

ESPN’s Keith Law (Plus the most updated MLB.com Jim Callis article and Baseball America) suggests the Milwaukee Brewers scouting director Ray Montgomery has always gone after the best available player. In his mock draft, the best available would be left-handed outfielder, Corey Ray.

Positives: Ray is already at the college level and has more experience than the high school players already mentioned. If the Milwaukee Brewers are looking for a power bat, he might be the pick as he’s got both that and speed. While Brett Phillips will likely take the CF spot, the Ryan Braun trade rumors may make a spot open for Ray.

Negatives: Ray might be on the safe side for any team not willing to look into a high school pitcher. Plus, he’s had the most trouble against left-handed pitching, so like Milwaukee Brewers fans know already, they’d like an every day position player.

Mickey Moniak OF

18 yrs old

6-2, 190 lb

La Costa Canyon

Minorleagueball.com thought Moniak would be the likely pick here for the Milwaukee Brewers. They had Corey Ray dropping all the way down to #10. Something not too likely to happen according to many mock drafts, but you never know.

Positives: Scouts love his “lightning quick” swing. Speed and defense are his two top abilities. To me, he looks like a hitter that screams top of the order as he has a very contact-friendly swing.

Negatives: If the Milwaukee Brewers want power out of a hitter, Moniak simply wouldn’t be it. He seems to be one of the few thus far that that has very few downfalls, but could be considered a “safe pick” much like Ray.

Next: RHP Riley Pint & Conclusion

Surprisingly, mock drafts not pointing towards drafting pitching first.

RHP Riley Pint

18 yrs old

6-4, 195 LBs

St Thomas Aquinas

This possibility comes from FanGraphs article, “A Way-Too-Early 2016 Mock Draft,” so it might be far-fetched, but which mock draft isn’t? But, Pint addresses exactly what the Milwaukee Brewers are in need of and FanGraphs are huge fans of the right-hander.

Positives: Exactly what the Milwaukee Brewers could use, a top of the rotation possibility. Pint has touched his fastball up to 102, but will more be around 95-98. He does have a slider and changeup. Both need more work, but have shown promise, especially the changeup so far.

Negatives: Pitching is always risky early on. Especially early on the Milwaukee Brewers might look at a top 5 pick and the money and make sure to play it safe as a pitcher like LHP Nathan Kirby, a first rounder last year, has had to undergo Tommy John Surgery.

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Conclusion:

With a new GM, the Milwaukee Brewers could go any route this year and mock drafts are going to change throughout the weeks to come. Personally, I’m not a fan of the pitching at the top in the first round and would like to see the team wait on that later in the draft. Corey Ray and Mickey Moniak may be considered “safe” picks by some, but down the line might fully develop and be a key part into the Milwaukee Brewers future.

If all goes well even with the prospects coming up, some of these names can be used for trades, so a Delvin Perez might seem like an odd choice, but if the team has him highly ranked and down the line he’s starting to develop, a rebuilding team (not speaking of the Brewers for once) might love to trade for him.

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