Failed Brewers' draft pick dominates in first collegiate outing of 2026 season

The MLB Draft differs significantly from amateur drafts in other sports leagues. While rookies have to agree to contracts with their respective teams after the draft in most leagues, the frequency in which players opt not to sign deals with the organizations that selected them is higher in baseball.

This oddity stems from the fact that high schoolers are some of the most popular names in the MLB Draft, whereas in other sports, players are forced to spend at least some time in college before joining the professional ranks. However, just because high schoolers can be selected in the MLB draft, doesn't mean they have to end up signing with the team that picks them. Some players elect to attend college, improve their draft stock, and return to the draft in a future year when their signing bonus might be higher.

Back in 2024, the Milwaukee Brewers selected high school right-hander Chris Levonas with the 67th overall pick. The selection immediately became a favorite among Brewers' prospect evaluators because of Levonas' upper-90s velocity and impressive secondary offerings. However, rather than sign a contract with the Brewers in the weeks after the draft, Levonas decided to honor his commitment to Wake Forest University, and log a few seasons of college ball before making the jump to professional baseball.

Now, after showcasing his impressive abilities at the collegiate level, Brewers fans can't help but wonder "what might've been?" had Levonas opted to join Milwaukee's minor league system after his second-round draft selection.

Former unsigned Brewers draft pick Chris Levonas dominates in first outing of sophmore season at Wake Forest

Despite a high ERA in his freshman season in 2025, Levonas displayed an impressive knack for striking out opposing hitters, which bodes well for his future with the Demon Deacons and beyond. In 35 innings, Levonas posted a 5.91 ERA but struck out 44 batters. More than anything, he was killed by the nine homers that he surrendered in those 35 innings.

However, last night, in Levonas' first appearance of his sophomore campaign, he tossed 3.2 scoreless innings, allowed just two hits, and struck out nine opposing hitters while facing the University of Washington in the Puerto Rico Challenge. His curveball, as seen in the video above, which has been measured at more than 3000 revolutions per minute (rpm), was dialed in, and the Washington hitters didn't stand a chance.

While it's now a year and a half removed from the time that Brewers fans thought Levonas' electric right arm would be joining their organization, the Wake Forest standout will forever be tied to Milwaukee. If anything, it's simply further validation that the Brewers' draft strategy and their scouting department are among the best in baseball. Maybe Milwaukee will end up drafting Levonas again, and this feeling of a missed opportunity will disappear for the Brewers faithful.