Milwaukee Brewers 5 Round MLB Mock Draft 1.0

With the 53rd selection in the MLB Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers select Kevin Parada, C, Loyola (CA) HS

I know, I know, what did I just say about high school players being risky and needing to make safer selections? But there’s a lot to like about Kevin Parada and he could fall down draft boards a little bit because of the shortened draft and a solid value with the 53rd overall pick.

MLB Pipeline has ranked the Georgia Tech commit as their 48th-best prospect heading into the draft.

In the past, when the Brewers have gone after position players early in the draft they tend to go after players with a strong hit tool and worry about the position later. Take Keston Hiura for example. Hiura had one of the best hit tools in the 2017 draft, but there were worries about his elbow health and ability to even play second base defensively. But the Brewers loved the hit tool and would deal with the defensive issues later, simply wanting to get that bat in their system. That has clearly worked out so far.

Kevin Parada could be in a similar position. He’s an above average hitter with power potential as he matures and develops. MLB Pipeline reports that he gets most of his power from the pull side currently, but should be able to hit the ball to all fields in the future.

Defensively, Parada has some good qualities, including a strong and accurate throwing arm. However, he’s not a guarantee to stick behind the plate moving forward. He has a good chance to do so, but if he can’t or if the Brewers don’t have a catcher spot available for him when he’s ready for the big leagues, he’s athletic enough to move to a different position, likely on the corners.

As most of us have observed over the past few years, the Brewers value versatility among their position players and the fact that Parada won’t simply be stuck as a catcher and can play other positions if need be makes him an attractive option in the second round.