Brewers' 2024 first-round pick living up to true potential with hot start in High-A

Back in 2024, the Milwaukee Brewers used their first-round pick on high school prospect Braylon Payne, marking a shift in the organization's draft approach. It was their first high-school selection in the first round since Brice Turang in 2018. The Brewers had favored more polished college players like Ethan Small, Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, Eric Brown Jr. and Brock Wilken in the years between.

At the time, the Brewers' selection of Payne was met with some skepticism, as he was just 17 years old, one of the youngest players in the draft, and came with some question marks. However, as the rare first-round high schooler who signed for well under slot value -- Payne signed for $3.44 million and the pick was valued at $4.53 -- the selection gave the Brewers more resources to work with throughout the rest of the draft. Milwaukee used those resources to sign draft picks like Bryce Meccage, Jayden Dubanewicz, and Tyler Renz -- three highly-ranked high school pitchers who may have elected to play college ball if not for the sizable signing bonuses the Brewers were able to offer them.

However, just because Payne wasn't as highly-ranked as some of his first-round colleagues, didn't mean there wasn't a compelling, albeit unpolished, profile to work with. If Payne lived up to the potential that the Brewers saw in him, it would be the best of both worlds for the organization, who not only saved money to spend on later-round draft picks, but would also walk away from the first round with a future top prospect.

In his first full season of pro ball last year, Payne, who was just 18 years old for much of the season, understandably experienced plenty of ups and downs. The final result, which was limited to just 78 games due to injury, was a slash line of .240/.354/.382. However, Payne did produce 21 extra-base hits and steal 31 bases in his shortened 2025 season.

Those are certainly serviceable numbers, but they don't scream "first-round pick." This year, however, Payne has exited the gates hot and is starting to show potential that should have Brewers fans very excited about the organization's No. 13-ranked prospect.

Braylon Payne is becoming the player the Brewers always knew he could be

To open the 2026 season, Payne has been assigned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and he’s off to a scorching start. Through 13 games, he’s slashing .364/.500/.750 with an impressive five home runs, already more than half of the eight he hit all of last season.

If this early surge is any indication, Payne is beginning to turn potential into production, and he's backing it up with some eye-popping exit velocities. The Brewers took a chance on upside when they made him a first-round pick, and now that decision is starting to look justified.

While it’s still early in the season, Payne’s breakout could quickly accelerate his timeline. If he sustains anything close to this pace, he won’t just replenish the pipeline; he could soon become a key piece of Milwaukee’s future.

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