Why the Next Christian Yelich Would Be a Gift for the Milwaukee Brewers at Pick #5

While it’s tough to read into every mock draft, some scenarios have the big arms off the board right as the Milwaukee Brewers draft at #5.

As the 2016 MLB Draft is nearly upon us, it seems like nearly every equation has been broken down in the mock drafts. All the “if, ands, or, buts” explained after a while reading them begin to make your head twirl and make you just want to yell, “Let’s just get the MLB Draft started already!”

But, although each scenario seems a bit different in every mock draft, three players seem a possibility. OF Mickey Moniak, SS Delvin Perez, and OF Corey Ray. If pitchers like LHP AJ Puk, LHP Jason Groome, and RHP Riley Pint are already taken, the Milwaukee Brewers might just have to close the door on even thinking about going for a starting pitcher.

So, if this is the case, who should they take?

Here’s a quick recap on their positives/negatives (can go to my 1st draft article for more of a breakdown) and who’s a good comparative for an MLB player.

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OF Mickey Moniak

Positives – Contact hitter, speed, defense

Negatives – Pure strength (hitting, arm)

Best MLB player to compare to: OF Christian Yelich

SS Delvin Perez

Positives – Speed, arm, high potential

Negatives – Immaturity (recently failed drug test), needs to add muscle, improve plate approach

Best MLB player to compare to: SS Carlos Correa

OF Corey Ray

Positives – Athletic, speed, potential for overall player

Negatives – Needs to work on arm/hitting against LHP

Best MLB player to compare to: OF Andrew McCutchen

I’ll say right away that the most likely case here is OF Corey Ray or SS Delvin Perez. This is because many mock drafts have the Colorado Rockies having high interest in OF Mickey Moniak and if one of the top pitchers doesn’t slip into the #4 spot, they just might go ahead and not even give the Milwaukee Brewers a chance to pick between the three (okay, there’s more than three, but that’d ruin the whole mock draft game!).

It’s also possible SS Delvin Perez could go as high as #2 as the Cincinnati Reds have shown interest, although unlikely. And since the news of the failed drug test, the Milwaukee Brewers might just pass right by him even if available So, it’s mostly down to Perez or Ray if the Milwaukee Brewers decide to stay focused on offense.

If the 2016 MLB Draft went perfect for the Milwaukee Brewers, what would happen at the #5 pick?

I’ve already written an article about GM Theo Epstein’s approach to offense instead of pitching, so that’s why I see the Milwaukee Brewers going offense this year unless a big arm like the LHPs Puk or Groome slip to their spot. But, even so I’d love to see a player like OF Mickey Moniak somehow get to #5 where GM David Stearns and Scouting Director Ray Montgomery can’t let him pass.

But, in all likelihood OF Corey Ray or a big arm will most likely be their two choices.

In the grand scheme of things I know the Milwaukee Brewers can’t think too far down the road, but would find pitching more so in trades say like for C Jonathan Lucroy this season that have already shown what they can do in the minors and at least give Stearns and Montgomery a few hints.

While GM David Stearns might’ve just missed out on the Houston Astros drafting CF Delino DeShields Jr., CF George Springer, and SS Carlos Correa, maybe the rebuild will start with offense if no big arms are available at the #5 spot. But, never say never as Thursday will finally show us what will really happen.

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