3 MLB Draft prospects Brewers fans should closely watch in College World Series Final
Brewers fans could be catching a glimpse of Milwaukee's first round pick during the College World Series
The pinnacle of college baseball is upon us. The College World Series final begins tonight. Tennessee vs. Texas A&M. Volunteers vs. Aggies. The Milwaukee Brewers scouting department will be keeping a close eye on these games and so should Brewers fans.
The Brewers have selected a college player with their first round pick in each of the last five Drafts and seven of the last eight. That makes the College World Series a perfect place to look for possible Brewers Draft picks when the Draft rolls around in July.
Tennessee and Texas A&M have no shortage of Day 1 draft prospects on their teams. Here are a couple for Brewers fans to watch during this best of three series to prepare for the Draft.
1. Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee
The Brewers went the power hitting corner infielder route in 2023 with Brock Wilken and perhaps they could do so again with Billy Amick in 2024. Amick gets above average grades with both his hit tool and power. For the Vols this year, Amick has hit .313/.392/.663 with 14 doubles, 23 homers, and 65 RBIs.
While there are some question marks about the long term defensive fit at third base and the potential to move to first base is real, the bat is what you're really buying here with Amick. He has lightning quick bat speed and hits the ball hard to all fields.
In his three games so far at the College World Series, Amick has hit .307 (4 for 13) with a double and an RBI.
Right now, Amick is earning consideration in the second half of the first round, right around the area the Brewers are picking at 17 overall. It's unlikely he lasts to the Brewers second pick at 34 overall. Milwaukee likes taking safer college bats with their first pick and Amick is going to be worthy of consideration at that spot.
2. Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee
Perhaps no player has improved his Draft stock during the College World Series as much as Christian Moore. Over the course of this NCAA Tournament, Moore has moved from a fringe first rounder, likely Comp round or second round, to a surefire first rounder, possibly in the first half of the first round.
Moore has hit for the cycle during this College World Series, completing the feat against Florida State. He's hitting .571 (8 for 14) during the CWS.
On the season, Moore has hit .385/.460/.816 with 19 doubles and 33 homers. The power is real and the hit tool has been showing continued improvement. Moore plays an up the middle position, which is a plus for the Brewers, but he's limited to second base only at the next level and likely can't make the move to shortstop.
Still, a bat like his, that comes up clutch in big moments and hits for both average and power as well as he does is worthy of consideration if he's still on the board by the time the Brewers pick at 17.
Moore's stock may have jumped so much that the Brewers won't have a chance to pick him. Even if that's the case, Brewers fans should watch him closely during the College World Series final because he's just plain fun to watch.
3. Ryan Prager, LHP, Texas A&M
The Brewers love adding projects to the pitching lab and Ryan Prager could very well be the next one. The ace of the Aggies staff just had a phenomenal outing his last time out at the CWS, throwing 6.2 IP, scattering just two hits and allowing zero runs against Kentucky. He's likely to pitch at some point during this best of three series.
Prager's performance against Kentucky dropped his season ERA to 2.88. He has 114 strikeouts in 93.2 IP and has allowed just 20 walks.
Prager is able to generate a lot of swings and misses not only with his stuff but with deception. The Brewers have historically had success with pitchers that have deceptive deliveries. His control and the quality of his stuff should also lend himself well to Brewers scouts.
Left handed starting pitching is always in high demand and the Brewers could certainly use more arms like that in their farm system. The ingredients are there to make Prager a starting pitcher in the big leagues and there's a solid floor here.
Prager is more likely to see his name called later on Day 1, probably in the second round if the Brewers want to get him. The first round is too early for him and 34th overall is also probably too rich for the Brewers taste unless they wanted to cut a big under-slot deal there.
The College World Series final is a best of three series that begins Saturday night and is chock full of top prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft. The Brewers and Brewers fans should be keeping an eye on these players who could very well be selected by Milwaukee in the near future.