Brewers' 2024 first-round pick validates high draft selection with new franchise record

After a long string of unsuccessful first-round draft picks, the Milwaukee Brewers have flipped the script in recent years. Brice Turang (2018), Garrett Mitchell (2020), and Sal Frelick (2021) are all current big leaguers, while more recent selections like Blake Burke (2024) and Andrew Fischer (2025) are grabbing headlines for the home run records they are setting in Double-A.

Recently, Burke broke the Biloxi Shuckers single-season home run record, which previously belonged to Corey Ray with 28 long balls. Meanwhile, Fischer is leading the entirety of the minor leagues in home runs this year and is making a serious run at the most all-time in Brewers franchise history.

Selected ahead of Burke in 2024, who was drafted with the Brewers' Competitive Balance Round A pick (34th overall), was outfielder Braylon Payne in the first round (17th overall). The Texas high schooler was one of the youngest in the draft that year, but Milwaukee believed in Payne's tools, which, at the time, were mainly contact and speed. However, there was also a belief in the young outfielder's ability to add power as he grew into his 6'2" frame.

In 2026, Payne's second full professional season, that power development has certainly arrived. As a member of the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Payne has set a new franchise record with 23 home runs. It's a feat he's accomplished in just 73 games and 338 plate appearances, averaging a home run once every 14.69 trips to the plate, or roughly once every 3.17 games.

Braylon Payne breaks the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' single-season home run record

Just a few days before turning 20 years old, Payne launched his record-setting 23rd home run for the Timber Rattlers. Before that historic home run, he was in a four-way tie with Khris Davis, Victor Roache, and Clint Coulter for the franchise record.

With 25 games remaining, Payne still has plenty of time to add to his record-setting home run total, with the only thing standing in his way being a promotion to Double-A. The Biloxi Shuckers won the first-half championship and are already playoff-bound. That, combined with the loss of Josiah Ragsdale at the trade deadline, means the door is open for Payne to jump up a level.

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