Brewers Finish Off Draft Class With SS Hayden Cantrelle In 5th Round

The Milwaukee Brewers have finished off their 2020 MLB Draft class with yet another offensive player.

There was a theme with the Milwaukee Brewers 2020 Draft class. Every single player selected was a college position player.

They finished off this draft with Hayden Cantrelle, a shortstop from Louisiana-Lafayette. Let’s learn some more about this draft pick.

Hayden Cantrelle, SS, Louisiana-Lafayette

Cantrelle is the second switch-hitter the Brewers selected in this draft, joining third round pick Zavier Warren.

Speed is Cantrelle’s best tool, with MLB Pipeline giving it a 60-grade on the 20-80 scale. He’s a high energy kind of guy who gets on base and then steals bases extremely well, using his speed to maximum potential. Cantrelle stole 50 bases in three seasons, including 28 swiped bags in his sophomore year.

In his college career for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Cantrelle hit .280/.405/.440 with 31 doubles, 14 homers, 90 walks, and 122 strikeouts.

Cantrelle was dominant in the Cape Cod League last summer, hitting .303 on the summer with three homers, 22 walks, and 20 stolen bases in 42 games. Most of the Brewers draft picks this year starred in the Cape Cod League and improved their stock there.

Cantrelle was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 118 prospect in this draft class, which makes him a steal here in the 5th round. The reason he fell this far was because he had a horrible spring season this year, hitting just .136 in 17 games before the season was cut short. Had he played better or had the season continued so he could play out of his slump, Cantrelle would’ve likely gone far higher in this draft.

Instead, the Brewers are thrilled to get him here in the 5th. He has some solid defensive ability, although some scouts are split as to whether he can stick at shortstop long term. He can be an average defensive shortstop at best, but can also move all around the infield, with the speed to handle second base and the arm strength to handle third.

Cantrelle has some more power than he’s given credit for, with a 40-grade power tool, and could add a little more power as he develops. He has more power as a lefty hitter, which will play up in Miller Park.

There’s a lot of upside here and he can be a really solid contributor down the line.

The Brewers placed an emphasis on advanced offensive players that can play multiple different positions and can stay up the middle. It’s very on brand for David Stearns and the Brewers. Now comes the time for undrafted free agents. Let the bidding begin.

It’s the first time since 2003 the Brewers have gone with offensive players in their first five selections. Unfortunately this year, it was their only five selections.