Milwaukee Brewers: Six players you didn’t know they drafted

Jake Arrieta

The right handed pitcher that mesmerized hitters with his cutter for a few years was first picked by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005.  Being the 26th round pick was not what he wanted so he turned them down.

Arrieta’s road to signing was a long one.  In 2004 he was drafted in the 31st round by the Reds out of high school.  Then after one year with a junior college the Brewers took him.  Following that he went to Texas Christian University, where he stayed until he finished school.  It was finally in 2007 when the Orioles took hi in the fifth round he began playing as a professional.

It was 2010 when Arritta debuted with Baltimore.  He looked as if he would be a back end of the rotation pitcher for his whole career after posting a 5.46 ERA in four years with the team.  Then he was dealt to the Cubs and everything changed.

He became dominant.  In 2015 he was a Cy Young winner with 22 wins and a 1.77 ERA.  He also played an integral part in the World Series year winning ten games with a 3.10 ERA, and securing an All-Star selection.

His slow start to the career means he more than likely would be dealt away by the Milwaukee Brewers.  The haul the Orioles got for him included Scott Feldman, so the trade may not have been a bad thing.

If they decided not to trade him, they would have gotten several years of serviceable back end play.  Then the recent stretch dominance.  More what if games can be played with Arrieta.  What if the Milwaukee Brewers had him all this time?

Next: Is there room for a Sonny Gray deal?

That is the nature of the beast.  So many things can happen, but a successful team does not dwell on them.  They move forward, just as the Brewers have.