5 way too early 2025 MLB Draft prospects to target with Brewers' glut of early picks

The Milwaukee Brewers will have five picks in the first two rounds in the 2025 MLB Draft. While a lot is going to change between now and July when the Draft takes place, the Brewers' scouts are already eyeing up players they're interested in with those early selections.

The first pick for the Brewers is at #20 overall by virtue of where they placed in 2024 followed by their compensation pick for Willy Adames likely at #32, their Competitive Balance Round A pick at #33, followed by their second rounder, and then compensation for not signing Chris Levonas late in Round 2. That gives Milwaukee a ton of ammunition to load up their farm system even more.

Here are a few of names to watch as the college baseball season draws nearer and draft preparation continues.

Way too early Brewers targets for the 2025 MLB Draft

Ike Irish, C, Auburn

The Brewers have one top catching prospect in Jeferson Quero, who will be in Triple-A this year. William Contreras is in his first year of arbitration and will be a free agent three years from now, barring an extension. The catching depth down in the farm system is quite shallow. It shouldn't be surprising at all if the Brewers try to deepen that group.

Ike Irish is one of the top college catchers in this year's Draft class. A left handed hitter, Irish is the best offensively among the catching crop this year, and while the Brewers cherish defense at that position, they've shown a knack at developing catchers defensively. Irish's arm is strong, so it's a matter of improving his glove, which the Brewers should be able to do.

Dean Curley, SS, Tennessee

Playing shortstop at one of the top programs in the SEC is sure to draw some attention and Dean Curley is going to have plenty of first round buzz in 2025. With plus raw power and good swing decisions, Curley has a high ceiling offensively at a premium position. Curley was dominant in the College World Series last year.

Defensively, Curley has one of the strongest arms in the country and is a well-above average defender at shortstop that can stick at the position. That is sure to draw the attention of the Brewers, who covet strong defense in their infield. Should Curley's power continue to develop, he could be a similar player to Willy Adames.

Kane Kepley, OF, North Carolina

The description of Kane Kepley fits the description of a lot of the Brewers players. Overlooked and undersized, Kepley makes a ton of contact, draws walks, getting on base at a high clip and then using his speed to advance. Last year for Liberty, Kepley hit .314/.464/.496 with nine homers, 25 stolen bases, and 53 walks to just 26 strikeouts.

Excellent swing decisions, energy, speed, and contact ability makes Kepley the type of player Pat Murphy would love to have in his lineup and the Brewers have a history of targeting these traits, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Kepley become a Brewer this summer.

Ethan Petry, OF, South Carolina

The MVP of the Cape Cod League in 2024, Ethan Petry has raw power to spare and is one of the best power hitters in this year's draft class. Petry's not all that dissimilar to another Brewers prospect, Brock Wilken, who also won the Cape Cod League MVP a few years ago. The Brewers do love high performers on the Cape, and Petry should go around the range of the Brewers early picks.

It's a power-over-hit profile and Petry is a corner profile only on defense. He has a strong enough arm to play right field but his limited speed and range likely will limit Petry to first base in the major leagues. Petry is going to be among the country's leaders in home runs this season and the Brewers will likely be keeping a close eye on him.

Gabe Davis, RHP, Oklahoma State

The Brewers like big pitchers. Just take a look at their bullpen mix. Jared Koenig, Grant Wolfram, Bryan Hudson, Trevor Megill, and Jacob Misiorowski all stand at 6'6" or taller. Gabe Davis stands at a whopping 6'9" tall and a slim 217 pounds. His fastball sits in the upper 90s and touches 100 MPH.

It's a profile the Brewers have had great success with and could very well look to have success with again in the 2025 Draft with Davis. If anyone can harness the size and power that Davis has, it's the Brewers. Once they unlock Davis' potential, he could quickly become a force in the Brewers bullpen but he also has the three pitch mix to succeed as a starter if the command improves enough.

A lot will happen between now and the Draft this summer. Players' stocks will rise and fall, but these are some early names to keep an eye on when the Draft rolls around and as the college baseball season gets started.

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